Cloud Tool
In this Blog I am going to explain about cloud Tool.
Cloud annotation is the commonly used to draw attention to a particular area of a drawing, may be to indicate changes or revisions. You can create clouds by entering data points or convert existing closed shapes clouds. There are several ways to create cloud, which I’m going explain in this blog.
You can easily access this tool through Detailing Symbols toolbox from Task Navigation or you can key in DIALOG TOOLBOX DETAILINGSYMBOLS ON. You can open Cloud toolbox by sending a Key-In
DIALOG TOOLBOX CLOUD <ON | OFF | TOGGLE>.
There are 2 types of tools for placing a cloud
1. Cloud by points
2. Cloud by element
Cloud by Points
You can create a cloud by entering data points.
1. Select the Cloud by Points Tool.
2. Specify radius and sweep angle of the cloud’s arcs. If you do not check the radius checkbox then the first 2 points entered will determine the radius of arc.
3. Enter desired number of points around the area which you want to highlight.
4. Click on “Close Element” button to join the first and last points automatically. If you want to keep the cloud open, just right click in drawing to keep the current cloud.
Cloud by Element
This tool is used to create a cloud from an existing closed element.
1. Select the Cloud by Element tool
2. Specify radius and sweep angle settings. You could decide to keep the current element as it is or could choose to replace it with a cloud.
3. Click on any closed element like rectangle, circle, etc. That element will be converted to a cloud.
Here is video showing both the options.
V8i- SS2. Say I have a cloud overlapping some data on a drawing. Is there a routine which will: A) look at the cloud location which overlaps rast/vector data, B) compare the overlapping location to raster/vector data, c) perform a partial delete of the overlapping cloud? I have seen this as part of Bentley Substation and on an old AUTOCAD drawing.
Marie,
There is no key-in to define the Arc radius. However, you could record the parameters in a macro.
Mark
Can the Arc radius be defined with a keyin. EX: I created a menu item that loads the cloud tool and sets the symbology for the cloud. I would also like to define the arc radius here as well.
Hi Juan,
You can convert clouds from line strings to shapes, by Create Complex Shape tool.
Steps :-
1. Find Create Complex Shape tool in Groups toolbox
2. Set Method to Automatic
3. Select any arc of cloud, again select the next arc of cloud
4. This will complete the selection, enter data point to accept
5. The cloud in now converted to complex shape
6. Check from Element Info or in tool tip
Is there any way for these clouds to become shapes instead of line strings?