[mapserver-users] Using a Symbol instead of text for a label

[Bob Basques]

Matt, 

Interesting problem.   My gut solution would be to build (or find) a TTF font of the symbols you want to display, and simply use this font to label, just like text, only via the ttf symbols instead.  You would then be able to group the symbols, even label with multiple rows via a WRAP parameter.  Each Symbol, would become a single character in the label.  Might make the label assembly into a chore.  But it sounds like it's gets you what you are looking for. 

If you have symbols that are multi-colored, never fear (with even more work) you can stack the symbols on top of each other to achieve most desired effects. 

bobb 



>>> Matt McClelland <matt at wildwalks.com> wrote:


Hi

I have a bunch of symbols that overlap on a map. EG at a park where I want to show an symbol for playground, toilet and picnic tables. The data for each of these items are individual point data items.

I would like to ask mapserver, very kindly, to 'tile' nearby symbols into a group
OR
Use the main symbol like a label. So that I could have a dot where the play equipment is, then nearby have the symbol for the play equipment. This is obviously very easy to do with text, but is it possible with a symbol??

I have tried this
CLASS
EXPRESSION /play|playground/
NAME "Children's Playground"
STYLE
SYMBOL 'waypoint'
color 255 0 0
SIZE 5
END
LABEL
STYLE
SYMBOL '/var/www/osm/kml/icons/play.png'
Size 10
END
...text styleing info....
END
END

I get my 'waypoint' dot and the play.png in the same location. I would like the play.png to be positioned AUTO like I can with text.
Any ideas??

Thanks
Matt :)

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