Using Notation Bubbles

Creating Grid Bubbles

Grid bubble objects are dimensioned grid lines with bubble markers. This type of drawing notation can help locate columns and other primary building features on construction documents.

Drawing a Grid Bubble Object

 

To draw a grid bubble object:

1.	Click the Grid Bubble tool from the Dims/Notes tool set.

2.	Place a line of grid bubbles by drawing an open polygon with the tool. The first click starts the grid line; the second click determines the angle of the grid line and sets a marker at that location. Each remaining click sets a grid marker.

3.	Double-click to end the grid line. The first time the object is inserted in this session, the Preferences dialog box opens. These parameters apply to subsequent placements of the object and can be changed in the Object Info palette.

Grid Bubble Properties

The grid bubble parameters can be edited in the Object Info palette.

 

Parameter	Description
Starting Mark	Indicates the starting number or letter for grid labeling; labels are automatically incremented
Prefix	Specifies a prefix, if any, to apply to the grid labels
Dim Text Size	Specifies the point size of the dimension text
Item Text Size	Specifies the point size of the bubble label text
Show Dimensions	Select to display the dimensions on the grid
Flip	Select to flip the bubble labels to the other side of the dimension string
Rotate Text	Select to rotate the bubble label text with the grid
Draw First Grid	Select to display the first bubble grid; deselect to hide it (useful when creating nested grids)
Bubbles Both Ends	Select to draw bubble labels at both ends of the grid line
Line Style	Select the grid line style
Size Factor	Scales the size of the bubbles
Bubble Offset	Specifies the offset distance of the bubbles from the dimension string
Grid Length	Indicates the grid length
Polyline parameters	Edits the bubble grid line; while editing the bubble grid line in this way is possible, it may be preferable to use the 2D Reshape tool instead. See Reshaping Objects

By combining several bubble grids and adjusting labeling properties, hierarchical (nested) grids can be created.