Text Balloon

Use the Map Tools > Base Map > Text Balloon menu option (BALLOON GX) to plot a text balloon on a map.

To create a text balloon on a Base Map:

  1. Select /open the map.

  2. Select the Map Tools > Base Map >Text Balloon menu option. The system displays the Text Balloon dialog.

  3. Specify the name of a text file to plot. This file must exist. If you wish to create a new file, click the Edit button with a blank file name. You can then create a new file and enter the file name before plotting.

  4. Select a font from the list and specify the text height in mm.

  5. Specify the line spacing times the text height. The default is 1.5, which will produce naturally single-spaced text. Select the text justification from the list.

  6. Click the Locate button to select the location of the text balloon.

  7. A cross-hair cursor is displayed on the map. Click the left mouse button to plot the end of the arrow section of the text balloon.

  8. As you move the mouse cursor, the line will indicate where the balloon arrow will be drawn. Click the left mouse button to indicate the edge of the text balloon.

  9. Drag the cursor to specify the size of the text balloon.

  10. Click the Plot button to plot the text on the map.

Text Balloon dialog options

Text

Text to plot

Script Parameter: BALLOON.TEXT

X Arrow location

The arrow location in the data view. The Locate button can be used to select the location with the mouse cursor. X location of arrow

Script Parameter: BALLOON.AX

Y Arrow location

Y location of arrow

Script Parameter: BALLOON.AY

X location

The box location in the data view. The Locate button can be used to select the location with the mouse cursor. X location of box

Script Parameter: BALLOON.X

Y location

Y location of box

Script Parameter: BALLOON.Y

Width

The size of the box in the data view. The Locate button can be used to select the location with the mouse cursor. Width of box

Script Parameter: BALLOON.SX

Height

Height of box

Script Parameter: BALLOON.SY

Font

Select a font from the list.

Script Parameter: BALLOON.FONT

Justification

Select the text justification from the list. Justification (0-9)

Script Parameter: BALLOON.JUSTIFY

Arrow size (mm)

Size of the arrow head in mm (measured front to back).

Script Parameter: BALLOON.ARROWSIZE

Arrow thickness (mm)

Thickness of the arrow in mm.

Script Parameter: BALLOON.ARROWTHICK

Arrow type

Type of arrow (Solid or Stick)

Script Parameter: BALLOON.ARROWTYPE

Plot

Plot the text on the map.

Locate

Allows you to select the box location on the map