Why Use Annotations Scaling?

WHY USING ANNOTATIONS SCALING?

We often need to draw several drawings in a sheet. They often have different scales. In this situation, it can be difficult to draw the annotations. What is the text height should be in 1:10 scale? What is the hatch scale, so it is not too dense in 1:100 scale? Moreover, what is the scale in 1:5 detailed drawing?

There are workarounds AutoCAD users do over the years. The methods work, but there are some downsides. If you have the problem and are looking another way to

do this, keep reading.

What are Annotations?
Annotations are the elements that are not a part of model or geometry. We add annotations in the drawing for clarity.

• We add text to give an object description.
• We add dimensions to allow engineers know the sizes quickly.
• We add hatches or patterns to describe materials or other properties.
• We draw tags to add legends or description

The Problem with Drawing Annotations

We draw objects in real measurements, 1:1 scale. However, the annotation size is relative. You need to make sure the annotation is readable when you plot your drawing. If you draw your annotations on model space, the problem is obvious. The text size on 1:10 scaled drawing is different when you need to plot it with 1:25 scale. The hatches can be too dense if you plot it with a smaller scale.

Another method is to draw the annotations on the layout. Because we always plot

layout with 1:1 scale, it is easier to draw annotations. We draw text with the same

size we expect to appear on the paper. If I want the text 2mm, I draw it with 2mm

height on the layout.

However, drawing annotations on the layout also has downsides. When you modify

the drawing in model space, you may need to check and rearrange the

annotations. Hatches do not work with this method.

When Will I Get the Most Benefits of Using Annotation Scaling?

If you do not use layout, then Annotation Scaling is not for you. You can fully utilize

Annotation Scaling if you use layout.

The benefits of Annotation Scaling are:

• Annotation Scaling allows you to set the annotation size easily. You only need to think the size when it is plotted.
• If you need to show it on different scales, you do not need to recreate it. It resizes automatically.
• You can show annotations on different scales, but you only need to modify it once.

Excerpt from a Free e­book: Working with AutoCAD Annotation Scaling By Edwin Prakoso 

This eBook covers Annotation Scaling, how it works and how to use it. It is a 

good feature and I see several customers have implemented it successfully. 

However, there are still not many users how to use it. Hope you will find it useful and 

you can implement it in your workflow. The eBook also included with exercises and drawing file to use it.

 

The eBook is free to download. visit his website at 

http://www.cad-notes.com/

Introduction to Structural BIM by Autodesk

About Dynamic Block

Dynamic blocks contain rules, or parameters, for how to change the appearance of the block reference when it is inserted in the drawing.

With dynamic blocks you can insert one block that can change shape, size, or configuration instead of inserting one of many static block definitions. For example, instead of creating multiple interior door blocks of different sizes, you can create one resizable door block.

You author dynamic blocks with either constraint parameters or action parameters.

Note:
Using both constraint parameters and action parameters in the same block definition is not recommended.

Checkout my online presentation about dynamic block tutorial embeded on this post. Thanks for reading.