Draft ShapeString

Description
The ShapeString tool inserts a compound shape that represents a text string. Text height, tracking and font can be specified. The resulting shape can be used with the Part Extrude tool to create 3D letters.

To insert a simpler text element without a closed shape use Draft Text. To create a text label with a lead and an arrow use Draft Label.



How to use
If your Draft interface mode is set to ToolBar:
 * 1) Press the  button, or press  then  keys.
 * 2) Click a point on the 3D view, or type a coordinate and press the  button.
 * 3) Enter the desired text, and press.
 * 4) Enter the desired size, and press.
 * 5) Enter the desired tracking, and press.
 * 6) Press  to accept the displayed font file, or press  to select a font file.

If your Draft interface mode is set to TaskView:
 * 1) Press the  button, or press  then  keys.
 * 2) A dialog will appear where you can specify your parameters.
 * 3) Press OK to create the ShapeString.


 * The text, size, tracking, and font can be changed after creation, by modifying the values in the Property Editor.
 * You will want to set the default font file in Draft Preferences, in the tab. This will prefill the font file box in the dialog.
 * Supported fonts include TrueType (.ttf), OpenType (.otf), and Type 1 (.pfb).

Limitations

 * Very small text heights may result in deformed character shapes due to loss of detail in scaling.
 * The current version is limited to left-to-right writing.
 * To create text arranged in a circular fashion use the macro.

Options

 * To enter coordinates manually, simply enter the numbers, then press between each X, Y and Z component. You can press the  button when you have the desired values to insert the point.
 * Press or the  button to abort the current command.

Properties

 * : specifies the position of the base point of the compound shape.
 * : specifies the rotation of the baseline of the shape.
 * : specifies the axis to use for the rotation.
 * : specifies the text string to display; unlike the Draft Text tool, the Draft ShapeString can only display a single line.
 * : specifies the general height of the letters.
 * : specifies the additional inter-character spacing in the string.
 * : specifies the full path of the font file used to draw the string.

Scripting
Draft API and FreeCAD Scripting Basics.

The ShapeString tool can be used in macros and from the Python console by using the following function:


 * Creates a compound shape using the specified  and the full path of a supported.
 * is the height of the resulting text in millimeters.
 * is the additional inter-character spacing in millimeters.

The placement of the ShapeString can be changed by overwriting its attribute, or by individually overwriting its  and  attributes.

Example:

Tutorials

 * Draft ShapeString tutorial: extrude a ShapeString, position it in 3D space, and create an engraving in another body.
 * | Nice write up on using ShapeString with PartDesign