Disperse Markers (Cartography)

Summary

Finds representation markers that are overlapping or too close to one another and spreads them apart based on a minimum spacing and dispersal pattern.

Illustration

Disperse Markers geoprocessing tool
Illustration of the dispersal styles.

Usage

Syntax

DisperseMarkers_cartography (in_point_features, minimum_spacing, {dispersal_pattern})
ParameterExplanationData Type
in_point_features

The input point feature layer containing marker representations.

Layer
minimum_spacing

The minimum separation distance between individual markers, in page units. A distance must be specified and must be greater than or equal to zero. When a positive value is specified, markers will be separated by that value; when a value of zero is specified, markers will be touching. The default page unit is Points.

Linear unit
dispersal_pattern
(Optional)

Specifies the pattern in which the dispersed representation markers are placed. A group of markers will have a center of mass derived from the locations of each marker in the group. The center of mass is then used as the anchor point around which the dispersal pattern operates.

  • EXPANDEDThe general pattern of the markers will be maintained as they are spread apart. Markers that were exactly coincident are dispersed to a circle around their center of mass. This is the default.
  • RANDOMRepresentation markers are placed around the center of mass in a random dispersal that respects the minimum spacing.
  • SQUARESRepresentation markers are placed in multiple square rings around the center of mass, ensuring that all markers are placed as closely together as allowable by the minimum spacing parameter.
  • RINGSRepresentation markers are placed in multiple circular rings around the center of mass, ensuring that all markers are placed as closely together as allowable by the minimum spacing parameter.
  • SQUARERepresentation markers are placed evenly around the center of mass in a single square pattern.
  • RINGRepresentation markers are placed evenly around the center of mass in a single circular pattern.
  • CROSSRepresentation markers are spaced evenly on horizontal and vertical axes originating from the center of mass.
  • X_CROSSRepresentation markers are spaced evenly on 45° axes originating from the center of mass.
String

Code Sample

DisperseMarkers tool Example (Python Window)

The following Python window script demonstrates how to use the DisperseMarkers tool in immediate mode.

import arcpy
from arcpy import env
env.workspace = "C:/data"
env.referenceScale = "50000"
arcpy.DisperseMarkers_cartography("crime.lyr", "2 Points", "EXPANDED")
DisperseMarkers tool Example (stand-alone Python script)

This stand-alone script shows an example of using the DisperseMarkers tool.

# Name: DisperseMarkers_standalone_script.py
# Description: creates visible space between representation markers which are graphically overlappig or coincident
 
# Import system modules
import arcpy
from arcpy import env

# Set environment settings
env.workspace = "C:/data"
env.referenceScale = "50000"

# Set local variables
in_point_features = "crime.lyr"
minimum_spacing = "2 Points"
dispersal_pattern = "EXPANDED"

# Execute Disperse Markers
arcpy.DisperseMarkers_cartography(in_point_features, minimum_spacing, dispersal_pattern)

Environments

Related Topics

Licensing Information

ArcView: No
ArcEditor: No
ArcInfo: Yes

11/11/2011