Insert Balloon

Place Balloons for Symbols included in referenced files

Places a numbered balloon beside a symbol in a drawing that indicates the position of that component in the Bill of Materials list.

Accessed from:

2D Design Ribbon > Components Group
Panel Design Ribbon > Components Group
Section Cuts Ribbon > Construction Drawings Group

Balloon placement is supported for:

Symbols included in referenced files. This includes symbols which are part saved views.
Symbols placed in active page.
Selected items from BOM Manager . Selected items can include devices with or without symbols. Typically, devices without placed symbols are used to capture miscellaneous hardware ; such as, nuts, bolts, washers, etc. and these items are not directly associated to a placed symbol.

Step 1: Select Insert Balloon command.

Step 2: Select a symbol which is part of a saved view or reference file.

Step 3: Make appropriate selections in the Place Balloon dialog. Then proceed to place Balloon graphics.

Note: The Insert Balloon command available from a context menu which displays when you right-click on a symbol in the drawing or from the Ribbon Groups mentioned above.

Step 1: Select Insert Balloon command

Step 2: Select a symbol on active page. (does not apply if command is initiated from the Context menu)

Step 3: Make appropriate selections in the Place Balloon dialog. Then proceed to place Balloon graphics.

Step 1: Select desired items within BOM Manager.

Step 2: Select Insert Balloon command within BOM Manager dialog.

Step 3: Make appropriate selections in the Place Balloon dialog. Then proceed to place Balloon graphics.

Note: When multiple unique Devices are selected, you will be prompted to place a balloon group for each unique device in the selection set. Right-Click will skip balloon placement for active device.

Below example will result in four unique balloon groups:

This dialog appears when using the Insert Balloon command. All balloon numbers and their respective part numbers for the active device or symbol are displayed in the "Balloon List". The Balloon list supports multiple selection using Ctrl and Shift key functions. The selected Balloon Numbers become available for placement.

Setting	Description
Dimension Style	Select the type of balloon to insert from the drop down. These balloon styles are defined in the Dimension Styles dialog. Balloon_Circle Balloon_Hexagon Balloon_Capsule Balloon_Line Balloon_circle without a leader Click the Dimension Styles icon to display the Dimension Styles dialog where you can edit the properties of the balloon types.
Leader	Select from the options below: Automatic: This option behaves like a typical leader line where there is an anchor point on the selected symbol and you can drag the balloon type to a location and left-click to place the balloon. Manual: This option lets you select multiple points for the leader creating segments for the line and allowing more flexibility to position the balloon. Once you are finished routing the leader line you must right-click to accept the final point. See the differences below:
Label Rotation	Used to rotate balloon label as horizontal or vertical.
Auto balloon number	When enabled, will automatically assign the next available balloon number. Note: The balloon number will stay the same when selecting multiple symbols with the same part number. If disabled, you will be prompted to enter a balloon number manually.
Part Number	Displays the accessory kit part numbers as well as the kit parts themselves.
By Device Tag	This allows you to associate a balloon to a device and not a symbol. This gives you more flexibility on where you can place balloons. When you select this option, the BOM Manager is opened where you can select which device to associate the balloon to. If multiple device tags are in the drawing associated with the same balloon number, then you will be prompted to place a separate balloon (with the same number) for each device in the drawing. Note: If you were to initiate the balloon option from the BOM Manager, then the Device Tag option would be the default selection in the Insert Balloon dialog.
Balloon Number	Enter the desired balloon number in this field if the Auto balloon number option has been disabled.
Create association to symbol	Enable this button to create an association between the balloon and the symbol. When this is done if the symbol is moved in the drawing the balloon will be moved with it.

The software will prompt you to Pick leader start or balloon insert point. Click on the point where you wish the head of the arrow from the balloon to appear. Click where you wish the other end of the leader from the balloon to end. You can click on multiple points to create segments in the leader. If you wish the balloon to appear with no leader, simply press <Enter> , do not define any additional points.

Below items in Blue have been selected using Ctrl key.

Example Result:

Note: Balloon arrangement can be changed after balloon graphics are placed. Use element selection tool to select desired balloon or balloons. Then use move command to relocate selected balloon graphics.

As mentioned above, Dimension Styles set various properties controlling the graphical display balloons. Refer to Project Options Balloon Settings dialog for additional balloon settings.