ZA

Writes text and/or symbols on the graphics frame.

Format

ZA color height justify [keywords] "text

Parameters

Keywords

Remarks

Use the global keyword FONT to change the font for a single command entry. See Appendix A, Global Keywords. Use command FONT to change fonts for all graphics commands.

To write lowercase letters, toggle the Caps Lock key or press the Shift key when typing. Press it again before entering the next command, as McIDAS commands are normally entered in uppercase letters.

In the justify parameter:

• left justified (LA, LC and LB options) means the text begins at the cursor position and extends to the right
• right justified (RA, RC and RB options) means the text ends at the cursor position and extends to the left
• center justified (CA, CC, CB and N options) means the text is horizontally centered at the cursor position so it extends equal distances to the left and right

The (GEORES), (LGEORES) and (EGEORES) placeholders can be used only if GEORES=YES was specified in the IMGDISP command that displayed the image. The resolution values, listed as n.nn in the Parameters section above, are in kilometers and are displayed in the format 0.nn, n.nn, nn.n or nnn (depending on the magnitude of the resolution). The two resolution values displayed with the (GEORES) placeholder are the same as (LGEORES) and (EGEORES), in that order.

When you specify the M option for the justify parameter, the position of the mouse and the clicking of its buttons control the location of the cursor text. Clicking the middle mouse button repositions the start of the text at the cursor location. Clicking the right mouse button repositions the end of the text at the cursor location. The height is scaled as needed. Using the FONT command or global keyword with the M option positions the text horizontally at various sizes. You can't change the angle of the text.

If you specify the N option for the justify parameter, clicking the middle mouse button centers the text at the cursor location. Clicking the right mouse button erases the last drawn text.

To plot weather symbols and arrows, enter a dollar sign ($) before any of the alphanumeric characters shown below.

T - thunderstorm		C - clear		0 - arrow
W - rain shower		Q - partly cloudy		1 - arrow
X - snow shower		B - mostly cloudy		2 - arrow
R - rain		O - overcast		3 - arrow
S - snow		D - drizzle		4 - arrow
Z - freezing rain		H - haze		5 - arrow
		F - fog		6 - arrow
		$$ - dollar sign	$	7 - arrow

Tropical storm and hurricane symbols are plotted at the center of the cursor, regardless of the justification specified.

The practical maximum number of characters for keyword ENCL is three.

Examples

ZA "Wisconsin

This entry writes the word Wisconsin in graphics color level 1 on the current graphics frame. The letters are 10 pixels high and are left justified below the center of the cursor.

ZA 3 15 LA "McIDAS

This entry writes the word McIDAS in graphics color level 3 on the current graphics frame. The letters are 15 pixels high and are left justified above the center of the cursor.

ZA 2 20 CC GRA=2 {streamlines}

This entry writes the word streamlines in lowercase letters in graphics color level 2 on graphics frame 2. The letters are 20 pixels high and centered on the cursor. Curly brackets are used instead of the double quote.

ZA 4 7 V FONT=HELBO "Nevada

This entry writes the word Nevada vertically on the current graphics frame in graphics color level 4 using the bold, oblique Helvetica font. The upper-left corner of the N is at the cursor center. The letters are seven pixels high.

ZA 4 20 LC ANG=45 "Green Mountains

This entry writes Green Mountains at a 45° angle in graphics color level 4. The letters are 20 pixels high and left-justified in relation to the cursor.

ZA 5 12 LB FONT=COUBR "GOES-12 Band (BAND) ((WL)) from (DAY) at (HHMM) UTC

This entry writes the specified text in graphics color level 5 using a bold Courier font. The characters are 12 pixels high and are left justified below the center of the cursor. The placeholders (BAND), (WL), (DAY) and (HHMM) are replaced with the corresponding values from the displayed image.