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. Do one of the following:
   • On the menu, click Draw > Notes and Tables > Leader.
   • Type Leader.
   • On the toolbar, click and select Leader from the flyout.
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.
4. Specify the text to add at the end of the leader line and press Enter.

   - or -

   Press Enter to display the note options:

   • 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.
   • 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.

Access

Command: Leader

Menu: Draw > Notes and Tables > Leader

Toolbar: Leader