Text Pointer Tool

The text pointer annotation object (ANNOBJECT_TEXTPOINTER) is a rectangle with a line that starts from one of the four corners. The other endpoint of the line can be moved to point to anything on the underlying image. The rectangle contains a character string with font properties. The text will wrap on word breaks within the object's specified rectangle.

In design mode, click and drag to specify the rectangle in the current window. After letting up on the mouse button, the rectangle is specified. Moving the mouse now specifies the line, with a final mouse click defining the line.

Holding down the Shift key while drawing the rectangle will make the text annotation square. Holding down the Shift Key will snap the line to angles of 45 degrees.

After the text pointer is defined, a dialog box then lets the user enter the text. As soon as the Text object is created, the text will be highlighted. The text may be edited immediately. While in design mode double-click on a text object to edit the text. This can be achieved programmatically by calling the LAnnotation::TextEdit function.

When moving a text pointer, the pointer endpoint of the line can remain fixed, or move with the rest of the text pointer. To change this setting in automation mode, select or deselect the Fixed Pointer check box on the Text Dialog Box for Annotations.

In design mode, click on the object with the right mouse button to do the following:

• Undo the last user action.

• Cut or copy the object to the clipboard.

• Delete the object.

• Select all objects.

• Move the object to the front of the Z-order.

• Move the object to the back of the Z-order.

• Lock and unlock annotation objects. See Password Dialog Box for Annotations.

• Change the name properties. See Name Dialog Box for Annotations.

• Change the line properties. See Line Dialog Box for Annotations.

• Change the binary raster operations (ROP2) code. See ROP2 Dialog Box for Annotations.

• Change the fill mode. See Fill Dialog Box for Annotations.

• Change the foreground and background colors. See Color Dialog Box for Annotations.

• Change the font selection and font characteristics. See Font Dialog Box for Annotations.

• Edit the text.See Text Dialog Box for Annotations.

• Change the fixed state. See Fixed Dialog Box for Annotations.

• Set and manage hyperlink properties for an object or group of objects. Note: The actual management of a hyperlink must be done through low-level implementation. Only the Menu Item "Hyperlink" and an associated event are provided through the automation object. For more information, refer to Implementing Annotation Hyperlinks.

For information on flipping, reversing or rotating annotation objects, refer to Flipping, Reversing and Rotating Annotation Objects.

For low-level implementation details, refer to Text Pointer Annotation Object.