Creating fixed background overview diagrams

Creating a fixed background overview diagram

In fixed background overview diagrams, the extent and scale of the background data remain fixed while the map sheet area of interest extent moves. For this type of overview diagram, there are two options when creating a fixed background. The first is by turning off the centering property of the area of interest. The second is to set an intersection area of interest feature class. Each option will work with either an extent rectangle for displaying the extent of the basemap data frame or by setting a dynamic definition query to show the shape of the area of interest (AOI) feature in the overview diagram.

Steps:

1. Start ArcMap.
2. On the main menu, click Customize > Toolbars > MPS Atlas.
3. After using the initial setup to set up your overview diagram, access the data frame manager properties by clicking the Show Data Frame Manager Properties button on the MPS Atlas toolbar.

   The Properties dialog box appears.

4. Click Add.

   The Select Data Frame dialog box appears.

5. Click the Select Data Frame to Manage drop-down arrow and choose the data frame you have set up for your overview diagram.

   A new data frame manager appears in the Properties dialog box.

6. Click to choose the data frame manager and click Properties.

   The Data Frame Manager Properties dialog box appears.

7. Click the Name tab and rename the data frame manager to give it a name you associate with your overview diagram.
8. Click the Data Frame Manager tab and uncheck the Recenter Map on Area Of Interest? check box.
9. Click the Dynamic Definition Query tab and choose the Feature Layer Definition Query option.
10. Check the feature layer that is also being used for your map sheet area of interest.
11. Click the Feature Layer Field Name and Map Sheet Field Name drop-down arrows and choose for both the same attribute that you used for your map sheet area of interest.
12. Click OK.

    The Properties dialog box appears.

13. Click Sync to refresh your overview diagram with the data frame manager changes you have just made.
14. Click OK.
    Note:

    You can also use an extent rectangle to display an AOI on an overview diagram.

Creating an intersecting area of interest for a fixed background overview diagram

The second type of fixed background uses the intersection of two feature classes to set the area of interest in the overview diagram. This option also works with either an extent rectangle for displaying the extent of the basemap data frame or by setting a dynamic definition query to show the shape of the AOI feature in the overview diagram.

Steps:

1. Start ArcMap.
2. On the main menu, click Customize > Toolbars > MPS Atlas.
3. After using the initial setup to set up your overview diagram, access the data frame manager properties by clicking the Show Data Frame Manager Properties button on the MPS Atlas toolbar.

   The Data Frame Manager Properties dialog box appears.

4. Click Add.

   The Select Data Frame dialog box appears.

5. Click the Select Data Frame to Manage drop-down arrow and choose the data frame you have set up for your overview diagram.

   A new data frame manager appears in the Properties dialog box.

6. Click to choose the data frame manager and click Properties.

   The Data Frame Manager Properties dialog box appears.

7. Click the Area of Interest tab and choose Intersection Area of Interest.
8. Click Browse and navigate to the feature class you want to use for your Intersection Area of Interest.
9. Click Select.

   This is the feature class that will be used for the area of interest in the overview diagram. The map sheet area of interest will be intersected with this feature class to determine what feature will be centered in the area of interest. For example, if you have a county map and you want to show the state it is in, you would have counties as your map sheet area of interest and pick states as your intersection area of interest.

10. In the Intersection area, choose Centroid or Whole Shape.
11. In the Result area, choose First or Largest Area for the feature that intersects with the largest area of the map sheet area of interest, or Union of All for all the features that intersect the whole shape of the area of interest.
12. Click the Dynamic Definition Query tab and choose the Feature Layer Definition Query option.
13. Check the check box next to the feature layer that is also being used for your map sheet area of interest.
14. Click the Feature Layer Field Name and the Map Sheet Field Name drop-down arrows and choose for both the same attribute that you used for your Map Sheet Area of Interest.
15. Click OK.

    The Properties dialog box appears.

16. Click Sync to refresh your overview diagram with the data frame manager changes you have just made.
17. Click OK.
    Note:

    You can also use an extent rectangle to display an AOI on an overview diagram.