ArcMap Annotation Properties

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Map annotation that is created either through the annotation tool or by creating annotation by converting dynamic labels can be edited further beyond just the font and placement.

For example if you change the scale of the annotation, it will not adjust. You can delete the annotation and recreate it.  However, there is an easier way!

To change the reference scale of map annotation:

1. Right click on the data frame in the Table of Contents.

2. Choose Properties…

3. Go to the Annotation Group tab.

Notice that this is the where annotation is managed when you convert it from labels to be stored in the map.  Annotation that is created manually through the annotation tool is also managed here.

Under this tab you can turn annotation on and off.

4. Highlight the annotation group to be changed.

5. Click Properties…

6. Change the reference scale to the proper setting.

Under properties you can change:

• annotation name
• associated layer
• reference scale
• visibility scale

7. Click OK to confirm changes.

The reference scale has now been updated to the correct scale, and the annotation shows correctly.

Related Books

Getting to Know ArcGIS Desktop: Basics of ArcView, Arceditor, and Arcinfo

Making Maps: A Visual Guide to Map Design for GIS

Designing Better Maps: A Guide for GIS Users

Create ArcMap Annotation

Annotation is a valuable resource for creating labels. Annotation can be created in two ways: either manually through the labeling tool or by converting the dynamic labels into annotation. The later is a big time saver when creating a lot of labels.

When creating labels through conversion, you are given the option to save the annotation in a geodatabase or the map document. If you will be using the annotation in another map project then use the geodatabase option. Otherwise, saving in the map would be fine. When you convert to annotation, the labels are created at the current scale.

1. Set desired font and layout.

2. Turn on labels.

3. Right click on layer to have labels converted.

4. Set annotation settings.

5. Select storage type and which features to create annotation for.

Notice the reference scale on the top right.  This is the scale at which the annotation will be view correctly.  Learn how to change this in the ArcMap Annotation Properties.

6. Click Convert.

The labels have now been converted to annotation.  You can select the text and change its location along with other properties as well.

One thing to note with annotation  is that if you change the scale, the annotation does not adjust.  You can delete the annotation and recreate  it using the previous steps.  However, there is an easier way by following the steps in the ArcMap Annotation Properties post!  You can also learn how to turn on/off map annotation without having to delete it.

Related Books

Elements of Cartography

Making Maps: A Visual Guide to Map Design for GIS

Designing Better Maps: A Guide for GIS Users

CAD to GIS Shapefile

CAD files are created with extreme detail, but how can you use them in GIS?  These files do not work quite like GIS feature classes or shapefiles in spatial analysis.  They can be converted to a usable format through a few basic steps.

1. Add CAD file to ArcMap
2. Select by Attribute desired layers
3. Export selected features to shapefile or feature class
4. Add new layer to map

You can also use ArcToolbox to convert from CAD

1. ArcToolbox -> Conversion Tools -> Import From CAD
2. Select Input CAD File
3. Input New Geodatabase Name
4. Select Coordinate System (optional)
5. Click Ok

Here is a video for further demonstration.

Note: Videos are broadcast through youtube.com.  Some browsers may block this content.

ESRI also has some good courses for working with CAD files in GIS on their training website.

Related Readings

KarelCAD provide inputs on CAD and Geographical Information Systems

“What is spatial design, and how can it be applied to sustainability problems?”

What – There is a Better AutoCAD!?

Import From CAD and Chainsaws

ArcGIS Geodatabase Benefits

I was just recently doing a spatial join between a polygon shapefile and a point feature class file.  There were approximately 400 polygons and 38,000 points.   There were several fields within the point file which were being summarized based upon which polygon they fell within.  The entire join process took about an hour.  I then took the output file, which was a geodatabase polygon feature class and joined it to a similar point file.  Amazingly, that join process only took 5 minutes.

This is just one example of the efficiency of the Geodatabase.  Geoprocessing is so much quicker.  A savings of time is a savings of money.  Here are a few other things to know about the various types of geodatabases.

Personal Geodatabase

• Single User Editing
• Stored in Access Database File
• 2 GB Max Size

File Geodatabase (ArcGIS 9.2+)

• Single User Editing
• Stored in a Folder
• Efficient Data Structure for Increased Performance
• 1 TB per Table Max Size

SDE Geodatabase

• Multiuser Editing
• Disconnected Editing
• Stored in a RDBMS

Additionally, with the geodatabase you can create:

Topologies
Geometric Networks
Feature Linked Annotation
Relationship Classes
Sub Types and Domains
A Centralized location for all the geographic data

So with these benefits of the geodatabase, try converting some of your data.  Creating a geodatabase does not take long as you can find out in my 90 Second Geodatabase post.  Also, ESRI has a great blog post entitled: Migrating your existing data into the Geodatabase.  It goes into great detail into how to import the following file types into the geodatabase.

• Shapefiles
• Coverages
• CAD
• Tables
• Imagery

Try out the geodatabase today, you will find many benefits.  If it seems a little awkward, give it time as you will get adjusted to the concept.  There is nothing to loose.  If you don’t like it then delete the geodatabase and go back to using your shapefiles.

Good Luck!

Related Website Pages

File Format Support in GeoCommons – Do Geodatabases Make Sense?

Five reasons why you should be using the File Geodatabase

Related Books

Designing Geodatabases: Case Studies in GIS Data Modeling

Modeling Our World: The ESRI Guide to Geodatabase Design

90 Second File Geodatabase

Recently my professor challenged our class to create File Geodatabase in under 90 seconds.  For those who are new to ArcGIS, this can seem like a steep challenge.  Once you get the key steps down, it will come second nature.  These steps are important in beginning to understand how to use a geodatabase. 

Here is the test:

Setup:  Create working folder; Find Spatial Reference to Import; Find Feature Class to Import
(Clock Starts Now)
1. Create New File Geodatabase
2. Create New  Feature Dataset
3. Import Feature Class
(Clock Stops When Import Ends)

Solution:
1. Right Click Working Folder and Select New -> File Geodatabase (give logical name)
2. Right Click the Geodatabase and Select New -> Feature Dataset… (give logical name)
A. Give Logical Name
B. Import Spatial Reference Information
3. Right Click the Dataset and Select Import -> Feature Class…
A. Select Feature to Import
B. Name New Feature Class

So, I challenge you to see how fast you can complete this test.  Can you do it in under 90 seconds?  Post your results in the comments of this post.

The creative part of me decided that I should see if I could create a model to implement these steps.  Below is the model that I created.  This model takes about 5 seconds to create a File Geodatabase, Feature Dataset, and Import a Feature Class.