offsetting text

[sbullinger]

Anyone know of a lisp to offset text?

[rkmcswain]

"Offset" text doesn't really have a meaning... What are you expecting this to do..?

[sbullinger]

Meaning? I guess it does to me. Just being able to offset (copy move) like you can any line or poly line. Example adding text to a property line or sewer line for printing purposes it needs to be 5' off of the line, It would be nice if I could just snap my text to the midpoint of the line with a center or top center justification and offset it the desired distance. Not a big deal if the text is 0, 90, 180 degrees just move it, but when it's say 45 degrees then it's a couple extra steps, hench the offset. Just trying to make something a little easier that's all.

[scott.wilcox]

Offset is an AutoCAD command that creates parallel lines ans concentric arcs and circles. I believe that's why there was little response to your initial post.

When I need to do something like that, I Osnap, using the FROm option and NEArest on the line, then drag approximately where I need it to be and type in the 'offset' distance. Not explicitly accurate, but it serves the purpose for my needs.

[CADNate]

Try THIS (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?t=92053)thread, it might help you out.

[Opie]

Nathan, I don't think that will work for this problem.

[archie.manza]

I am not sure but what I understand is he is asking something like this...

["text",textstylename,scale,rotation,xoffset,yoffset]

according to help

This format is added as a descriptor to a simple linetype. For example, a linetype
called HOT_WATER_SUPPLY is defined as

*HOT_WATER_SUPPLY,---- HW ---- HW ---- HW ---- HW ---- HW ----
A,.5,-.2,["HW",STANDARD,S=.1,R=0.0,X=-0.1,Y=-.05],-.2
This indicates a repeating pattern starting with a dash 0.5 drawing units long, a space 0.2
drawing units long, the characters HW with some scale and placement parameters, and
another space 0.2 drawing units long. The text characters come from the text font
assigned to the STANDARD text style at a scale of 0.1, a relative rotation of 0 degrees,
an X offset of -0.1, and a Y offset of -0.05. This pattern continues for the length of the line,
ending with a dash 0.5 drawing units long. The linetype would be displayed as shown
below.

[Tom Beauford]

Meaning? I guess it does to me. Just being able to offset (copy move) like you can any line or poly line. Example adding text to a property line or sewer line for printing purposes it needs to be 5' off of the line, It would be nice if I could just snap my text to the midpoint of the line with a center or top center justification and offset it the desired distance. Not a big deal if the text is 0, 90, 180 degrees just move it, but when it's say 45 degrees then it's a couple extra steps, hench the offset. Just trying to make something a little easier that's all.

Sounds like creating a block of your text 5' off the insertion point and using the divide command with the block option would be the easiest.

You can create a property line or sewer line with text 5' off the line with a complex linetype. We can help you if we know you Standard Text Styles, ltscale, psltscale, and what scale you plot at.

I have a routine for rotating everything from lines to hatch patterns. With text you can pick or enter an angle. Hit enter and pick the two end points and it will be parallel with the line.

Just be as spicific as you can asking what you're looking for.

[sbullinger]

First I apoligize to you all, it all seemed very clear to me. What I am doing is drawing all the city utility lines into a base map and labeling each line (ex. 18" RCP) this text needs to be 5' above the line, then labeling the project # 5' below the line (ex. 5845-3). First I have been drawing the pipe line. Next I have been offsetting the pipe (line) by 5' each direction, copying the text from another previously drawn pipe and snapping the insertion point of my text to the mid point of my offset line. Then rotating the text to match the rotation of the line. I'm just trying to eliminate a step or two. I just thought it should be easy to "offset" text just like you can a line or circle, select the text type the offset distance then pick which side you want to offset it, illiminating me having to offset my pipes each way by 5' and then having to erase them when I am done adding my text. Sorry for all the confusion.

[ccowgill]

First I apoligize to you all, it all seemed very clear to me. What I am doing is drawing all the city utility lines into a base map and labeling each line (ex. 18" RCP) this text needs to be 5' above the line, then labeling the project # 5' below the line (ex. 5845-3). First I have been drawing the pipe line. Next I have been offsetting the pipe (line) by 5' each direction, copying the text from another previously drawn pipe and snapping the insertion point of my text to the mid point of my offset line. Then rotating the text to match the rotation of the line. I'm just trying to eliminate a step or two. I just thought it should be easy to "offset" text just like you can a line or circle, select the text type the offset distance then pick which side you want to offset it, illiminating me having to offset my pipes each way by 5' and then having to erase them when I am done adding my text. Sorry for all the confusion.
sounds like a simple enough LISP routine, someone may already have one.


Run the command
select base point
Lisp calculates object's angle
Lisp calculates offset location
Lisp places text with user value
Lisp rotates text
User is happy and saves a ton of time

[Tom Beauford]

Just make a block with the two text or use Attributes in case they might need to be modified later. Insert at midpoint picking an endpoint for the rotation.