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Chapter 5. Vector Symbology

This chapter provides basic instructions for working with vector symbology in ArcGIS Pro®.

To change symbology for the Communication_Towers layer, right-click on the layer name in Contents and select Symbology from the menu (Figure 5.1).

Figure 5.1. Accessing Symbology
Figure 5.1. Accessing Symbology

The Symbology dialog opens (Figure 5.2).

Figure 5.2. The Symbology Dialog box
Figure 5.2. The Symbology Dialog box

Under Primary Symbology, select the drop-down arrow adjacent to Single Symbol, and a list of symbol types appears (Figure 5.3).

Figure 5.3. Symbology types
Figure 5.3. Symbology types

There are many types of symbology. This chapter will cover just a couple of them. Select Unique Values and additional options appear (Figure 5.4). For Field 1 choose Property_O from the feature’s attribute list. Choose a color ramp from the drop-down list for Color scheme. ArcGIS Pro® automatically changes the symbology as each selection is made. When finished, close the Symbology dialog (X in the upper right corner).

Figure 5.5 shows the new symbology for the Communication_Towers layer.

Figure 5.5. New symbology for the Communication_Towers
Figure 5.5. New symbology for the Communication_Towers

Collapse the symbology list for Communication_Towers by clicking the small triangle before the layer name in Contents (Figure 5.6). The triangle turns hollow.

Figure 5.6. Collapsing the symbology for Communication_Towers
Figure 5.6. Collapsing the symbology for Communication_Towers

Now follow the same process to change the symbology for the Grand Valley Transit Bus Routes line shapefile, using the Name field. If all the values don’t show when choosing Unique Values, click Add all values under the Classes tab(Figures 5.7 and 5.8).

Figure 5.7. Unique Values symbology for lines
Figure 5.7. Unique Values symbology for lines
Figure 5.8. Map view of Unique Values symbology for lines
Figure 5.8. Map view of Unique Values symbology for lines

The line width is not very distinctive for this layer. To change the width of the line, select More and choose Format all symbols (Figure 5.9).

Figure 5.9. Formatting a line symbol
Figure 5.9. Formatting a line symbol

The Format Multiple Line Symbols dialog opens (Figure 5.10). Select the Properties option.

Figure 5.10 the Format Multiple Line Symbols dialog
Figure 5.10 the Format Multiple Line Symbols dialog

In Properties, change the Line width to 3 pt. (red box in Fig 5.11). Click Apply to apply the change.

Figure 5.11. Changing the line width
Figure 5.11. Changing the line width

Figure 5.12 displays the results.

Figure 5.12. The line symbology in Contents and the Map viewer

Figure 5.12. The line symbology in Contents and the Map viewerNow change the symbology of the Drainage Basins polygon shapefile without step-by-step instructions. Sample results are shown in Figure 5.13.

Figure 5.13. Unique Values symbology for the Drainage Basins polygon shapefile
Figure 5.13. Unique Values symbology for the Drainage Basins polygon shapefile

This chapter introduced some very basic symbology options for vector data. Many other symbology options are available—for more information, see https://pro.arcgis.com/en/pro-app/help/mapping/map-authoring/symbology-in-vector-tiles.htm.

Chapter 6. Using an .mxd File, next, concludes the chapters on ArcGIS Pro® basics by reviewing how to use an .mxd file (a map created in ArcGIS® Desktop) in ArcGIS Pro®.

 

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