Drawing from Grips

Sometimes, I wish to start a line from a grip of something. As an example, let's say I wish a single-line mtext to line up vertically with a two-line mtext. Several AutoCAD editions ago, I would select the two-line mtext and the grips would display. I would then place the cursor on the upper-left grip. Then I would start a line and that line would automatically start from that grip. I would then align the single-line text with that line. NOW, however, as soon as I start the line command, the grips disappear and I am no longer locked on that upper-left grip as the beginning of that line. Yes, I know that in the above example, I could change the insertion points of both of the mtexts to the upper left, but our office standard is for the insertion points to be center-left or center-right. I would rather not change a few mtexts' insertion points to acheive what I used to do all the time. I have search to no avail. Is there a setting that will keep the grips active so that I can select one when starting a line? I appreciate any help given. Read Ya Later -KLYPH

 

Why can't you draw your line from the insertion point of the text? And even
if you don't change the insertion point, a NODE snap is available at all
four corners of the mtext. Alternatively, you could use OTRACK to hover over
the insertion points/nodes and track that way.

 

Learned something new today.....thanks Kate, never realized that node points
worked on MT.

Thanks,
Matt

 

Several AutoCAD editions ago, I would select the two-line mtext and the
grips would display. I would then place the cursor on the upper-left grip.
Then I would start a line and that line would automatically start from that
grip

I don't remember that behavior, never used it. It's not there in R14, which
is the oldest version I still have installed.

of both of the mtexts to the upper left, but our office standard is for the
insertion points to be center-left or center-right.

In 2004, all four corners of mtext entities are always available as node
osnaps, in addition to whatever the actual ionsertion point is. Add nodes to
your running osnaps and you can always pick any of those points without
needing to preselect the mtext or changing any justification types. I
understand in 2005 they added a variable to control whether the nodes are
activated.

 

Hi Cliff,

If your MT is TL, then draw a vertical line (with ortho on), from "INSERT" and it will use the TL grip.

I too, have never known of the ability to directly draw a line on a given MT grip with this one exception.

 

I remember using grips as snap points, though maybe not quite in that way. I think it was something to do with 2000's two step deselection process - select an object and Esc once, leaving the grips on screen but the object no longer dashed. I just started up 2000 to try it, and couldn't figure out how I used to do it though. (2000 may look old fashioned, but those button icons are SO clear!)

What you can do as a work around is draw the line nearby, then select both the line and mtext, then grab the line's endpoit grip and put it on the mtext grip - it will snap there.

 

You can try this. Click on the Mtext and then select the grip you need. The grip should be hot. Press Escape key. Start line and for the first point select the previous point (@) and press Enter. Then specify the secondpoint.
For aligning of the text I would suggest to place UCS to the insertion point of the text to which you want to align the other text objects. Open Properties dialog box. Click on the text you want to align. In "Geometry"section of the Dialog Box change corresponding coordinate as needed. Forvertical alignment - change "X" coordinate. For horizontal one - "Y" should be addressed.

Igor.

 

That's another good work around.

Patrick's reply here is what I was thinking of:
http://discussion.autodesk.com/thread.jspa?messageID=6866

 

Kate, Thanks for your reply. Since our office has the insertion poin in the middle of the left or right, this insertion point is a different "y" dimension for a single line mtext than it is for a multi-line mtext. I was trying to use the NODE snap at the upper left corner, but as soon as I start the LINE command, this NODE disappears. I have searched both HELP and Express Tools Help, but have been unable to find any info on "OTRACK." Am I missing something. Again, thanks for your input. Read Ya Later -KLYPH

 

Tom, thanks for your reply. Our office is currently 2002, but we're graduating to 2005 soon. I'll look for to work as you described. Again, thanks. Read Ya Later -KLYPH

 

Dear Madcadd, someone reminded me that back when we had R14, we had some add-on programs, and that may be why we could draw from a corner grip. Release 2000 was such a wonderful change that we didn't need to buy the new add-on. But, back to your answer, what is "TL"? I have checked the HELP and Express Tools Help but to no avail. Thanks for your answer. Read Ya Later -Cliff

 

Igor, your first answer works!!!! Thanks so much. I will easily align text from now on. Your second answer is also good, but is a few more steps than I can justify just to make the drawing look a little better. Thanks again. Read Ya Later -KLYPH

 

You can use .X filter for this very easily. Start Mtext,.X, INS, pick existing text, pick Y point, ......

 

OSNAPNODELEGACY

Node snapping for Mtext in AutoCAD 2005
http://usa.autodesk.com/getdoc/id=TP00127

 

Making the Grip hot sets your LASTPOINT... nice tip!

You can also use the ID command to set your LASTPOINT System Variable so you
can use @
This doesn't help Klyph with his original post (as he has indicated that he
is using 2002) but on 2004 you can snap to the NODE of an MTEXT on 2005 you
would set OSNAPNODELEGACY to 0 to perform the same function.

--
Tracy W. Lincoln - TLConsulting
http://TLConsulting.blogspot.com/
Consulting, Design & Training Specialist
Autodesk Discussion Group Facilitator

You can try this. Click on the Mtext and then select the grip you need. The
grip should be hot. Press Escape key. Start line and for the first point
select the previous point (@) and press Enter. Then specify the second
point.
For aligning of the text I would suggest to place UCS to the insertion
point of the text to which you want to align the other text objects. Open
Properties dialog box. Click on the text you want to align. In "Geometry"
section of the Dialog Box change corresponding coordinate as needed. For
vertical alignment - change "X" coordinate. For horizontal one - "Y" should
be addressed.

 

Thanks. That is a good tip with ".x" for lining up in the "x." And it would work for ".y" when lining up in the "y" also. Again, thanks. Read Ya Later -KLYPH

 

Thank you for your kind words. Actually the second way of aligning of texts is faster since you don't have to pick insertion point of each entities. Placing the UCS Origin where you need it is all the preparation which is required.

Regards,

Igor.