The MTEXTFIXED System Variable

In AutoCAD 2006 and 2007 the In-Place Text Editor for Mtext (referred to here as the Editor) has been improved. Now it has many of the functions of a word processing program. This document however is not intended to discuss the new features of the editor. Rather, it is to make you aware of an AutoCAD system variable that determines how the editor behaves. When AutoCAD is installed the default settings for the editor are not likely to be the way you want them.  

Here is an example why. 

You are zoomed out on a drawing to the point that the Mtext you want to edit is too small to be read from the screen, though it is large enough for you to easily double click it and open it inside the editor. So you proceed to open it. However, the text editor is too small to read the text. You can use the mouse wheel to zoom in, but who wants to do that each time? 

In addition to the small editor, if the Mtext is rotated in the drawing, you will be turning your head when it appears in the editor because the editor itself will be rotated too. Why anyone would want that is beyond me.

The solution to this behavior belongs to the MTEXTFIXED system variable (sysvar).

When AutoCAD is installed, the default setting for MTEXTFIXED causes the editor behavior discussed above. To change this, type MTEXTFIXED at the command line. Change the variable to (2). Now when you edit Mtext, the editor it will automatically be sized to fit your screen and it will not be rotated either.

If you have a operating procedure or tip that you would like to share with other users via this Web site, you may contact Gary Vandawalker.
 

Contact Information

You may send comments regarding this Web site to:

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Peter E. Wright
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Telephone: 315-477-6538

If you encounter any problems with this page, have questions, suggestions, or find a broken link, please contact Gary Vandawalker at 315-477-6546.

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