On basic automation of DV annotation, this is what I understand of DATAGROUP ANNOTATION, I'm sure there is more to it so feedback on this is welcome!
DRAWING RULES AND DATAGROUP ANNOTATION CELLS
Datagroup annotation rely on :
- A set of annotation cells as models located in a file Annotation_DG.cel , by default in the active dataset’s Cell folder. This file is controlled by the configuration variable BB_ANNOTATION_CELLLIB .
- A ‘’Drawing Rules’’ interface
1 – DG Annotation cells
The cell management interface is accessed via the Manage Datagroup Annotation Cells tool. This tool automatically opens the Annotation_DG.cel file for editing/associating/creating, on completion of which closing the dialog will revert automatically to the previous dgn.
Note that any edited models /new assignment to a type will need to be re-selected via the View Attributes/Building VIew/Architecture tab’s secondary dialog box before the changes are visible. I find this process has to take place in the Drawing Seed views before changes take effect.. Or perhaps restarting the application does it.. not too sure on this one.
2 – Drawing Rules
The Drawing Rules interface can be accessed from the View Attributes – Building – Architecture tab. Within this interface, the user can :
- Associate an annotation cell from the Annotation_DG.cel list of cells with any Datagroup type.
- Define offset values for the placement of the annotation cell when a DV is processed into a drawing
- Select which Datagroup types are automatically annotated when a DV view is processed into a drawing
DATAGROUP ANNOTATION SYMBOLOGY OVERRIDE
The Annotate Tool Settings functions as a symbology override interface and includes a section for Datagroup Annotation.
The Datagroup section, when expanded, presents the complete list of DG items (same as in the Manage Datagroup Annotation Cells/Type dropdown list.) The right hand column displays the symbology and cell used for each DG item. These attributes can be selected and modified to suit.
Note the override has no effect on already-placed DG annotation, which is something that should be improved IMO
As an aside, the second section of the Annotate Tool Settings deals with the "manual" equivalent of Datagroup and Detailing Symbol automated annotation.
The manual annotation tools rely on the Annotation.cel file, which to be complete needs doors and windows models imported from BB_ANNOTATION.cel. Both of those located by default in the active dataset’s cell folder – Annotation.cel configurable via TFANNOTATION_CELL_LIBFILE....