Every new annotation you create includes an index that catalogs the annotation. Index numbers are generated automatically by default, though you can switch this behavior. Each index is unique for its annotation owner.
The index can change (normally incremented by one) when the annotation is modified in the following ways:
• The dimension value is changed either by modifying the model or by editing the value.
• The tolerance value is changed.
• A fix text is changed.
• A dimension reference element is changed.
Some update behavior can be changed by modifying your default Update of Indexes settings.
The index is not changed in the following cases:
• The dimension label is repositioned.
• The annotation is attached to a different docuplane or made free.
• The position of a dimension reference element is changed, but without changing the dimension value. For example, if move a face with a dimension completely on it, the dimension physically moves but without its value being affected.
You can edit and renumber indexes and specify a different start index for a specific owner's annotations. The display of index entries can also be switched off.
The appearance of indexes can be set by default for new indexes and also for existing indexes. You can specify the position for the index on the annotation label, the frame around the index, and the index color and size.
Although index numbers are assigned automatically, it is possible to apply a different index number to an annotation. Creo Elements/Direct Modeling advises you if you try to apply an index number already in use; however, you can opt to assign this index anyway and remove the index from the other annotation.
To edit indexes,
1. Click Insert and then, in the Index group, click Edit. The Edit index dialog box opens.
2. Click the Annotation whose index you want to edit. The index for the selected annotation is displayed in the Value box, unless an index has not been assigned, in which case the field is empty.
3. Enter a new Value for the index.
4. To remove the index value altogether, click Remove. This will free that index number for other annotations.
5. Click to complete the operation.
To reorganize indexes,
Existing indexes in all annotations belonging to a specific owner can be organized in two general ways: You can remove all the indexes or renumber them from a specified base index. The switches that are enabled by default can be controlled by a customization function.
1. Click Insert and then, in the Index group, click Reorganize. The Reorganize Index dialog box opens.
2. Click the Owner whose annotations' indexes you want to reorganize.
3. Specify what to do with the indexes:
◦ Click the Remove check box to remove all indexes from the annotations.
◦ Click the Renumber check box to renumber all indexes. The menu expands to display the Base box, in which you can enter the lowest index number. This base index must be greater than the Start Index value set in the Range of Index dialog box.
4. Click to complete the operation.
Note that annotations whose indexes have been removed are not given new indexes in a subsequent renumbering operation. You must first assign an index value to the annotations.
To show indexes,
1. Click Insert and then, in the Index group, click Show. The Show Index dialog box opens.
2. Click the Annotation whose index you want to show or hide, or use the Select tool to select multiple annotations.
3. Toggle the index display in the selected annotations:
◦ Click Show ON to show the indexes.
◦ Click Show OFF to hide the indexes.
4. Click to complete the Show session, retaining the show settings.
To show hidden indexes, you must use Show again and select the relevant annotations.
To change the range of indexes,
The range of existing indexes in annotations of a specific owner can be viewed in the Range of Index dialog box. Here you can also specify the "start index" - the lowest number that can be in the index range for the given owner. This can be useful to reserve blocks of index values for specific parts or assemblies.
For example, reserve indexes 1 to 1000 for /assy1 by setting the start index to at least 1001 for all other assemblies and parts. So /assy2's start index could be set to 1001, and /assy3's could be 1501 to reserve indexes 1001 to 1501 for /assy2, and so on.
To see the range of indexes:
1. Click Insert and then, in the Index group, click Range. The Range of Index dialog box opens.
2. Click the Owner whose annotations' indexes you want to view. The range of indexes is displayed in the menu as follows:
◦ The Start Index is the defined lowest allowed index number for the selected owner's annotations.
◦ The Curr Highest is the highest index value in the currently selected annotations.
◦ The Curr Lowest is the lowest index value in the currently selected annotations.
3. To define a different Start Index for the annotations of the selected owner, enter a value in the box.
4. Click to complete the operation.
To change index settings,
The appearance and behavior of indexes are controlled by a collection of parameters. You can change these settings to affect newly-created indexes, but existing indexes can also be modified, all in the same menu. A customization function is available to define the default settings for some of these parameters.
To change the default settings:
1. Click File > Settings > 3D Documentation > Index Settings. The Index Settings dialog box opens.
2. Specify any of the following switches and parameters:
◦ Automatic Create Index: Click this check box to create indexes in all new annotations.
◦ On model change: Click this check box to assign a new index number to a dimension after it has been changed because of a modification in the model being measured.
◦ On tolerance change: Click this check box to assign a new index number to a dimension after its tolerance values have been changed.
◦ On pre or postfix change: Click this check box to assign a new index number to a dimension after at least one of its prefix or postfix has been changed.
◦ Frame Type: Select the type of frame to surround index entries. You have the choice of a Box, a Balloon, or no frame (Off).
◦ Size: Select the font size for indexes.
◦ Color: Specify a different color for indexes in the Color Selector tool.
◦ Position: Select a new position as the default for new indexes. There are sixteen positions, numbered from 1 to 16, shown in the graphic below.
3. Continue changing settings, or click to accept the changes and complete the operation.
Note that index frame, size, and color are independent of the annotation frame, size, and color. Changing index settings does not affect annotation settings.
To change the settings of existing indexes:
1. Click Insert and then, in the Index group, click the arrow next to More.
2. Click Index under Properties. The Index Properties dialog box opens.
3. Select the annotation whose index settings you want to change, or use the Select tool to select multiple annotations. The dialog box displays the (common) settings of the indexes of the selected annotations.
4. Change the Frame Type, Size, Color and Position of the indexes as described above. Note that when adjusting the index position, you can also click the positioning arrows (<< and >>) to move the index dynamically about the annotation.
5. Continue changing settings, or click to accept the changes and complete the operation.
Edit. The Edit index dialog box opens.
to complete the operation.
Reorganize. The Reorganize Index dialog box opens.
Show. The Show Index dialog box opens.
Range. The Range of Index dialog box opens.
Index under Properties. The Index Properties dialog box opens.