Locking text to a model?

Joewoodworker · 23 Nov 2010, 23:17

Greetings to all who read this,

I sorry if this has been covered before but I did perform a search. Maybe I worded the search wrong?

I've been a SU user since v4 and this is something that has always bugged me but I was always afraid
to ask.

How can text be locked to a model so that it's static and moves with the model? For instance, let's say
I do something amazingly simple like a floor plan. Part of said floor plan has areas where I want to place
text notations. Ok?

Now, I'm looking at the floor plan from top view and the model fills up my entire screen. I place text where
I want it and all is looking nice. Suddenly, I notice something is drawn wrong. I zoom in to change it but
zooming back out the text is now spread out all willy-nilly like and no where close to where it's supposed to be.

Isn't there a way to lock text in the place you want it to be?

Joe Johns,
Pulling my hair out in the Twisted Knot Woodshop, Ronan, Montana

mitcorb · 24 Nov 2010, 03:47

If I was doing a model with text that needed to stay put, I would use 3d text under the Tools drop down menu. Type in what you want in the font you select in the inputbox. Size, color? and depth are also selectable. I recommend a very slight depth if you will be placing it on a surface so that it is visible. The text will be a component, which is editable in the Entity info box.
Is this what you mean?

Edit: if the text needs to move with the item you drag around in the model, make it a subcomponent of the portion having the label. Even maybe draw and componentize any arrows or pointers. To make the text part of a component you already know that you can use Edit cut, paste in place routine.

TIG · 24 Nov 2010, 10:43

My 2Dtools includes 2Dtext which lets you place 'flat' 3d-text onto a surface.
You have control over its font, size, style, color, etc and of course its 'text'.
After you have placed it select+right-clicking lets you edit it - changing its text or other properties.

Dave R · 24 Nov 2010, 11:59

I would second TIG's plugin. I think it would have a lower impact on file size.

That said, I would prefer to use another application for text. One in which the text will not be displayed in raster form as it would be in an image export from SU.

jgb · 25 Nov 2010, 23:14

As Mitcorb suggested, use the 3D text tool to create the text comp. I also use a very slight depth to prevent z-fighting the text with the surface it is on. I also edit the text and select all the outlines and make ALL of the lines hidden. Very important with small text viewed from a distance. If not, the lines will blot out the text. This also speeds up the display, pan & zoom. Also make sure you color the text different from the surface it rests on.

Dave R · 25 Nov 2010, 23:58

3D text will increase entity counts by a great deal and inflate file size. Just keep that in mind if you choose to use that option. TIGs Text Tag won't do that to the same degree.

TIG · 26 Nov 2010, 09:25

My 2Dtext tool already lifts the text off the surface it's placed onto etc so you get the benefit of flat 3D text with the ability to edit it later...

Gaieus · 26 Nov 2010, 09:33

FYI when "Extruded" is unchecked in the native SU 3D Text tool, it will also create the 2D Text somewhat above the face you are putting it. For me, it is 1 cm (maybe it depends on the unit used or something...)

Depending on the distance however, this can still cause Z-fighting (although IMO SU has improved a lot at Z-fighting lately)

thomthom · 26 Nov 2010, 10:03

@gaieus said:

Depending on the distance however, this can still cause Z-fighting (although IMO SU has improved a lot at Z-fighting lately)

If you click the face you want it to cover when you create the text SketchUp will glue the text to the face - then SU ensures there is no Z-fighting. (Like you can do manually with components)

mitcorb · 26 Nov 2010, 13:54

Just so everybody knows:
mitcorb don't have all the answers.
I am learning.
My reply was what I would have done in a pinch. Having the benefit of the other replies, I would approach the problem that way.
So, I concur with Dave and TIG. These methods will hold down the file size.

Good day to all.

Joewoodworker · 26 Nov 2010, 16:19

@mitcorb said:

If I was doing a model with text that needed to stay put, I would use 3d text under the Tools drop down menu.

<snip>

Thanks, I'll give that a try.

Joewoodworker · 26 Nov 2010, 17:17

@joewoodworker said:

@mitcorb said:

If I was doing a model with text that needed to stay put, I would use 3d text under the Tools drop down menu.

<snip>

Thanks, I'll give that a try.

Alrighty, I just now performed the deed and the 3D text moves with the model. However, the text can't be edited. Even with the 3D text set at an extrusion level of 1/16" it looks nasty when the model is zoomed to extents. Further, if you don't wish to have an extrusion depth then the 3D text isn't filled, which means I have to go back and fill it. I'm afraid none of those options are, well...options to me.

I simply don't understand why SU can easily align a dim that can move with the model but text cannot.

The floor plan model I was talking about can be seen here - http://twistedknotwoodshop.com/ttkwreturns.htm

Scroll down a little - what I ended up having to do was make sure no changes were needed then zoom the model to fill the screen, then add the text then export the model in a 2D graphic. That's a whole lot of time being pissed away.

I will try the 2D plugin suggestion and see what springs out but I'm not overly optimistic

Joewoodworker · 26 Nov 2010, 17:23

@tig said:

My 2Dtools includes 2Dtext which lets you place 'flat' 3d-text onto a surface.
You have control over its font, size, style, color, etc and of course its 'text'.
After you have placed it select+right-clicking lets you edit it - changing its text or other properties.

Hey Tig,

Where can I find this plug-in? I'll be glad to give it a try.

Gaieus · 26 Nov 2010, 17:35

Hi Joe,

Use TIG's tool .

However you missed an important point with the 3D Text tool (in 2D): you should hide its edges.
As for the 1/16" size; that's about under the limitation SU can create a face from those tiny edges.

Joewoodworker · 26 Nov 2010, 23:02

@gaieus said:

Hi Joe,

Hey Gaieus,

@unknownuser said:

Use TIG's tool .

I'm using it now and in this 2D instance those tools are quite handy.

@unknownuser said:

However you missed an important point with the 3D Text tool (in 2D): you should hide its edges.
As for the 1/16" size; that's about under the limitation SU can create a face from those tiny edges.

Thanks, I tried it all sorts of ways, it still looks like warmed over bird crap. Maybe I'm expecting too much but if I can take a pencil and a piece of paper and draw something in iso and then label the parts, the text looks nice and if I move that piece of paper around the text goes with it and doesn't change. That's what I'd like to see. TIGs' 2D text tool is doing that for me just fine.

Appreciate the help fellas, and thank you, TIG, for the swell plugin. May all the hair you comb outta your head be enough to weave a blanket.

Dave R · 27 Nov 2010, 01:03

Joe, I think you should consider other options as I mentioned before. You'll be able to get better looking text and have more control over it.

pyroluna · 29 Nov 2010, 00:38

why not use layout?

Gaieus · 29 Nov 2010, 00:39

@unknownuser said:

why not use layout?

What if he does not have Pro?

Dave R · 29 Nov 2010, 00:56

I don't think Joe has the pro version so no LayOut. Of course there are other applications that could be used including something common like MS Word. If this is the sort of work someone is doing frequently especially as a business and where one needs to show the output to clients, I think it would make sense to just spring for the pro version and get LayOut and get on with it.