Chapter 16: Annotation
A common step in the analysis process is presenting model and results data with additional notations
applied, such as dimensions, comments, highlights, or other text or artwork. You can enhance the
standard ANSYS display with a variety of annotation primitives including text, dimensions, polygons,
symbols, and even pie charts. ( The “!” and “$” characters are not available for text annotation.)
ANSYS annotation functions are available for both 2-D and 3-D graphics cards. You can apply 3-D an-
notation even if a 2-D graphics card is installed or a 2-D driver (Win32 or X11) is loaded. For best results,
however, ANSYS, Inc. recommends installing a quality 3-D graphics card is installed and the appropriate
3-D or Open GL device driver.
The following annotation topics are available:
16.1. 2-D Annotation
16.2. Creating Annotations for ANSYS Models
16.3. 3-D Annotation
16.4. 3-D Query Annotation16.1. 2-D Annotation
2-D text and graphics annotations are formed as a 2-D overlay on the graphics screen. Because this
overlay exists as an imaginary plane, when you transform your model (by changing the scaling, focus,
viewing angle, magnification, etc.), your carefully-constructed annotation will not move with the model.
Because of this, 2-D annotation should be used primarily for finalized output (reports and printouts)
and for representations of the model's state at various stages in the analysis. 3-D annotations will remain
anchored to a specific location on the model, and are discussed later in this chapter.
You access 2-D annotation functions through the GUI at Utility Menu> PlotCtrls> Annotation> Create
2D Annotation. Every annotation function performed from the GUI places one or more underlying
ANSYS command(s) in the log file. This allows you to accurat ely reproduce the display if the log file is
later submitted for batch input. Annotation commands that might appear in such a session log include
/ANNOT,/ANUM,/TLABEL,/LINE,/LARC,/LSYMBOL,/POLYGON,/PMORE,/PCIRCLE,/PWEDGE,
/TSPEC,/PSPEC, and /LSPEC.
The following annotation primitives are available from the 2-D annotation dialog box:
- Text
- Lines
- Rectangles
- Circles
- Arcs
- Polygons
- Wedges
- Arrows
- Dimensions
- Pies
- Symbols
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