Complex maps such as topographic maps present several significant challenges for setting up labeling rules and creating annotation. The first challenge is that these maps typically have many layers and types of features, requiring map authors to create and manage numerous label classes. Second, these layers may have a high density of features, which means that automated labeling for these maps requires loading all the data into the labeling engine and making your computer to work fairly hard. Third, some labels on the map are very important and should be placed optimally (e.g., labels for cities or very important landmarks); some labels can be placed with some flexibility (e.g., placing river or stream names along lines; there are many candidate positions along a given line); and some labels are just less important (e.g., labels for contours, which must yield to the other information on the map) Read More...
