# TextMarking Objects<no value>
A **TextMarking** object is an object element that is used to add text elements to a scene. When you select this object type, the [Objects](../../menus/the-view-menu/#objects) window and you can select one of several types of text object:

{{< image-center
    src="images/2_DevMode/scenery_editor/Objects/text/text_obj_1_object.png"
    alt="Different Text Objects Listed In The Objects Window" >}}

To place a text object element in the scene you can click the {{< button "Add" />}} button, and then use the Translate [Gizmo](../../menus/the-view-menu/#gizmo) to position the object where you want, or you can enable `One-Click Placing` and simply click in the world to place it. You may also use the Rotation [Gizmo](../../menus/the-view-menu/#gizmo) to change the angle the element is shown at, as well as the Scale [Gizmo](../../menus/the-view-menu/#gizmo) to change its size. Note that the translate gizmo will only work along the plane of the ground, and you cannot change the altitude of a text object.

{{< callout context="caution" title="IMPORTANT!" icon="outline/alert-triangle" >}}

Text Marking objects require one or more {{< link "airport-objects/" >}}Airport Objects{{< /link >}} to be present in the scene, and must be added to an airport group in {{< link "../the-scenery-editor/" >}}The Scenery Editor{{< /link >}}. If no airport is present then they cannot be used. Also note that if they are placed too far away (ie: outside the airport {{< link "airport-objects/#object-test-radius" >}}Object Test Radius{{< /link >}}) then they will not be rendered.

{{< /callout >}}

{{< image-center
    src="images/2_DevMode/scenery_editor/Objects/text/text_obj_2_example.png"
    alt="An Example Of A Text Object In A Scene" >}}

{{% tagged "toreview" %}}

(Not available for World Hub Airports)

{{% /tagged %}}

### Text Properties

Text objects have the following [Properties](../../menus/the-view-menu/#properties) which can be edited:

{{< image-center
    src="images/2_DevMode/scenery_editor/Objects/text/text_obj_3_properties.png"
    alt="The Properties Window For A Text Object" >}}

-   ##### Name

    This is the name of the text object element as defined from its contents.


-   ##### Display Name

    This is the name of the text object as it will be displayed in the [The Scenery Contents List](../../the-scenery-editor/#the-scenery-contents-list). This can be edited and is helpful for identifying elements when you have a lot of items in the content list.


-   ##### Text Colour

    The colour of the text. Clicking on the swatch will open [The Colour Picker](../../../the-colour-picker/) and you can edit the colour from that.


-   ##### Background Colour

    The colour of the background to the text. Clicking on the swatch will open [The Colour Picker](../../../the-colour-picker/) and you can edit the colour from that.


-   ##### Outline Colour

    The colour of the outline for the chosen object shape. Clicking on the swatch will open [The Colour Picker](../../../the-colour-picker/) and you can edit the colour from that.


-   ##### Draw Background

    When checked, a background will be added under all the text (and outline if enabled) using the colour defined.


-   ##### Draw Outline

    When checked, an outline will be added around the chosen object shape using the colour defined.


-   ##### Center Text

    When checked, text will be centered within the chosen shape. If unchecked, text will be left justified.


-   ##### Letter Spacing

    This slider is used to set the spacing offset (in meters) for the letters and symbols in the text. You can hold {{< input "Ctrl" />}} and click{{< mouse-press >}} on the slider to input an exact value.


-   ##### Line Spacing

    This slider is used to set the spacing offset (in meters) bwteeen the different lines in the text. You can hold {{< input "Ctrl" />}} and click{{< mouse-press >}} on the slider to input an exact value.


-   ##### Horizontal Padding

    This slider is used to set the horizontal padding (in meters) around the entire text message. You can hold {{< input "Ctrl" />}} and click{{< mouse-press >}} on the slider to input an exact value.


-   ##### Vertical Padding

    This slider is used to set the vertical padding (in meters) around the entire text message. You can hold {{< input "Ctrl" />}} and click{{< mouse-press >}} on the slider to input an exact value.


-   ##### Outline Thickness

    This slider is used to expand/contract the outline thickness. You can hold {{< input "Ctrl" />}} and click{{< mouse-press >}} on the slider to input an exact value.


-   ##### Marking Label

    This is where you input the text to be displayed. This text can be formatted using certain symbols, so that you can get Arrows and smaller letters and other things. The characters used can be any upper or lower case letter (`A` - `Z`, `a` - `z`), any numerical digit (`0` - `9`), or any one of the following special characters:

    {{< table-wrapper >}}

    | Character | Symbol Description | Example |
    | :-------: | ------------------ | :-----: |
    | `*` | The next letter will be half height.<span></span><span></span>For example: AB\*CD | ![](images/2_DevMode/scenery_editor/Objects/text/text_obj_4_example_1.png) |
    | `**` | All subsequent letters will be half height until it is used again, or a new line is created.<span></span><span></span>For example: A\*\*BCD | ![](images/2_DevMode/scenery_editor/Objects/text/text_obj_4_example_2.png) |
    | `[,[[,[[[` | Roman numerals for 1, 2, and 3. | ![](images/2_DevMode/scenery_editor/Objects/text/text_obj_4_example_3.png) |
    | `<` | Left Arrow | ![](images/2_DevMode/scenery_editor/Objects/text/text_obj_4_example_4.png) |
    | `^` | Up Arrow | ![](images/2_DevMode/scenery_editor/Objects/text/text_obj_4_example_5.png) |
    | `>` | Right Arrow | ![](images/2_DevMode/scenery_editor/Objects/text/text_obj_4_example_7.png) |
    | `!` | Down Arrow | ![](images/2_DevMode/scenery_editor/Objects/text/text_obj_4_example_6.png) |
    | `^<` | Up-Left Arrow | ![](images/2_DevMode/scenery_editor/Objects/text/text_obj_4_example_8.png) |
    | `^>` | Up-Right Arrow | ![](images/2_DevMode/scenery_editor/Objects/text/text_obj_4_example_9.png) |
    | `!<` | Down-Left Arrow | ![](images/2_DevMode/scenery_editor/Objects/text/text_obj_4_example_10.png) |
    | `!>` | Down-Right Arrow | ![](images/2_DevMode/scenery_editor/Objects/text/text_obj_4_example_11.png) |
    | `/\.,-'#` | Special Characters | ![](images/2_DevMode/scenery_editor/Objects/text/text_obj_4_example_12.png) |
    | {{< input "Ctrl" />}} + {{< input "Enter" />}} | New line. | ![](images/2_DevMode/scenery_editor/Objects/text/text_obj_4_example_13.png) |

    {{< /table-wrapper >}}