Annotations are text boxes that are linked directly to a specific object. They are useful because once attached, they move with their host objects. Only one annotation may be added to a given activity or delay. Because annotations can be more easily modified than descriptions (click-to-move, edit-in-place), it may be desirable to use them instead of descriptions. This may be done automatically by selecting the checkbox Copy Description as Annotation in the Properties section of their corresponding windows, or it can be done manually by following the steps below.
Adding Annotations
To add an annotation to an activity or delay, right-click on the activity and select and choose , or .
This anchor serves as the reference point for the annotation.
For example, if an annotation is chosen to be added at the start, it will maintain a fixed distance to the start node, regardless of whether or not it’s actually added near the start node.
After choosing a menu option, the object will become selected, the cursor will change from the Select Tool to a set of crosshairs, and the Text Box icon in the toolbar will become pressed.
To place an annotation, click the mouse button at the desired date, indicated by the text above the crosshairs. Dragging the crosshairs to stretch the rectangle to a certain shape will have no consequence on the actual shape. The box will always snap directly around the text after clicking outside the box. Release the mouse to place the annotation.
Once a text box has been placed on the canvas, the Edit window opens automatically. Type into this box.
When finished, click anywhere outside of the box.
The annotation is now identical to a regular text box only it’s attached to a host object. To edit the text or access formatting options, double-click the text on the canvas or right-click and choose . The Text Box window will open.
Modifying Annotations
To reposition an annotation, select it on the canvas and use either click and drag or the arrow keys, just like a text box. It will retain its new position relative to whichever part of the object it was originally fixed to.
To hide an annotation, right-click on the desired object and choose
To delete an annotation, select it on the canvas and press delete, or right-click on the desired activity and choose .
Once an annotation is added, will go disabled, as only one annotation may be added to an object, and the anchor point may never be changed.