Adding annotations to maps

Use the Map menu to add points, lines, text, polygons, and more to the map.

The following tasks are covered in this topic:

To draw points

1. From the Map menu, point to Annotation, and then click Point Annotation Tool .

The mouse pointer changes to a pencil .

2. Click one or more locations on the map at which to draw points.

3. Click Annotation again, or click another toolbar button to end annotation mode.

To draw lines

1. From the Map menu, point to Annotation, and then click Line Annotation Tool .

The mouse pointer changes to a pencil .

2. Click the end point of the line on the map and move the mouse pointer to draw a line segment. Then click to add a vertex and begin a new line segment.

The length of the current line segment and the total length of the line appear in a ToolTip near the mouse pointer as you click.

3. Double-click to complete the line.

Use the Line annotation tool to measure the distance between two points. The length of the line appears in kilometers by default. Click Tools > Change Unit System to toggle between Metric and Imperial units for the current map.

To add text

1. From the Map menu, point to Annotation, and then click TextAnnotation Tool .

The mouse pointer changes to a pencil .

2. Click the point on the map at which the text should begin.

3. Type the text, and then press Enter, or press ESC to select a different location at which to place the text.

To draw rectangles

1. From the Map menu, point to Annotation, and then click RectangleAnnotation Tool .

The mouse pointer changes to crosshairs .

2. Drag to draw a rectangle on the map.

The area and perimeter of the rectangle appear in a ToolTip near the mouse pointer as you drag.

The area and perimeter display in kilometers by default. Click Tools > Change Unit System to toggle between Metric and Imperial units for the current map.

To draw polygons

1. From the Map menu, point to Annotation, and then click PolygonAnnotation Tool .

The mouse pointer changes to a pencil .

2. Click the vertices of the polygon.

The perimeter, segment length, and closing segment length of the polygon appear in a ToolTip near the mouse pointer as you click.

3. Double-click to complete the polygon.

The perimeter, segment length, and closing segment length display in kilometers by default. Click Tools > Change Unit System to toggle between Metric and Imperial units for the current map.

To draw ellipses

1. From the Map menu, point to Annotation, and then click Ellipse Annotation Tool .

The mouse pointer changes to crosshairs .

2. Drag to draw an ellipse on the map.

As you drag, the area appears in a ToolTip near the mouse pointer, and a bounding rectangle for the ellipse also appears.

To draw circles

1. From the Map menu, point to CircleAnnotation Tool .

The mouse pointer changes to a pencil .

2. Drag to draw a circle on the map.

The radius, area, and perimeter of the circle appear in a ToolTip near the mouse pointer as you click.

The radius, area, and perimeter display in kilometers by default. Click Tools > Change Unit System to toggle between Metric and Imperial units for the current map.

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