Supported functionality in MSD-based map services

The following list shows which features are available with the fast drawing engine used when you publish a map service from a map service definition (.msd) file. You can obtain an MSD file using the Map Service Publishing toolbar in ArcMap.

If the functionality you require is not listed here, you must use either Manager or ArcCatalog to publish your service from the map document (.mxd) file. Your service will use the standard drawing engine from ArcGIS Server versions 9.3 and previous when MSD files were not available.

Data types

The following data types are available:

• ArcSDE geodatabase
• File geodatabase
• Microsoft Access (nongeodatabase)
• Personal geodatabase
• Plug-in custom data types
• Query layers
• SDC
• Shapefile
• Raster
• Table from text file or OLE DB workspace

Layer symbology

The following layer symbology options are available:

• Graduated colors
• Graduated symbols
• Proportional symbols
• Representations (recommended for cached maps only)
• Single symbol
• Unique values

Labeling

The standard ESRI labeling engine is available, as well as annotation. The Maplex labeling engine is available but is recommended for cached maps only.

Layer types

The following layer types are available:

• Annotation layer
• Feature layer
• Geodatabase raster catalog layer
• Group layer
• File-based raster catalog layer
• Raster layer
• Parcel fabric layer
• Mosaic layer (only available with an Image extension license on the server)

Graphic elements

The following graphic elements are available:

• BMP picture element
• Circle element
• Ellipse element
• EMF picture element
• GIF picture element
• Group element
• Ink graphic
• JP2 picture element
• JPG picture element
• Line element
• Marker element
• Multipatch element
• Paragraph text element
• PNG picture element
• Polygon element
• Rectangle element
• Symbol background
• Symbol border
• Symbol shadow
• Text element
• TIF picture element

Raster symbology

Most raster symbology is available. The raster pan-sharpening filter is also available. Hillshading on the fly is not available.

Symbols

Most 2D symbols are available, but 3D symbols and chart symbols are not supported.

The following symbols are available:

• Arrow marker symbol
• Cartographic line symbol
• Character marker symbol
• Gradient fill symbol
• Hash line symbol
• Line fill symbol
• Marker fill symbol
• Marker line symbol
• Multilayer fill symbol
• Multilayer line symbol
• Multilayer marker symbol
• Picture line symbol
• Picture fill symbol
• Picture marker symbol
• Simple fill symbol
• Simple line symbol
• Simple marker symbol
• Text symbol

Cartographic representation rules are supported, although using representations with MSD-based services is recommended for cached maps only.

ArcGIS Server map caching

You can create ArcGIS Server map caches with MSD-based services. Only fused caches are supported, meaning all the layers in the MSD are "fused" into one image. Caches of type multilayer are not available with MSD-based services.

Miscellaneous

Additional features that are available include these:

• All color ramp types
• All color types
• All number formats
• Bookmarks
• Callouts
• Hyperlinks
• Legends
• Stand-alone tables (listed in the "Data types" section above)

Page layouts are not available. Scale bars are available through the service's Web Service Description Language (WSDL) only.