Digitizing a 2D text graphic in ArcGlobe

You can set font information, such as font color and type, before adding text graphics. You can also set the display options, such as drawing the text as a draped image or vector. For more information, see Setting defaults for 3D graphics.

Steps:
  1. Click the Text graphics arrow on the Globe 3D Graphics toolbar.
  2. Click the Text tool New 2D Text tool to add 2D text.
  3. Click the location on the surface or object where you want the text to be placed.

    A text box appears in which you can enter your text.

  4. Type the text you want to display and press ENTER.

    The 2D text appears at the location you clicked. By default, 2D text is billboarded to face the viewer.

  5. Right-click the selected 2D text as a shortcut to edit the text properties. Here, you have access to only the selected text you just added and its properties, such as appearance, size and position settings, and effects options.
  6. To change how the 2D text graphic is displayed, you can choose one or a combination of these options:
    • Pin to surface—Pin the graphic to the globe surface.
    • Rasterize—The 2D text is draped over the globe surface to conform to it.
    • Billboarded—Text is displayed at a constant pixel size and always faces the viewer.

    Pin to surface

    Select the text using the Select Graphics tool Select Graphics, right-click the element, then click Pin to surface.

    Rasterize

    Select the text using the Select Graphics tool Select Graphics, right-click the element, then click Rasterize Graphic.

    When the 2D text is rasterized, it is displayed in map units.

    Billboarded

    2D text is billboarded to face the viewer by default.

TipTip:
  • ArcScene does not support digitizing 2D text.
  • The 2D text can be billboarded or rasterized only. To add text with depth, use 3D text graphics.
Example of draped 2D text and billboarded text

Related Topics

3/5/2014