Text vs Text Node

Dan Eckstein said:

Text vs Text Nodes: I cant find any decent explanation of when to use either

A text element is just that, and no more.

A text node is one of at least two ways of grouping several elements.  It's handy when you want several chunks of text to remain spatially related.  A cell with text components performs a similar role.  In the old days, it was hard work to edit text inside a cell, but these days it's easy.

We often create a text node inadvertently.  A single text element has a single style.  If you write some text in MicroStation's text editor and change the style of one word, then you automatically create several text nodes.  For example,

• A single line of text would form a text element in the text style chosen in the text dialog
• Apparently a single line of text would create a text node element, because of different styles or symbology.

Usually, you aim to create simple text elements.  Circumstance may lead you to create a text node element.  As Mark comments, you might want a text node as a multi-line placeholder for later editing.

Following on from Jan and Jon, I prefer not to use text nodes as some of the newer  most useful tools wont work on text   if they are text nodes example my favourite tool copy increment text will not work with text nodes.. as for using enter data fields I personally don't use them any more as there are better tools today  like items and tags which can have preset fonts , txt size , text and levels and be turned  on / off .. but if you already have them then keep using .. horses for courses after all...

Lorys said:

most useful tools wont work on text   if they are text nodes example my favourite tool copy increment text

We published a VBA Increment Text tool some years ago.  I've updated it to modify text nodes as well as text elements.  It's freeware and you can download it here.

Lorys said:

most useful tools wont work on text   if they are text nodes example my favourite tool copy increment text

We published a VBA Increment Text tool some years ago.  I've updated it to modify text nodes as well as text elements.  It's freeware and you can download it here.