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EXPRESS TOOLSAutoCADand Its Applications
B A S I C SStudent Web Si te
Using Text Express ToolsThe Express menu in the menu browser
includes a Text cascading menu with several tools.
These tools offer extended functionality for text in AutoCAD.
The following express tools repre-sent the most useful text express
tools.
Fitting Text between Two PointsThe TEXTFIT tool stretches or
shrinks single-line text objects by speci-
fying a new start and endpoint for the text. Only the width of
the text is affected. The height remains the same. Once you access
the TEXTFIT tool, select the text object you want to stretch or
shrink. Then activate the Start point option and pick a new start
point. Select a new endpoint to complete the stretch or shrink, and
exit the TEXTFIT tool.
NOTEThe TEXTFIT tool does not work with multiline text.
Copyright by Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Chapter 10, page 1
Ribbon
Express Tools> Modify Text
Text FitType
TEXTFIT
TEXT
FIT
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EXPRESS TOOLSAutoCADand Its Applications
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Creating a Text MaskThe TEXTMASK tool creates a masking object
behind selected single-
line or multiline text objects so that any objects behind the
text do not display through the text. See Figure ET10-1.
The TEXTMASK tool can be used for multiline or single-line text,
but it more relevant for single-line text, because the multiline
text editor provides an easy-to-use Background Mask feature. Once
you access the TEXTMASK tool, select the text objects to which you
want to apply a masking object. To apply the default settings to
the selected text objects, press the [Enter] key or
space bar, or right-click and select the Enter option.Three
different types of objects can be used as a mask. Activate the
Masktype option at
the Select text objects to mask or [Masktype/Offset]: prompt to
choose from one of the following Masktype options:
Copyright by Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Chapter 10, page
Ribbon
Express Tools> Text
Text MaskType
TEXTMASK
TEXT
MAS
K
Figure ET10-1. AText with no mask. BText with a text mask.
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EXPRESS TOOLSAutoCADand Its Applications
B A S I C SStudent Web Si te
Wipeout. Applies a mask with a rectangular frame displayed with
the screen back-ground color.
3dface. Places a 3D face behind the text. Solid. Creates a mask
with a 2D solid in a specified color.When creating a mask, AutoCAD
offsets the mask a specified distance from the edges of the
text. To change the offset distance, activate the Offset option
at the Select text objects to mask or [Masktype/Offset]: prompt.
AutoCAD prompts you to enter the offset factor relative to text
height. Enter the distance from the edge of the text that you want
the mask to cover.
Unmasking TextThe TEXTUNMASK tool removes a mask from text that
has been masked
with the TEXTMASK tool.
Copyright by Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Chapter 10, page
Ribbon
Express Tools> Text
Unmask MaskType
TEXTUNMASKTEX
TUN
MAS
K
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EXPRESS TOOLSAutoCADand Its Applications
B A S I C SStudent Web Si te
Converting Single-Line Text to Multiline TextThe TXT2MTXT tool
allows you to convert single-line text into a multi-
line text object. Single-line text can be converted to a single
line of multiline text, or multiple single lines can be converted
and combined into one multi-line text object.
Aligning Text with an ArcThe ARCTEXT tool creates text that is
curved to follow the shape of an
arc. Before you can create this text, an arc must exist in the
drawing. When you access the ARCTEXT tool, AutoCAD prompts you to
select an arc. After the arc is selected, the ArcAlignedText
Workshop - Create dialog box is displayed. See Figure ET10-2.
The ArcAlignedText Workshop - Create dialog box includes several
options for controlling the output of the text. The buttons across
the top of the dialog box control text location relative to the arc
and its length. Backwards
and concave text are available, as well as several alignment
tools. The Color drop-down list allows you to specify the color of
the text. The first Font drop-down list specifies a text style to
use, and the second allows you to specify a font. The Text: text
box is where you type the desired text. The Properties section
includes additional properties that can be applied to the text.
Copyright by Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Chapter 10, page
Ribbon
Express Tools> Text
Convert to MtextType
TXT2MTXT
TXT2
MTX
T
Ribbon
Express Tools> Text
Arc-Aligned TextType
ARCTEXT
ARCT
EXT
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EXPRESS TOOLSAutoCADand Its Applications
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Pick the OK button when you have finished configuring the text.
If the text needs to be modified, access the ARCTEXT tool again and
select the text. After you are finished with the text, you can
erase the arc used to designate the arc text if desired.
Copyright by Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Chapter 10, page
Figure ET10-2. ASetting up arc-aligned text using the
ArcAligned-Text Workshop - Create dialog box. BThe resulting
text.
Alignment andlocation buttons
Styledrop-down Color
control
Fontdrop-down
Enter text
Propertiesof text
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EXPRESS TOOLSAutoCADand Its Applications
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Placing an Object around TextThe TCIRCLE tool allows you to
place a circle, slot, or rectangle around
one or more pieces of single-line text, multiline text, or
attributes. After you access the TCIRCLE tool, pick the text object
you want to enclose. Then enter the distance offset factor, which
defines the amount of space from the text to the enclosure based on
text height. For example, if text is .5 high, a distance offset
factor of 1 will create a .5 offset. Next, select whether you want
to draw a circle, slot, or rectangle around the text by choosing
the appropriate option. Enter the Variable option for most
applications to create the enclosure and exit the tool.
Changing CaseThe TCASE tool is similar to the Change Case option
in the multiline
and single-line text editors. However, this TCASE tool can be
used to change the case of single-line text, multiline text,
attributes, and dimension text. It also provides additional case
options.
The TCASE change text case dialog box is displayed, as shown in
Figure ET10-3. This dialog box provides you with five case options
to apply to your text. Select an option and press OK to apply the
changes.
Copyright by Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Chapter 10, page 6
Ribbon
Express Tools> Text
Enclose in ObjectType
TCIRCLE
TCIR
CLE
Ribbon
Express Tools> Text
Change CaseType
TCASE
TCAS
E
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B A S I C SStudent Web Si te
Copyright by Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Chapter 10, page 7
Figure ET10-3. The TCASE change text case dialog box allows you
to change the case of selected text.