The Annotation Sketch Tools were created to:
- Extend annotation placement with more constructors.
- Provide additional placement control with real
time alignment and offset controls.
- Streamline work flow with additional constructor
aware tools.
Annotation
placement in ArcMap requires that an
annotation feature class be targeted, a text
value
and symbol be
specified, and an annotation constructor
be specified. MapAcsend has expanded this subject
by adding
new constructors. Each constructor works
through
the sketch tool, but
also works with additional tools and
controls to give editors
maximum control. As annotation is being
sketched, the alignment, x and y offsets, and text
size can be adjusted
using custom controls and hot keys. Additional
tools extend the constructors' usefulness
by adding the ability
to modify existing annotation features
position via sketching and the ability to sketch feature
linked
annotation.
Annotation Constructors
Annotation placement in ArcMap using the sketch tool
requires a constructor be specified to tell the sketch
tool how to behave. Since the sketch tool is used
all hot keys and context menu options provided by
the sketch tool are available during a sketch. Additionally,
MapAscend constructors support hot keys for adjusting
text size and rotation, as well as custom controls
that provide alignment and offset control while sketching.
Align to Point: Text is anchored, rotated around a
single point and positioned according to specified
alignment, and offset specifications.
Align to Line: Text is aligned to the center point
of a sketched line, rotated to match the lines angle,
and positioned according to specified alignment and
offset specifications.
Align to Curve: Text is aligned to the center of a
circular curve, rotated to the tangent angle of the
center of the curve, and positioned according to specified
alignment and offset specifications.
Align to Text: Text is aligned to the rotation of another
annotation feature and positioned according to specified
alignment and offset specifications.
Placement Controls
Alignment Palette: This control consists of nine buttons,
on a fly out palette, that represent the texts desired
horizontal and vertical position relative to a center-center
alignment. While sketching an annotation feature,
while any MapAscend annotation constructor is active,
the alignment position can be adjusted and the text
feedback in the map window will immediately reflect
the alignment.
X and Y offsets: The control consists of two labeled
text input boxes: X and Y. While sketching an annotation
feature, while any MapAscend annotation constructor
is active and the current alignment is other than center
for X or Y, the offset distances specified will be
applied to the text feedback in the map window.
Constructor
Aware Tools
These tools are only available
when a MapAscend constructor is activated.
Modify Annotation: Modify Annotation allows existing
annotation features to be repositioned by selecting
the feature and sketching it as if it were new. Rather
than create a new feature, the selected feature will
move.
Annotate Feature: Annotate Feature uses existing feature
linked annotation definitions to auto-generate a textstring.
This tool is only enabled when a feature linked annotation
feature class is targeted. Editors can use this tool
to specify a parent feature to the feature linked annotation.
Using the defined feature link label expression the
textstring will be automatically generated for the
new annotation feature. When the feature is created,
the FeatureID attribute is assigned the ObjectID value
of the specified parent feature, creating a feature
linked annotation relationship.
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