[mapserver-users] cartography questions.

[Steve Lime]

Hi Mark:

>>> On 8/1/2008 at 2:53 PM, in message
<3D56274B4A7874468F58FADDBFD0980105F1AFE4 at llmhs02.r8nssis.local>, "Mark Volz"
<MarkVolz at co.lyon.mn.us> wrote:
> Hello,
>
> I have a couple cartography questions. 
> 
> First, I noticed if I zoom in to the center of multiple polygons the layers
> stack over each other.  For example If I zoom in to a scale of 1:1000 I will
> see the township name, parcel number, and section all stacked on top of each
> other, and therefore difficult to read.  Does anyone know if we can buffer
> labels between different layers?

That's a GeoMoose issue. One of the problems with stacked layer interfaces is
that you loose the ability to do label collision avoidance.

> Second,  I have had some criticism that the labels appear to be grainy.  I am
> using an outline color to help remedy the situation.  Does anyone have any
> other ideas?

Some screenshots showing what you mean by grainy would be helpful. This may
be the result of the layered image architecture too, but it's tough to say without
an example.

> 
> Third,  does anyone know if we can make the outline color of a text label
> semi-transparent?

MapServer 5.2 supports a halo effect for AGG output. I believe you set OUTLINEWIDTH
in the label object. The halo is semi-transparent as you move away from the text.

> Mark Volz
> GIS Specialist
> Lyon County, MN 
> (507) 532-8218

Steve