Associative Textbox
| Function Syntax | tbox / rtbox |
| Current Version | 1.2 |
| Download | AssociativeTextboxV1-2.lsp |
| View HTML Version | AssociativeTextboxV1-2.html |
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| This program is also available at the Autodesk Exchange App Store | |
Program Description
This program enables the user to create an associative textbox surrounding a Text or MText object in the drawing. The size, position, orientation & rotation of the resulting textbox is automatically updated following modification to the associated Text or MText object.
The user may create an associative textbox by issuing the tbox command at the AutoCAD command-line. Upon calling the program, the user is prompted to specify an Offset Factor for the textbox, and indicate the shape of the textbox to be created.
The Offset Factor controls the dimensions of the textbox relative to the size of the associated annotation object and is a function of the text height. To provide an example, specifying an Offset Factor of 0.35 will result in a textbox which is offset from the text object by 0.35 multiplied by the text height of the object.
Upon entering a valid Offset Factor, the user may choose from three types of textbox: Circle, Rectangle or Slot. The circular textbox will have diameter equal to the length of the diagonal of the rectangular textbox. The Slot textbox will have dimensions equal to the rectangular textbox, however, the vertical edges (relative to the text object) will be semi-circular.
The program will remember the previously used settings for both the offset factor & textbox type, and these settings will be available as default options at both prompts throughout the active drawing session.
The user will then be prompted to select either a Text or MText object to enclose with the textbox. At this prompt the user will be notified if the selected Text or MText object already possesses an associative textbox.
Textbox associativity may be removed at any time by issuing the rtbox (Remove Textbox) command at the AutoCAD command-line. When called, the user is prompted to select either a text or textbox object to remove the associativity between the pair. At this prompt the user also has the option to remove associativity from all textboxes in the drawing.
Note that this program will only remove the associative nature of the textbox - the user may subsequently delete the text or textbox object if required.
Associative Behaviour
The program utilises a combination of Object Reactors & Command Reactors to monitor modification events to either the annotation object or surrounding textbox and will update either object accordingly.
If the annotation object (Text or MText) is modified, the surrounding textbox will be automatically updated to reflect the modifications.
If the textbox is modified, the program will automatically revert all modifications applied to the textbox so as to retain the correct size & position relative to the associated annotation object.
If the annotation object is copied, the associative textbox will also be copied and will form a new pair of associative text & textbox objects.
If either annotation object or textbox are erased during the drawing session, the textbox associativity will not be lost until the drawing is closed. This enables the user to retain textbox associativity following an undo of the erase operation.
All associative data is stored within the Extended Entity Data (xData) of both the annotation object and associated textbox object. This xData is removed upon using the rtbox command on a text & textbox pair.
The use of xData enables the retention of textbox associativity between drawing sessions by rebuilding the required reactors based on the available xData when the program is loaded.
Please note that this program will need to be loaded to enable associative behaviour for existing textbox objects in a drawing.
Demonstration
Instructions for Running
Please refer to How to Run an AutoLISP Program.