Annotation Modules - Intergraph Smart 3D - Reference Data

Intergraph Smart 3D Drawings and Reports Reference Data

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Intergraph Smart 3D
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Reference Data
Smart 3D Version
12.1 (2019)

Annotation modules are used within label rules to analyze, place, and position text labels, symbol labels, and dimensions. They are called by label templates or reports.

Annotation modules can be listed in any order in a label template, but the software processes the modules in the following order:

1. Gathering Data: Point Generators

  • A point generator gathers data from the geometry (either the 2D geometry drawn in a view, or the associated 3D geometry in the model), and places points on the geometry.

  • No annotations are created.

For more information, see Point Generators.

2. Analyzing Data: Geometric Analyzers

  • A geometric analyzer evaluates the points placed by the point generator. Points can be grouped or deleted as needed.

  • No annotations are created.

For more information, see Geometric Analyzers.

3. Deciding What Annotations to Place: Content Modules and Control Generators

  • A content module creates a label or a dimension.

  • A control generator creates a text box for a label.

  • Labels are positioned at 0,0 of the view. Dimensions are positioned without regard to clear space with other dimensions and labels.

  • Annotations are ready for placement on the drawing view, but are not in the correct positions.

For more information, see Content Modules, Control Generators, and Leader Modules.

4. Deciding Where to Place the Annotations: Positioning Modules

  • A positioning module determines the position of a label or dimension, and places it on the drawing view.

  • Clear space around the annotations is considered in placement.

  • Annotations are ready for placement on the drawing view, and are now in the correct positions.

For more information, see Positioning Modules.

5. Placing the Annotations: Content Modules and Leader Modules

  • A dimension content module runs again to place dimensions on the drawing view.

  • A leader module creates a leader for a label (when needed) and places labels on the drawing view.

  • Annotations are now on the drawing view.

For more information, see Content Modules and Leader Modules.

Custom Annotation Modules

You can separate custom content from the delivered content using customized annotation modules. This separation simplifies the deployment of content packages by enabling you to load only the content that is required. The separation also enables you to customize the folder structure as the content .dll files are registered through Update Custom Symbol Configuration in Project Management. For more information, see Update Custom Symbol Configuration in the Project Management User's Guide.

As you define the customized annotation modules in the SystemSymbolConfiguration.xml file, you must update all of the required labels and dimension templates.

Custom annotation modules are supported only for Point Generators, Geometric Analyzers, Content Modules, Positioning Modules, and Leader Modules.

To customize annotation modules:

  1. Create a folder named CustomizedAnnotation in the [Reference Data Folder]\SharedContent\Bin folder.

  2. Point the annotation modules to the CustomizedAnnotation folder.

  3. In Project Management, run Tools > Update Custom Symbol Configuration. For more information, see Update Custom Symbol Configuration in the Project Management User's Guide.

  4. Under [Reference Data Folder]\SharedContent\XML, open the SystemSymbolConfig.xml file.

  5. Identify the ProgID name of the customized annotation module.

  6. Update the content module value to match the ProgID name for the label or the dimension template.

    • For customized annotation modules created by .NET and used in Drawings by Rule, perform the following sub-steps.

      1. In Content Modules that use the SMDGenericContentInterOp content module, update the Assembly value in the content node as shown below.

        <content>
        <!--Run the label and populates into the textbox.-->
        <contentModule value = "SMDGenericContentInterOp" />
        <Assembly value = "MfgSketchContent,MfgSketchContent.Generator" />

      2. In Geometric Analyzers that use the GenericGeometricAnalyzerInterOp gaModule, update the Assembly value in the geometricAnalyzerSettings node as shown below.

        <geometricAnalyzerSettings>
        <gaModule>GenericGeometricAnalyzerInterop</gaModule>
        <gaModuleSettings>
        <Assembly value = "MfgSketchNameFeaturesGA,
        MfgSketchNameFeaturesGA.Analyzer" />
        </gaModuleSettings>
        </geometricAnalyzerSettings>

    • For information about annotation modules created by .NET, see Generic Interoperability (GenericGeometricAnalyzerInterop), MfgSketchNameFeaturesGA, Generic Interoperability (SMDGenericContentInterOp), and Manufacturing Sketch (MfgSketchContent).

  • The label templates are located in the [Reference Data Folder]\SharedContent\Drawings\Catalog\Labels\Templates folder.

  • The dimension templates are located in the [Reference Data Folder]\SharedContent\Drawings\Catalog\Dimensions\Templates folder.