Text mask & draw order difficulties

I often have to draw plumbing diagrams and am required to place the pipe
size within the line itself. Traditionally, the line is drawn, the size
placed as needed and the line is trimmed on either side of the line size
number. Example:

------------------ 2" --------------------- 2" -----------------

(obviously an awkward approach!)



I have attempted to create custom linetypes to accomplish this task but
problems encountered revolve around having to place the inch (") symbol and
fractional numbers (1/2). Additionally, the numerals must read from left to
right on the horizontal and "bottom to top" (as one views the drawing
sheet") on the vertical with the top of the number being to the left.



Using express command *textmask* seemed to be a reasonable solution as once
placed the mask obscures the line and it "appears" to be broken. However,
after subsequent drawing, *draworder* changes and the text moves behind the
plumbing line thereby seeming to disappear. It is an inconvenience, to say
the least, to have to select each and every instance of the masked text and
issue the move to front command. Occasionally I have mistakenly plotted the
drawing without noticing the change in the draw order. The consequence of
this, of course, is the plumbing line sizes are not properly displayed.



Another desaterous event is if *group* is toggled off and any of the masked
text unwittngly moved ! :-(



As a user of ToolPac from DotSoft, I have also used *display* *draworder by
layer* unsuccessfully.



Is there any way to make the draw order behave itself and remain as one
arranges it? Or, can anyone suggest another approach to my plumbing line
size problem?



Thanks for taking the time to read this post.



Sam S.

 

HiHo;
Maybe a lisp program to draw the line with the appropriate dimension,
prompt for dimension, inserted and then assigned a original name to the line
as a group.

 

So would you consider using a linetype if the (") symbol and fractions
could be worked out?

 

Yes, probably. Although 'they' want the inch abbreviation, I can try to
converse them otherwise.

With linetype there is the problem with alignment of the numerals since
AutoCAD wants to have them upside down if the line is drawn in the wrong
direction.
Is there an easier way to drawn the line without having to concern one's
self with flipping a mis-directed line?

 

Ok this may be even more awkward and even a bit nuts but what the heck:

Create a layer and set the linetype to whatever; dashed, hidden, etc.

Create a dimstyle with:
- no arrows (DIMBLK)
- extension lines suppressed (DIMSE1, DIMSE2)
- text aligned with dimension line (DIMTIH)
- suitable value for offset from dim line (DIMGAP) and the text height

Draw your lines as dimensions using dimaligned.
Select all the dims and override the text in the properties box.
Explode the dims to lines if desired to enable trimming, extending, etc.

?
Pete

 

Ok this may be even more awkward and even a bit nuts but what the heck:

Create a layer and set the linetype to whatever; dashed, hidden, etc.

Create a dimstyle with:
- no arrows (DIMBLK)
- extension lines suppressed (DIMSE1, DIMSE2)
- text aligned with dimension line (DIMTIH)
- suitable value for offset from dim line (DIMGAP) and the text height

Draw your lines as dimensions using dimaligned.
Select all the dims and override the text in the properties box.
Explode the dims to lines if desired to enable trimming, extending, etc.

?
Pete

 

Well, that is a novel approach -- don't know if I would have come up with
that one. I'll give it a go.

 

Create a dashed line with the size at one end, then use an array to spread
it to the length you need?

-----------2" over a length of, say 3", and then array at 3" columns.