Getting started with ArcGIS symbol authoring

　　Required Software Environment

1.ArcMap 8+

2.Font Creator 5.X

　　Method of making two-dimensional symbol library

The method of creating a two-dimensional symbol library in ArcGIS boils down to the following four types:

1. Creating symbol libraries based on existing symbols in ArcMap

2. Create a library of symbols based on pictures

3. Creating a symbol library based on TrueType fonts

4. Various ways to make a combination of symbols

Regardless of which method is used to prepare for symbolic preparation, it is ultimately necessary to create a symbol in ArcMap with style manager. You can open ArcMap and enter it from the menu Tools-〉style Manager, as shown in.

　　

　　Create a symbol library based on existing symbols in ArcMap

The most commonly used symbols in ArcMap are a symbol (Marker symbol), a line symbol, a polygon symbol (Fill symbol), and a text symbol. Create a new symbol library file in Style manager, or open a symbol library that already exists, and then select the symbol types, such as points, lines, and simple polygons, for symbol creation and composition, based on the existing symbol libraries in ArcMap.

　　Dot symbol (Marker symbol)

Point symbols include:

1.Simple Marker Symbol: round circle/rectangular rectangle/cross Cross/diamond Diamond/X

2.Arrow Maker Symbol: arrow symbol

　　

　　Line symbol

Line symbols include:

1.Simple line Symbol: solid Solid/dashed (dash) dash/dot line dotted/dash-dot Dash-dotted line/dash-dot-dot Dash-point-point line

2.Hash line symbol: hash symbol

3.Cartographic line symbol: Cartographic lines symbols

　　

　　Polygon symbol (Fill symbol)

Polygon symbols include:

1.Simple Fill symbol: basic symbols

2.Line Fill symbol: Line fill symbols

3.Gradient Fill Symbol: Graduated Color fill symbols

　　

　　Create a library of symbols based on pictures

Image-based notation enables image files in two formats, BMP and EMF. In the case of two picture files, create a new symbol library file in Style manager, or open the existing symbol library, and then select the picture symbol type of point, line, and polygon to add the image as symbol to complete the symbol library creation based on the picture.

1. Dot symbol (Marker symbol): Picture Marker symbol Image dot

2. Line symbol: Pictures line symbol

3. Polygon symbol (fill symbol): Picture fill symbol

Note: EMF format description

The 1.wmf:windows metafile ("Windows metafile" is a 16-bit metafile format that can contain both vector information and bitmap information.) It is optimized for the Windows operating system. )

2.EMF: Enhanced Metafile

Enhanced Metafile is a 32-bit format that can contain both vector information and bitmap information. This format is an improvement to the Windows metafile format, and includes some extended features, such as the following: Built-in scaling information • Built-in instructions to save with the file • Palette and device independence. Improving the EMF format is an extensible format, which means that programmers can modify the original specification to add functionality or meet specific needs.

　　Creating symbol libraries based on TrueType fonts

1. In the Paint tool/coreldraw/adobe Illustrator, draw the desired symbol style. The size of the symbol is saved as a bmp/png/jpeg/jpg/wmf/ico/emf/gif picture by 300*300 the appropriate drawn symbol.

2. Open the Font Creator 5.X tool to convert the drawn picture into a font, or you can draw the desired symbol style directly in the Font Creator 5.0, omitting the first step.

(1) Open Font Creator 5.0 tool, select the font library you want to make, or create a new fonts library.

Click the Open File Button selection dialog box to select the font library file that already exists.

(2) Select a blank font location in the Font library, double-click the mouse and add a new font symbol.

　　

Use the roaming tool to move the editing area 0, 0 point coordinates to the screen sitting angle, generally in the coordinates of 0, 0 to 1500,2000 in the area to draw the font symbol effect is more ideal.

(3) Import pictures or directly draw font symbols (import pictures recommended)

Select the Tools/import Image menu to import the drawn picture

(4) Adjust the imported picture

(5) After adjusting the good symbol, save the file, the font library is finished.

(6) Install a good font library (. ttf file).

(7) Open ArcMap, select the Tools/style/style Manager menu, open the Style Library management form, click the Styles button, create a new style library file, or open a style library that already exists.

(8) Edit the style library file and add the edited font as a symbol

Dot symbol (Marker symbol): Character Marker symbol Picture dot

Line symbols: Character line symbol picture lines symbols

Polygon symbol (fill symbol): Character fill symbol: Picture fill symbols

(9) Compile the modified *.style file.

　　Multiple ways to make symbols

Based on the above three symbol making methods, you can also combine different production methods to make different symbol libraries.

　　Method of making three-dimensional symbol library

1. Create three-dimensional symbols in ArcGIS using the sketch three-dimensional model

Below we introduce the use of the existing SketchUp model to make 3D symbols and use them in Arcscene.

　　First step: Convert SketchUp files to 3DS format

Use SketchUp to open the "FOOD_MART.SKP" file in the folder "_foodmart"

Select the File>>export>>3d Model and choose a format of 3DS to store in the folder Food_mart.

The same method is used to export HSBC_BANK.SKP and STATE_FARM.SKP, placing the results in the "Hsbc_bank" and "State_farm" folders respectively.

　　Step Two: Load the data in the Arcscene

Open the Arcscene program and load the three-point file in the Shapefiles folder

Loads the cortland_2003.sid image in the Mrsid folder.

As follows:

　　

　　Third step: symbolize with three-dimensional model

Right-Select the "Foodmartpoint" layer and select properties to open the Property window.

Select the symbology tag and click on the symbol below it to pop the symbol Selector dialog box.

Select Properties to eject the Symbol Property Editor dialog box.

Select 3D Marker Symbol in the Type drop-down list.

Pop Up the Open dialog box and select the previously converted Food_mart.3ds file. Click OK to confirm.

　　

The same operation is symbolized for the other two layers.

The effect after Symbolization is as follows:

　　

　Fourth step: three-dimensional symbol adjustment

We can see from the image that the direction and size of the symbols do not match the actual figures. We'll make adjustments to them below.

1. Angle Adjustment

Double-click the symbol below the Foodmartpoint layer in the TOC window to bring up the symbol Selector dialog box.

Change angle to 90.

　　

In the same way, the Statefarmpoint's symbolic angle is also transferred to 90 degrees.

2. Size adjustment

Double-click the symbol below the Statefarmpoint layer in the TOC window to bring up the symbol Selector dialog box.

Change size to 12.

The last of the following:

　　

Getting started with ArcGIS symbol authoring