ArcMap

Manage annotation in the information model

Available with Standard or Advanced license.

When the Local Government Information Model (LGIM) is enabled on a parcel fabric, the parcel fabric layer is displayed and symbolized using the LGIM configuration. Annotation is managed in the ParcelDimensions annotation class, which is feature-linked to parcel fabric lines. The ParcelDimensions annotation class is created when the parcel fabric is enabled with the LGIM. If you have an existing lines feature-linked annotation class, the Enable Fabric Information Model wizard detects this annotation class and uses it instead of creating a new one.

Annotation in the ParcelDimensions annotation class is derived from the Distance, Bearing, and Radius attribute fields on the parcel fabric Lines table. To view a summary of how annotation is defined, add the annotation class to the map, right-click the layer, and click Properties. On the Layer Properties dialog box, click the Annotation tab.

Annotation Layer Properties dialog box
Annotation properties

Annotation editing behavior

Annotation editing behavior is defined under the Annotation tab on the annotation Feature Class Properties dialog box. It is recommended that no new annotation be created when new parcels are added. In the Catalog window, right-click the ParcelDimensions feature class to open the annotation Feature Class Properties dialog box. Under the Annotation tab, confirm that Create annotation when new features are added is not checked.

To create new annotation, use the Annotate Parcel Courses tool Annotate Courses on the Parcel Editor toolbar.

Modify the annotation expression

The annotation class expression displays bearing, distance, and curve parameter values on parcel lines. Annotation is displayed for non-historic boundary (category = 0) and road frontage (category = 5) parcel lines. By default, the expression only displays distances on parcel lines. You can customize how dimensions are displayed by modifying the annotation expression as follows:

  1. In the Catalog window, right-click the ParcelDimensions annotation class and click Properties to open the Feature Class Properties dialog box.
  2. Under the Annotation Classes tab, click SQL Query to change which parcel lines are annotated.

    Currently, annotation is displayed for non-historic boundary (category = 0) and road frontage (category = 5) parcel lines.

  3. Under the Annotation Classes tab, click Expression to open the Label Expression dialog box.
    4. The annotation class expression is defined under Expression:

    By default, the annotation expression shows distance values on parcel lines. If the ShowBearing flag is set to 1, the expression displays both bearings and distances on parcel lines.

  4. If necessary, edit the annotation description to change how the annotation is displayed.

    Display bearings.

    Change ShowBearing = 0 to ShowBearing = 1.

    Change the minimum line distance on which both bearings and distance annotation is displayed.

    Change MinDistBearing = 20 to a new line distance value.

    Specify how curve dimensions are displayed.

    Set CurveDisplay = 1, 2, 3, or 4. Use 1 for radius, 2 for radius and arc length, 3 for radius and chord, and 4 for radius and central angle.

    Change the minimum line distance on which dimensions are hidden.

    Change HideDimensions = 5 to a new line distance value.

  5. If necessary, click Placement Properties to change how annotation is placed.

Edit annotation using the Attributes window

When an annotation feature is selected in ArcMap using the Edit Annotation Tool Edit Annotation Tool, additional tabs for editing annotation become available in the Attributes window. Under these tabs, you can quickly update annotation display properties and attributes.

Annotation and the Attributes window
Annotation and the Attributes window

Change annotation symbology

You can change the default text color of the map annotation to make the text more visible on the map.

  1. Add the ParcelDimensions annotation class to the map, right-click the layer. and click Properties to open the Layer Properties dialog box.
  2. Under the Symbology tab, choose Substitute test symbol colors with this color, click the color palette on the right, and choose a color.