Labeling Map Features

Question 1

Use this to draw attention to specific features.

Answer 1

Color

Use black or grey in general. Blue for hydrographics, and green for forests or other natural areas.

Question 2

Adjusting this brings attention to more significant features

Answer 2

Size

Use larger text for cities with higher populations, use smaller text for smaller cities and towns

Question 3

Vary this to show different features.

Answer 3

Font

Use differently but complementary font families, vary the weight and style, change the casing, use different font types, use san serif Roman upright fonts for cultural features and serif and italics for physical or natural features

Question 4

What are the two label types?

Answer 4

Static and dynamic

Question 5

Describe the static label

Answer 5

Doesn’t change regardless of zoom extent. Useful for creating print maps at a set scale.

Question 6

Describe the dynamic label

Answer 6

Is configured to change as the map changes. Optimal for web maps or desktop GIS, useful for print maps at multiple scales

Question 7

Label settings

Describe scales.

Answer 7

You can use the minimum and maximum scale settings to change the scales at which the labels appear.

Question 8

Label settings

Describe symbols.

Answer 8

Symbology discerns features. For example, use shields for different highways.

Question 9

Label Settings

Describe effects

Answer 9

Add other effects, such as shadows, halos, or callouts

Question 10

Label Settings

Describe classes

Answer 10

They’re used to label certain features within a layer. Can be set up dynamically to adjust when the map changes. Use SQL queries to create class and expressions.

Question 11

Label Settings

Describe weights and priorities.

Answer 11

Use label and feature weights to avoid conflict with other labels. Use label priorities to control the order in which labels are placed.

Question 12

Text Placement Rules

Point Feature Labels

Answer 12

Label needs to be a set distance from the point. Ensure that the label is horizontal, not curved and when in doubt, use preferred positions.

Question 13

Text Placement Rules

Line Feature Labels

Answer 13

Try to find the straightest part of the line to label. Just like points, it should be at a set distance from the feature. If you have a long line, repeat the label. Don’t put it upside down. Labels should be above the line, not on or below. However, if you have contour lines, the labels should be placed on the line.

Question 14

Text Placement Rules

Polygon Feature Labels

Answer 14

Place the labels inside the polygon, unless physical constraints don’t allow you to. When in doubt, use label position.

Question 15

Tools for Label Placement

Position

Answer 15

Most basic property; where it should appear in relation to the feature.

Question 16

Tools for Label Placement

Conflict Resolution

Answer 16

Reduces the amount of labels that the engine attempts to place on your map or by prioritizing which label gets placed within an area.

Clean up map = remove duplicate labels;
Repeat = sets how often the label is repeated;
Buffer = reduces crowding and increases readability by specifying a distance from the feature;
Minimum feature size and feature weight = reduces the number of labels by taking precidence of larger features;
Line connection = recognizes that labels exsit for adjacent line features

Question 17

Tools for Label Placement

Fitting Strategy

Answer 17

Available with Maplex Label Engine in your ribbon, helps fit labels on the map

Stack = automatically place words above each other if space is tight;
Overrun = allows labels to extend past the boundaries of a feature;
Abbreviate = uses automatic rules, rules that you create, or truncation rules to remove text and shorten labels