Inserting Toolbox Balloons

You can insert Mechanical Toolbox balloons using default settings or after you define balloon styles and options in the Toolbox -Balloon Settings dialog box.

The steps for inserting balloons differ depending on the your balloon settings. The Command window prompts you for the information needed to insert the balloon.

This procedure assumes the following balloon settings:

Setting Selected?
Leader Yes
Auto increment No
Count items No
Verify item data No
You can simplify the insertion process by selecting Auto increment and Count items when you define the balloon settings. Toolbox automatically uses the values it calculates and you are not prompted for them.

Alternatively, if you select Verify item data, instead of prompts, the Toolbox - Edit Balloon dialog box appears, showing the item and quantity defaults and allowing you to modify them.

To insert Mechanical Toolbox balloons:

  1. Define the balloon settings that control balloon insertion.
  2. Click Insert Balloon (Mechanical Toolbox toolbar) or Mechanical Toolbox > Balloon > Insert.
    The Command window prompts you to Select entity.
  3. In the graphics area, select a block to associate the balloon with.
  4. When prompted to Specify start point, do one of the following:
    • Enter the coordinates for the start of the leader in the Command window and press Enter.
    • Click in the graphics area where you want to start the leader.
    The Command window prompts you to Specify end point.
  5. Do one of the following:
    • Enter the coordinates for the end of the leader in the Command window and press Enter.
    • Click in the graphics area where you want to end the leader.
    The Command window prompts you to specify an Item number and shows a default number.

    The default number is the next number in the sequence of blocks with balloons.

  6. Do one of the following:
    • Press Enter to accept the default number.
    • Type a different number in the Command window and press Enter.
    The Command window prompts you to specify a Quantity and shows a default quantity.

    The default quantity is the number of blocks that are identical to the block you selected for the balloon.

  7. Do one of the following:
    • Press Enter to accept the default quantity.
    • Type a different number in the Command window and press Enter.
    The balloon appears in the graphics area.
  8. Do one of the following:
    • To insert another balloon, repeat steps 3 through 7.
    • If you are finished inserting balloons, press Esc.