What is Label-EZ?
Who should purchase Label-EZ?
What is the typical run-time for text placement?
What success rate can be expected for label placement?
On what computer platforms will Label-EZ run?
Which GIS systems does Label-EZ work with?
Can Label-EZ accommodate different text-placement preferences?
Can Label-EZ place text for nautical or aeronautical charts?
Can Label-EZ place text parallel to the graticule?

What is Label-EZ?

Label-EZ is a free-standing software system for automatically labeling the point, line, and area features depicted on maps and charts. It derives its input information from the GIS system containing the map data and then automatically places the text so as to assure that:

there will be no text-to-text or text-to-point-feature overlap

text placements will be free from ambiguity

all applicable cartographic specifications and conventions are followed

the finished map will be easy to comprehend and aesthetically pleasing

Who should purchase Label-EZ?

Label-EZ is designed for government, industry, and commercial users who produce maps or charts. Suitable pricing plans exist both for large-volume map producers as well as for organizations preparing only a few dozen maps per year.

Label-EZ is a productivity tool. In particular in these days of budget cuts and staff reductions, it is invaluable in allowing you to maintain your production quotas and delivery schedules.

What is the typical run-time for text placement?

The time for automatic text placement tends to vary from a few seconds for a small map with a few hundred features to a few minutes for a large, highly-detailed map with thousands of labels.

What success rate can be expected for label placement?

The success rate for Label-EZ is typically around 95%. It tends to vary somewhat with the feature density of the map, the required quality level, and the allowed placement time. Placement success rates of 100% have been achieved, and anything below 90% is most unusual.

On what computer platforms will Label-EZ run?

The standard commercial version of Label-EZ runs under Windows NT4.0, 2000, and XP on Pentium PCs with at least 64 MB of RAM (128 MB or higher is recommended).

Which GIS systems does Label-EZ work with?

Label-EZ works seamlessly with data from:

ArcGIS® 8.x and 9.x

Arc/Info® 7.x

ArcView® 3.x

GeoMedia® and GeoMedia Pro® 4 and above

MapInfo® 5 and above

MGE®

MicroStation®

For all of these GIS systems, if desired, the output from Label-EZ can be exported to Adobe Illustrator® for cartographic quality output, while preserving all text-to-feature linkages.

Interfaces for the following systems are under development:

AutoCAD®

CARIS®

Interfaces to other proprietary GIS and map-finishing systems can be supplied on a special-order basis.

Can Label-EZ accommodate different text-placement preferences?

Yes, Label-EZ has an exceptionally rich repertoire of placement rules. Text placement is controlled by a user-created configuration file that determines the manner in which the placement rules are applied for a particular map style. The file is created by means of an easy-to-use graphical user interface, and, once created, can be saved and used indefinitely for maps of the same style.

Can Label-EZ place text for nautical or aeronautical charts?

Yes, Label-EZ is highly configurable and can be employed to label both nautical as well as aeronautical charts of any scale. For nautical charts, Label-EZ will label the soundings, depth contours, buoys, lights, and beacons, as well as any coastal point, line, and area features. For aeronautical chart makers MapText offers customized, cost-effective, and powerful solutions using Label-EZ technology:

Instrument Approach and Landing Charts (IAL)

Standard Arrival Routes (STAR)

Standard Instrument Departure Routes (SID)

Route Facility Charts (RFC)

Can Label-EZ place text aligned to the graticule?

Yes, on small-scale maps Label-EZ can automatically place point- and area-feature text so that it will be aligned to the (curved) graticule.