Inserting Balloon Callouts for Part References

Use the AM_InsertBalloon command to create and insert balloon callouts from part references in the graphics area.

The command lets you:

• Select part references you want to balloon
• Automatically create balloons for all non-ballooned part references
• Reorganize the arrangement of existing balloon callouts

To insert balloon callouts:

1. Do one of the following:
   • On the ribbon, click Mechanical Annotate > Balloon > Insert.
   • On the menu, click Mechanical Annotate > Balloon > Insert.
   • Type AM_InsertBalloon.
2. Specify an option:
   • Auto. Creates balloons for specified part references that have not been ballooned yet.
   • AutoAll. Creates balloons for all specified part references, including those that already have balloons.
   • Manual. Create part references with balloons at arbitrary geometry.
   • One. Inserts a single balloon in the graphics area.

     Unlike with the Auto and Auto all options, the start point for the balloon leader is set manually.

   • Collect. Creates a balloon collection on a single leader.
   • Reorganize. Arranges the balloon callouts horizontally, vertically, in a specified direction, or along the sides of a specified rectangular area.
   • Renumber. Renumbers balloon callouts. Renumbering balloon callouts changes the item numbers of the specified parts in the current BOM.
   • Set BOM. Determines the BOM to set as the active BOM.

Balloon Insertion Options

To create balloons for a single specified part reference:

You can create and place balloons for specified part references that have not been ballooned yet. If you specify only one part reference a single balloon callout is inserted in the graphics area.

1. Run the AM_InsertBalloon command and specify the Auto option.
2. In the graphics area, specify a part references that have not been ballooned yet.
3. Specify the start point of the balloon leader.
4. Specify points for subsequent leader segments and press Enter to place the balloon callout.

To create balloons for multiple specified part references:

You can create and place balloons for specified part references that have not been ballooned yet.

1. Run the AM_InsertBalloon command and specify the Auto option.
2. In the graphics area, specify multiple part references that have not been ballooned yet.
3. Specify a placement option to position the balloon callouts.
   • Angle. Places the balloons along a straight line defined by an angle you specify.
   • Around. Places the balloons along the sides of a rectangular area specified by two opposite corners.
   • Horizontal. Places the balloons along a horizontal line.
   • Vertical. Places the balloons along a vertical line.
   • Standalone. Places the balloons on the part references without a leader.

To create balloons for all specified part references:

You can create and place balloons for all specified part references, including those that already have balloons.

1. Run the AM_InsertBalloon command and specify the AutoAll option.
2. In the graphics area, specify the part references to create balloons for.

To create part references with balloons at arbitrary geometry:

You can create and place part references with balloons at arbitrary geometry.

1. Run the AM_InsertBalloon command and specify the Manual option.
2. In the graphics area, specify a point or specify an option:
   • Block. Creates a part reference for a Block in the drawing. If the Block has BlockAttributes that have the same name as those in Component Property list of the Part References dialog box, the BlockAttribute values are imported automatically into the corresponding component properties items.

     See Part Reference / Edit Part Reference dialog box.

   • Copy. Creates a complete copy of a part reference, including its data. In the graphics area, specify the part reference to copy. The copied part reference becomes a BOM item.
   • Reference. Creates a part reference that tags an element as another instance of a part that has already been assigned a part reference. In the graphics area, specify the part reference from which another instance is to be added.
3. If you specified a point, enter and edit part list-related information in the Component Property list of the Part References dialog box for the associated part. Specify the Quantity for the part reference as needed.

   See Part Reference / Edit Part Reference dialog box.

4. Specify the start point of the balloon leader.
5. Specify points for subsequent leader segments and press Enter to place the balloon callout.

To insert a single balloon:

You can insert a single balloon in the graphics area. Unlike with the Auto and Auto all options, the start point for the balloon leader is set manually.

1. Run the AM_InsertBalloon command and specify the One option.
2. In the graphics area, specify a part reference.
3. Specify the start point of the balloon leader.
4. Specify points for subsequent leader sagments and press Enter to place the balloon callout.

To create a balloon collection on a single leader:

You can collect multiple balloons on the leader of an existing balloon callout.

1. Run the AM_InsertBalloon command and specify the Collect option.
2. In the graphics area, specify part references or balloons. Press Enter to conclude the selection.
3. Specify the balloon leader to collect the balloons on.

   If you selected existing balloons in step 2, the corresponding leaders are removed.

4. Specify a point to define the orientation of the collected balloons. The orientation can be horizontal or vertical

To reorganize balloon placements in the graphics area:

You can rearrange balloon callouts horizontally, vertically, in a specified direction, or along the sides of a specified rectangular area.

1. Run the AM_InsertBalloon command and specify the Reorganize option.
2. Specify the balloons to rearrange.
3. Specify a point for the new location of the balloons or specify a placement option to position the balloon callouts.
   • Angle. Places the balloons along a straight line defined by an angle you specify.
   • Around. Places the balloons along the sides of a rectangular area specified by two opposite corners.
   • Horizontal. Places the balloons along a horizontal line.
   • Vertical. Places the balloons along a vertical line.
   • Standalone. Places the balloons on the part references without a leader.

To renumber balloon callouts:

You can renumber balloon callouts in the drawing. This option changes the item numbers of the specified parts in the current BOM.

1. Run the AM_InsertBalloon command and specify the Renumber option.
2. Specify the item number for the first selected balloon callout.
3. Specify the increment for the subsequent selected balloon callouts.
4. In the graphics area, specify the balloon callouts to renumber, consecutively one by one. Press Enter to conclude the selection.

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To set a BOM as the active BOM:

You can change the active BOM if you created other Bills of Material in additon to the Main BOM.

1. Run the AM_InsertBalloon command and specify the Set BOM option.
2. Specify an option:
   • Main. Set the Main BOM as the active BOM.
   • <BOM name>. Set a BOM other than the Main BOM as active.
   • ? to list. Displays a list of existing BOMs.
3. Specify another command option or press Enter to exit the command.

Note: You must set the Main BOM as the current BOM to create a parts list that contains all the parts in the drawing.

Access

Command: AM_InsertBalloon

Menu: Mechanical Annotate > Balloon > Insert

Ribbon: Mechanical Annotate > Balloon > Insert