Bring text to front

[4thorns]

Hi all,

 

I'm new here and new to AutoCAD 2011. I've been using 2002 forever and am thinking of upgrading. I'm working with the LT version because I'm not sure I need the 3D. What I'd like to do is have a text box hide what's behind it in plan...Not just bring the text to front but have the bounding box itself hide everything behind it. Is this possible?

 

Thanks,

 

Doug

[AlinOz]

Well, there are 2 ways that I can come up with:

1. Whilst you cant add a background as part of the text style (from what I can determine), but you can apply it post-text insertion by selecting the text and properties (not Quick Properties). This gives you a Background option that allows you to control the colour and size of the Bounding Box - choose a colour that plots white according to your Plot configuration (CTB or STB as you use it)

2. Draw your own WIPEOUT box around the text and control the colour as above

 

Hope that gets you moving in the right direction...

[4thorns]

Thanks Allin,

 

I haven't been able to find the Background option in the properties. I'm using a trial version....maybe that's the issue. Is it just me or is the Wipeout primitive? I can't get it to lock to polar tracking or orthagonal. I'd also like to get rid of the frame around it but can't find a way. I'll keep plugging away!

[4thorns]

Ah..Background is available in Multiline Text.

 

Thanks

[AlinOz]

Hmmm, maybe the lack of Background in the Properties is another one of those LT shortcomings.

 

As for Wipeout, as you say, it seems to be one of those half baked functions that was just stuck in AutoCAD to solve a problem a long time ago and hasn't been upgraded since the dawn of time. To solve your problem will be a 2 step process:

1. Draw a Polyline box or whatever shape you require so long as it is a closed Polyline

2. Choose the Polyline option and select the polyline you constructed. Once the wipeout has been produced, it will offer to delete or retain the polyline - your choice here

 

Now one thing to remember here is that the Wipeot, Text and Objects you want to hide are all seperate and will need to be moved to the top in the right order or your text will dissappear too... Good luck

 

Oops, you just beat me with your response... As for the Use of MTEXT - these days it is the much better option as it makes your editing a breeze as compared to the old TEXT command

 

Happy AutoCADing

Edited January 19, 2011 by AlinOz
Oops

[nextvkin]

You can add a background mask to your MTEXT by right clicking in the MTEXT editor, and if you use 255 for the background colour it'll mask whatever is behind & the mask will appear as white ie if you're printing on white paper & your 255 virtual pen setting is 255 & not automatic.

BTW AlinOz, just noticed you're from Brisbane, how're you surviving - the floods that is.

[4thorns]

Missed the polyline option at first. I have a bad habit of not paying attention to the command line. I got the jist of it now and can make it work. Unfortunately it seems quite labor intensive and I don't think I would want to do this 30 or 40 times while drawing plans. I guess if you could drag one side of a Wipeout like you can a polyline it would be a little quicker. Any other options?