Series: Controlling how flag notes are attached to leaders

Controlling how flag notes are attached to leaders (part 1)

This entry is part 1 of 2 in the series Controlling how flag notes are attached to leaders

SolidWorks provides the ability to support many different shapes for flag notes.  In addition to shapes, there are several methods in SolidWorks to create flag notes on a drawing.  Each method gives a slightly different result in how the flag note symbol looks and how it is attached to the leader line.  Part 1 of this article will cover shapes and the flag note symbols.

Flag note symbol shapes

There are two general methods to add flag note symbols to an Annotation Note.

The first (and older) method is to use the symbol library.  There are literally hundreds of symbols included within the library.  The library supports triangle, square and circle symbols for numbers and letters, with or without the period.  This method inserts a tag into the Annotation Note, which then generates the flag note symbol, based on existing data in the gtol.sym file.

Using the Flag note symbols from the symbol library

To use this method, create the Annotation Note with a leader.

While in the edit mode, click on the Add Symbol button in the PropertyManager.

This opens up the Symbol Library.  Pick the appropriate flag note symbol and OK.This opens up the Symbol Library. Pick the appropriate flag note symbol and OK.

This will insert the symbol into the Annotation Note.

If the triangle is chosen, the resultant symbol is not an equilateral triangle. The square and circle symbols are truly squares and circles, respectively.  Note the gap between the flag note and leader.  This gap can get bigger or be completely removed with a different method, which I will go into in part 2 of this article.

Controlling how flag notes are attached to leaders (part 2)

This entry is part 2 of 2 in the series Controlling how flag notes are attached to leaders

I’m finally getting around to part 2 of my article Controlling how flag notes are attached to leaders.  Sorry for the long delay.  There’s been a lot going on IRL.  Also, for a very brief .001 second, I thought it might be funny to just do a bunch of part 1’s and never get around to doing part 2’s or 3’s.  Unfortunately, that would only be funny to me, so it wouldn’t really be funny at all. 

Add flag notes to drawings using annotation borders

In addition to flag note symbols mentioned in part 1 of this article, another way to create flag notes is with the use of annotation borders.  Depending on the results you want, there’s two ways to add borders.  The method is the same, but selection choices make for slightly different results.

1. Create an annotation note with a leader.

2. Type in the number of the flag note.

3. While still editing the annotation, highlight the number (either using SHIFT and LEFT ARROW or by selecting with the mouse)

4. While remaining in the edit mode (with the text highlighted), click on the Border drop down box in the PropertyManager.  Choose the required shape.

     

5. Choose OK and this will be your result.  Note the gap between the leader shoulder and the flag note (image below).  This is similar to the result when using a flag note symbol from the Symbol Library.  For triangles, this border method produces an equilateral triangle, where the Symbol Library is an isosceles triangle.

Flag note with touching leader (no gap)

Some people may prefer a flag note that touches the shoulder of the leader.  This is my personal preference too.  It follows the same look and feel as balloons and other symbols.  To achieve this style, follow steps 1 and 2 above, then continue with these steps below.

3. Exit the edit mode.  You should see a leader with just a number.

4. Select the leader note as one entity (LMB click anywhere on the leader note; shoulder, arrow, text, doesn’t matter).

5.  With the note selected, click on the Border drop down box in the PropertyManager.  Choose the required shape.

   

6. Choose OK and this will be your result.  Note the leader shoulder connects with the flag note (no gap).

I hope this How-to (or is this a Tips and Tricks?) helps!