Utilizing the ArcMap Draw Toolbar

Timothy — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 15:00:59 +0000

Creating and editing graphic elements can become very time consuming within ArcMap; however, there is a valuable help called the Draw Toolbar. The tools within this toolbar will help you save time and become more productive with your work. Your cartographic productions will benefit from these tools.

Learn how to quickly change an element’s properties without accessing the properties dialog. Discover new techniques to manipulate each element and even convert them to a feature class. Do more now by watching this video!

This video covers the following areas:

Draw Menu
Select Elements
Rotate Elements
Zoom to Elements
Add Elements
Change Element Size
Change Element Color
Change Annotation Font

Stop wasting your valuable time and learn a new tip today!

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Download the video to your computer: ArcMap Draw Toolbar

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ArcMap Annotation Properties

Timothy — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 03:15:13 +0000

Map annotation that is created either through the annotation tool or by creating annotation by converting dynamic labels can be edited further beyond just the font and placement.

For example if you change the scale of the annotation, it will not adjust. You can delete the annotation and recreate it. However, there is an easier way!

To change the reference scale of map annotation:

1. Right click on the data frame in the Table of Contents.

2. Choose Properties…

3. Go to the Annotation Group tab.

Notice that this is the where annotation is managed when you convert it from labels to be stored in the map. Annotation that is created manually through the annotation tool is also managed here.

Under this tab you can turn annotation on and off.

4. Highlight the annotation group to be changed.

5. Click Properties…

6. Change the reference scale to the proper setting.

Under properties you can change:

annotation name

associated layer

reference scale

visibility scale

7. Click OK to confirm changes.

The reference scale has now been updated to the correct scale, and the annotation shows correctly.

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