Creating combined arrow and text annotations

You can create an arrow and a text annotation at the same time to relate the text to a particular feature or result in the viewport. This method creates an arrow annotation with the anchor point at the arrowhead and a separate text annotation anchored at the same location and positioned at the arrow's tail. During creation, your annotation options are limited; for example, you cannot offset the arrowhead from the anchor point or select a second anchor point for the tail of the arrow (the text position).

This task shows you how to:

Related Topics
What are arrow and text annotations?
Manipulating annotations in the current viewport

Context:

Once you create them, Abaqus/CAE saves the arrow and text annotations independently so that you can edit them using all the options available for each annotation type as described in Editing arrow annotation attributes, and, Editing text annotation attributes, respectively. Since they are not linked, you can also move the arrow and text independently.

Tip: To move an arrow and text annotation while keeping the same relative positions, select both annotations and position the text in the desired location, then select only the arrow to edit the arrowhead position.

Create combined arrow and text annotations

  1. From the main menu bar, select ViewportCreate AnnotationArrow & Text.

    Tip: You can also create an arrow and text annotation by clicking in the Viewport toolbar.

  2. Select the arrow target by choosing a model node or vertex in the viewport or entering model coordinates in the prompt area.

    Abaqus/CAE displays the anchor symbol and arrowhead at the selected point and the default text string Text–n appears at the cursor position.

  3. Position the text on the viewport; move the cursor to the desired text position and click mouse button 1.

    Abaqus/CAE displays the Arrow & Text Editor dialog box.

  4. Complete the information in the Arrow & Text Editor dialog box to finalize both annotations.

    Click Preview at any time to see your changes in the viewport; click OK to save the arrow and text annotations and to close the Arrow & Text Editor.

Edit the text

  1. Click the Text tab in the Arrow & Text Editor, if it is not already selected.

  2. To display or suppress a box outlining the text, toggle Show bounding box. The bounding box visually separates the text from the underlying model or results.

  3. Type the desired text.

    When typing a text annotation, you can use standard mouse and keyboard editing techniques such as backspace, copy, and paste; press Enter to start a new line.

  4. To customize the background, click one of the following:

    • Match viewport to match the background to the viewport color.

    • Transparent to eliminate the background and show only the text.

    • Other color to reveal other background color options.

    If you selected Other color:

    1. Click the color sample .

      Abaqus/CAE displays the Select Color dialog box.

    2. Use one of the methods in the Select Color dialog box to select a new color. For more information, see Customizing colors.
    3. Click OK to close the Select Color dialog box.

      The color sample changes to the selected color.

  5. Customize the text font.

    1. Click Set Font.

      The Select Font dialog box appears.

    2. Use the Select Font dialog box to choose the font characteristics you want. For more information, see Customizing fonts.
    3. When you are done, click OK to implement your changes and to close the Select Font dialog box.

  6. Choose the text color.

    1. Click the color sample .

      Abaqus/CAE displays the Select Color dialog box.

    2. Use one of the methods in the dialog box to select a new color. For more information, see Customizing colors.
    3. Click OK to close the Select Color dialog box.

      The color sample changes to the selected color.

  7. Choose Left, Center, or Right justification to arrange the text within the bounding box area.

Edit the arrow

  1. Click the Arrow tab in the Arrow & Text Editor, if it is not already selected.

  2. Select the desired line style; you can choose a solid line or several styles of dashed line for your arrow.

  3. Select the desired line thickness.

    Note:

    Changing the line thickness also changes the size of the arrowheads.

  4. Select the desired arrowhead symbol.

  5. Choose the arrow color.

    1. Click the color sample .

      Abaqus/CAE displays the Select Color dialog box.

    2. Use one of the methods in the dialog box to select a new color. For more information, see Customizing colors.
    3. Click OK to close the Select Color dialog box.

      The color sample changes to the selected color.