Alignment Offset Labels

Menu:   Via Label Plan
Ribbon:   Via Label Plan

Introduction

Chainage/Offset (Station/Offset) Labels will produce a variety of intelligent labels using an alignment and (optionally) surface.  This type of label allows random insertion of points at user defined locations and can display alignment information such as offset and chainage. You can additionally report surface elevation information. 

The user can produce a series of label styles in the drawing each with its own predefined style. The styles created can be used for other projects and stored within the global settings for inclusion in new projects. Label Styles are managed via the Label Styles command for Surface Elevations (the Alignment and Surface Elevation labels are in the same group).

When an alignment label is inserted the direction of the label is, by default, oriented perpendicular to the alignment (direction from the alignment centreline positive moving away from the alignment in both directions).  If the label contains lines with changes in the positive X direction, then the line will be drawn perpendicular to the alignment and in a direction away from the alignment.  Text set to zero rotation will display perpendicular to the alignment.

Label styles allow for text and lines to be rotated and moved independently in the drawing (it is usual to add a Symbol (block) to act as the Marker.  The Marker is the object to move to change the insertion position of the label).  Text can also be associated to a line created in the label style.

Grip Editing


 

  Marker Grip

Moving the marker grip will reposition the entire label and update the Label content if referencing an alignment (and/or surface). Use the Sychronise Labels command to update label contents where necessary.

  Text Grips

Moving the text grips will reposition the Label text only.
  Line Grips Users can grip edit any lines added to the Label Style.  After any grip edit of the line, the direction is set (does not change angle when moved around).  Only the Reset Labels option can reset this back to being dynamic to the alignment direction.

Updating Labels
Labels values will update using the following methods:
  • If the label is moved to a new position using object grips by selecting the Marker object (as defined in the Label Style, then the text information will update to reflect the new position).
  • If the label is moved using the Move Label command in the Labels form
  • When working with labels, it is recommended to run the Sychronise command whenever any other edit is made, such as:
   

 

  • The source object (eg: surface) is edited which requires a recalculation/update of the text information
  • The Label Style applied to the label in the drawing is edited
  • Other moves are applied (eg: move, scale or rotate commands) and the label details are not updated (you must move the label Marker for text components of the label to udpate)
  • The Drawing Annotation scale is changed - this is relevant for all labels that are set to read the Drawing Scale
  • If it appears that any label/s are not describing the correct information

About Label Groups and Alignments

When a Label Group is created, the user is prompted to select an ALIGNMENT to associate to labels created in that group.  A new Label Group should be created for EACH alignment for which chainage(station)/offset labels are required.

Details

These are created via the Label Plan command.  If new, users will need to firstly name the group.  The followng form displays:


 

Label Set Name

Name of the currently selected label set (not editable).

Delete the current Label Set Name with option to delete all associated label objects in drawing

Labels Tab

This tab manages the parameters for the labels

 


 

Chainage/Offset (Station/Offset) Labels

Functionality to assign Label Styles and add labels to the drawing

  Alignment

 Select an alignment to label.

  Label Style

 Select a list and click OK to edit the label group.

   Edit Label Style

 This opens the Label Styles command for Chainage/Offset (Station/Offset) Labels

  Reference Surface 1

 Select the surface on which to apply the labels

  Reference Surface 2

 Select a second surface to reference the first for cut & fill
Add Labels

On selection, the user is prompted to select points on screen for the labels

Label Listing

Displays a list of all labels applied to the drawing using the current Label Set Name
  Item
X
Y
Text1
Text2
Style		 Lists the label number (in order of creation in drawing)
Lists the easting of the label marker
Lists the northing of the label marker
Users can add a Text property in the Label Style called 'Text 1' - entries in this field will populate the Text 1 field in the label style
Users can add a Text property in the Label Style called 'Text 2' - entries in this field will populate the Text 2 field in the label style
Lists the style chosen for the label - pull down to choose an alternative style

Scaling Tab

This tab manages the scaling of the labels within the drawing

 


 

  Scale Option

 Pick the following options
  Always use drawing scale The label sizes are defined by the user annotation scale set in the drawing (CANNOSCALE)
     Keep first drawing scale The drawing scale at the time of the Labels creation will be permanently stored & used regardless of future drawing scale changes.
User scale User can define the drawing scale of the labels using the box below

  Scale (1:x)

 Select a list scale from the list or type a custom scale.  Metric scales will be presented for Civil Site Design, and imperial scales for Civil Site Design Imperial.

Output / Editing

These functions enable the user to edit & refine the labels in the drawing
 

Select to update the display of all labels in the drawing

Select a label from the list to move within drawing. User will be prompted to pick a new label position on screen

Select a single label from the list and delete from the drawing
Select to reset grip edited labels to default positions. This will also restore any Labels that have been accidentally erased from the drawing.
Check Deletes Select to manage labels that have been deleted using AutoCAD Delete in the drawing.  These are listed in the list of labels and are highlighted with a coloured background.  They can be restored or permanently deleted from the label list.
Upon selecting the button the following form will display:


 

  Do Nothing

 This will leave the status quo

  Delete grid table entries

 This will permanently remove the label.

  Undelete

 This will fully restore the label and it will be displayed in the drawing
Use the number field to select how manage labels to restore from the list of deleted labels

  OK

 Apply and exit

  Cancel

 Exit without change
Exit the 2 Point Slope Labels command
Click to zoom the drawing to the label highlighted in the label list
Ticking this box will zoom the screen to a selected label in the list
Click to select a label in the drawing and highlight it for edit in the label list
Pan in the drawing.  Press [Enter] or [Esc] or mouse button to return to this form.