The following table shows common text symbols and the properties that can be used to create each one.
These text symbols can be applied to all text elements: labels, annotation, dimensions, and layout text elements. Once they are created, they can be saved to a style for reuse.
Symbol
Properties
Balloon callout
Callout type is Balloon.
Balloon symbol is a solid fill symbol with Outline width set to 0 points.
Balloon style is Rounded rectangle.
Leader tolerance is set to 0 points.
Margins are set to 2 points.
Balloon callout with filled dart
Callout type is Balloon.
Balloon symbol is a solid fill symbol with Outline width set to 0.5 points.
Balloon style is Rectangle.
Separate dart symbol check box is checked.
Dart symbol is a solid fill symbol with Outline width set to 0 points.
Leader tolerance is set to 0 points.
Margins are set to 2 points.
Background callout
Callout type is Background.
Background symbol is a solid fill symbol with Outline width set to 0.5 points.
Leader tolerance is set to 0 points.
Margins are set to 2 points.
Tip:
A text symbol with a background is essentially a Background callout without a leader line.
Line callout
Callout type is Background.
Leader line symbol is Simple stroke (0.5 pt).
Leader style is set to Mid point.
Gap is set to 3 points.
Leader tolerance is set to 0 points.
Tip:
Line callouts can be created with the Simple line callout or the Background callout with only the Leader line symbol used.
Point symbol callout
Callout type is Point symbol.
Point symbol is set to White circle.
Scale is set to Width and height.
Leader line symbol is set to Simple stroke (0.5 pt).
Leader style is set to Mid point.
Leader tolerance is set to 0 points.
Tip:
Point symbol callouts allow the addition of a leader line.
Halo
Halo symbol is set to White fill.
Halo size is set to 1 point.
Drop shadow
Color is set to Gray 30%.
X Offset is set to 1.5 points.
Y Offset is set to -1.5 points.
Tip:
Drop shadows look most natural when they are down and to the right. Use a positive x-value and a negative y-value to achieve this.
