Techniques
Numbered technical figures — references and monochrome output
A technical figure can use numbered labels, cross-references and restrained presentation to support a larger document.
ddn@1New DDN source
Why use it?
Legal figures live by their numerals: the specification text references "valve 106", and a numeral that drifts from its element invalidates the page. Anchors computed at render time cannot drift.
When it helps
Patent drawings, legal exhibits and any filing that must survive black-and-white reproduction with numbered parts.
How to read it
- Read a figure number or reference together with its referenced content.
- Use redundant shape, text and line distinctions when preparing monochrome output.
- Check the final output size and text legibility.
What you need
- The referenced model
- Figure captions and numbering requirements
- The target publication constraints
Things to check
- A diagramming tool does not establish legal filing compliance.
- A displayed reference must resolve to the intended item, not merely have a plausible label.
Scope of this diagram
This is a technical documentation example. Legal compliance and filing acceptance are outside the diagram contract.
Work with the converted example
- Open the viewer and select
fig1. Inspect the rendered view and its source. - Open the designer. Keep the selected profile and inspect its legal palette and property controls.
- Change one displayed title or an appropriate data value. Apply the edit and check the resulting diagram.
- Run the verifier and review its diagnostics before moving complete content into review.
- Download your edited DDN source to retain the change.
The example uses the indentation-based ddn-next-1 dialect. The language guide explains reusable definitions, dotted data rows and explicit property blocks.