Creating a Balloon  

This task will show you how to create a balloon and position a balloon on an existing annotation. You can set text properties either before or after you create the text. 

This task deals with:
 

Creating a Balloon
Open the Brackets_views03.CATDrawing document.

  1. Click the Balloon icon from the Annotations toolbar (Text sub-toolbar).
 

  1. Select an element. For example, select the bottom line of the rectangle.

  2. Click to define the balloon anchor point.
    You can move the pointer so that the anchor point is snapped on the privileged direction. For information on privileged direction, see Arrow Orientation.

 
The Balloon Creation dialog box appears, with the value 1 pre-entered in the field.

  1. You can enter another string or value as needed. For the purpose of this exercise, leave the pre-entered value as is.
 
 

  1. Click OK.
    You can press Alt key to orient the balloon in vertical direction.

 
 
  • The value that is edited in the Balloon Creation dialog box is simultaneously previewed on the drawing.
  • When you create more than one balloon, the value of this balloon is automatically incremented.
   
 

Positioning a Balloon on an Existing Annotation
You can position a balloon on an existing annotation on a specific point at its anchor position. You can also snap the balloon position to any predefined place.
Create a balloon.

  1. Click the Balloon icon from the Annotations toolbar (Text sub-toolbar).

  2. Click to define the balloon anchor point.
    The balloon leader is placed at the indicated location.

  3. Move the pointer over an existing annotation (in this case, the reference balloon).
    The attachment points are displayed.

    The nearest attachment point location is highlighted to show that the annotation will be positioned with reference to it if that point is selected. For more information about the attachment points, see Annotation Positioning.

  4. Click on a desired attachment point to position the balloon.

    The leader is removed. The Balloon Creation dialog box appears, with the value pre-entered in the box and simultaneously previewed on the drawing.

  5. Click OK.
    The balloon is created and positioned at the selected attachment point of the reference balloon. Its angle is set to the same value as that of the reference text, and an orientation link is also created between both balloons. If required, you can change the position of the balloon.

  6. If required, click the balloon and drag to change the position.

    The balloon is snapped to the selected position.
 

About Balloon Positioning
 

Balloon leader can be positioned on dimension lines with either perpendicular extremity or without it.

  • When you snap the balloon leader on the specified perpendicular directions, the balloon is positioned with the perpendicular extremity link.
  • When you position the balloon on a dimension line with a perpendicular extremity, the balloon automatically switches from one dimension line to the other, depending on the closest position with balloon body. This property is applicable only for leaders with perpendicular extremity link.



    To stop switching the balloon from one dimension line to the other:
    • Right-click the yellow handle at the leader extremity, select Extremity Link and clear the Perpendicular check.
    • Drag the balloon to the required location.
  • When you position the balloon on a dimension line in an inclined position, the switch of the balloon from one dimension line to the other does not occur.