Text Pane

The Text pane lets you specify tooltip text for geometry actors and text for collaborative actors such as labels and text 2D panels. You can also embed properties and meta-properties in your text.

To display the Text pane, select an actor. In the Properties pane, for the Tooltip or Text property, select String. Click the Tooltip string or Text string property and then click the ellipsis [...].

Note: If the property has no ellipsis [...], it does not support the Text pane. Type your text (optionally with property keywords) directly in the property field.

When you type in the large text box in the middle of the Text pane, the corresponding text in the viewport updates in real time. Because the Text pane is a pane and not a dialog box, you do not have to dismiss it when you are done. You can even dock the pane in the Composer window for future use.

Command Name Description
Insert Property

Embeds properties or meta-properties in your text. The text updates automatically when property values change.

Notes:

  • You cannot insert all property types. For example, you cannot insert check box, combo box, or color properties.
  • Property names are case sensitive.

To insert a property:

  1. Click Insert Property.
  2. To insert a property of an actor other than the current actor (for tooltip text) or associated actor (for collaboration text), select an actor in the viewport, Assembly pane, or Collaboration pane.
  3. In the Properties pane, click a property.

    A property keyword is inserted in your text.

To insert properties manually, type a property keyword:

Keyword Description
$(PropertyName) Inserts the specified property of the current actor (for tooltip text) or associated actor (for collaboration text). For example, to insert the Opacity property, type: $(Actor.Alpha). To insert the Author meta-property: $(Meta.Author).
$(ParentLevel#PropertyName) Inserts the specified property of a parent of the current actor (for tooltip text) or associated actor (for collaboration text). For example, to insert the Name of the parent's parent (level-2 parent), type: $(2#Actor.Name)
$(NetGUID#PropertyName) Inserts the specified property of an actor specified by Net GUID. For example, to insert the Shininess of a bolt: $(ABolt1.ABolt.APartBody.AManifold Solid_13209.PBolt#Actor.Shininess)

Tip: You can view Net GUIDs from the Properties pane; see Debug Properties.

Add new line after inserting property Starts a new line (as though you pressed Enter) after inserting a property with Insert Property.