[Qgis-user] annotation = new labeling

[Jake Maier]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: qgis-user-bounces at lists.osgeo.org [mailto:qgis-user-
> bounces at lists.osgeo.org] On Behalf Of Alex Mandel
> Sent: Sunday, May 20, 2012 6:12 PM
> To: qgis-user at lists.osgeo.org
> Subject: Re: [Qgis-user] annotation = new labeling
> 
> On 05/20/2012 02:09 PM, Jake Maier wrote:
> > I need some help with annotations
> >
> > I worked with annotations in ArcMap, so I'm a little familiar with
> the
> > concept and some of its workings in ArcMap. I tried to read up on it
> > googling annotations and qgis. Now I seem stuck on creating a .ui in
> a
> > qt designer. Help!!! Where do I find the qt designer. I see it
> mention
> > in some places but tried in vain to locate a download or a place to
> > load it as a python extension.
> >
> > I have a (soil) layer with lots of polygons and soil symbols. But the
> > symbols are often outside the polygons. Now I need to move those
> > labels and thought annotations would be the best way to accomplish
> > this. But how do I do this.
> >
> > While at this topic, does qgis provide the possibiltiy to bend an
> > annotation following a polyline?
> >
> > Thanks for any pointers
> >
> > Jake
> >
> 
> Yes, QGIS supports what you want. The key is that it works differently
> (in my opinion better) than ArcMap. What you want is data driven label
> placement offered by the "New" Labeling engine (ABC icon in your
> menus).
> This lets you set columns in your table for the X,Y, offset, rotation
> etc for each record. You can start with no values in the fields, and
> then use the move label tool to manually drag to a new spot and it will
> save the change to the table.
> 
> So the big key here, is unlike annotation the link between the data
> source and the end label is never broken. Hence you won't find info on
> it by googling for annotation.
> 
> Similarly make sure to look at the label options when dealing with a
> line to find the option to follow the line.
> 
> Enjoy,
> Alex
> 
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[JM] 
I thought I figured it out with your help Alex, but I can't seem to
'activate' nor move the rotate label button. They stay grayed out whatever I
do. I played with the free placement or any of the other placements in
thelayer labeling settings but to no avail.
I still seem to miss something.
Thanks for any help 
Jake