Item balloon
Purpose
Places an item balloon: a circle with a leader that hangs on a block instance and shows its item number from the parts list. On any other element or in empty space a free balloon with your own text is created. The balloon belongs to the dimension family and takes text and arrow size from the Dimension settings.
Access
- Ribbon: group Annotate, list of the split button Dimension, entry Balloon Balloon (2 in the picture).
- Classic toolbar: list of the split button Dimension, entry Balloon.
- Command search : type Balloon (the entry is labelled in German: Positions-Ballon).
Procedure
- Choose the tool. Status line: Item balloon: click an element (ESC ends). Block instances under the pointer light up blue.
- Click an edge of a block instance — the arrow tip binds to this point. The circle hangs at the mouse; the status line names the number: Item balloon n: click its position.
- Click the position of the circle: Balloon n placed — click the next block instance (ESC ends). The tool stays active for the next balloon.
If the first click hits another element, a free balloon is created (Free balloon: click its position — edit the text via double-click); in empty space likewise, without binding. Free balloons show ? until you enter a text by double-click (dialog Balloon text).
Numbering
The number is live: it is the item of the definition in the quantity or structured BOM and follows every change — also when the block is replaced or the parts list is re-sorted. Therefore it cannot be overwritten (Number is live from the BOM — for free text, attach the balloon to a non-block element). Which view applies is set by the last inserted parts list table (default: quantity items). Blocks with the same article number share the number.
If the balloon on an instance shows ?, the program reports Note: block is not an item of its own (dissolved assembly?) — balloon shows “?”. With a dissolved assembly the click reaches through it to the single part below; the topmost instance is bound nevertheless. In the paper space balloons can be pinned to model blocks through viewports.
Keys
| Key | Effect |
|---|---|
| Esc | end the tool; a hanging balloon is discarded |
| double-click on a free balloon | edit Balloon text |
| Del | delete the selected balloon |
No shortcut. Balloons lie on the system layer Dimensions and disappear with its eye.
Related commands
- Show parts list — the items the balloon shows
- Leader — arrow with free text without circle
- Dimension Dimension — settings for text and arrows