topic Using text in a GDL object. in Libraries & objects

Using text in a GDL object.

toofuerte — Thu, 30 Jun 2005 15:08:33 GMT

I have tried making objects with text. I have figured how to place it and make a certain point the placement point, but I cannot figure out how to get the text to have the right size and pen #. I am trying to make the object parimetric.... I am making an floor elevation marker and the text goes real huge and has the wrong pen.

Re: Using text in a GDL object.

James Murray — Thu, 30 Jun 2005 17:10:51 GMT

Are you using a plain TEXT2 element? If so,

The pen is set by a PEN directive before the TEXT2.


!! a parameter fuertePen of type pen

PEN fuertePen
TEXT2 x, y, 'Read This'

The size comes from the STYLE definition. Text size is in mm. Typically you'd have a real number parameter (let's say text_pt) for the point size, then convert it.


!! Points to mm
text_size=text_pt/2.8346

DEFINE STYLE 'text_style' text_font, text_size, 5, 0 !center anchor

You can define as many styles as you want. Before placing text of that style you need


SET STYLE 'text_style'

HTH. If you're talking RICHTEXT2 and PARAGRAPH, I would need to review my notes.

Re: Using text in a GDL object.

toofuerte — Thu, 30 Jun 2005 17:31:19 GMT

Thanks James for the reply. I have been using the text2, by drawing and then dragging from ArchiCAD 2D into the 2Dscript then editing the text to be parimetric, but when I do that it doesn't work the text changes.

Re: Using text in a GDL object.

James Murray — Thu, 30 Jun 2005 18:09:45 GMT

Are you on AC9? In 9 dragging text makes a RICHTEXT2, with the attendant PARAGRAPH, TEXTBLOCK, AND DEFINE STYLE{2}.

It's a very roundabout way to place a simple text element. RICHTEXT2 is made from a TEXTBLOCK, which is made from a PARAGRAPH, which uses a STYLE{2}. It's the GDL implementation of the complex text entity which debuted in 9.

If you are doing a simple line of text I would work with STYLE and TEXT2. Just to make it compact, the whole thing is


!! Points to mm 
text_size=text_pt/2.8346 

DEFINE STYLE 'text_style' text_font, text_size, 5, 0 !center anchor

SET STYLE 'text_style'
PEN fuertePen 

TEXT2 x, y, 'Read This'