Labeling UEI features

Unit, equipment, and installation (UEI) features are point features and are labeled using label classes. Label classes allow a feature to be labeled multiple times based on different attributes and Maplex Label Engine placement options. These options have been set for you on the UEI layers included in the military features layer packages on ArcGIS.com. For details on how to access these layer packages, see Military features. The best way to work with the label classes that have already been created for you is through using the Label Manger. You can edit the label properties, such as label visibility for an entire layer or a single label class and size of the text used to label an attribute, through the Label Manager.

Learn more about Label Manager

Not all labels apply to all features. Military features use label classes to label the same UEI feature multiple times with more than one attribute. The label classes are named for the fields they are labeling. For example, the Unique Designation, Speed label class is used to label unique designation and speed for that feature. The main part of the following illustration is from page 21 of the MIL-STD-2525C specification. It shows the placement of labels in fields around the military feature. The callouts (Northwest, West, and so on) show the corresponding Maplex positions.

where:

• North: Quantity (field C)
• Northeast: Reinforced or Reduced (field F), Staff Comments (field G)
• East: Additional Information (field H)
• Southeast: Higher Formation (field M), Evaluation Rating (field J), Combat Effectiveness (field K), Signature Equipment (field L), Hostile (field N), IFF/SIF (field P)
• Southwest: Unique Designation (field T), Speed (field Z)
• West: Type (field V)
• Northwest: Date/Time (field W), Altitude/Height/Depth (field X), Location (field Y)

Fields B, D, E, Q, R, S, AB, AC, AL, AO and AG are graphic modifiers. Field A is the symbol icon (for example. the in the symbol for infantry ). The frame, fill and icon is combined to form one symbol and can be found in the style files that get installed when you install ArcGIS. Field AA is reserved for the special C2 headquarters indicator and can be added by defining a new label class.

Learn more about the military style files

Defining a new label class

If you want to add an additional label class to a layer, follow these steps:

1. Click the Label Manager button on the Labeling toolbar
2. Click the layer in the Label Classes box for which you want to create the new label class.
3. Type a name for the new label class (e.g. C2 Headquarters) in the Enter class name text box and click Add.
4. Click on the new label class in the Label Classes list to view and modify its properties, such as attribute field that will be used to label the features and placement properties.

Learn more about displaying labels

Label expressions are used to handle multiple text modifiers that need to be displayed in a single field (field X/Y) as well as multiple fields in a Maplex label position, such as the southwest position. For example, unique designation (field T) and speed (field Z) are labeled in the southwest position, as shown in the image from MIL-STD-2525C. The following table shows the name of the label classes and corresponding label expressions and Maplex placement property for each label class in the friendly units layer that is included in the Friendly Operations layer package on ArcGIS.com.

Friendly units layer label classes

Label Class	Expression*	Placement
Unique Designation, Speed	[UniqueDesignation] + '\n' + [Speed]	Horizontal and Southwest of point
DTG, Altitude/Depth, Location	[DateTimeValid] + '\n' + [Z] + "/" + [X] + "," + [Y]	Horizontal and Northwest of point
Reinforced, Staff Comments	[Reinforced] + '\n' + [StaffComment]	Horizontal and Northeast of point
Additional Information	[AdditionalInformation]	Horizontal and East of point
Higher Formation, Combat Effectiveness, IFF/SIF	[HigherFormation] + '\n' + [CombatEffectiveness] + "/" + [IFF_SIF]	Horizontal and Southeast of point

*label expressions for military features are written for Python parser

The UEI labels are not turned on by default. Labeling can be a memory-intensive process. Each time your map refreshes, the placement of your labels is recalculated.

Learn more about Maplex memory usage

Tip:

You can suspend labeling by using the Pause Labeling or Lock Labels buttons on the Labeling toolbar. Once you have made your changes, disable the control to resume labeling.

Turning individual label classes on or off for a layer

All of the label classes for the UEI features are not on by default. For instance, if you want to label the Additional Information field, follow these steps to turn on the label class for additional information.

1. Click the Label Manager button on the Labeling toolbar.
2. Expand the Friendly Units layer in the Label Classes box to view its label classes (if it is not already expanded). You will see the five label classes shown in the table above.
3. Make sure the box next to Friendly Units is checked. This will turn labeling on for the layer. All of the label classes that are checked under the layer will display.
4. Check the box next to Additional Information to turn on the labels for that label class.
5. Click OK.