Convert an annotation feature class for use in an ArcIMS Image service

Summary

An annotation feature class is not directly readable by an ArcIMS Image service. It is possible, however, with some conversion to load the information into an Image service.

Procedure

Note:
After these conversion steps, the information is no longer technically annotation.

• Convert directly from Annotation to Shapefile in ArcCatalog.
  
  1. In ArcCatalog, right-click on the annotation feature class and select ‘Export > To Shapefile (single)’.
  
  2. Select an Output Location and give the Output Feature Class a name. Click OK.
  
  3. Add the new shapefile to Author.
  
  4. On the Symbols tab in the Layer Properties dialog box, select Transparent Fill for Style and check the box for Remove Outline.
  
  5. Select Textstring for the label field. Click OK.
  
  6. Refresh or create a new service.
  
  This conversion creates a small polygon around the extent of the annotation.
  
  This allows for more control over the place of a label as it constrains the label to a very small area. One problem with this conversion is that if any of the annotation is at an angle, the label still renders horizontally.
  
  
• Convert from Annotation to a Coverage then to a Shapefile.
  
  

  Note:
  To convert to Coverage, an ArcInfo license is required.

  
  
  1. In ArcCatalog under the Geodatabase, right-click on the annotation feature class and select ‘Export > To Coverage’.
  
  2. In the newly created Coverage, right-click on the annotation feature class and select ‘Export > To Shapefile (Single)’.
  
  3. Select an Output Location and give the Output Feature Class a name. Click OK.
  
  4. Add the new shapefile to Author.
  
  5. In the ‘Layer Properties’ dialog box under the Symbols tab select ‘None’ for Style.
  
  6. On the Labels tab in the Layer Properties dialog box, select Textstring for the label field. Click OK. Save the AXL file.
  
  7. Refresh or create a new service.
  
  This conversion creates a small line at the location of the annotation.
  
  This allows for more control over the place of a label as it constrains the label to a very small area. This conversion does render the angle of the label correctly.
  
  If any of the annotation is set to 'follow feature mode', this will not be used in the rendering of the label. The labels always render as a straight line. This is the case for either of the conversion processes presented.