Text Input¶

VektorCAD supports three text entity types for annotations, labels, and notes. This page covers how to create, format, place, and edit text using keyboard and mouse.

Text entity types

Type	Best for	Command
Text (single-line)	Short labels, coordinates, tags	`TEXT`
MText (multi-line)	Paragraphs, formatted notes, specs	`MTEXT`
Leader (MLeader)	Callouts pointing to geometry	`LEADER`

Workflow Overview¶

Step	Action
1	Start command: Text, MText, or Leader
2	Place insertion/base point with mouse (snaps supported)
3	Set rotation/width if prompted (or accept defaults)
4	Type content in the inline editor or command panel
5	Confirm with `Enter` -- use grips/properties to fine-tune

Keyboard Input¶

Entering Text¶

Entity	How to enter
Text	Type directly in the command panel or inline box; `Enter` to finish
MText	Type in the rich text editor; `Enter` = new paragraph; `Shift`+`Enter` = line break

Basic Formatting (MText)¶

Format	Method
Bold	Toolbar or `Ctrl`+`B`
Italic	Toolbar or `Ctrl`+`I`
Underline	Toolbar or `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 the Symbols menu or keyboard:

Symbol	Character	How to insert
Degree	`deg`	Symbols menu or OS character panel
Plus/Minus	`+-`	Symbols menu or OS character panel
Diameter	`dia`	Symbols menu
Multiplication	`x`	Symbols menu

Tip

VektorCAD accepts standard Unicode. Paste from the OS symbol picker: Ctrl+Cmd+Space on macOS.

Height and Rotation Prompts¶

Rotation: type an angle (e.g., 30 for CCW, -15 for CW) or use angle lock <angle while placing
Height: enter a numeric value in drawing units; overridden by the active Text Style default

Fields (Dynamic Text)¶

Insert dynamic values that update automatically:

Field type	Example
Date	Current date/time stamp
Filename	Drawing file name
Layer	Current layer name
Length/Area	Measurement of a selected entity

Fields update when the drawing regenerates or on Update Fields.

Mouse Input¶

Placement and Rotation¶

Click to set the insertion point -- use Object Snaps for precise anchoring (Endpoint, Midpoint, Center, Intersection)
For rotation: move the cursor to preview angle, click to accept, or type a value
For MText: pick the first corner, then the opposite corner to define the paragraph width (wrap box)

Snaps and Constraints¶

Constraint	Effect
Entity Snap	Lock insertion to exact geometry points
Ortho mode	Keeps text rotation at 0/90/180/270 degrees
Entity track	Align text box with implied lines from hovered snap points

Text Styles¶

Define reusable Text Styles to standardize appearance across your drawing:

Property	Description
Font	Font family (e.g., Arial, Roboto)
Height	Default text height in drawing units
Width factor	Horizontal stretch (1.0 = normal)
Oblique	Slant angle for italic-like effect
Line spacing	Vertical gap between lines in MText

Best practice

Create named styles like Anno-2.5mm, Title-6mm, Dim-Text. Assign style before or after creation via the Format Panel. Keep color ByLayer to manage visibility through layers.

Properties and Grips¶

Properties Panel¶

Edit all text attributes after creation:

Content -- modify the text string
Style -- change font/height/spacing
Justification -- Left, Center, Right, Top, Middle, Bottom
Rotation -- angle in degrees
Background mask -- solid background behind MText for readability

Grips¶

Entity	Grips available
Text	Move grip (insertion point), rotation grip
MText	Move grip, width grips (change wrap width), rotation grip
Leader	Arrowhead grip, landing grip, text grip

Click and drag any grip for quick edits without starting a command.

Leaders and Annotations¶

Step	Action
1	Pick arrowhead point (snap to geometry)
2	Pick landing point
3	Type or place text box

Leader properties include:

Arrow style (filled, open, dot, none)
Landing length
Text frame (box, circle, none)
Attachment side (left/right)
Multiple leaders can point to the same text

Editing Text¶

Action	Method
Edit in place	Double-click the text entity
Find and Replace	Search across the entire drawing
Spell check	Available while editing MText
Convert type	Context menu: Text to MText or MText to Text
Match properties	Apply style/height/rotation from source to targets

Right-click while creating or editing text:

Option	Description
Text Style / Properties	Change or view current text style
Insert Symbol	Degree, Plus/Minus, Diameter, etc.
Toggles	Ortho, Snaps
Convert to MText / Text	Switch between entity types
Background Mask	Enable/disable solid background (MText)
Justification	Change text alignment
Use Last Height / Angle	Reapply previous values

Best Practices¶

Practice	Why
Use Text Styles	Consistent appearance; easy bulk changes
Keep color ByLayer	Manage visibility through layer settings
Use MText for paragraphs	Wrapping, inline formatting, background mask
Use Text for short labels	Lightweight, fast to place
Use Background Mask	Readability over dense geometry
Use Fields	Data stays in sync (dates, filenames, measurements)
Place text on a dedicated layer	Easy to toggle annotation visibility

Quick Reference¶

Task	Action	Notes
Small label	Text command > click > type > `Enter`	Set height/rotation as prompted
Paragraph note	MText > two corners > type	Width controls wrapping
Insert symbols	Symbols menu or OS picker	Unicode friendly
Rotate text	Type angle or move cursor	Ortho for constraints
Snap insertion point	Enable Endpoint/Midpoint/Center	Precise anchoring on geometry
Convert Text to MText	Context menu > Convert	Preserves content
Standardize appearance	Apply a Text Style	Font/height/spacing controlled centrally
Edit existing text	Double-click the entity	Opens inline editor

Fast workflow

Start Text/MText > snap insertion point > type content > Enter. Use Text Styles to avoid manual formatting every time.