📄 Plotted Paper Preview (scaled for visibility — not actual print size)
Arial — Plotted at 1/8"
Plotted inch ruler (approximate):
▶ Calculated Values
Model Space Height
6.000"
Plotted Height
0.125" on paper
Scale Factor
48× multiplier
CANNOSCALE Setting
1/4"=1'
Or type CANNOSCALE at command line
TEXTSIZE Command
6.000
Text Height Reference Table — Current Scale
How to read this table: Find the plotted size you want in the left column. The Model Space Height column shows what to type in AutoCAD for text height. Highlighted rows (orange) are the most common sizes used in practice.
Plotted Height
Fraction
Decimal (in)
Metric (mm)
Model Space Height
Common Use
Model Space Height — All Scales at Current Plotted Height
Current plotted height across every scale. Use this when you work on multiple-scale drawings and need the same annotation size set up in each viewport. Annotative text handles this automatically — non-annotative text requires one height per scale.
Scale
Scale Factor
Model Space Height
Arch Display
VP XP Zoom
CANNOSCALE
Font Gallery — Common AutoCAD Fonts Compared
SHX vs TrueType: AutoCAD supports two font types. SHX fonts (like Romans, Simplex, txt) are native vector fonts — fast to regenerate and ideal for large drawings. TrueType fonts (like Arial, Calibri) look better on screen and in PDFs but can slow regeneration on complex drawings. Most firms standardize on one or two fonts for consistency.
Annotative Text vs Non-Annotative Text
✦ Annotative Text (Recommended)
Set the height ONCE at the plotted size (e.g., 1/8")
AutoCAD automatically scales it for every viewport
Add multiple annotation scales — text appears at the right size in all viewports simultaneously
CANNOSCALE controls the current annotation scale
Changes to text height update all viewports instantly
Industry standard for multi-scale sheet sets
Works with annotative dimensions, hatches, leaders, and blocks
Non-Annotative Text (Legacy)
Must manually calculate height for EACH drawing scale
Height = Plotted Height × Scale Factor every time
Duplicate text objects needed for multi-scale drawings
Risk of mismatched heights across viewports
Faster to set up for single-scale drawings
Still common in firms that haven't migrated to annotative
Use TEXTSIZE or DIMSCALE for quick setup
Tip — migrate gradually: If your firm uses non-annotative text, you don't have to switch everything at once. Start annotative on new drawings and use the height tables above for existing ones. The Scale Calculator on this site gives you DIMSCALE for non-annotative dimensions.
Annotative Text Setup — Step by Step
1
Set CANNOSCALE to match your viewport scale. Type CANNOSCALE → Enter → type the scale (e.g., 1/4"=1'). This tells AutoCAD which annotation scale you're currently working at.
2
Create a Text Style with Annotative enabled. Go to Format → Text Style (or type ST). Check the Annotative checkbox. Set your font and paper height (e.g., 0.125"). Click Apply.
3
Place text in Model Space using MTEXT or TEXT. Since the style is annotative, AutoCAD draws the text at the correct Model Space size automatically — you don't type a height, you type the plotted size.
4
Add annotation scales to the text object. Select the text → right-click → Annotative Object Scale → Add/Delete Scales. Add every scale your drawing uses. The text will display correctly in all matching viewports.
5
In Paper Space, set each viewport's annotation scale (double-click inside the viewport → status bar scale selector, or use CANNOSCALE). Text annotated for that scale appears at the correct plotted size automatically.
6
Enable ANNOALLVISIBLE to see all annotation scales in Model Space simultaneously (set to 1). Set to 0 during layout work so only the active scale is visible — keeps the display clean.
7
Plot from Paper Space at 1:1 as normal. The annotative text scales itself correctly — no extra math needed.
Keyboard shortcut: The annotation scale selector lives in the status bar at the bottom of the AutoCAD window (it shows the current scale like "1:1" or "1/4"=1'"). Click it directly to change CANNOSCALE without typing the command.
System Variables — Annotative Text
CANNOSCALE
Current Annotation Scale. The most important variable. Must match your viewport scale. Set it before placing annotative text. Viewport annotation scales are driven by this value.
Example: 1/4"=1' or 1:100
ANNOAUTOSCALE
Auto-add annotation scales. When set to 4 (default), AutoCAD automatically adds the current annotation scale to newly placed annotative objects. Saves the step of manually adding scales.
Recommended: 4 (auto-add enabled)
ANNOALLVISIBLE
Show all annotation scales. Set to 1 to see text for all scales at once in Model Space. Set to 0 to show only the current CANNOSCALE — cleaner display during layout work.
0 = current scale only | 1 = all scales
TEXTSIZE
Default text height for new text. For non-annotative text: set this to your calculated Model Space height. For annotative text: set this to your plotted height (e.g., 0.125"). AutoCAD multiplies by SF automatically.
Non-annotative: plotted ht × SF
TEXTSTYLE
Current text style name. Shows which style is active. Create annotative styles in Format → Text Style (ST). Set up separate styles for notes, titles, and dimensions to stay consistent across drawings.
Standard | NOTES | TITLES | DIM
DIMSCALE
Dimension scale factor. For non-annotative dimensions: set equal to your Scale Factor. For annotative dimensions: set to 0 (AutoCAD handles it). Controls arrowhead size, gap, and text height in non-annotative dim styles.
Non-annotative: = Scale Factor | Annotative: 0
MSLTSCALE
Model Space linetype scale. Set to 1 when using annotative objects. Causes linetypes to adjust to the annotation scale, keeping dashes looking correct regardless of scale.
Recommended with annotative: 1
MLEADERSCALE
Multileader scale. For non-annotative multileaders: set equal to Scale Factor. For annotative multileaders: the style controls the scale — set MLEADERSCALE to 0.
Non-annotative: = Scale Factor
💬 Feedback & Suggestions
Have a tip, correction, or question about annotative text? Leave a note below — Anthony reads every submission.
💬 Feedback & Suggestions