Datum Axis tags are A MESS

[RBobroski]

Can somebody please lend me some advice on what to do about these Datum axis tags? I always get this issue when trying to print them. I cannot move the tag when looking directly down the axis (and it isn't really an option for me to rotate the view since this needs to be a flat on view) and the tag always prints see through, so it leaves this mess shown in the attachment. I can't attach to a dimension or geometry because I need to reference it in quite a number of views. The datum set tag always gives me annotation orientation errors that I can't seem to figure out either. Should I be going about this a different way? I can't add the lines behind to a layer that I want to hide because I only want to hide the segments within the actual tag box itself, not the entire line.

 

[robertib]

In the model

Add the datum axis tag to a separate layer

Then in the drawing

Right-click & select properties -> Drawing Options
set the option drawing_layer_overrides_model to yes
get the name of the view (eg TOP)
View the layers in the model tree area
In the drop-down box, select the view
Select the layer with the datum axis & hide
Save layer status
Save drawing

 

[dgallup]

Datum axis that are not tied to a dimension are nearly useless unless there is only one clearly unambiguous circular feature, rarely the case. You can always stick a datum tag symbol on the surface in other views.

 

[RBobroski]

Robert: That would hide the datum tags, but that is not what I am trying to do. I am trying to have the tags show without being intersected by the lines behind it.

Dgallup: Maybe I am just not well versed enough with datum tags. I am choosing the second option for datum tags, the [-AA-] one, not the >-[AA] one. If I apply to a dimension, say the top down view that shows the angle of the axis, then that is the only location the [-AA-] tag shows up. When I have a detail view on the side showing the axis point [-AA-] with a sketch dimensioned off of it I want this axis point to also be clearly labeled [-AA-], but it is not. Is there a way to get these datum tags to show up in more than one location? Should I be using the >-[AA] option instead? The problem with this option is it always says my annotation orientation is incorrect and I am still unsure of how to fix this (I've changed the plane to be what seems like every possible combination yet it still won't work).

 

[RBobroski]

I tried editing my last post but you are unable to do it here apparently? Here is a little about what I am trying to do if it helps:

I am patterning a cutout radially about a cylindrical enclosure. Since the pattern is only EQ spaced about 280 degrees I need to specify the starting point. So in my cutout sketch I created an axis point, and dimensioned the cutout off of this axis point. I then have a bottom up view of the cylindrical object showing the angular location of the datum axis in relation the the Y axis. I need to have it clear that the sketch is referencing the datum, so I need it to show the axis point as -AA- in the detail view as well as x degrees to axis -AA- from the Y axis in the bottom up view, but If I add the tag to a dimension I can only get that tag in one location, and since the axis is just to a centerpoint of a sketch there is no valid geometry for me to attach a tag to.

 

[dgallup]

You are correct that if you attach it to a dimension it will only show in one view where the dimension is shown. But if you really need it in another view there is nothing to stop you from creating your own symbol and sticking it where ever you want. The down side to that of course is you could stick it where it doesn't belong.

 

[RBobroski]

It's looking like that's my only option, huh? I always hate fudging symbols like that because they don't update or adjust based on the part files and I'm always afraid I'll forget to manually adjust or remove it. I wish they would incorporate better functionality for these axis tags.

 

[Gatwrk]

I found that in the view that you need a Datum Tag symbol, which is usually perpendicular, a Note with a Triangle rather than a Arrow point works nicely.
Gary