I am wondering what else can be checked to address text heights of block imports being way off?
Layout Space Scale is unchecked and font heights are 1:1 scale.
Interestingly in the Insert dialog box, selecting Insert as “Block instance’ gives back dramatically increased text sizes, but selecting Insert as ‘As Group’ or ‘Individual Objects’ the text is sized correctly.
I have attached an example file for you to try importing as a block:
The block works, but you need to insert it on the Layout for the best results, not on the model. The model is for model geometry. The file inserts beautifully on the layout for 18x24.5. The attributes are prompted for at insert or can be edited when the block is selected from the Properties panel.
Look at the file and let me know if you have any additional questions.
Sincerely,
Mary Ann Fugier
Hello, Thank you for looking into this so quickly!
I’ve been reviewing your comments and playing around with this for a while today, the issue seems to be caused by the file’s model space unit settings not ‘Layout scale’ selection.
The text from the insert file is only correct for me if model units are set to inches in the host file. Importing into the ‘Large Objects - Centimeter’ template, into layout space, results in the insert file having tiny text. Importing into the ‘Large Objects - Feet’ template, into layout space, results in the insert file having huge text. The results are the same regardless of ‘Layout scale’ selection.
Interestingly, it seems that in any template, inserting into model space works fine…but that is just an observation, it isnt helpful here, a printout format block is only ever needed in layout space.
How can I stop model space settings from impacting a block imported to layout space? It wouldn’t make sense to need a printout format block for every possible unit selection, right?
There are only two layout units: inches and mm. (these are the units that you buy paper, whether you use imperial or metric.)
You only need one title block for the your various sheet sizes that you use (A, B, C, D, E ) for each of the units systems - inches and mm.
In the layout you make a detail to scale the layout unit to the model unit. For example 1 laout:50 model, … or 1:100, 1:48 1:96 and lots of others.
Use layout scaling so the annotations created in the detail or on the layout will be displayed the same size.
The title block belongs on the layout. And your template can have all the layouts for the sheet sizes you use already made. Begin new models with your template.
Otherwise, if you need a layout from and existing file, use the ImportLayout command.
That is what I recommend.
Give it a try.
Hope it helps.
Thank you for continuing to help, sorry I don’t think I’m describing the issue well.
I understand layouts as paper, detail scaling and making model space text appear the correct size through detail views in layout space. I don’t believe any of that is the problem here. (I work in architecture using AutoCAD professionally but like Rhino more so I own it and use it for all my side work).
The issue appears to be that the file’s model space units setting somehow forces the text of a block imported to layout space to scale upon import. Attached are videos of what happens.
Import Into “Large Objects - Feet, Feet & Inches” template:
Import Into “Large Objects - Inches, Feet & Inches” template:
Import Into “Small Objects - Centimeters” template:
Thank you. @A_T for the additional details. We know this is frustrating and this is a long time bug in Rhino.
While is is a bug, it is currently how Rhino still works.
The text from the block is added to the model as inches.
(the layout unit is currently not used to calculate text height when inserting a block from a file.)
The geometry is scaled, but the text is not. (see with workaround below)*
Until we see a fix and you will need a work around.
Workaround 1: “Large objects - Feet, Feet Inch”
Rhino can have a different unit in model and layout, but the units should be part of the same system: both metric or both imperial. (this will help downstream with Layout text scaling.)
Your first video the model unit is feet and layout unit is inches.
The key here is to edit the block and scale the text height in the model.
Begin a new model with Centimeters.
Add a 18x24 layout.
Insert your title block from a file. (this is where the error is introduced.)
At the Scale factor prompt enter the conversion between the model unit feet and inches.
For example, if the model unit is Feet, you will need 1/12 or .08333.
Enter to apply the scale factor to the text. (at this point the height should look ok. If not scale more or less to get the height you want.)
Pick OK to close the block editor.
Now you can copy the layout in the same model or use the ImportLayout command from any new file or existing file that was created with this same Small or Large Feet - Feet Inch unit templates. (Do not reinsert the original block from the original block file. You will need to scale all over again.) You can download my fixed my files/templates with your TB Title blocks in layout.zip here (119.9 KB)
See video here:
Workaround 2: “Small Objects - Centimeters”
Your second video the model unit is centimeters and layout unit is mm.
This is a little more difficult because the text is not scaled and appears to be in still inches in the block. So we will convert from Inches to Centimeters to get it looking correct.
Begin a new model with Centimeters.
Add a 18x24 layout.
Insert your title block from a file. (this is where the error is introduced.)
At the Scale factor prompt enter the conversion between the block text in inches and centimeters.
Enter to apply the scale factor to the text. I used 2.54 or the conversion of inches to cemtimeters (at this point the height should look ok. If not scale more or less to get the height you want.)
Pick OK to close the block editor.
Now you can copy the layout in the same model or use the ImportLayout from any new file or existing file that was created with this same Small or Large Centimeters or MM unit templates.
Do not reinsert the original block from the original block file. You will need to scale all over again. You can download my fixed my files/templates with your TB Title blocks in layout.zip here (119.9 KB)
See video here:
There is still hope for this in Rhino WIP, but not for Rhino 8. This is a difficult fix and has the potential of breaking something that already works. So it needs to be tested in thoroughly in the WIP. We will let you know here when there is a fix for you to test.
Thank you very much for the workaround walkthrough! Unfortunate that it is a persistent bug, but understandable. SelText and ScaleTestHeight is a manageable workflow.
