| Placement of names on a dense map is a complex and difficult process to automate. Maps consist of features represented by points, lines, and areas. On dense maps, features are closely spaced, leaving little room for names or labels. Names must be placed so they do not overlap each other or conceal existing features. The placements should contribute to the aesthetic quality of the map.; To demonstrate name-placement techniques on dense maps, a fully automated cartography system was developed. This system automatically creates digital map databases, places names, and produces high-quality human-readable maps. It uses sets of rules to define how maps are to be labelled and plotted. A single map database may be used to produce different kinds of maps of the same region. Features may be labelled and represented differently on each map simply by changing the rules.; The name-placement rules determine the location, orientation, font, size, and slant of each character in the names of the features. After each rule is processed, the name-placement quality is evaluated to determine whether additional rules must be processed. If the quality of a name placement deteriorates after new names are placed, backtracking occurs and the name is repositioned. If the map is too dense, acceptable placements may not be found for all names and the placement quality degrades gracefully.; Rules in the dense-map name-placement system may place names for point features next to the points or shift them horizontally and vertically until acceptable positions are found. Line feature names may be centered on the line or offset from it. Area feature names may be placed horizontally inside a region or next to it. The names may also be placed along the skeleton or border of the region. |
