Configuring Draftsman Datum Feature Object Properties in Altium Designer

Parent page: Datum Feature

Draftsman object properties are definable options that specify the visual style, content and behavior of the placed object. The property settings for each type of object are defined in two different ways:

• Pre-placement settings – most Datum Feature object properties, or those that can logically be pre-defined, are available as editable default settings on the Draftsman - Defaults page of the Preferences dialog (access from the button at the top-right of the design space). Select the object in the Primitive List to reveal its options on the right.
• Post-placement settings – all Datum Feature object properties are available for editing in the Properties panel when a placed Datum Feature indicator is selected in the design space.

The Datum Feature Sign object default settings in the Preferences dialog, and the Datum Feature mode of the Properties panel.

View

• Label – the text characters that identify the selected Datum Feature object and appear within its graphic symbol.
• With Leader checkbox – select to include an arrowed leader line between the Datum Feature graphic and its object attachment point.

Styles

• Line Style – the thickness and style of the line used to render the Datum Feature symbol and its leader line, if enabled. Use the line weight drop-down menu to choose from a range of line thickness presets and the line pattern menu to choose from a range of line styles. The associated color button () opens the color selector where the line color can be specified by RGB or HEX value, by freeform selection, or from a range of presets. Note that the slider control sets the color opacity level where 0% represents full transparency.
• Extension Line Style – the thickness and style of the line that automatically extends from an object edge when a Datum Feature attachment point is moved beyond the object's bounds. Use the drop-down menus to choose from a range of line thickness presets and the line pattern menu to choose from a range of line styles. The associated color button () opens the color selector as described above.

 Arrow Style

• Head Style – use the drop-down to choose from a range of preset pointer styles (headers).
• Width – the width of the target pointer head, such as an arrow. This setting also defines the diameter of a round head style.
• Length – the length of the pointer head, such as an arrow.
• Use Document Font checkbox – when checked, the font used for the Datum Feature label is that defined by the document options. See the Document Font entry in the General section of the Properties panel when in Document Options mode.
• Font (applies when Use Document Font not selected) – use the Font drop-down menus to choose the desired font type and size and select the lower buttons to enable text attributes. The Datum Feature symbol will proportionally scale with the font size. The associated color button () opens the color selector where the font color can be specified by RGB or HEX value, by freeform selection, or from a range of presets. Note that the slider control sets the color opacity level where 0% represents full transparency.