FX_SPOTELEVATIONZALIGN Does Not Change the Z Elevation of a Spot Elevation Callout

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Power Tip: Create Spot Elevations with Z Elevation

Issue

You ran the FX_SPOTELEVATIONZALIGN command to assign a Z elevation to a Spot Elevation callout, but the Z elevation of the associated callout block didn’t change.

Cause

This function relies on a native AutoCAD feature where an MLeader snapped to a block will associate with that block. This is how the Mleader knows which block's Z elevation needs to change. Autodesk is still developing this feature, and it can be temperamental. If you edit the Z elevation of the Spot Elevation callout block manually, the MLeader will disassociate, and FX_SPOTELEVATIONZALIGN will no longer change the callout's Z elevation. Also, if the Spot Elevation was originally snapped to a point on another line, the MLeader will disassociate after the first Z Align, and won’t change to accommodate any later edits to the MLeader elevation.

Solution

After placing a Spot Elevation callout, avoid changing the Z elevation manually in the Properties panel. Doing so will break the connection to the callout. Also, be aware that Spot Elevation callouts snapped to a point can only be Z aligned once.

We’re looking for different ways to accomplish this same feature within our Spot Elevation tool to prevent this issue, but for now we're able to release this feature using this method and its associated limitations.