Text Input¶

This page covers how to create and edit text in VektorCAD: single‑line text, multi‑line (rich) text, and leader annotations. It also explains keyboard entry, formatting, placement with the mouse, snaps/constraints, and common editing tools.

Text entity types¶

Single‑line Text (Text) — one baseline; fast labels, coordinates, short notes.
Multi‑line Text (MText) — paragraph editor with wrapping, inline formatting, bullets/numbering, background fill.
Leader Text (Leader / MLeader) — text attached to an arrow/leader. (See Leaders & Annotations.)

Choose Text for tiny labels, MText for anything longer than a phrase, and Leader when pointing to geometry.

Workflow overview¶

Start command: Text, MText, or Leader.
Place insertion/base point with the mouse (snaps supported).
Set rotation/width (if prompted) or accept defaults.
Type content in the inline editor (or command line for single‑line).
Confirm (Enter/OK). Use grips/properties to fine‑tune.

Keyboard¶

Entering text¶

Single‑line Text: type directly in the command line prompt or in the small inline box; press Enter to finish.
MText: type into the rich text editor; Enter makes a new paragraph; Shift+Enter inserts a line break without starting a new paragraph.

Basic formatting (MText)¶

Bold/Italic/Underline: toolbar or shortcuts (Ctrl+B / Ctrl+I / Ctrl+U).
Height: set numeric value (e.g., 2.5) or pick from style.
Color: ByLayer (recommended) or explicit color.
Width: set paragraph width to wrap; Auto grows with content.

Inline symbols¶

Insert common symbols via keyboard or the Symbols menu:

Symbol	Key/Code	Notes
Degree	`°`	Type directly or from Symbols.
Plus/Minus	`±`	From Symbols, or OS character panel.
Diameter	`Ø`	From Symbols.
Multiplication	`×`	From Symbols.
New line (soft)	Shift+Enter	In MText editor.

If your workflow relies on codes, VektorCAD also accepts standard Unicode; paste from OS symbol picker (Win+.) or (macOS: Ctrl+Cmd+Space).

Angle/height/rotation prompts¶

When the command asks for rotation: type an angle (e.g., 30 for CCW, -15 for CW) or use <θ while placing to lock direction, then type text.
For height: enter a numeric value (drawing units). This can be overridden by the Text Style default.

Fields (dynamic text)¶

If Fields are enabled, you can insert dynamic values (e.g., Date, Filename, Layer, Length/Area of selected entity). Fields update when the drawing regenerates or on Update Fields.

Mouse¶

Placement & rotation¶

Click to set the insertion point of Text/MText. Use Entity Snap for precise anchoring (Endpoint, Midpoint, Center, Intersection).
For rotation prompts: move the cursor to preview angle; click to accept, or type an angle/value.
For MText: after the first corner, pick the opposite corner to set the paragraph width (wrap box).

Snaps & constraints¶

Entity Snap: lock insertion to exact geometry points.
Ortho mode: keeps text rotation at 0/90/180/270°.
Polar tracking: snaps rotation to configured increments (e.g., every 15°).
Entity track: align text box with implied lines from hovered references.

Text styles¶

Define reusable Text Styles to standardize appearance:

Font (family), Height, Width factor, Oblique (slant), Line spacing, Language/script.
Save styles like Anno-2.5mm, Title-6mm, Dim-Text.
Assign style before or after creation via Properties.
Recommended: keep color ByLayer and manage color/visibility via layers.

Properties & grips¶

Properties panel: edit content, font/style, height, rotation, justification, color, background, tracking, etc.
Justification (for Text): Left, Center, Right, Top/Bottom, Middle. For MText, set alignment and paragraph width.
Grips:
Text: move grip (insertion), rotation grip (if shown).
MText: move grip; width grips to change wrap width; rotation grip.
Background mask: enable to place a solid background behind MText for readability over geometry (adjust offset/margin).

Leaders & annotations (quick)¶

Leader (MLeader): pick arrowhead point (snap), then landing point and text box.
Add multiple leaders to the same text as needed.
Leader properties include arrow style, landing length, text frame, and attachment (left/right).

Editing¶

Double‑click text to edit in place.
Find/Replace across the drawing (case‑sensitive option).
Spell check (if enabled) while editing MText.
Convert: Text ↔ MText (context menu).
Match Properties: apply text style/height/rotation from a source text to targets.

Right‑click while creating or editing text for quick access:

Text Style… / Properties
Insert Symbol (Degree, Plus/Minus, Diameter, etc.)
Toggle: Ortho, Snaps, Polar Tracking
Convert to MText / Convert to Text
Background Mask (MText)
Justification / Alignment
Use Last Height / Last Angle (when applicable)

Best practices¶

Use Text Styles (not ad‑hoc font changes) for consistency.
Keep color ByLayer; place text on a dedicated annotation layer.
Prefer MText for paragraphs; use Text for concise labels.
Use Background Mask over dense drawings.
Use Fields for data that must stay in sync (dates, filenames, measurements).
For orthogonal titles, turn Ortho on or set rotation to 0/90 exactly.

Quick reference¶

Task	Action	Notes
Small label	Text → click insertion → type → Enter	Set height/rotation as prompted.
Paragraph note	MText → two corners → type	Width controls wrapping.
Degree/±/Ø	Symbols menu or OS picker	Unicode friendly.
Rotate text	Type angle or move cursor	Ortho/Polar for constraints.
Snap insertion	Enable Endpoint/Midpoint/Center	Precise anchoring on geometry.
Convert Text↔MText	Context menu → Convert	Preserve content; adjust style as needed.
Standardize look	Apply Text Style	Fonts/height/spacing controlled centrally.

Tip

Fast workflow: Start Text/MText → snap insertion → (lock angle with Ortho/<θ if needed) → type → Enter. Use Text Styles to avoid manual formatting every time.

Note

If pasted content includes images/tables, ensure your stylesheet makes them responsive within the text frame (e.g., img, table { max-width: 100%; height: auto; }).