Understanding Text Underlining in AutoCAD
AutoCAD allows users to incorporate various text formatting options to enhance the clarity and appearance of their drawings. One such feature is the ability to underline text, which can be particularly useful for emphasizing certain parts of your annotations or labels. This guide will walk you through the steps to effectively underline text in AutoCAD.
How to Underline Text in AutoCAD
1. **Access the Text Tool:** Begin by selecting the text tool from the Home tab or Annotation panel on the AutoCAD workspace. For single-line text, you can use the ‘DTEXT’ command, and for multiline text, the ‘MTEXT’ command is more appropriate.
2. **Choose Your Text Style:** Before typing, ensure that you have selected the desired text style that allows underlining. This can be done from the Text Style Manager found under the Home or Annotate tabs.
3. **Input Your Text:** After selecting the text type, click on the location in your drawing where you want the text to appear and start typing. If you are using MTEXT, a dialogue box will pop up for more extensive formatting options.
4. **Select the Text for Underlining:** Highlight the text you wish to underline. If you’re using MTEXT, you may also need to click the underline icon within the text editor’s formatting toolbar.
5. **Apply Underline Formatting:** Click the underline button—usually represented by a “U” with a line beneath it. If you’re in the MTEXT editor and the underline does not appear immediately, check your text settings to ensure that the formatting is applied correctly.
6. **Finalize and Exit:** Once you’ve applied the underline, finalize your text box and click outside the text editor to exit. Your text should now display with the underline effect in your drawing.
Adding Underlined Attributes in AutoCAD
To underline attribute text, follow these steps:
1. **Create Attributes:** Begin by defining your attributes. While creating attributes, ensure that you select the option for multiple lines.
2. **Input Attribute Values:** After entering the attribute name and prompt, you can add the value. Highlight the text in the attribute field.
3. **Underline the Selection:** After selecting all the text (use Ctrl+A), click on the underline option in the formatting toolbar to apply the effect. This enhances the visibility of your attributes within the drawing.
Removing Underline from Text in AutoCAD
If you need to remove an underline from a text selection, simply highlight the text and use the keyboard shortcut “Ctrl+U.” This will remove the underline effect from your selected text.
Changing Text Thickness in AutoCAD
To modify text thickness, which can complement text formatting such as underlining, follow these steps:
1. **Utilize the QSELECT Command:** Start by typing “QSELECT” into the command line, then press Enter.
2. **Select Object Type:** Choose “MText” or “Text” as the object type from the drop-down list, depending on the text format you are using.
3. **Configure Z Position:** In the properties panel that appears, select “Position Z” and choose the “Not Equal” operator.
4. **Apply Changes:** Enter a value, often “0,” and apply this change to adjust the text positioning accordingly.
Understanding the Differences Between Text Types in AutoCAD
AutoCAD supports two main text types: Single Line Text (DTEXT) and Multiline Text (MTEXT). Single line text is typically used for simple annotations, while multiline text offers more extensive formatting features, including text wrapping, bullets, and more complex layouts. These differences affect how you apply formatting such as underlining and are crucial in choosing the correct text format for your project needs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Can I underline text in both single line and multiline formats in AutoCAD?
Yes, underlining can be applied to both single line and multiline text using the corresponding text options and formatting tools within AutoCAD.
2. Is there a specific text style that I need to use for underlining?
While most text styles can support underlining, it is essential to ensure that the style you select allows for text formatting. It’s advisable to check the settings in the Text Style Manager.
3. How do I restore default text formatting if I’ve made changes?
If you need to revert to default text formatting, you can reset the text style from the Text Style Manager or reselect the original settings used for your drawings.
