Create an anno feature class that has no reference scale?

[ChristiNelson1]

Hi all,

Is it possible to convert labels to an annotation feature class (not feature linked) that does not have a reference scale.  I'd like the anno to be able to adjust to all scales and look appropriate.

If there is a way, what is the workflow?

Thanks,
Christi

[SamuelTroth]

The functionality you are referring to is dynamic. This is the essential difference between labels and annotation. Labels can have no reference scale and redraw at every zoom-level because they are dynamic elements. Annotation is static therefore you would need to create a different annotation feature class at every scale you want to view it at.

hope that helps

Sam
Esri

[ChristiNelson1]

Thanks, Sam.


That's the answer I didn't want to hear (but I knew it was the truth)!  I did determine that you can create a Map Annotation and under the Group Annotations tab in the Data Frame Properties, you can set the Reference Scale to 0.  This does work, but you are essentially still stuck with annotation that can't be used in any other map and it acts more like a graphic (ie longer rendering, easily moved around and deleted).


Cheers,
Christi Nelson

[JonMorris]

Hi Christi,

You can still use the annotation in other maps, as long as you view it at the correct scale. If you create annotation for each scale you want to view the map at, then set a scale range on each layer, you will always see the most appropriate set of anno.

I'm not sure what you mean by longer rendering: annotation will draw many times quicker than dynamic labels.

The Tiled Labels to Annotation GP tool is useful for creating anno at multiple scales: http://help.arcgis.com/en/arcgisdesktop/10.0/help/index.html#//007000000007000000