Creating marker symbols

Marker symbols are used to draw point features and point graphics. They can be used in conjunction with other symbols to decorate line symbols and create fill patterns and text backgrounds. Any number of layers can be combined in a single marker symbol. You can enhance any of the standard marker symbol types with a mask that extends the shape of a marker symbol with a specified fill symbol by a specified amount.

Learn how to create and store new symbols

Marker symbol types

There are four standard marker symbol types.

Improving marker symbol drawing performance

The drawing performance of marker symbols, whether used to symbolize points or as a component of one of the other types of symbols, can be improved greatly by using simple marker symbols and single-layer character marker symbols; these are the best choices for symbolizing large point feature datasets.

Masks can greatly increase draw times. A good alternative to adding a mask to a character or simple marker is to create an .emf file that represents the symbol and use a picture marker symbol that displays the contents of the .emf file. In addition, .bmp-based picture marker symbols can be replaced with .emf markers to improve performance with those symbols.

Related Topics


Published 6/7/2010