AutoCAD is a powerful software used by architects, engineers, and designers to create precise and detailed drawings. One common frustration that users encounter is the locked text height in AutoCAD. In this article, we will explore why text height is locked in AutoCAD and how you can work around this limitation.
Understanding Text Height
Text height refers to the size of the characters in your drawing. It determines how large or small your text appears when printed or displayed on the screen. In AutoCAD, text height is measured in drawing units, which can be inches, millimeters, or any other unit of measurement you choose.
The Purpose of Locked Text Height
AutoCAD locks the text height to ensure consistency and accuracy in your drawings. When you set a specific text height for your annotations, dimensions, or labels, AutoCAD maintains that size regardless of the drawing’s scale or zoom level. This means that your text will always appear at the intended size, regardless of how close or far you zoom into your drawing.
This locked text height feature ensures that your drawings remain legible and professional-looking even when viewed at different scales or printed at various sizes.
Working Around Locked Text Height
While locked text height has its advantages, there may be instances where you need to adjust the size of your text for specific purposes. Luckily, there are a few workarounds that allow you to modify the appearance of your text without changing its locked height.
1. Annotation Scale
In AutoCAD, you can adjust the annotation scale to control how your annotations appear relative to the drawing’s scale. By changing the annotation scale factor, you can make your text appear larger or smaller without affecting its locked height.
- To change the annotation scale:
- Select the desired objects that you want to modify.
- Right-click and go to ‘Properties’.
- In the Properties palette, locate the ‘Annotation Scale’ option and click on it.
- Select a different scale factor from the drop-down list to adjust the size of your text.
2. Text Style Overrides
Another way to modify text appearance without changing its locked height is by using text style overrides. This allows you to temporarily change specific attributes of your text, such as font, width factor, or oblique angle.
- To use text style overrides:
- Select the text or annotation that you want to modify.
- Right-click and go to ‘Override’ in the context menu.
- Select the desired properties you wish to override, such as ‘Font’, ‘Width Factor’, or ‘Oblique Angle’.
- Note: Text style overrides only affect selected objects and do not change their original properties permanently.