Creating Leader Lines

Use the Leader command to draw leader lines that connect annotations to a drawing entity. Leaders are useful when the Dimension text or annotation does not fit next to the corresponding entity. You can optionally place single or multiple lines of Text, a geometric tolerance, a Block reference, or a copy of another Leader at the end point of the leader line.

Draw Leaders as straight line segments or spline curves. By default, the start point of a Leader is an arrowhead you can customize.

You can also use the SmartLeader command to create a Leader using additional formatting features.

To create leader lines:

  1. Type Leader at the command prompt.
  2. In the graphics area, select:
    1. The start point of the Leader.

      By default, the start point is an arrowhead.
    2. The next point of the Leader.
    3. Another point or specify an option:
      • Note: Lets you add text to the leader line (default). Type a line of text or press Enter to specify an option:
        • Block: Inserts a Block at the end of the Leader. The Block inserts at a specified offset from the end of the Leader and displays no hook line. Type the Block name or press Enter to specify a Block. You are prompted to insert the specified Block. See the -InsertBlock command.
        • Copy annotation: Copies single Text lines, multiple line Text, feature control frames with tolerances, or Blocks to the end of the Leader. Click the entity to copy.
        • Editor: Invokes the text editor to edit the annotation (default). See the Note command.
        • No annotation: Exits the command without annotating the Leader.
        • Tolerance: Lets you create a feature control frame for tolerances at the end of the Leader using the Geometric Tolerance dialog box. See the Tolerance command.
      • Settings: Lets you set a straight line or spline as the Leader LineStyle, and specify whether to use an arrowhead at the start of the Leader.
        • Arrow: Draws an arrowhead at the start point of the Leader.
        • No arrow: Draws a Leader without an arrowhead at the start point.
        • Spline: Draws a spline using the Leader points you specify.
        • Straight: Draws straight lines between the Leader points you specify.
        • Exit: Exits formatting options.
      • Undo: Removes the most recently drawn leader line segment.
  3. Press Enter.

Access

Command: Leader

Related Topics

Creating SmartLeaders

Creating Geometric Tolerances

Creating Notes