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.

If you select a SmartLeader in the graphics area and the ribbon is active, the Leader Selection contextual ribbon tab appears. The contextual ribbon tab groups options and tools for controlling the LeaderStyle, arrows, and leader lines.

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. See Using the Note Formatting Pop-up Toolbar. This is the default.
        • 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