Topic: Create a 'dynamic' Text that always faces the screen with a certain size?

[TheRubens]

Hi everyone, Just wondering if it is possible to create a text in Autocad that it's always facing the screen and maintain the given size regardless of the viewpoint and zoom in/out in Autocad 3D model? Not sure if you can fully understand what I mean.

[ribarm]

Yes it's possible... But I am not willing to code it...

[Lee Mac]

Here's one way to do it.

[Grrr1337]

Yeah it is possible - through grread or reactors -

[TheRubens]

Here's one way to do it.

Thank you Lee. The example Grrr1337 posted is what I wanted to achieve. But I guess the logic is the same as your examples?

[TheRubens]

Yeah it is possible - through grread or reactors -

Thanks Grrr1337. This is exactly what I wanted  . Not familiar with grread or reactor though. I might need to search for more examples to help me understand how it works.

[TheRubens]

Yes it's possible... But I am not willing to code it...

Thank you all the same ribarm 

[Grrr1337]

Yeah it is possible - through grread or reactors -

Thanks Grrr1337. This is exactly what I wanted  . Not familiar with grread or reactor though. I might need to search for more examples to help me understand how it works.

Looks like I've posted some demo here -- Big thanks to VoVka for sharing his (vk_Point2Pixel) and (vk_Pixel2Point) subs!

Heres another demo which uses mtext entity instead of Lee's (LM:GrText) -

Code - Auto/Visual Lisp: [Select]

1. (defun C:test ( / msg *error* ReshrinkMtext o p ll ur d pxl s k v m scz )
2.  
3.   (setq msg "\n[T]ype new text | [Q/E] justify | [P]lace at custom location")
4.  
5.   (defun *error* ( m )
6.     (and o (vl-catch-all-apply 'vla-Delete (list o)))
7.     (and m (princ m)) (princ)
8.   ); defun
9.  
10.   ; (ReshrinkMtext (car (entsel)) 6)
11.   (setq ReshrinkMtext
12.     (lambda ( e n / enx )
13.       (repeat n
14.         (and e
15.           (member '(0 . "MTEXT") (setq enx (entget e)))
16.           (setq enx (subst (cons 46 0) (assoc 46 enx) enx))
17.           (setq enx (subst (cons 41 (cdr (assoc 42 enx))) (assoc 41 enx) enx))
18.           (entmod enx)
19.         ); and
20.       ); repeat
21.     ); lambda
22.   ); setq ReshrinkMtext
23.  
24.   ; RetVal = object.AddMText(InsertionPoint, Width, Text)
25.   (setq o
26.     (vla-AddMText
27.       (vla-get-Block (vla-get-ActiveLayout (vla-get-ActiveDocument (vlax-get-acad-object))))
28.       (vlax-3D-point (setq p '(0. 0. 0.))) (getvar 'textsize) msg
29.     )
30.   )
31.   (vla-GetBoundingBox o 'll 'ur)
32.   (vla-put-width o (setq d (apply 'distance (mapcar 'vlax-safearray->list (list ll ur)))))
33.   ; (vla-put-attachmentpoint o acTopLeft)
34.   (vla-put-attachmentpoint o acMiddleCenter)
35.   (vla-move o (vla-get-insertionpoint o) (vlax-3D-point p))
36.   (vla-highlight o :vlax-true)
37.   ; (vla-put-BackgroundFill o :vlax-true)
38.  
39.   (ReshrinkMtext (vlax-vla-object->ename o) 6)
40.  
41.   ; Initialise color:
42.   ( (lambda ( col ) (entmod (append (vl-remove-if '(lambda (x) (member (car x) '(62 420 430))) (entget (vlax-vla-object->ename o))) col)))
43.     '((62 . 102))
44.   )
45.  
46.  
47.   ; (setq pxl (WcsPt<->ScreenPt (getpoint "\nSpecify info position: ") t))
48.   ; Initialise pxl:
49.   (setq pxl
50.     (
51.       (lambda ( / tmp tmp2)
52.         (setq tmp (LM:ViewportExtents))
53.         ; (setq tmp2 (mapcar '* '(0.008 0.008) (list (caar tmp) (cadadr tmp))))
54.         ; (WcsPt<->ScreenPt (mapcar '+ tmp2 (apply '(lambda (a b) (list (car a) (cadr b))) tmp)) t)
55.         ; (mapcar '* '(1.01 0.99) (WcsPt<->ScreenPt (list (caar tmp) (cadadr tmp)) t))
56.         (WcsPt<->ScreenPt (apply 'mapcar (cons '(lambda (a b) (/ (+ a b) 2.)) tmp)) t)
57.       ); lambda
58.     )
59.   ); setq pxl
60.  
61.   ; (setq pxl '(930 1380))
62.   (princ msg)
63.   (vlax-invoke o 'Move p (setq p (append (WcsPt<->ScreenPt pxl nil) '(0.))))
64.   (while (not s) (mapcar 'set '(k v) (grread T))
65.     (cond
66.       ( (and (or (member (list k v) '((2 13)(2 32))) (= 25 k)) (setq s T)) (vla-Delete o) ) ; Exit keys = ENTER/SPACE/RMB
67.       ( (= 2 k) (setq v (strcase (chr v)))
68.         (cond
69.           ( (= v "T")
70.             (
71.               (lambda ( / tmp )
72.                 (if (/= "" (setq tmp (getstring t "\nInput new text value: ")))
73.                   (progn
74.                     (vlax-put o 'TextString tmp)
75.                     (ReshrinkMtext (vlax-vla-object->ename o) 6)
76.                   )
77.                 )
78.               )
79.             )
80.           )
81.           ( (= v "Q")
82.             (setq pxl
83.               (
84.                 (lambda ( / tmp )
85.                   (setq tmp (LM:ViewportExtents))
86.                   (mapcar '* '(1.01 0.99) (WcsPt<->ScreenPt (list (caar tmp) (cadadr tmp)) t))
87.                   ); lambda
88.                 )
89.               ); setq pxl
90.               (vla-put-AttachmentPoint o acAttachmentPointTopLeft)
91.               (setq p (vlax-get o 'InsertionPoint))
92.               (vl-catch-all-apply (function (lambda nil (vlax-invoke o 'Move p (setq p (append (WcsPt<->ScreenPt pxl nil) '(0.)))) )))
93.           )
94.           ( (= v "E")
95.             (setq pxl
96.               (
97.                 (lambda ( / tmp )
98.                   (setq tmp (LM:ViewportExtents))
99.                   (mapcar '* '(0.999 0.99) (WcsPt<->ScreenPt (cadr tmp) t))
100.                 ); lambda
101.               )
102.             ); setq pxl
103.             (vla-put-AttachmentPoint o acAttachmentPointTopRight)
104.             (setq p (vlax-get o 'InsertionPoint))
105.             (vl-catch-all-apply (function (lambda nil (vlax-invoke o 'Move p (setq p (append (WcsPt<->ScreenPt pxl nil) '(0.)))) )))
106.           )
107.           ( (= v "P")
108.             (
109.               (lambda ( / osm )
110.                 (setq osm (getvar 'osmode))
111.                 (setvar 'osmode 0)
112.                 (vl-catch-all-apply
113.                   (function
114.                     (lambda nil
115.                       (if (setq tmp (getpoint "\nSpecify new text position: "))  (setq pxl (WcsPt<->ScreenPt tmp t)))
116.                     )
117.                   )
118.                 )
119.                 (setvar 'osmode osm)
120.               ); lambda
121.             )
122.           )
123.         ); cond
124.       ); (= 2 k)
125.       ( (= 5 k) ; Cursor is moved
126.         (setq scz (/ (getvar 'viewsize) (cadr (getvar 'screensize))))
127.         (vla-put-Height o (* 0.5 (getvar 'textsize) scz))
128.         (vla-GetBoundingBox o 'll 'ur)
129.         (vla-put-width o (setq d (apply 'distance (mapcar 'vlax-safearray->list (list ll ur)))))
130.         (vl-catch-all-apply (function (lambda nil (vlax-invoke o 'Move p (setq p (append (WcsPt<->ScreenPt pxl nil) '(0.)))) )))
131.         (vla-highlight o :vlax-true)
132.       ); (= 5 k) ; Cursor is moved
133.       ( (= 3 k) (setq s t) ); LMB is pressed
134.     ); cond
135.   ); while
136.   (*error* nil) (princ)
137. ); defun
138.  
139.  
140. ;; Viewport Extents  -  Lee Mac
141. ;; Returns two WCS points describing the lower-left and
142. ;; upper-right corners of the active viewport.
143.  
144. (defun LM:ViewportExtents ( / c h v )
145.   (setq ; Lee Mac ; http://www.theswamp.org/index.php?topic=46661.msg516726#msg516726
146.     c (trans (getvar 'viewctr) 1 0)
147.     h (/ (getvar 'viewsize) 2.0)
148.     v (list (* h (apply '/ (getvar 'screensize))) h)
149.   )
150.   (list (mapcar '- c v) (mapcar '+ c v))
151. )
152.  
153.  
154.  
155. ; Translation between WCS point and Pixel - vice versa
156. ; p - point [pixel or WCS]
157. ; b - boolean [T/nil] | T = WcsPt->ScreenPt, nil = ScreenPt->WcsPt
158. (defun WcsPt<->ScreenPt ( p b / vsz scz vct pixelsz )
159.   ; Vovka ; https://www.theswamp.org/index.php?topic=53702.0
160.   (mapcar 'set '(vsz scz vct) (mapcar 'getvar '(viewsize screensize viewctr)))
161.   (setq pixelsz (/ vsz (cadr scz)))
162.   (if b
163.     (mapcar '+ scz (mapcar '/ (mapcar '- p vct) (list pixelsz pixelsz))) ; vk_Point2Pixel
164.     (mapcar '+ vct (mapcar '* (mapcar '- p scz) (list pixelsz pixelsz))) ; vk_Pixel2Point
165.   ); if
166. ); defun WcsPt<->ScreenPt

Both techniques (LM:GrText) or creating MTEXT entity have their drawbacks as it goes for user experience (self-tested).

[TheRubens]

Yeah it is possible - through grread or reactors -

Thanks Grrr1337. This is exactly what I wanted  . Not familiar with grread or reactor though. I might need to search for more examples to help me understand how it works.

Looks like I've posted some demo here -- Big thanks to VoVka for sharing his (vk_Point2Pixel) and (vk_Pixel2Point) subs!

Heres another demo which uses mtext entity instead of Lee's (LM:GrText) -

Code - Auto/Visual Lisp: [Select]

1. (defun C:test ( / msg *error* ReshrinkMtext o p ll ur d pxl s k v m scz )
2.  
3.   (setq msg "\n[T]ype new text | [Q/E] justify | [P]lace at custom location")
4.  
5.   (defun *error* ( m )
6.     (and o (vl-catch-all-apply 'vla-Delete (list o)))
7.     (and m (princ m)) (princ)
8.   ); defun
9.  
10.   ; (ReshrinkMtext (car (entsel)) 6)
11.   (setq ReshrinkMtext
12.     (lambda ( e n / enx )
13.       (repeat n
14.         (and e
15.           (member '(0 . "MTEXT") (setq enx (entget e)))
16.           (setq enx (subst (cons 46 0) (assoc 46 enx) enx))
17.           (setq enx (subst (cons 41 (cdr (assoc 42 enx))) (assoc 41 enx) enx))
18.           (entmod enx)
19.         ); and
20.       ); repeat
21.     ); lambda
22.   ); setq ReshrinkMtext
23.  
24.   ; RetVal = object.AddMText(InsertionPoint, Width, Text)
25.   (setq o
26.     (vla-AddMText
27.       (vla-get-Block (vla-get-ActiveLayout (vla-get-ActiveDocument (vlax-get-acad-object))))
28.       (vlax-3D-point (setq p '(0. 0. 0.))) (getvar 'textsize) msg
29.     )
30.   )
31.   (vla-GetBoundingBox o 'll 'ur)
32.   (vla-put-width o (setq d (apply 'distance (mapcar 'vlax-safearray->list (list ll ur)))))
33.   ; (vla-put-attachmentpoint o acTopLeft)
34.   (vla-put-attachmentpoint o acMiddleCenter)
35.   (vla-move o (vla-get-insertionpoint o) (vlax-3D-point p))
36.   (vla-highlight o :vlax-true)
37.   ; (vla-put-BackgroundFill o :vlax-true)
38.  
39.   (ReshrinkMtext (vlax-vla-object->ename o) 6)
40.  
41.   ; Initialise color:
42.   ( (lambda ( col ) (entmod (append (vl-remove-if '(lambda (x) (member (car x) '(62 420 430))) (entget (vlax-vla-object->ename o))) col)))
43.     '((62 . 102))
44.   )
45.  
46.  
47.   ; (setq pxl (WcsPt<->ScreenPt (getpoint "\nSpecify info position: ") t))
48.   ; Initialise pxl:
49.   (setq pxl
50.     (
51.       (lambda ( / tmp tmp2)
52.         (setq tmp (LM:ViewportExtents))
53.         ; (setq tmp2 (mapcar '* '(0.008 0.008) (list (caar tmp) (cadadr tmp))))
54.         ; (WcsPt<->ScreenPt (mapcar '+ tmp2 (apply '(lambda (a b) (list (car a) (cadr b))) tmp)) t)
55.         ; (mapcar '* '(1.01 0.99) (WcsPt<->ScreenPt (list (caar tmp) (cadadr tmp)) t))
56.         (WcsPt<->ScreenPt (apply 'mapcar (cons '(lambda (a b) (/ (+ a b) 2.)) tmp)) t)
57.       ); lambda
58.     )
59.   ); setq pxl
60.  
61.   ; (setq pxl '(930 1380))
62.   (princ msg)
63.   (vlax-invoke o 'Move p (setq p (append (WcsPt<->ScreenPt pxl nil) '(0.))))
64.   (while (not s) (mapcar 'set '(k v) (grread T))
65.     (cond
66.       ( (and (or (member (list k v) '((2 13)(2 32))) (= 25 k)) (setq s T)) (vla-Delete o) ) ; Exit keys = ENTER/SPACE/RMB
67.       ( (= 2 k) (setq v (strcase (chr v)))
68.         (cond
69.           ( (= v "T")
70.             (
71.               (lambda ( / tmp )
72.                 (if (/= "" (setq tmp (getstring t "\nInput new text value: ")))
73.                   (progn
74.                     (vlax-put o 'TextString tmp)
75.                     (ReshrinkMtext (vlax-vla-object->ename o) 6)
76.                   )
77.                 )
78.               )
79.             )
80.           )
81.           ( (= v "Q")
82.             (setq pxl
83.               (
84.                 (lambda ( / tmp )
85.                   (setq tmp (LM:ViewportExtents))
86.                   (mapcar '* '(1.01 0.99) (WcsPt<->ScreenPt (list (caar tmp) (cadadr tmp)) t))
87.                   ); lambda
88.                 )
89.               ); setq pxl
90.               (vla-put-AttachmentPoint o acAttachmentPointTopLeft)
91.               (setq p (vlax-get o 'InsertionPoint))
92.               (vl-catch-all-apply (function (lambda nil (vlax-invoke o 'Move p (setq p (append (WcsPt<->ScreenPt pxl nil) '(0.)))) )))
93.           )
94.           ( (= v "E")
95.             (setq pxl
96.               (
97.                 (lambda ( / tmp )
98.                   (setq tmp (LM:ViewportExtents))
99.                   (mapcar '* '(0.999 0.99) (WcsPt<->ScreenPt (cadr tmp) t))
100.                 ); lambda
101.               )
102.             ); setq pxl
103.             (vla-put-AttachmentPoint o acAttachmentPointTopRight)
104.             (setq p (vlax-get o 'InsertionPoint))
105.             (vl-catch-all-apply (function (lambda nil (vlax-invoke o 'Move p (setq p (append (WcsPt<->ScreenPt pxl nil) '(0.)))) )))
106.           )
107.           ( (= v "P")
108.             (
109.               (lambda ( / osm )
110.                 (setq osm (getvar 'osmode))
111.                 (setvar 'osmode 0)
112.                 (vl-catch-all-apply
113.                   (function
114.                     (lambda nil
115.                       (if (setq tmp (getpoint "\nSpecify new text position: "))  (setq pxl (WcsPt<->ScreenPt tmp t)))
116.                     )
117.                   )
118.                 )
119.                 (setvar 'osmode osm)
120.               ); lambda
121.             )
122.           )
123.         ); cond
124.       ); (= 2 k)
125.       ( (= 5 k) ; Cursor is moved
126.         (setq scz (/ (getvar 'viewsize) (cadr (getvar 'screensize))))
127.         (vla-put-Height o (* 0.5 (getvar 'textsize) scz))
128.         (vla-GetBoundingBox o 'll 'ur)
129.         (vla-put-width o (setq d (apply 'distance (mapcar 'vlax-safearray->list (list ll ur)))))
130.         (vl-catch-all-apply (function (lambda nil (vlax-invoke o 'Move p (setq p (append (WcsPt<->ScreenPt pxl nil) '(0.)))) )))
131.         (vla-highlight o :vlax-true)
132.       ); (= 5 k) ; Cursor is moved
133.       ( (= 3 k) (setq s t) ); LMB is pressed
134.     ); cond
135.   ); while
136.   (*error* nil) (princ)
137. ); defun
138.  
139.  
140. ;; Viewport Extents  -  Lee Mac
141. ;; Returns two WCS points describing the lower-left and
142. ;; upper-right corners of the active viewport.
143.  
144. (defun LM:ViewportExtents ( / c h v )
145.   (setq ; Lee Mac ; http://www.theswamp.org/index.php?topic=46661.msg516726#msg516726
146.     c (trans (getvar 'viewctr) 1 0)
147.     h (/ (getvar 'viewsize) 2.0)
148.     v (list (* h (apply '/ (getvar 'screensize))) h)
149.   )
150.   (list (mapcar '- c v) (mapcar '+ c v))
151. )
152.  
153.  
154.  
155. ; Translation between WCS point and Pixel - vice versa
156. ; p - point [pixel or WCS]
157. ; b - boolean [T/nil] | T = WcsPt->ScreenPt, nil = ScreenPt->WcsPt
158. (defun WcsPt<->ScreenPt ( p b / vsz scz vct pixelsz )
159.   ; Vovka ; https://www.theswamp.org/index.php?topic=53702.0
160.   (mapcar 'set '(vsz scz vct) (mapcar 'getvar '(viewsize screensize viewctr)))
161.   (setq pixelsz (/ vsz (cadr scz)))
162.   (if b
163.     (mapcar '+ scz (mapcar '/ (mapcar '- p vct) (list pixelsz pixelsz))) ; vk_Point2Pixel
164.     (mapcar '+ vct (mapcar '* (mapcar '- p scz) (list pixelsz pixelsz))) ; vk_Pixel2Point
165.   ); if
166. ); defun WcsPt<->ScreenPt

Both techniques (LM:GrText) or creating MTEXT entity have their drawbacks as it goes for user experience (self-tested).

Thank you very much Grrr1337 

[ronjonp]

Here's a sample of my 'Q' routine that uses grread and mtext:

[TheRubens]

Here's a sample of my 'Q' routine that uses grread and mtext:

Thanks ronjonp. I also have one more question regarding this. The examples here seem to make the texts temporarily, which means after the command the text will disappear. Is it possible make the text always showing even after we exit the command and use other commands like drawing objects. Also make the texts location to be flexible like normal texts instead of fixed locations. So basically it is like normal texts, the only difference is they are always facing the screen in 3D model with fixed sizes that won't be changed even if we zoom in or zoom out. Is it possible?

[snownut2]

That's why there's paperspace.....

[TheRubens]

That's why there's paperspace.....

I don't think so. Layout is just for printing. It doesn't allow you to keep the text facing the screen in a 3D model, and you cannot edit items in layout. What I want to do is edit objects in other plane other than XY in a 3D model and view the objects information etc while I zoom in/out, rotate or the like at the same time.

[steve.carson]

The attached gif explains what snownut2 is referring to. Put the text in paperspace and work on your model through an unlocked viewport.

[TheRubens]

The attached gif explains what snownut2 is referring to. Put the text in paperspace and work on your model through an unlocked viewport.

I do understand paperspace will make the sizes fixed. But like I have explained, this is not what I wanted to do. Take
Grrr1337's gif as an example, I want the line object information to be displayed at the middle point of each line. Whenever I move/rotate the view port, the object information text will follow the line objects instead of having fixed locations. it is basically like normal texts, but they are always facing the screen with a fixed sizes.

[ribarm]

The attached gif explains what snownut2 is referring to. Put the text in paperspace and work on your model through an unlocked viewport.

I do understand paperspace will make the sizes fixed. But like I have explained, this is not what I wanted to do. Take
Grrr1337's gif as an example, I want the line object information to be displayed at the middle point of each line. Whenever I move/rotate the view port, the object information text will follow the line objects instead of having fixed locations. it is basically like normal texts, but they are always facing the screen with a fixed sizes.

You can try to turn on Quick Properties Palette with CTRL+SHIFT+P and select entity (PICKFIRST=1)... Basic info ab entity will pop up and you can continue working in 2D/3D... The point is that this feature can't operate separately for each entity selected... If that would be the situation you are looking for, it would be real mess with all those pop ups scattered around interface... Then you won't be able to work normally... My suggestion is that you always have main property palette on - docked left/right and only when needed to see info, you select entity/entities and move mouse left/right to see info palette... This is always facing to the view no matter you are orbiting in 3D or zooming/panning...
Further more you don't need any code/reactor active - it is standard way of working in CAD applications...

[snownut2]

Not sure you've though that through, once you get just a few lines drawn the entire screen will be unreadable, just my 2cents......

[TheRubens]

The attached gif explains what snownut2 is referring to. Put the text in paperspace and work on your model through an unlocked viewport.

I do understand paperspace will make the sizes fixed. But like I have explained, this is not what I wanted to do. Take
Grrr1337's gif as an example, I want the line object information to be displayed at the middle point of each line. Whenever I move/rotate the view port, the object information text will follow the line objects instead of having fixed locations. it is basically like normal texts, but they are always facing the screen with a fixed sizes.

You can try to turn on Quick Properties Palette with CTRL+SHIFT+P and select entity (PICKFIRST=1)... Basic info ab entity will pop up and you can continue working in 2D/3D... The point is that this feature can't operate separately for each entity selected... If that would be the situation you are looking for, it would be real mess with all those pop ups scattered around interface... Then you won't be able to work normally... My suggestion is that you always have main property palette on - docked left/right and only when needed to see info, you select entity/entities and move mouse left/right to see info palette... This is always facing to the view no matter you are orbiting in 3D or zooming/panning...
Further more you don't need any code/reactor active - it is standard way of working in CAD applications...

Sorry my bad. I didn't mean I want to show properties of objects. I just took Grrr1337's gif as an example. I want the text to be whatever I want them to be as long as they can always face the screen.

[TheRubens]

Not sure you've though that through, once you get just a few lines drawn the entire screen will be unreadable, just my 2cents......

You are probably right. So now I am not gonna make the size to be fixed. So the only difference between the text I want with the normal texts is to make them always facing the screen in a 3D model. Is this possible? I have seen other software do it this way. It makes it easier and nicer to view the text in 3D models.
Looking back again, I don't think it will be unreadable even if I make the size fixed. I have tried using other 3D software and they are doing exactly what I wanted. I just don't know how to make videos to better explain what I want...

[huiz]

What do you want to show if it is not properties?

[hanhphuc]

You are probably right. So now I am not gonna make the size to be fixed. So the only difference between the text I want with the normal texts is to make them always facing the screen in a 3D model. Is this possible? I have seen other software do it this way. It makes it easier and nicer to view the text in 3D models.

Something like this?

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/sites/default/files/my_first_autocad_plugin_promo_video_924x694_0.mp4

[TheRubens]

What do you want to show if it is not properties?

It can be part of the properties like layer, or it can be any other text that I want it to be, for example, I might assign additional properties to the lines.

[TheRubens]

You are probably right. So now I am not gonna make the size to be fixed. So the only difference between the text I want with the normal texts is to make them always facing the screen in a 3D model. Is this possible? I have seen other software do it this way. It makes it easier and nicer to view the text in 3D models.

Something like this?

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/sites/default/files/my_first_autocad_plugin_promo_video_924x694_0.mp4

Pretty much! For example, I want the text in you video to be always at the centre of the circle when I rotate.

[huiz]

[..]

Pretty much! For example, I want the text in you video to be always at the centre of the circle when I rotate.

You want someone else to write such a function? If you can't develop such a function with the given examples, you might invest some time in the tooltips you can customize in AutoCAD. I think that is the easiest way to show object information without programming. And it will not polute your view on the drawing




https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad-lt/learn-explore/caas/CloudHelp/cloudhelp/2018/ENU/AutoCAD-LT/files/GUID-BCC6FDB2-F4EA-4BE1-AC49-48EFE687DD2B-htm.html

[TheRubens]

[..]

Pretty much! For example, I want the text in you video to be always at the centre of the circle when I rotate.

You want someone else to write such a function? If you can't develop such a function with the given examples, you might invest some time in the tooltips you can customize in AutoCAD. I think that is the easiest way to show object information without programming. And it will not polute your view on the drawing




https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad-lt/learn-explore/caas/CloudHelp/cloudhelp/2018/ENU/AutoCAD-LT/files/GUID-BCC6FDB2-F4EA-4BE1-AC49-48EFE687DD2B-htm.html

Nope. I am NOT asking anyone to write any scripts for me. I simply wanna know whether it is possible to achieve this and how to make it work if so. The thing is I will write more information into the objects and then display them, the method you mention will not achieve this. So please forget the object information, it was just an example. What I really wanna do is create texts that like normal texts but always face the screen with a fixed size in a 3D model, simple as that.

[hanhphuc]

You are probably right. So now I am not gonna make the size to be fixed. So the only difference between the text I want with the normal texts is to make them always facing the screen in a 3D model. Is this possible? I have seen other software do it this way. It makes it easier and nicer to view the text in 3D models.

Something like this?

Pretty much! For example, I want the text in you video to be always at the centre of the circle when I rotate.

AFAIK (ac2007) grdraw or grvecs does not support multiple viewports ,
i.e dynamic transient effect only works in single active space

.NET tutorial is interesting unfortunately i can't try it, minimum requirement v2012-2020
https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/learn-explore/caas/simplecontent/content/my-first-autocad-plug-overview.html

can try reactor but its not dynamic,
perhaps alternative way is to write a function which
iterates thru ssget your filtered 'TEXT' collection, then modify 'Height' & 'Normal' properties which related to 'viewdir'

Code: [Select]

     
(mapcar ''((a b) (vlax-put obj a b))
      '(Height Normal)
      (list (* 5.0 (/ vs (cadr sc))) (getvar 'viewdir))
      )
where vs=viewsize, sc=screensize are sysvar

Looking back again, I don't think it will be unreadable even if I make the size fixed. I have tried using other 3D software and they are doing exactly what I wanted.

if your textsize is relatively 5% to viewsize, when you zoom far out, the texts still overlap & unreadable

[TheRubens]

AFAIK (ac2007) grdraw or grvecs does not support multiple viewports ,
i.e dynamic transient effect only works in single active space

.NET tutorial is interesting unfortunately i can't try it, minimum requirement v2012-2020
https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/learn-explore/caas/simplecontent/content/my-first-autocad-plug-overview.html

can try reactor but its not dynamic,

Thank you. I think the previous video you sent has achieved pretty much what I wanted, is there any lisp version for that one? I don't mind have a single viewport only as long as it can maintain the text 210 dxf property.

perhaps alternative way is to write a function which
iterates thru ssget your filtered 'TEXT' collection, then modify 'Height' & 'Normal' properties which related to 'viewdir'

Code: [Select]
     
(mapcar ''((a b) (vlax-put obj a b))
            '(Height Normal)
            (list (* 5.0 (/ vs (cadr sc))) (getvar 'viewdir))
            )
where vs=viewsize, sc=screensize are sysvar

Not very familiar with reactor yet but will definitely try.

if your textsize is relatively 5% to viewsize, when you zoom far out, the texts still overlap & unreadable

I think this is fine, if you zoom far out the texts will be unreadable with fixed sizes as well. And I have seen many 3D software do it this way. That being said, I don't mind have texts height fixed. The critical part is to maintain the texts normal properties so the texts can be easier to view in 3D model.