Annotate Parcels Tool SPCAD: Essential for Cadaster

Annotating parcels in a cadaster plays a crucial role in maintaining accurate documentation and ensuring easy identification of land boundaries. The Annotate Parcels Tool in SPCAD equips users with a comprehensive set of features to streamline this process. With this tool, users can add labels for parcel areas and side lengths while customizing them to meet specific project requirements. The preview feature lets users review annotations before applying them, helping them avoid errors and maintain clarity.

Steps to Label a Parcel

1. Initiate the Tool: Click on the “DLP” button from the Cadaster panel or type `DLP_SP` in the command line. A dialogue box will appear on the screen.
2. Enter Parcel Information: In the dialogue box, enter the parcel number in the ‘Start number’ textbox. Type the parcel name in the ‘Prefix’ textbox. Choose a drawing unit from the dropdown menu to ensure the measurements are accurate.
3. Trace Parcel Boundary: Check the ‘Trace Boundary of Parcel’ checkbox if you need to create a boundary for the open parcels. This helps in defining the parcel’s limits clearly.
4. Specify Label Details: Define the height and rotation of the label. The rotation angle should be in degrees. To define this on the screen, click the ‘Specify Angle on Screen’ button and draw a line. The rotation will align with the angle of the line drawn.
5. Add Area Label: Select the ‘Place Area Labels’ checkbox to add an area label. Enter the necessary specifications such as text height, units, precision, and a suffix. The suffix can be units in words, like ‘m’ for meters. To add a square (²) as a superscript over the suffix, check the ‘Append Superscript of ²’ checkbox. This is particularly useful for indicating area measurements like square meters (m²).
6. Add Edge Labels: To label each side of the parcel, select the ‘Place Edge Labels’ checkbox and enter the specifications. This includes the length of each side, ensuring precise boundary information.
7. Annotate Arcs: If the parcel contains an arc, label the radius by selecting the ‘Annotate radius for arc’ option. This ensures all curved boundaries are accurately documented.
8. Preview and Apply Annotations: Before finalizing the labels, click Preview to view how the annotations look. This step helps you verify that the labels sit correctly and appear as intended. Press ESC to exit preview mode and make any necessary adjustments. After reviewing, click OK to confirm and apply the labels.
9. Final Step: Click inside the parcels to add the annotations. This action finalizes the process, embedding the labels into the CAD drawing.

Additional Tips for Effective Use

• Customize Labels: Utilize the customization options to tailor the labels according to specific requirements. This includes adjusting text size, units, and precision to match the standards of your project.
• Use Suffixes and Superscripts: Proper use of suffixes and superscripts can enhance the readability of labels, especially when dealing with measurements. Ensure that units and superscripts are appropriately applied to avoid any confusion.
• Regular Previews: Make use of the preview functionality regularly during the annotation process. This helps in catching any mistakes early and allows for corrections before finalizing the labels.
• Save Frequently: Regularly save your work to prevent data loss. CAD software can sometimes crash, and frequent saves ensure that your progress is not lost.

For more detailed information on SPCAD tools, visit our website or YouTube channel.