We are going to focus on adding the command to a palette as shown in Figure 8 the code for the macro is shown below it.
Several classes at Autodesk University online show you how to add a new command to the ribbon (look for AutoCAD Customization). You can do the same with the CUI by adding a new command. Figure 8 shows an example image followed by the code needed to insert your multileaders into an existing drawing via tool palettes.
Now that we have our template created let’s take that one step further and add it to a button or a tool palette. Also, notice the annotative symbol to represent the annotative properties of the leader.įigure 8: Multileader button tool Import the Multileader The number (i.e., 12 = 12pt) represents the text size. In the example the RS=Romans and the ARB=ArialB is the font style. Figure 7 shows an example of how you can create serveral different multileader styles (annotative and standard) and place within one drawing as a guide. Your current style will be listed directly right of the image as shown in Figure 6.Ĭontinue on and create a template drawing with all of your Multileader styles and have those available to import into a current or new drawing. You are now ready to try out your new leader by selecting the Multileader icon or typing MLE at the command prompt. Autodesk has made some significant improvements to the AutoCAD command line in the last few releases there are many options there that you may not be aware of. When issuing the command don’t forget to look at the command line.Then move to the Content and type AUGIworld as your default text. Under the Leader Format tab select Right Angle for your arrowhead as shown in step 4.You can also change the setting to a block and have the leader connecting to an object or user defined block. This tab is where we will set the default text to AUGIWorld as shown above. The Content tab controls the content of the leader where you can specify mtext, blocks, or none.Leader Sructure is where you can set constraints, landing distance, and scale of the multileader.We are only going to change the arrowhead symbol and keep the leader Straight (you can also choose Spline or None). Leader format determines the type of leader you are going to create (i.e., type, color, linetype, lineweight).Within this box you can define a default arrowhead format as well as text, to name a few. Let’s continue to modify our new style by reviewing the steps shown below.
The Style Manager has three different tabs: Leader Format, Leader Structure, and Content (see Figure 5). As with linetype and dimension styles, it is good practice to create new styles with unique names so you do not have a conflict with other users opening up your drawings.Īfter selecting Continue, the Modify Multileader Style menu will appear with many options for your new style. Hit New and type in My New Leader as shown in Figure 4. The Multleader Style Manager is where we can create, modify, and delete multileader styles in our drawing and add to our current drawing and/or template. Selecting the leader panel arrow as shown in Step 5 (Figure 2) will bring up the Multieader Style Manager as shown in Figure 3. If you work in Civil 3D like I do you already know the importance of styles. Multileader Style menu dialog box (MLS).Remove a leader from a current multileader object (MLE).Add another leader to a current multileader object (MLE).Pull down for your current multileader style (MLS).
Command shortcut: launches current mleader style. Items 1-6 shown below are defined as listed (command shortcuts are shown in parentheses). Figure 2 shows all of the individual components of the Leader panel on the ribbon. Multileaders can be found on the Annotate tab (Figure 1) of the ribbon under the Leader panel. Let’s review the multileader and some of the variables and concepts that make this tool a very important part of standards implementation in AutoCAD. If a multileader style has been used, the multileader can be created from that specified style. Multileaders can be created arrowhead first, leader landing first, or content first. A multileader object typically consists of an arrowhead, a horizontal landing, a leader line or curve, and either a multiline text object or a block. Yes, there were tricks to making the leader point to several areas by using a grip copy or even just tracing over the original leader.Ī multileader is more than just a leader having the ability to have numerous leaders attached to a single piece of text. Well, not that long ago, but prior to AutoCAD 2008 the CAD designer/operator had to point to an object using numerous leaders to reference single or multiple items. Back July 20th, 2015 Implementing the Multileader to Stand Out in the Crowd The MultileaderĪ long time ago, in a galaxy far far away…