North arrows are typically included in drawing views when the option is selected in the view style. The following workflow allows you to place a north arrow on a drawing independent of other views. For example, you can place a master north arrow in the company border area or in another generic location in the drawing to adhere to company standards.
Create a New North Arrow XML Template
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Locate the delivered north arrow templates in the [Reference Data Folder]\SharedContent\Drawings\Catalog\Labels\Templates\NorthArrows folder.
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In the NorthArrows folder, copy the NorthArrow.xml file.
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Rename the copied XML file to NorthArrowManual.xml.
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Edit the NorthArrowManual.xml file and remove the following text from the posModules section:
<posModule value="DrawingQuadTwo">
<connectPoint>8</connectPoint>
<positioningPoint>8</positioningPoint>
</posModule>
<posModule value="DrawingQuadOne">
<connectPoint>6</connectPoint>
<positioningPoint>6</positioningPoint>
</posModule>
<posModule value="DrawingQuadThree">
<connectPoint>2</connectPoint>
<positioningPoint>2</positioningPoint>
</posModule>
<posModule value="DrawingQuadFour">
<connectPoint>0</connectPoint>
<positioningPoint>0</positioningPoint>
</posModule>
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Edit the DrawingAbsolute positioning module as follows:
<posModule value="DrawingAbsolute">
<connectPoint>4</connectPoint>
<vOffset>0</vOffset>
<hOffset>0</hOffset>
</posModule>
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Save the NorthArrowManual.xml file, and exit.
Create a New North Arrow XML Rule
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Locate the delivered north arrow rules in the [Reference Data Folder]\SharedContent\Drawings\Catalog\Rules\NorthArrowRules folder.
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In the NorthArrowRules folder, copy the NorthArrow.xml file.
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Rename the copied XML file to NorthArrowManual.xml.
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Edit the NorthArrowManual.xml file, and replace the NorthArrow name with your new north arrow label name.
<labels>
<label>
<name>NorthArrows\NorthArrowManual</name>
</label>
</labels> -
Save the NorthArrowManual.xml file and exit.
Create a New North Arrow Symbol
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Locate the delivered north arrow symbol in the [Reference Data Folder]\SharedContent\Drawings\Catalog\Labels\Templates\NorthArrows folder.
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In the NorthArrows folder, perform a copy and paste operation on the NorthArrow.sym file.
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Rename the copied SYM file to NorthArrowManual.sym.
Create a New North Arrow View Style
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In the Drawings and Reports task, select Tools > Define View Style.
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In the Define View Style dialog box, select Orthographic in the View Style Type dropdown menu, and click New Style. Name the new style NorthArrow.
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Double-click the NorthArrow view style to edit the view style properties.
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Select NorthArrowManual in the North Arrow Rule dropdown menu.
Create a New Graphic Preparation Rule
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In the Graphic Preparation Rules dropdown of the View Style Properties dialog box, select More.
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In the Select Graphic Preparation Rule dialog box, click New.
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Type NorthArrow in the Rule Name field.
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Select More in the Filter Name box and navigate to the Catalog Filters/Default Filters/SP3D Object Filters/Object Types/Space/Space Entities/Drawing Volumes filter.
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Click OK.
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In the Custom Module box, select ReplaceWPoint.dll.
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Click OK in the Custom Graphic Rule dialog box to save the new graphic preparation rule.
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Select NorthArrow in the Select Graphic Preparation Rule dialog box, and click OK.
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Click OK on the View Style Properties dialog box to save your new view style. Below is an example of a finished NorthArrow view style.
Place a North Arrow View in the Drawing
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Open an existing drawing, or create a new drawing, in the Drawings Console.
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Place a new view in the drawing that uses your new NorthArrow view style. For more information on placing views in drawings, see the SmartSketch Drawing Editor User's Guide.
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Select Fit to Scale in the Scale Family box.
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Select the Look Direction for the north arrow.
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On the Format tab of the Drawing View Properties dialog box, clear the Show Border option.
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Click OK.
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Associate the view to a volume in the model, and update the drawing.
The north arrow displays in the view you placed and indicates the north direction.