Leader over Photographs

I need to place leaders, including a block (with attributes) over raster images (photographs). See the attached image for an example - I created this sample using:

1. A white-highlighted mulitline, so I could wipeout around the line for visibility

2. A white-highlighted arrow block

3. A balloon / block with multiple attributes

Now I need to do this a few thousand times. Can anyone suggest a better method, particually one that can eventually be programmed?

You might want to think about using a program like Adobe Illustrator for this type of work.

This represents only part of the overall drawing. The rest is classic CAD,

Can you please tell me how you got the white background around the leader? I know how to background text, although not objects or leaders etc.

Can you please tell me how you got the white background around the leader? I know how to background text, although not objects or leaders etc.

He is using multiline & wipeout to accomplish it as mentioned by him in his original post above

Is it only me who thinks that the white 'background' around the leader, and in the leader arrow, just looks kinda ugly ?

Is it only me who thinks that the white 'background' around the leader, and in the leader arrow, just looks kinda ugly ?

No it not only you,

and Yes It does look ugly to me too.

Can you make the hexagon and the arrow as a block? It will be a litle bit faster to insert in the drawing. If the arrow must be moved, it should be a dynamic block.

Attributes can be automated to contain sequential numbers -this subject was covered in the forum.

Oh, and the white "background" can be included too in the block.

Agreeing with the post above, re: dynamic blocks, I would also like to suggest the following:

For the most part I would use a colour that's easily distinguishable on screen, but when plotted has the desired colour(white). You could even apply this philosophy to the proposed wipeout peripheries......And the attributes.

If your company uses CTB's and you're limited to their standard versions, you may have difficulties, then. But there is always a work round.

Let us know what you opt for.

Rather than creating a dynamic block, I'd recommend you create the hexagon and text as a block with attributes, and then use it as part of a multi-leader (MLEADER). As for the leader and arrowhead, adding a heaver lineweight to the leader and a filled arrowhead, instead of the wipeout may result in an overall cleaner look.

Yes, this is really ugly, but I need to consider the case where the field guys do not access to a color printer or copier. I could not find a lineweight/color combination that would work consistently over so many different colors and contrasts on the photos - every line combination I tried became invisible or poorly visible in B&W.

I initially tried creating a multileader w/user block + attributes for the hex, but since I could not find a workable line width & color combination it did not help. I am still using the hex block, and the values inside the block do auto increment via a lisp routine.

I understand that in 2010, multileaders will have "Per Segment Leader Properties", so it that happens, it may be possible to use a light segment over dark portions and visa versa. We shall see.

Regarding using a block as an arrow - I also tried that, but cannot get the arrow to run parallel to the multileader. Has anyone experienced that issue with custom multileaders?