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The EC Pro Styles and Settings dialog box is where you can customize your EC Pro labels. The dialog is rather large and almost all of the customization options are presented on one screen. It may seem daunting at first, but the dialog box is organized in groups to make it a little easier to find your settings.
The left hand side (of the preferred wide mode) contains all the label settings for both the elevation label as well as the slope/distance/bearing/arrow labels. The right hand side (or bottom for the tall mode) contains the settings for fine-tuning the appearance of the labels including layers, justification, etc.
Quick jump
Quick jump
Styles and Settings
Manage Styles
Manage Styles
This section only applies when you register EC Pro! Request a free 6-Week Trial License today!
A handy feature is the ability to save and later recall all the settings in the dialog box. You can then create standard label styles that you can use over and over again.
Name - type name for new label style (spaces are converted to underscores "_"). Versions newer than 2019.11 show a dialog box instead when you click Save Style. (This dialog control is depreciated).
Current Style list - List of saved styles. You must click Load Style to use the style selected.
[Swap] (double arrow) button - Swaps the current dialog settings with the alternate style settings.
[Alt Style] list - Alternate style to use with the Swap options. You do not click load for Alt style selection.
Save - Save style as name given in edit box.
Reset - Reset the style to previous settings.
Load - Restore selected style. If you made changes to the previously loaded style you will be prompted to save before loading the new style.
Import - Imports Styles from an INI file.
Export - Exports Styles to an INI file.
Delete - Delete selected style.
To Set The Default Style properties
To Set The Default Style properties
Make your changes to the label settings in the dialog.
Press Save Style.
Leave the Style Name edit box blank.
The program will now use these as defaults when first starting the program.
Primary Label settings
Primary Label settings
This section applies to the Primary label, usually on the top part of the label.
Label Location selector - choose where to show label, if at all. Note that both Primary and Secondary labels cannot be shown on the same side of the line.
Top - Label is shown on top. Default is the Primary label on Top.
Bottom - Label is shown on bottom. Move the Primary label to the Bottom of it's the basis of your calculations but is typically shown on the bottom.
None - Omit the label entirely.
Precision - Elevation precision.
Prompt - You are always prompted for the Primary elevation if you also show the primary Value.
Prefix - Value to insert before the elevation (make sure you include a space at the end if needed).
Value checkbox - Choose to show the Primary elevation Value.
Suffix - Value to append after the elevation (make sure you include a space at the beginning if needed).
{CH} - Insert {CH} if you want to use the currently configured Curb Height in your label. Be sure to include any extra text such as a double-tick (quotation mark) if you want to indicate inches, etc.
Secondary Label settings
Secondary Label settings
This section applies to the Secondary label, usually on the bottom of the label. Note you do not always have to show a number, which makes it possible to show a label such as '100.00 FS' with the 'FS' on the bottom and the '100.00' on the top.
Label Location selector - Choose where to show label, if at all. Note that both Primary and Secondary labels cannot be shown on the same side of the line.
Top - Label is shown on top. Move the Secondary label to the Top if the Primary label is the basis of your elevation calculations but is typically shown on the bottom.
Bottom - Label is shown on bottom. Default is the Secondary label on Bottom.
None- Omit the label entirely.
Precision - Elevation precision.
Prompt - Commandline prompts you for an elevation when this is Enabled.
Prefix - Value to insert before the elevation (make sure you include a space at the end if needed).
Value checkbox - Choose to show the Secondary elevation Value.
Suffix - Value to append after the elevation (make sure you include a space at the beginning if needed).
{CH} - Insert {CH} if you want to use the currently configured Curb Height in your label. Be sure to include any extra text such as a double-tick (quotation mark) if you want to indicate inches, etc.
Vertical Difference and Tail Label
Vertical Difference and Tail Label
Vertical Difference
Vertical Difference
This section allows automatic calculation of the Secondary label (or Primary label by inference).
Curb Height - The height of the curb (note this number is subtracted from the Primary elevation, but it is positive in value). This number has no meaning unless both Primary and Secondary values are shown. You can reverse this behavior by switching the positions (top/bottom) of the Primary and Secondary labels.
{CH} - You can type this code into any of the Primary, Secondary, or Tail label editboxes to show the currently configured Curb Height in your labels. When the label is created, this code including the curly brackets will be replaced with the Curb Height not including the double-tick (quotation mark).
Tail Label
Tail Label
This section adds text to the end of your label. If you select CNote\Text, this will become part of the multileader. For all other types, it will be text added to the end of the label.
Prompt - Prompt each time you place a label for the tail label (temporary).
Value - Enter a label that appears at the end of your label (when combined with Prompt, this will be default value shown on the commandline). Insert {CH} if you want to use the currently configured Curb Height in your label. Be sure to include any extra text such as a double-tick (quotation mark) if you want to indicate inches, etc.
Line Between Labels settings
Line Between Labels settings
Type - Draws a leader, polyline, or line between the labels, or not.
None - No line or leader is drawn
Line - Basic line object (Default)
Polyline - Polyline object
Leader - Leader based on current DIMSTYLE or style chosen in the Slope/Dist/Bear section.
[Multileader] - Text and leader as Multileader. (Only available when you register EC Pro! Request a free 6-week Trial License today!)
[CNote/Text] - Multileader with block or enclosed text at end, plus Primary and Secondary labels as plain text drawn above and below the leader line. (Only available when you register EC Pro! Request a free 6-week Trial License today!)
Arrowhead - Selectable when you choose 'Leader' as the type. Default is 'Closed-filled'.
Scale - The scale of the arrowhead block. Default is 0.1.
[ML Style] - Selectable when you select 'Multileader' or 'ML/Text' as the type. (Only available when you register EC Pro! Request a free 6-week Trial License today!)
Line Segments - Choose the number of segments.
2nd Angle - Enter an angle for the second segment of a label (if enabled). Alternatively, you can click the pick button and choose two points on the screen. To control the first segment, see "Polarmode increment" in the Options dialog.
Use SnapAng - Uses the system variable 'SNAPANG' to determine the angle of the second segment (not available for 'one' segment labels).
A word about Multileaders and Cnote\Text labels
A word about Multileaders and Cnote\Text labels
This section only applies when you register EC Pro! Request a free 6-Week Trial License today!
Multileaders are largely controlled by the AutoCAD Multileader style you want to use, including:
The Text offsets and alignment.
The Arrowhead type and size.
The Layer is same for Top, Bottom, and the Leader.
The Tail label is not part of Multileader unless you choose CNote\Text, in which case the elevation text is then not part of the Multileader.
The Top/Bottom labels not part of Multileader when you choose CNote\Text, in which case the text is then not part of the Multileader.
If you save an EC Style with a Multileader style and you open a drawing without this ML Style, EC will attempt to find and load the style from the Styles Config (ec-styles.ini). If it is unable to load the style, it will use the current ML Style or 'Standard'. Import the correct style into your drawing if you wish to use it with EC Pro. Or see Customizing Multileader Style Creation below for more information.
Customizing Multileader Style Creation
Customizing Multileader Style Creation
You must create your own Multileader style with the settings you prefer, or use the Create MLeader button to generate a basic style which you can then modify. EC Pro will calculate the elevations and insert them into the Multileader.
Alternatively, if you always use the same Multileader styles you can change the default settings that EC Pro uses to create the style when you press the Create MLeader button. First you must generate a Styles Config (ec-styles.ini) file, then edit the file. Look for the two sections called ec-mleader-default-text and ec-mleader-default-clbl. You can adjust the options to your preference. Please see AutoCAD documentation for instruction on how to set these custom options; no additional support is given.
Tips for making Multileaders look correct, change the following in your Multileader Style:
Tips for making Multileaders look correct, change the following in your Multileader Style:
Set Text angle to Always right-reading to cause the text to flip automatically.
Set Leader connection to Horizontal attachment.
Set Left attachment and Right attachment both to Underline top line.
Set Landing Gap to 0.
Set Extend leader to text to On (checked).
Tips for making CNote\Text labels look correct, change the following in your Multileader Style:
Tips for making CNote\Text labels look correct, change the following in your Multileader Style:
Set Text angle to Always right-reading to cause the text to flip automatically.
Set Frame Text to On create a square box around the Tail label, or use a block with a single attribute.
Set Leader connection to Horizontal attachment.
Set Left attachment and Right attachment both to Middle of top line or Center extents if using a block.
Set Landing Gap to 0.
Slope, Distance, Bearing, and Arrow settings
Slope, Distance, Bearing, and Arrow settings
This feature labels the slope, distance, and/or bearing between your two points.
Slope options
Slope options
Prefix - Adds text to the slope label.
Slope checkbox - Choose to show slope.
ABS - Labels slope as absolute value, removing any negative sign.
Slope Precision - Precision of slope.
Slope indicator - Format of slope (labels depend on the current units, US shown).
(blank) - No format is appended to the slope.
% - Divides the slope by 100 and appends percent symbol. (Default)
in/in - Appends 'in/in' to slope (or mm/mm when using SI units).
ft/ft - Appends 'ft/ft' to slope (or m/m when using SI units).
in/ft - Applies the scale factor and appends 'in/ft' to slope (or mm/m when using SI units).
Suffix - Appends text to the end of the slope label.
Slope Arrow - Draws a small leader arrow pointing in the direction of negative slope.
Arrow Length - The editbox can be used to specify the length of the arrow as a scale of the current text size. So, if the text size is '2', a length of '5' will result in an arrow 10 units long. Enter '-1' for an arrow length equal to just the slope portion of the label. (This property is depreciated).
[Dimension Style] - Select a style currently loaded in the drawing to use for the Slope Arrow.
Distance (or length for arcs) options
Distance (or length for arcs) options
Prefix - Adds text to the distance label.
Distance checkbox - Choose to show the distance. Note the distance is always a horizontal distance, not a true distance.
Distance Precision - Precision of distance.
Suffix - Appends characters (include any linear unit mark here such as 'LF' or 'm'). Make sure you include any leading or trailing spaces.
Bearing (or delta for arcs) options
Bearing (or delta for arcs) options
Prefix - Adds text to the beginning of the bearing.
Bearing checkbox - Choose to show bearing.
Bearing Precision - Precision of the bearing.
Lead Zero - Inserts a zero in front of any single digit portion of the bearing; 9 becomes 09.
Spaces - Inserts a space between the direction letters at the beginning and end of the bearing. Does not apply to delta.
Force - Forces the bearing to conform to one of the cardinal directions.
None - bearing is based on the direction you select the first and second points.
North - SE bearings will be changed to NW and SW bearings changed to NE.
South- NE bearings will be changed to SW and NW bearings changed to SE.
East- NW bearings will be changed to SE and SW bearings changed to NE.
West- NE bearings will be changed to SW and SE bearings changed to NW.
Suffix - Appends text to the end of the bearing.
Auto delete labels - Deletes the slope/distance/bearing label if you do not label the second point.
Inline Order - Sets the order of the Slope/Distance/Bearing labels. This applies even when the labels are stacked: the first label will appear closest to the line and each other label will be stacked above.
S/D/B - Slope, Distance, Bearing
D/S/B - Distance, Slope, Bearing
D/B/S - Distance, Bearing, Slope
S/B/D - Slope, Bearing, Distance
B/S/D - Bearing, Slope, Distance
B/D/S - Bearing, Distance, Slope
Text Options
Text Options
Text Options
To see the Text Options you must expand the 'Standard' mode to 'Wide' mode or 'Tall' mode dialog or click the Text Options button. Here you can set a lot of the options that control how the text is displayed.
Multileader/CNote Options
Multileader/CNote Options
This section only applies when you register EC Pro! Request a free 6-Week Trial License today!
Exact ML Line Spacing - After creating a Multileader label, the Line Spacing will be changed from 'At least' to 'Exactly' (please see AutoCAD Help 'TSPACETYPE'). This makes it more convenient to use Multileaders since you cannot set Line Spacing in the AutoCAD Multileader Style dialog. Default is Enabled.
Line Spacing Factor - When adjusting Line Spacing, this sets the Line Spacing Factor (please see AutoCAD Help 'TSPACEFAC'). Must be a number between 0.25 and 4.0. Default is 1.0.
Background Mask - After creating a Multileader label, the Background Mask will be turned ON. This makes it more convenient to use Multileaders since you cannot set Background Mask in the Multileader Style dialog. Default is Enabled.
Transparent or Color - When using the Background Mask option, this sets the color. Must be an integer between 1 and 255 or 256 (drawing background color). Default is 256.
Background Offset Factor - When using the Background Mask option, this sets the Offset Factor for the edge of the Background Mask. This makes it more convenient to use Multileaders since the AutoCAD default Offset Factor is 1.5. Must be a number between 1.0 and 4.0. Default is 1.12.
Text offsets
Text offsets
Note the offset values are multiplied by the text height. This makes them scalable for any size text. See also the Bump option which will move the Slope/Distance/Bearing label and Slope Arrow out away from the design line.
Example: Text Size is 5.0 units. The text offset for the Slope/Dist label is 0.25. Multiply these together and the text is drawn 1.25 units from the label line.
Text Indent - For a 2 segment label only, defines the indention from the line angle point. Default is 1.0.
Top Label - The fraction of text height from the origin to move the text that appears on the top of the label. Default is 0.375.
Bottom Label - Same as above, but for the bottom label. Default is 0.375.
Tail Label - Extra length to add to end of label. Useful for attaching a block to the end of your label. Tail Label text is also offset this amount from the end of the line. Default is 0.
Slope/Dist/Bear - Applies to the slope/dist/bearing label. Note: offset from slope arrow if drawn. Default is 0.375.
Slope Arrow - Applies to the slope arrow. Default is 0.375.
Other Text Options
Other Text Options
Layers - Click to edit layers associated with each object.
Current - Use current layer for all objects. This is a temporary override for any value stored in the Layers properties.
Text Style
[Style] list - Select the default text style to be used for all labels (except multileader-based styles).
[Create Text Style] button - Creates a default Text Style which can be configured in the INI file.
Text style is 'fixed height' - This option is automatically set when the current Text Style is set to a value other than 0.
Text height - Set the height of the label text, this option is only available when the AutoCAD Text Style height is 0.
Label Alignment
Label Alignment
Elevation - Applies to both the Primary and Secondary labels.
Outside - Closest to the tail of the label line. (Default)
Inside - The side that is closest to the pick point.
Left - Aligns to the left.
Right - Aligns to the right.
Centered - Aligns the labels to the center.
Slope - Applies just to the Slope label.
Above - Above the line of grades. (Default)
Below - Below the line of grades.
[Centered] - Aligned over the line of grades.
Distance- Applies just to the Distance/Length label.
Inline - In the same line as the Slope label. (Default)
Stacked - Above or below the Slope label, but on the same side of the line.
Opposite - Opposite side of the as the Slope label.
Stacked-Opposite - Opposite side of the as the Slope label and stacked.
Bearing- Applies just to the Bearing/Delta label.
Inline - In the same line as the Slope label. (Default)
Stacked - Above or below the Slope label, but on the same side of the line.
Opposite - Opposite side of the as the Slope label.
Stacked-Opposite - Opposite side of the as the Slope label and stacked.
Slope Arrow- Applies just to the Slope Arrow.
Same - Same side as the Slope label. (Default)
Opposite - Opposite side as the Slope label.
[Inline] - In the same line as the Slope label.
Standard Mode
Tall Mode
Wide Mode
Dialog Control Buttons
Dialog Control Buttons
Text Options - Displays the Text Options in a separate dialog (only appears when in Standard dialog mode).
Expand Right/Contract Left and Expand Down/Contract Up - Pressing the arrow buttons will expand the dialog box and show the Text Options. Note: if your computer screen is not tall enough you will not be able to see the Tall mode. Instead, the program will show only the Wide and Standard modes.
Ok - Save changes and close dialog.
Cancel - Don't save changes and close dialog.
Help - Displays this website.
Info - Shows current program version.
Register - Click this button to start the Registration process which can enable saving of Styles and turns on the Multileader options.
Options - Opens another dialog with more options for the program or dialog boxes.
Status Line - Error and informative messages appear below the dialog control buttons. Multiple lines are shown on the status line when more than one message appears.
Layers
Layers dialog
Layers dialog
Type the layer name for each of the following. If the layer does not exist, it will be created. Leave the editbox blank to use the current layer. The button to the right of the editbox will show you a list of all the layers in the drawing making it easier so you do not have to type the name.
Top Label - Applies to the top label (Primary or Secondary).
Bottom Label - Applies to the bottom label (Primary or Secondary).
Tail Label - Applies to the Tail label.
Line/Leader between labels - Applies to the Line or Leader. Applies to the whole Multileader excluding any Tail label or applies to the CNote multileader excluding any Top or Bottom labels.
Slope/Dist/Bear - Applies to Slope, Distance, and Bearing labels.
Slope Arrow - Applies to the Slope Arrow.
Tip: You can save the custom settings for your layers in the Styles Config (ec-styles.ini) file so the right colors and other properties are loaded when the layer is created. See the Style Config for more information.
Import Styles
Export Styles
Import and Export EC Pro Styles
Import and Export EC Pro Styles
This section only applies when you register EC Pro! Request a free 6-Week Trial License today!
You can export your styles for use on another computer or as a backup in case they are lost. You can use the Styles Config (ec-styles.ini) file to store your exported styles, or you can create a new file. If you are sharing your settings with others, it is probably best to create a unique file name with only the styles you want to share. Make sure you save this file in a folder that is also listed in your Support File Search Paths (see this Knowledgebase article for more information about Support File Search Paths).
Import
Import
File name - The file to import styles from.
Browse - Click to specify a file for import. This must be an existing file.
Styles - These are the styles that are located in the INI file.
Select All - Selects all of the styles in the list.
Select None - Selects none of the styles in the list.
Delete - Deletes a style from the INI file.
Import - Process the import.
Cancel - Cancels and saves nothing.
Export
Export
File name - The file to export styles to.
Browse - Click to specify a file for export. This can be an existing file, or a new file name.
Styles - These are the styles that are stored on your computer.
Select All - Selects all of the styles in the list.
Select None - Selects none of the styles in the list.
Delete - Not applicable to Export dialog.
Export - Process the export.
Cancel - Cancels and saves nothing.
Tip: You can export the custom settings for your layers, multileaders, dimensions, and text styles in the Styles Config (ec-styles.ini) file so the right properties are loaded when the style is used. See the Style Config for more information.
Mini Mode
Mini (toolbar) dialog mode
Mini (toolbar) dialog mode
Some options shown here only apply when you register EC Pro! Request a free 6-Week Trial License today!
The Mini dialog mode shows just a small set of properties which are commonly changed often. Here you can set the Current and Alternate styles, Swap the styles, set the Curb Height, the Tail Label, Slope and Slope Arrow location, Current Layer override, PaperSpace Scale, and Background Mask for multileaders.
For Current and Alternate styles, each are loaded automatically once selected. If you made changes to the previously loaded style, you will be prompted to save your changes before loading the new style.
Alphabetical List of Style Properties
Alphabetical List of Style Properties
One look at the EC Pro Styles dialog shows you there are over 70 customizable properties for each style you create for EC Pro!
This section only applies when you register EC Pro! Request a free 6-Week Trial License today!
These are the properties listed in the EC Pro Styles Config (ec-styles.ini) and their meanings. Some of these properties may not be present in your styles INI file, that is ok! A default value will be used in it's place.
EC-ALIGN-AR - Alignment for the arrow
EC-ALIGN-BR - Alignment for the bearing
EC-ALIGN-DT - Alignment for the distance label
EC-ALIGN-EL - Alignment for the elevation labels
EC-ALIGN-SL - Alignment for the slope label
EC-ANG-2 - Angle of the second segment
EC-ARR-LEN - Length of the Slope arrow (This property is depreciated)
EC-ARR-SCL - Scale of the Leader Line arrowhead
EC-ARROW - Show the slope arrow
EC-BEAR - Show the Bearing/Delta value
EC-BR-FORCE - Force the bearing to one cardinal direction (N/S/E/W)
EC-BR-PRE - Bearing/Delta prefix
EC-BR-PREC - Bearing/Delta precision
EC-BR-SPACE - Add spaces between N/S and E/W
EC-BR-SUF - Bearing/Delta suffix
EC-BR-ZERO - Add leading zero to the Bearing/Delta
EC-CURB - Curb height (the difference between top and bottom elevations)
EC-DEL - Automatically delete the slope/dist/bearing label
[EC-DIM-STYLE] - Dimension style for the arrows and leaders
EC-DIST - Show the distance label
EC-DT-PRE - Distance prefix
EC-DT-PREC - Distance precision
EC-FL-PRE - Prefix for the bottom elevation
EC-FL-PROMPT - Prompts for the bottom elevation value
EC-FL-SHOW - Show the bottom elevation label
EC-FL-SUF - Suffix for the bottom elevation
EC-FL-VALUE - Show the bottom elevation value
EC-LAY-ARR - Layer for the slope arrow
EC-LAY-BOT - Layer for the bottom elevation
EC-LAY-LBL - Layer for the tail label
EC-LAY-LIN - Layer for the leader line
EC-LAY-SLP - Layer for the slope/dist/bear
EC-LAY-TOP - Layer for the top elevation
EC-LAYER - Current layer override
EC-LDR-ARR - Leader arrow
EC-LINE - Type of leader/line
EC-LINE-SEG - Number of leader/line segments
EC-MLDR-BMASK - Apply background mask
EC-MLDR-BMCOL - Adjust mask color
EC-MLDR-BMOFF - Adjust mask offset
EC-MLDR-LSFAC - Line Spacing Factor
EC-MLDR-LSPCE - Change Line Spacing
[EC-MLDR-STYLE] - Multi-Leader Style
EC-PREC - Precision for the top elevation (general)
EC-PREC-FL - Precision for the bottom elevation
EC-SEP - Order to show the distance/slope/bearing label
EC-SEP-T1 - Separator value
EC-SL-ABS - Absolute value for the slope
EC-SL-PCNT - Unit value for the slope
EC-SL-PRE - Slope prefix
EC-SL-PREC - Precision of the slope
EC-SL-SUF - Slope suffix
EC-SLOPE - Show the slope value
EC-TAIL-PROMPT - Prompts for the tail label
EC-TAIL-TOGGLE - Toggles temporary tail label (This property is depreciated)
EC-TAIL-VAL - Value for the tail of label
EC-TC-PRE - Prefix for the top elevation
EC-TC-PROMPT - Prompts for the top elevation value
EC-TC-SHOW - Show the top label
EC-TC-SUF - Suffix for the top elevation
EC-TC-VALUE - Show the top elevation value
EC-TEXT-AR - Offset for the Slope arrow
EC-TEXT-DN - Offset for the Bottom label
EC-TEXT-IN - Text Indent
EC-TEXT-OUT - Offset for the Tail Label / Line Tail
EC-TEXT-SL - Offset for the slope/dist/bear label
[EC-TEXT-STYLE] - Text style for labels
EC-TEXT-UP - Offset for the top label
EC-USER-TS - User-defined text size (if Text Style height=0)
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