Annotating maps and shapefiles

[Dave Exton]

Hi everybody, pleading for assistance yet again. I wonder if anyone knows how to annotate DA maps? I often use Natural Earth Shape Files to construct my maps. I also use Polar Stereographic Projection (I know that DA doesn't support this, as is). I draw the map in PSG projection and then draw in the coastlines with shape files. The lat and long files are also shape files, but they come with no lat long labels. My computer crashed a few days ago, meaning that I have to build up my DA work from scratch. The old computer has a shapefile function enabling me to use basic labels (and a facility to override the "Style" settings in DA, and to choose my own colour despite the one set in Styles. The bottom line, and the point, is to ask if anyone knows how to add text annotations to maps. It would be good to maybe label sea areas (as per the UK Shipping Forecast areas) or lat/long values on different parts of the map. I have had some wonderful help from a few people on this forum (you know who you are), so I thought I ask, to see if anyone had an answer.
I would ask Tim, but he's always busy, and not usually able to respond.
Thanks and regards,

Dave Exton, UK

[Phil Layton]

Dave,
The easiest way is to use the Map/Addoverlay/Cities function. Look up the format using a text editor in File explorer of the digatmos.cty file. It will then plot using the coordinates you have given in the styles format that is currently selected. So to put 50N 10W on the map enter 50N10W under NAME then space through to add SY 50.00 -10.00 in the exact spot of the included list of US cities. The same will work for sea areas, you just choose where you want the label.
Phil

[Dave Exton]

Phil, you are an absolute star, Sir! I'm beginning to think I should be paying you for all your help and tips so far. Much appreciated, as ever, and I'll give it a go a little later on. Regards, Dave.

[Dave Exton]

Hi Phil, thanks again for your efforts, Sadly I haven't been able to get it to work. I've used Word as my text editor and I've rechecked my Styles settings but to no avail. I've tried closing DA after altering the Cities file and then reopening but after several attempts, I've drawn a blank. I note the Cities file has a column for state, and another column for something else (population?). Anyway, I've tried playing with the columns, but no success. Despite the disappointment, let me yet again thank you for your efforts. P.s. your Instagram site is superb!

[Dave Exton]

Phil, just as a postscript, I notice that my Digatmos file is labled .CTY (which I have been using). It's referred to as .CIT, in the PDF Help File. I actually can't find a ,CIT file in my directory. Maybe this is where I'm going wrong...

[Phil Layton]

Dave,
It's no good using Word. You need a text editor like Notepad on Windows. Open the file up in Notepad, and use the space bar to move along to enter the details. Make sure that there are no extra spaces and that everything lines up otherwise it wont work. It's deffo the digatmos.CTY file. that is in the v3.50a that can be edited. I dont know what the last column (PROGDI) is for, so Ive just copied it across on every addition and it seems to work for me.
Phil

[Dave Exton]

Ah, okay Phil... Onward and upwards! Thanks, D

[Dave Exton]

No, still no joy Now using wordpad, ( and have tried notepade) and typing everything accurately. Never mind, some you win and some you lose. In any event, thanks for the assistance and encouragement. Regs, D

[Dave Exton]

I'm wondering if Custom Geography would offer any solutions. I've used it successfully in the past to mark the UK Shipping Forecast Areas on my maps, and I've kept the files in Word or Word pad. I notice from the the Styles Menu that there is a font, placed against Shapefiles, and I wonder if there is a facility there to add text as well as lines. I've waded through the help documents, but I've not been able to find any answers. Any takers?

[Dave Exton]

PHIL LAYTON,
Phil, I've just had my computer repaired after it ceased to function last week. Having got it back, I've been tidying things up and doing some house keeping, especially with Digital Atmosphere. To cut a long story short, I've worked through your suggestion as to using the city function in order to annotate my maps. IT WORKS! I decided to to insert a number into the last column of the database, and I'm pleased to say I was delighted with the result.
Thanks again, Phil. You've been a great help, and after many years with DA, I'm still finding useful tools that I was totally unaware of.

All your efforts and encouragement are much appreciated.

Regards,
Dave.