Label Styles Dialog

Label Properties Reference

The Label Styles Dialog

Manage Styles

This section only applies when you register EC Pro!

A handy feature is the ability to save and later recall all the settings in the dialog box. You can then create standard label styles that you can use over and over again.

Name - type name for new label style (spaces are converted to underscores "_"). Versions newer than 2019.11 show a dialog box instead when you click Save Style.
Saved Styles list - list of saved styles. You must click Load Style to use the style selected.
Swap button - swaps the current dialog settings with the alternate style settings.
Alt Style list - alternate style to use with the Swap options. You do not click load for Alt style selection.
Save - save style as name given in edit box.
Reset - reset the style to previous settings.
Load - restore selected style.
Import - Imports Styles from an INI file.
Export - Exports Styles to an INI file.
Delete - Delete selected style.

To Set The Default Settings

Make your changes to the label settings in the dialog.
Leave the Style Name editbox blank. (newer version eliminate the Style Name box and show a dialog instead when you click Save Style.
Press Save Style.
The program will now use these as defaults when first starting the program.

Primary Label settings

This section applies to the Primary label, usually on the top part of the label.

Label Location selector - choose where to show label, if at all. Note that both Primary and Secondary labels cannot be shown on the same side of the line.
- Top - Label is shown on top. Default is the Primary label on Top.
- Bottom - Label is shown on bottom. Move the Primary label to the Bottom of it's the basis of your calculations but is typically shown on the bottom.
- None - Omit the label entirely.
Precision - Elevation precision.
Prompt - You are always prompted for the Primary elevation if you also show the primary Value.
Prefix - Value to insert before the number (make sure you include a space at the end if needed).
Value checkbox - Choose to show the Primary elevation Value.
Suffix - Value to append after the number (make sure you include a space at the beginning if needed).

Secondary Label settings

This section applies to the Secondary label, usually on the bottom of the label. Note you do not always have to show a number, which makes it possible to show a label such as '100.00 FS' with the 'FS' on the bottom and the '100.00' on the top.

Label Location selector - Choose where to show label, if at all. Note that both Primary and Secondary labels cannot be shown on the same side of the line.
- Top - Label is shown on top. Move the Secondary label to the Top if the Primary label is the basis of your elevation calculations but is typically shown on the bottom.
- Bottom - Label is shown on bottom. Default is the Secondary label on Bottom.
- None- Omit the label entirely.
Precision - Elevation precision.
Prompt - Commandline prompts you for an elevation when this is Enabled.
Prefix - Value to insert before the number (make sure you include a space at the end if needed).
Value checkbox - Choose to show the Secondary elevation Value.
Suffix - Value to append after the number (make sure you include a space at the beginning if needed).

Vertical Difference and Tail Label

Vertical Difference

This section allows automatic calculation of the Secondary label (or Primary label by inference).

Curb Height - The height of the curb (note this number is subtracted from the Primary elevation, but it is positive in value). This number has no meaning unless both Primary and Secondary values are shown. You can reverse this behavior by switching the positions (top/bottom) of the Primary and Secondary labels.

Tail Label

This section adds a label to the end of your label. If you select CNote\Text This will become part of the multileader. For all other types, it will be text added to the end of the label.

Prompt - Prompt each time you place a label for the tail label (temporary).
Value - Enter a label that appears at the end of your label (when combined with Prompt, this will be default value shown on the commandline).

Line Between Labels settings

Type - Draws a leader, polyline, or line between the labels, or not.
- None - No line or leader is drawn
- Line - Basic line object (Default)
- Polyline - Polyline object
- Leader - Leader based on current DIMSTYLE or style chosen in the Slope/Dist/Bear section.
- Multileader - Text and leader as Multileader. (Only available when you register EC Pro)
- CNote/Text - Multileader with block or enclosed text at end, plus Primary and Secondary labels as plain text drawn above and below the leader line. (Only available when you register EC Pro)
Arrowhead - Selectable when you choose 'Leader' as the type. Default is 'Closed-filled'.
- Scale - The scale of the arrowhead block. Default is 0.1.
ML Style - Selectable when you select 'Multileader' or 'ML/Text' as the type. (Only available when you register EC Pro)
Line Segments - Choose the number of segments.
- 2nd Angle - Enter an angle for the second segment of a label (if enabled). Alternatively, you can click the pick button and choose two points on the screen. To control the first segment, see "Polarmode increment" in the Options dialog.
- Use SnapAng - Uses the system variable 'SNAPANG' to determine the angle of the second segment (not available for 'one' segment labels).

A word about Multileaders and Cnote/Text labels

This section only applies when you register EC Pro!

Multileaders are largely controlled by the AutoCAD Multileader style.

Text offsets and alignment.
Arrowhead type and size.
Layer is same for Top, Bottom, and the Leader.
Tail label is not part of Multileader unless you choose CNote/Text, in which case the text is then not part of the Multileader.
Top/Bottom labels not part of Multileader when you choose CNote/Text, in which case the text is then not part of the Multileader.
If you save an EC Pro Style with a Multileader style and you open a drawing without this ML Style, EC will attempt to find and load the style from the Styles Config (ec-styles.ini). If it is unable to load the style, it will use the current ML Style or Standard. Import the correct style into your drawing if you wish to use it with EC Pro. Or see Customizing Multileader Style Creation for more information.

Customizing Multileader Style Creation

You must create your own Multileader style with the settings you prefer, or use the Create MLeader button to generate a basic style. EC Pro will calculate the elevations and insert them into the Multileader.

Alternatively, if you always use the same Multileader style you can change the default settings that EC Pro uses to create the style. First you must generate a Styles Config (ec-styles.ini) file, then edit the file. Look for the two sections called ec-mleader-default-text and ec-mleader-default-clbl. You can adjust the options to your preference. Please see AutoCAD documentation for instruction on how to set these custom options; no additional support is given.

Tips for making Multileaders look correct:

Set Text angle to Always right-reading to cause the text to flip automatically.
Set Leader connection to Horizontal attachment.
Set Left attachment and Right attachment both to Underline top line.
Set Extend leader to text to On (checked).

Tips for making CNote/Text labels look correct:

Set Text angle to Always right-reading to cause the text to flip automatically.
Set Frame Text to On create a square box around the Tail label, or use a block with a single attribute.
Set Leader connection to Horizontal attachment.
Set Left attachment and Right attachment both to Middle of top line or Center extents if using a block.

Slope, Distance, and Bearing settings

This feature labels the slope, distance, and/or bearing between your two points.

Slope options

Prefix - Prepends text to the slope label.
Slope checkbox - Choose to show slope.
ABS - Labels slope as absolute value, removing any negative sign.
Slope Precision - Precision of slope.
Slope indicator - Format of slope (labels depend on the current units, US shown).
- (blank) - No format is appended to the slope.
- % - Divides the slope by 100 and appends percent symbol. (Default)
- in/in - Appends 'in/in' to slope (or mm/mm when using SI units).
- ft/ft - Appends 'ft/ft' to slope (or m/m when using SI units).
- in/ft - Applies the scale factor and appends 'in/ft' to slope (or mm/m when using SI units).
Suffix - Appends text to the end of the slope label.
Slope Arrow - Draws a small leader arrow pointing in the direction of negative slope.
Arrow Length - The editbox can be used to specify the length of the arrow as a scale of the current text size. So, if the text size is '2', a length of '5' will result in an arrow 10 units long. Enter '-1' for an arrow length equal to just the slope portion of the label.

Distance (or length for arcs) options

Prefix - Prepends text to the distance label.
Distance checkbox - choose to show the distance. Note the distance is always a horizontal distance, not a true distance.
Distance Precision - Precision of distance.
Suffix - inserts characters (include any linear unit mark here such as 'LF' or 'm'). Make sure you include any leading or trailing spaces.

Bearing (or delta for arcs) options

Prefix - Adds text to the beginning of the bearing.
Bearing checkbox - Choose to show bearing.
Bearing Precision - Precision of the bearing.
Lead Zero - Inserts a zero in front of any single digit portion of the bearing; 9 becomes 09.
Spaces - Inserts a space between the direction letters at the beginning and end of the bearing. Does not apply to delta.
Force - Forces the bearing to conform to one of the cardinal directions.
- None - bearing is based on the direction you select the first and second points.
- North - SE bearings will be changed to NW and SW bearings changed to NE.
- South- NE bearings will be changed to SW and NW bearings changed to SE.
- East- NW bearings will be changed to SE and SW bearings changed to NE.
- West- NE bearings will be changed to SW and SE bearings changed to NW.
Suffix - Adds text to the end of the bearing.
Auto delete labels - Deletes the slope/distance/bearing label if you do not label the second point.
Inline Order - Sets the order of the Slope/Distance/Bearing labels. This applies even when the labels are stacked. The first label will appear closest to the line and each other label will be stacked above.
- S/D/B - Slope, Distance, Bearing
- D/S/B - Distance, Slope, Bearing
- D/B/S - Distance, Bearing, Slope
- S/B/D - Slope, Bearing, Distance
- B/S/D - Bearing, Slope, Distance
- B/D/S - Bearing, Distance, Slope

Text Options

To see the Text Options you must expand the 'Standard' mode dialog or click the Text Options button. Here you can set a lot of the options that control how the text is displayed.

Multileader/CNote Options

This section only applies when you register EC Pro!

Exact ML Line Spacing - After creating a Multileader label, the Line Spacing will be changed from 'At least' to 'Exactly' (please see AutoCAD Help 'TSPACETYPE'). This makes it more convenient to use Multileaders since you cannot set Line Spacing in the Multileader Style dialog. Default is Enabled.
- Line Spacing Factor - When adjusting Line Spacing, this sets the Line Spacing Factor (please see AutoCAD Help 'TSPACEFAC'). Must be a number between 0.25 and 4.0. Default is 1.0.
Background Mask - After creating a Multileader label, the Background Mask will be turned on. This makes it more convenient to use Multileaders since you cannot set Background Mask in the Multileader Style dialog. Default is Enabled.
- Transparent or color - When using the Background Mask option, this sets the color. Must be an integer between 1 and 255 or 256 (drawing background color). Default is 256.
- Background Offset Factor - When using the Background Mask option, this sets the Offset Factor for the edge of the Background Mask. This makes it more convenient to use Multileaders since the AutoCAD default Offset Factor is 1.5. Must be a number between 1.0 and 4.0. Default is 1.12.

Text offsets

Text Indent - For a 2 segment label only, defines the indention from the line angle point. Default is 1.0.
Top Label - The fraction of text height from the origin to move the text that appears on the top of the label. Default is 0.375.
Bottom Label - Same as above, but for the bottom label. Default is 0.375.
Tail Label - Extra length to add to end of label. Useful for attaching a block to the end of your label. Tail Label text is also offset this amount from the end of the line. Default is 0.
Slope/Dist/Bear - Applies to the slope/dist/bearing label. Note: offset from slope arrow if drawn. Default is 0.375.
Slope Arrow - Applies to the slope arrow. Default is 0.375.

Other Text Options

Layers - Click to edit layers associated with each object.
- Current - Use current layer for all objects. This is a temporary override for any value stored in the Layers properties.
Text Style
- Style list - Select the default text style to be used for all labels (except multileaders).
- Create Text Style button - Creates a default text style which can be configured in the INI file.
- Text style is fixed height - This option is automatically set when the current text style is set to a value other than 0.
- Text height - Set the height of the label text, this option is only available when the AutoCAD text style height is 0.

Label Alignment

Note the offset values are multiplied by the text height. This makes them scalable for any size text. Example: Text Size is 5.0 units. The text offset for the Slope/Dist label is 0.25. Multiply these together and the text is drawn 1.25 units from the label line.

Elevation - Applies to both the Primary (Top) and Secondary (Bottom) labels.
- Outside - Closest to the tail of the leader line. (Default)
- Inside - The side that is closest to the pick point.
- Left - Aligns to the Left.
- Right - Aligns to the Right.
- Centered - Aligns the labels to the center.
Slope - Applies just to the slope label.
- Above - Above the line of grades. (Default)
- Below - Below the line of grades.
Distance- Applies just to the Distance label.
- Inline - In the same line as the Slope label. (Default)
- Stacked - Above or below the Slope label, but on the same side of the line.
- Opposite - Opposite side of the as the Slope label.
- Stacked-Opposite - Opposite side of the as the Slope label and stacked.
Bearing- Applies just to the Bearing label.
- Inline - In the same line as the Slope label. (Default)
- Stacked - Above or below the Slope label, but on the same side of the line.
- Opposite - Opposite side of the as the Slope label.
- Stacked-Opposite - Opposite side of the as the Slope label and stacked.
Slope Arrow- Applies just to the slope arrow.
- Same - Same side as the Slope label. (Default)
- Opposite - Opposite side as the Slope label.

Layers dialog

Type the layer name for each of the following. If the layer does not exist, it will be created. Leave the editbox blank to use the current layer. The button to the right of the editbox will show you a list of all the layers in the drawing making it easier so you do not have to type the name.

Top Label - Applies to the top label (Primary or Secondary).
Bottom Label - Applies to the bottom label (Primary or Secondary).
Tail Label - Applies to the tail label.
Line/Leader between labels - Applies to the Line or Leader. Applies to the whole Multileader excluding any Tail label. Applies to the CNote multileader excluding any Top or Bottom labels.
Slope/Dist/Bear - Applies to Slope, Distance/Length, Bearing/Delta labels.
Slope Arrow - Applies to the Slope Arrow.

Import and Export Styles

This section only applies when you register EC Pro!

You can export your styles for use on another computer or as a backup in case they are lost. You can use the Styles Config (ec-styles.ini) file to store your exported styles, or you can create a new file. If you are sharing your settings with others, it is probably best to create a unique file name with only the styles you want to share.

Import

File name - The file to import styles from.
Browse - Click to specify a file for import. This must be an existing file.
Styles - These are the styles that are located in the INI file.
Select All - Selects all of the styles in the list.
Select None - Selects none of the styles in the list.
Delete - Deletes a style from the INI file.
Import - Process the import.
Cancel - Cancels and saves nothing.

Export

File name - The file to export styles to.
Browse - Click to specify a file for export. This can be an existing file, or a new file name.
Styles - These are the styles that are stored on your computer.
Select All - Selects all of the styles in the list.
Select None - Selects none of the styles in the list.
Delete - Not applicable to Export dialog.
Export - Process the export.
Cancel - Cancels and saves nothing.

Dialog Control Buttons

Text Options - Displays the Text Options in a separate dialog (only appears when in Standard dialog mode).
Expand Right/Contract Left and Expand Down/Contract Up - Pressing the arrow buttons will expand the dialog box and show the Text Options. Note if your computer screen is not tall enough you will not be able to see the Tall mode. Instead, the program will show only the Wide and Standard modes.
Ok - Save changes and close dialog.
Cancel - Don't save changes and close dialog.
Help - Displays this website.
Info - Shows current program version.
Register - Click this button to start the Registration process which can enable saving of Styles and turns on the Multileader options.
Options - Opens another dialog with more options for the program or dialog boxes.
Status Line - Error and informative messages appear below the dialog control buttons.

Alphabetical List of Style Properties

One look at the EC Pro Styles dialog shows you there are over 70 customizable properties for each style you create for EC Pro!

These are the properties listed in the EC Pro Styles Config (ec-styles.ini):

EC-ALIGN-AR - Alignment for arrow
EC-ALIGN-BR - Alignment for bearing
EC-ALIGN-DT - Alignment for distance label
EC-ALIGN-EL - Alignment for elevation labels
EC-ALIGN-SL - Alignment for slope label
EC-ANG-2 - Angle of the second segment
EC-ARR-LEN - Length of Slope arrow
EC-ARR-SCL - Scale of the Leader Line arrowhead
EC-ARROW - Show slope arrow
EC-BEAR - Show Bearing/Delta value
EC-BR-FORCE - Force bearing to one cardinal direction (N/S/E/W)
EC-BR-PRE - Bearing/Delta prefix
EC-BR-PREC - Bearing/Delta precision
EC-BR-SPACE - Add spaces between N/S and E/W
EC-BR-SUF - Bearing/Delta suffix
EC-BR-ZERO - Add leading zero to Bearing/Delta
EC-CURB - Curb height (difference between top and bottom elevations)
EC-DEL - Automatically delete slope/dist label
EC-DIM-STYLE - Dimension style for arrows and leaders (*new*)
EC-DIST - Show dist label
EC-DT-PRE - Distance prefix
EC-DT-PREC - Distance precision
EC-FL-PRE - Prefix for bottom elevation
EC-FL-PROMPT - Prompts for bottom elevation value
EC-FL-SHOW - Show bottom elevation label
EC-FL-SUF - Suffix for bottom elevation
EC-FL-VALUE - Show bottom elevation value
EC-LAY-ARR - Layer for slope arrow
EC-LAY-BOT - Layer for bottom elevation
EC-LAY-LBL - Layer for tail label
EC-LAY-LIN - Layer for leader line
EC-LAY-SLP - Layer for slope/dist/bear
EC-LAY-TOP - Layer for top elevation
EC-LAYER - Current layer override
EC-LDR-ARR - Leader arrow
EC-LINE - Type of leader/line
EC-LINE-SEG - Number of leader/line segments
EC-MLDR-BMASK - Apply background mask
EC-MLDR-BMCOL - Adjust mask color
EC-MLDR-BMOFF - Adjust mask offset
EC-MLDR-LSFAC - Line Spacing Factor
EC-MLDR-LSPCE - Change Line Spacing
EC-MLDR-STYLE - MLeader Style (*new*)
EC-PREC - Precision for top elevation (general)
EC-PREC-FL - Precision for bottom elevation
EC-SEP - Order to show DIST/SLOPE/BEARING
EC-SEP-T1 - Separator value
EC-SL-ABS - Absolute value for slope
EC-SL-PCNT - Unit value for slope
EC-SL-PRE - Slope prefix
EC-SL-PREC - Precision of slope
EC-SL-SUF - Slope suffix
EC-SLOPE - Show slope value
EC-TAIL-PROMPT - Prompts for tail label
EC-TAIL-TOGGLE - Toggles temporary tail label
EC-TAIL-VAL - Value for tail of label
EC-TC-PRE - Prefix for top elevation
EC-TC-PROMPT - Prompts for top elevation value
EC-TC-SHOW - Show top label
EC-TC-SUF - Suffix for top elevation
EC-TC-VALUE - Show top elevation value
EC-TEXT-AR - Offset for Slope arrow
EC-TEXT-DN - Offset for Bottom label
EC-TEXT-IN - Text Indent
EC-TEXT-OUT - Offset for Tail Label / Line Tail
EC-TEXT-SL - Offset for slope/dist/bear label
EC-TEXT-UP - Offset for top label
EC-TEXT-STYLE - Text style for labels (*new*)
EC-USER-TS - user defined text size (if style height=0)

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