> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.rayon.design/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.rayon.design/documentation/design/annotations-dimensions-leaders-text.md).

# Annotations: dimensions, leaders, text

An exhaustive list of Rayon's annotation tool set.

Rayon's annotation tools can be found in the **bottom toolbar** or triggered via **shortcuts**.

<figure><img src="https://2112124689-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FngVHKyaUSSJPTFck3wkz%2Fuploads%2FAxW2V0nuj4umYx9hQDc3%2FFrame%201788%20(4).png?alt=media&#x26;token=5f7552b6-755d-478a-8cd6-145fe476ccdb" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Dimension & Leader

#### Dimension `DI` <a href="#h_4c6b37c791" id="h_4c6b37c791"></a>

**Mode**: Orientation, Chained\
**Arguments**: Distance, Angle

* Start by **selecting** the **start point** of your dimension, then pick an end point.
* If in **chained mode**, repeat the above step.

{% embed url="<https://player.vimeo.com/video/1027043271?autoplay=1&loop=1&muted=1&controls=0>" %}

#### **Angular dimension `AD`**

**Mode**: Arc, Loop\
**Arguments**: Offset

When annotating **angles**...

* Start by **setting two segments to define the angle**.
* Pick a **quadrant**.
* Then set an **offset** for the dimension.

When annotating **arcs**...

* Start by **picking an arc**.
* Then set an **offset** for the dimension.

{% embed url="<https://player.vimeo.com/video/1125793026?autoplay=1&loop=1&muted=1&controls=0>" %}

#### **Radius dimension `RD`**

**Arguments**: Distance, Angle

* Start by **picking an arc or circle**: click a **point on it**, or its **center**.
* Then set the **knee point**.
* Finally, set the **landing end point**. The dimension displays the radius (e.g. `R 0.45 m`).

{% embed url="<https://player.vimeo.com/video/1232998208?autoplay=1&loop=1&muted=1&controls=0>" %}

**Point on arc or center?** Both select the same arc and give the same dimension: it is attached to the arc's center, and its arrow sits on the arc in the direction of the knee. Picking the center requires **Center** snapping to be on. If the center is hard to reach or overlaps other geometry, click the arc itself.

{% hint style="warning" %}
Radius dimensions don't support **walls** yet. They work on arcs and circles only.
{% endhint %}

#### **Diameter dimension `DA`**

**Arguments**: Distance, Angle

* Start by **picking an arc or circle**: click a **point on it**, or its **center**.
* Then set the **knee point**.
* Finally, set the **landing end point**. The dimension displays the diameter (e.g. `Ø 0.90 m`).

{% embed url="<https://player.vimeo.com/video/1232999136?autoplay=1&loop=1&muted=1&controls=0>" %}

**Point on arc or center?** As with radius dimensions, both picks give the same result: the dimension is attached to the arc's center. Picking the center requires **Center** snapping to be on.

{% hint style="warning" %}
Diameter dimensions don't support **walls** yet. They work on arcs and circles only.
{% endhint %}

#### **Leader `DR`**

**Arguments**: Distance, Angle

Leaders can be used with either **text** or **blocks**. To work with a **text leader**:

* Call the **`Leader`** command, and make sure that in the annotation style, the **`Block`** property is turned off.
* Start by **selecting** the **arrowhead point** of your leader, then the landing line.
* As the text box opens on command completion, enter the text that your leader should display.

{% embed url="<https://player.vimeo.com/video/1027039367?autoplay=1&loop=1&muted=1&controls=0>" %}

To use a **block leader**, repeat the same steps, but toggle *on* the **Block** property of the annotation style. Let's go through each step:

* Call the **`Leader`** command.
* Toggle *on* the annotation style's **`Block`** property.
* In the modal that opens, either pick one of the three default head blocks, or browse to your preferred library. Validate to close the modal.
* Start by **selecting** the **arrowhead point** of your leader, then the landing line.

{% embed url="<https://player.vimeo.com/video/1027043214?autoplay=1&loop=1&muted=1&controls=0>" %}

At any point, the text inside **the leader's block head can be edited** by simply double-clicking on the text itself.

{% embed url="<https://player.vimeo.com/video/1027043030?autoplay=1&loop=1&muted=1&controls=0>" %}

### **Annotation head options and transform**

The head of a dimension or a leader can be either a **text** or a **block**. Either way, the annotation style allows you to choose the head...

* **`Gap`**: a gap surrounding the annotation text
* **`Position`**: Centered, Below, Above
* **`Rotation`**: Aligned, Horizontal, Vertical

... as a way to format the annotation.

<figure><img src="https://2112124689-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FngVHKyaUSSJPTFck3wkz%2Fuploads%2F2I37Jf80PJpmND4MZMPc%2FFrame%201816.png?alt=media&#x26;token=cb667bdd-04d5-4c1f-9bc4-c802128f8087" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Additionally, the **head transform** allows you to manually move the head inside the annotation. Any manual edit is saved inside the head transform property (**`Shear`**, **`Rotation`**, **`Offset`**, **`Scale`**), which can be reset at any point.

<figure><img src="https://2112124689-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FngVHKyaUSSJPTFck3wkz%2Fuploads%2FXxf6XWOTdJ2ocMeGM1E4%2FFrame%201817.png?alt=media&#x26;token=fe1fc88d-0426-4123-8e49-b7965f6ad8a2" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### **Dimension scale**

Note that dimensions can **be set to a specific scale**.\
This is especially useful when adding dimensions in the paper canvas. This way, if a view has a 1:20 scale, then dimensions overlaid on top of it can be tuned to match the view scale. The scale setting is in the dimension's properties.

<figure><img src="https://2112124689-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FngVHKyaUSSJPTFck3wkz%2Fuploads%2FGqFaMLTyVSvyCNYoElPH%2FFrame%201831.png?alt=media&#x26;token=4e0f77b4-283e-48aa-b81e-ebaeca71d7c0" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### **Arrow `AW`**

**Arguments**: Distance, Angle

* Start by selecting the **start point** of your arrow.
* Then pick the **arrowhead point.**

{% embed url="<https://player.vimeo.com/video/1027043922?autoplay=1&loop=1&muted=1&controls=0>" %}

### **Revision cloud `RC`**

**Mode**: Rectangle, Polygon

Simply draw your revision cloud and press Done (or Space) when your shape is complete.

{% embed url="<https://player.vimeo.com/video/1135860718?autoplay=1&loop=1&muted=1&controls=0>" %}

### Text & tag <a href="#h_0dec56c1a9" id="h_0dec56c1a9"></a>

#### **Text `TT`**

* Start by **selecting** the **insertion point of your text box.**
* As the text box opens on command completion, **enter the text that your text box should display.**

{% embed url="<https://player.vimeo.com/video/1027042900?autoplay=1&loop=1&muted=1&controls=0>" %}

#### **Tag `TG`**

* Start by **selecting** **an entity your tag should be tied to.**
* As the text box opens on command completion, either:
  * **Enter the text that your tag should display.**
  * Click on the **`/`** (add variables) button in the text editing panel to **insert a property of the tag's parent entity**.

{% embed url="<https://player.vimeo.com/video/1027042649?autoplay=1&loop=1&muted=1&controls=0>" %}

***

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