Up through version 3.3.1.3, the Component Editor will not allow you to define default locations/orientations for "RefDes" and "Value". This can result in some extra work during schematic creation. The same could be said for the Pattern Editor/PCB Layout relationship. Will this change in version 4?
3.3.1.3 - in component/pattern editor place text, right click on it and select "Show" > RefDes, Value, etc.
The text will be attached to the parameter and will be updated automatically when you change RefDes, Value. etc. in any program.
The only issue here it does not count it as component marking and will show marking by default additionally, so you need to change custom marking settings (hide it) via component properties.
4.0 - text object in component/pattern editor works in the same way, but:
- in Schematic/PCB it sees such text as component marking and will not add more texts with same parameters when you select in in component markings;
- you can use F10 to move/rotate such texts directly in Schematic/PCB.
Limitation: font size of such objects can be changed in Component/Pattern Editor only. If this is critical, please let me know - it could be easily changed (add option to use same font settings as for markings generated in Schematic/PCB).