Exporting a schematic diagram

Schematic diagrams can be exported in various formats. The exporting functions are available in different environments:

• Within ArcMap, you can export schematic diagrams into layer files or in several image or graphic interchange file types (like EMF, EPS, AI, PDF, SVG, BMP, JPEG, PNG, TIFF, GIF).
• When working in the Catalog window, you can export into XML files and layer files.
• To export schematic diagrams into shapefiles or feature classes, you must work with GP tools available from the Schematics toolbox.

The following sections detail the exporting functions.

Exporting diagrams into layer files

Any schematic diagram can be saved as a layer file. This operation can be done within either ArcMap or the Catalog window. One of the main features of a layer is that it can exist outside your map as a file on disk. This makes it easy for others to access the layers you've built and is a good way to then import these exported layer properties on other diagrams. When you save a layer to disk, you save everything about the layer, such as the symbolization and labeling. When you add a layer file to another map, it will draw exactly as it was saved. Others can drop those layers onto their maps without having to know how to access the database or classify the data; this can be helpful when sharing data stored in a multiuser geodatabase with nontechnical staff members. You can share layers over the network with others as well as e-mail layers, along with the data, or enclose the layer within the data's metadata.

Tip:

After saving a schematic diagram as a layer file, you can import the layer properties into another diagram.

Learn more about managing schematic diagram layer properties

Learn more about saving a layer to disk

Saving a schematic layer to the disk in ArcMap

1. Start ArcMap and open the schematic diagram you want to save as a layer file.

   It displays in a schematic layer in the table of contents (TOC).

2. Right-click the schematic layer in the TOC and click Save As Layer File.
3. Click the Look in drop-down arrow and navigate to the location where you want to save the layer.
4. Type a file name.
5. Click Save.

Creating a layer from a schematic diagram in the Catalog window

1. Start ArcCatalog and browse to the schematic dataset or schematic folder that contains the schematic diagram from which you want to create a layer.
2. Expand the schematic dataset or schematic folder entry.
3. Right-click the schematic diagram entry.
4. Click Create Layer.
5. Navigate to the folder in which you want to save the layer.
6. Type a name for the layer file.
7. Click Save.

Exporting diagrams into XML files

Schematic diagrams can be exported into XML files. The generated XML file is based on the XMLBuilderDiagram XML schema definition. The built XML file can be used as input to generate another diagram based on the XML builder.

Learn more about the XML builder

This operation can be done in the Catalog window. The following steps detail how to proceed to export any schematic diagram into an XML file.

1. Start ArcCatalog and browse to the schematic dataset or schematic folder that contains the schematic diagram from which you want to create a layer.
2. Expand the schematic dataset or schematic folder entry.
3. Right-click the schematic diagram entry.
4. Click Export To Xml Document.

   The Save Layer As dialog box opens.

5. Browse to and choose the folder in which you want an XML file corresponding to your schematic diagram to be created.
6. Type a name for the XML file.
7. Click Save.

Exporting diagrams into shapefiles/feature classes

To export schematic diagrams into feature classes or shapefiles, you must use the Convert Diagram To Features GP tool available from the Schematics toolbox.

Learn more about the Convert Diagram To Features GP tool

Exporting diagrams into images or graphic interchange file types

The Export Map menu available from the File menu in ArcMap can also be used to export any schematic diagram contained in a map to an image or graphic interchange file type.

To export a schematic diagram in various image or graphic formats, activate the data frame that contains the schematic diagram you want to export, click the File menu, then click Export Map.

For more details on the next steps, load the Exporting a map help topic.