Can annotation scale be used to set the active scale?

We use design space to place our annotations, symbols, notes dimensions for our workflow.  This design sheet will have a 2d model dgn or dwg referenced.  In the past we have used the settings manger to set the drawing scale.  I would to start using the annotation scale to set the drawing scale and control the text, symbols and dimensions.

How does the active scale affect the annotation scale and vice-versa??

The info presented in Mark Penn's Blog and AskInga don't touch on the active scale.