Map Typography – A Python Label Expression
Recently, I had to label parcels with APN & owner information. The parcel feature class has the APNs and the ownership table is joined based on the APNs. I’ve been commiting to using python in labeling expressions whenever possible and this was a good chance to use an advanced expression. One problem was that the […]
Map Typography – Formatting Tags in ArcMap
Text formatting can be controlled through the use of formatting tags. The syntax is similar to html or xml tags. Formatting tags make controlling how your type appears much more efficient that using the graphical interface in ArcMap. Instead of going through multiple windos to set the character spacing for a piece of type, you […]
David Rumsey Map Collection Viewing
Recently, I had the opportunity to view much of David Rumsey’s map collection at his house in San Francisco. As an attendee of State of the Map, Open Street Map’s (OSM) annual conference, I was invited to this special viewing and couldn’t pass on the chance to meet David and also see and touch a […]
Integrate Symbol and Label
This technique saves some space and brings a refined look to the symbology in your maps. Integrating a feature’s label into its symbol makes for a professional style that should impress your client. Begin by building a symbol that will accommodate a label. In this case, I have a single digit number, which is basically […]
Text Masking Gradients
I’d like to share a masking technique that I recently used in Illustrator (CS4). This technique involves masking lines around text labels that are drawn over a water body with a gradient effect fill. Notice in the image below that the thin isoline effect is masked around the labels yet the shoreline gradient effect is […]
