topic Re: Stepped Label Pointers in Documentation

Stepped Label Pointers

Paul King — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 04:46:13 GMT

Whoever designed the label tool multi node pointer line was clearly an active sadist, or more kindly, someone who has never documented a drawing.

There seems no obvious or intuitive way at all to adjust pointer line nodes dynamically in a way that gives a useful result. Rather than dragging nodes to shape the pointer line, user is apparently forced to open object properties and manually enter angles for each kink - and even then it seems to be impossible to achieve desired the result (90 degree bends for all kinks - per screenshot below). No combination of angles entered seems to work, and the middle node of the pointer line cannot be adjusted via hotspot.

If anyone can show or tell me how to get this to work, I would be most appreciative!

Operating system used: Windows 11 23H2

Re: Stepped Label Pointers

Barry Kelly — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 05:29:38 GMT

It is not meant as a multi-line pointer, it is an inverted pointer.

So if you annotate above the first point clicked it will invert and point from below.

And if you annotate below the first point clicked it will point from above.

The 2 nodes next to the text adjust the same as a normal pointer.

You can't adjust the angle of the inverted part on screen, but you can set it in the properties.

The starting angle lock seems to only affect the middle node when using the stretch movement in the pet palette.

I agree though, being able to adjust the position of all 3 points directly on the scree, would be nice.

Barry.

Re: Stepped Label Pointers

Paul King — Wed, 21 Aug 2024 05:31:03 GMT

Thanks Barry.

The main motive I can see for even wanting to use a label pointer with more than one middle node, is to deal with tightly packed drawings where there just isn't enough free space to place both the label text and the pointer line in a cleanly adjacent location with respect to the item being described.

Attempts to address this scenario with this multi node pointer are inherently frustrated by mandating diagonal pointer line segments, because these then require if anything much more horizontal separation between label pointer start and end points. If there was that kind of horizontal gap available, then a standard label pointer would usually already suffice.

Re: Stepped Label Pointers

Barry Kelly — Wed, 21 Aug 2024 05:48:53 GMT

I must be really old school.

I still tend to use just text with a separate line for my notes.

I never really got into labels.

Although I have a bit now to generate automatic notes for my objects - i.e. size and number of shelves or type of hot water system.

You can still use a label with no pointer if you want automatic text either from the element itself or as set in a favourite.

Then just add your own arrow line.

Barry.

Re: Stepped Label Pointers

Paul King — Wed, 21 Aug 2024 08:38:21 GMT

Yeah, that is always an option - but like any of these workarounds needed to address day to day design and documentation practice, it leaves a bit of a sour taste for me.

I forced myself to switch from seperate pointer lines a number of years ago, and 99% of the time don't regret it - keeping text and arrows together I see as a plus, especially when copying notes around, as is the enforced consistency in appearance in the geometric relationship between the start of each pointer line and the text, etc.