Creating Datum Target Annotations

You can create datum targets that link to datum feature symbols.

• Combined state As required

• 5_Datums preferred

• Multiple target area shapes and sizes.

• Automatic indexing.

• Semantic referencing to datum feature symbols.

• Syntax checking.

• Various editing options.

Figure 1 - Various Datum Target Shapes, Sizes, and Options

Creating Datum Target Annotations

Figure 1 - Various Datum Target Shapes, Sizes, and Options

You can create datum targets that reference a surface region. The datum targets are created as part of an annotation feature that links the target symbols to the datum feature symbols.

Use the following process to create datum targets:

• Click Datum Target from the Annotations group and select a reference in a drawing view. You see an immediate preview of the datum target with the target area attached to the selected reference location.

• Drag the target to the desired location and middle-click to complete the datum target.

• Configure the various options in the Datum Target tab in the ribbon.

Editing a Datum Target

You can easily edit a datum target by selecting it. A context-sensitive ribbon tab opens on selection, enabling you to perform any edits to the datum target. The ribbon tab closes on de-selection of the datum target.

You can always edit the target area reference location by selecting the datum target, right-clicking, and selecting Change Reference. You can then select a different reference to re-place the target area.

Using Automatic Indexing

When creating a datum target, the system automatically indexes it the next available number in the standard sequence, starting with 1, then 2, 3, and so on. You can also manually index the datum target, or change the existing index number. If there is a gap in the index numbers, the system automatically fills in the gap when the next datum target is created. For example, if there are datum targets A1 and A3, the system automatically names the next created datum target A2. Automatic indexing saves time by not having to keep track of the next index number in the sequence.

Using Semantic References

When creating a datum target, if you reference an existing datum feature symbol, the system establishes a semantic reference between the two, and the label turns green in the field. If you change the datum feature symbol label, the datum target label automatically updates when the drawing is regenerated. Of course, you can opt to create a non-semantic reference, also.

Syntax Checking

If you edit the name of the datum target, the system automatically checks the syntax to verify proper naming convention according to the ASME Y14.5 standard. If you specify a name that does not follow proper syntax, the system displays a caption to let you know, and also displays a red —spell checker — line underneath the incorrect syntax.

Editing Options

The following editing options are available for a datum target:

• Target Area — Click Target Area from the ribbon and choose from the following target area shapes: Point

• Circle

• Rectangle

• None

The datum target displays an intelligent prefix for the size, based on the target area selected.

• Size — Depending on the Target Area shape specified, you can edit its size.

• Area Size dimension placement — Specify whether the target area size is displayed inside or outside the target circle.

• Movable Datum Target — Specify whether the datum target circle is movable and if so, rotate the symbol in ninety degree increments.

• Leader information — You can edit the following parts of the datum target leader: Arrow Style.

• Straight versus No Leader.

• Set the leader to either Near-Side or Far-Side.

Creating Datum Target Annotations

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Steps

• Task 1. Create datum target annotation features. Enable only the following Datum Display types: .

• In the ribbon, select the Annotate tab.

• Select the 5_Datums combined state tab.

• Click RIGHT from the Annotation Planes group.

• Click Datum Target from the Annotations group.

• Zoom in on the left view.

• Select the datum point, drag the cursor to the right, and middle-click to place the datum target.

• In the ribbon, click Target Area and select Circle . Edit the target size to 1 and press ENTER.

• Click Select Datum Reference from the Size & References group.

• Select datum feature symbol B and click OK .

• Notice that a semantic reference has been created between the datum target and the datum feature symbol.

• Click in the background to de-select the datum target.

• Disable Point Display .

• Click Datum Target and select the surface.

• Drag the cursor to the right and middle-click to place the datum target.

• In the ribbon, click Target Area and select Rectangle . Edit the target size to .75 x 1.5 and press ENTER.

• Cursor over the middle of the rectangle and drag the handle if necessary to reposition the rectangle.

• Click Select Datum Reference , select datum feature symbol B , and click OK .

• Notice that a semantic reference has been created between the datum target and the datum feature symbol.

• Notice also that the system automatically incremented the index number.

• Click in the background to de-select the datum target.

• Task 2. Edit the datum target annotation properties. Select datum target B1 .

• Click Movable Datum Target from the Movable Datum Target group.

• Click Rotate Symbol from the Movable Datum Target group.

• Click in the background to de-select the datum target.

• Select datum target B2 .

• Click Outside from the Area Size Display group.

• Notice that the target size has been moved outside of the target symbol.

• Click in the background to de-select the datum target.

• Task 3. Edit the datum feature symbol label. Select datum feature symbol B .

• In the ribbon, edit the label from B to C and press ENTER.

• Click in the background to de-select the datum feature symbol.

• Notice that both datum targets updated to the new label due to the semantic references established.