MapText Releases New Version of Label-EZ, Automatic Text Placement Software

Plainsboro, New Jersey - November 30, 2004

MapText, Inc. today announced the release of Version 4.5 of Label-EZ, the Company's premier cartographic text placement software.

The most important change users will notice in the new version is the much improved ease of use. The software now includes optimized templates for the most common label placement scenarios which can significantly speed up the configuration process.

Users can modify system-provided templates or create templates entirely themselves and then save them for future use. Also, while previously the specification file had to be built by the user, much of it is now created automatically by importing pertinent information from the GIS as soon as the connection between Label-EZ and the GIS system is established. Performance has also been enhanced by significantly speeding up the importing of feature data from the GIS system.

Label-EZ is now capable of conveniently handling so-called 'complex labels,' i.e., feature labels in which different parts are to be shown with different fonts, different font styles, or different font sizes.

Many more options are now available for placing leadered text - placing it parallel to the neatline, parallel to the graticule, parallel to a line feature, or perpendicular to a line feature. The placement of area-feature text has been further improved to allow text to conform more accurately to the shape of the labeled feature.

“We listened to our customers and incorporated their valuable opinions into the new version of Label-EZ. Making our software easier to use while maintaining exceptional flexibility and configurability has always been our primary focus, and I believe we have made significant progress with version 4.5. The ease of use of the software has been significantly improved without sacrificing its powerful text placement capabilities”, Dr. Herbert Freeman, President of MapText, Inc. commented.