Understanding Dimension Text Masking in MicroStation
Masking dimension text in MicroStation can greatly enhance the readability of your drawing by eliminating distractions from the background. This guide will walk you through the process step by step, ensuring you can effectively mask dimension text as needed for your projects.
Step 1: Set Up Your Workspace
Before proceeding, make sure that your MicroStation workspace is organized for efficient access to the tools you need. Open the desired DGN file within MicroStation and navigate to the workspace where you’ll be working with dimension texts.
Step 2: Choose the Correct Tool
To begin masking dimension text, you will need the "Text Style" settings. Open the Text Styles dialog, typically found under the Element menu. Here, you can either create a new text style or edit an existing one. A well-defined text style will facilitate easier management of the masking attributes.
Step 3: Modify Text Style Attributes
Once you have the Text Styles dialog open, follow these steps:
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Create or Modify a Text Style: Select an existing text style or click on the option to create a new one. If creating a new style, ensure that you give it a descriptive name for future reference.
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Access Background Options: Navigate to the Background tab in the Text Styles dialog. This is where you will define the visibility aspects of your text style.
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Enable Background Color: Locate the option to enable the background color of the text. Check this option to allow for masking. This background will effectively cover any underlying elements that might interfere with the clarity of the text.
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Choose Background Color: Select an appropriate color for the background. Typically, a contrasting color that does not match your dimension text or the background of your drawing will work best. Ensure that it’s opaque enough to mask out the underlying details without hindering the visibility of the text itself.
- Save Your Text Style: After you’ve made the necessary changes, remember to save the text style. This will allow you to easily reuse this setting in the future.
Step 4: Applying the Text Style
With your masking text style set up, proceed to use it in your project:
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Select the Place Text Tool: Find this tool in your toolbox, which allows you to place new text elements in your drawing.
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Choose Your Text Style: Before placing text, ensure that you select the text style you just modified. This will apply the latest masking settings when you create new dimension text.
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Enter Your Text: Type the necessary dimension text in the Text Editor window that pops up when placing text.
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Position the Text: Click at the desired location in your drawing to position the text. Pay attention to the alignment and ensure that the numbered formats fit well within your drawing’s framework.
- Final Adjustments: If needed, tweak the size of the text or the background in the Text Styles settings to better suit your design requirements.
Step 5: Reviewing the Results
Once the text is placed with the masking background, inspect your drawing to ensure that the dimension text is clearly readable against any potential background distractions. Make any necessary adjustments in the Text Styles if visibility remains an issue.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I remove the masking from dimension text once applied?
To remove the background mask, simply select the dimension text, navigate back to the Text Styles dialog, and modify the attributes to disable the background color option. Make sure to save these changes.
Can I apply masking to existing dimension texts?
Yes, existing dimension texts can be modified to include masking. Select each text individually using the Element Selection tool, access their respective text styles, and apply the updated masking attributes.
Is it possible to customize the opacity of the masking background?
While MicroStation allows you to choose background colors, control over opacity may be limited. Choose contrasting colors wisely to achieve the most effective masking without needing to adjust opacity.
