Working with markers

Markers are symbols used to represent a point location on the map. You can add markers or upload your own to create maps related to breaking news stories.

In this topic, you will learn how to do the following:

Adding predefined markers to the map

Add predefined markers to symbolize point locations on the map. Predefined markers come standard with Esri MapStudio and let you quickly add point locations on the map to create informative maps.

Steps:
  1. Select or create a New Marker Layer using one of the following methods:
    • On the Tool ribbon, click New Marker Layer New Marker Layer button. Enter a name for the new marker layer and click OK.
    • Select an existing marker layer from the Layer drop-down menu.

    Markers are applied to the selected marker layer.

  2. Click the Change Marker button Change Marker button.

    The Change Marker dialog box appears.

    Add Marker dialog box

  3. Select a marker type from the drop-down menu.

    The thumbnails of predefined markers update based on the selected marker type.

  4. Click to highlight a marker from the thumbnail view.
    Add Marker dialog box with predefined marker selected
  5. Click Done.
  6. Click the map to place the marker.
  7. Repeat as needed until all desired markers are placed on the map.
    Example of predefined markers added to the map

Uploading custom markers from a file

You can upload custom markers from a locally stored image file. Uploaded image files must be in one of the following formats: *.jpg, *.jpeg, or *.png.

Steps:
  1. Select or create a marker layer using one of the following methods:
    • On the Tool ribbon, click New Marker Layer New Marker Layer button. Enter a name for the new marker layer and click OK.
    • Select an existing marker layer from the Layer drop-down menu.

    The markers are applied to the selected marker layer.

  2. Click Add Marker Add Marker button.

    The Add Marker dialog box appears.

    Add Marker dialog box

  3. Click File System.

    The Select file(s) to upload dialog box appears.

  4. Select an image file.

    Custom markers can be uploaded from your local machine. Files must be in an image format with one of the following extensions: *.jpg., *.jpeg., or *.png.

  5. Once you have select an image file, click Open.

    The uploaded image is displayed as a custom marker.

  6. Click to highlight a marker from the thumbnail view.
    Add Marker dialog box with custom marker selected
  7. Click Done.
  8. Click the map to place the marker.
  9. Repeat as needed until all desired markers are placed on the map.
    Example map with custom markers

Remove markers

You may find that some markers are unnecessary or are no longer needed on the map. You can remove individual markers or draw a bounding box around all markers you want to remove.

Steps:
  1. Select an existing marker layer from the Content drop-down menu.
  2. On the Tool ribbon, click Delete Markup Remove Markers .
  3. Delete markers from the map using one of the following methods:
    • Draw a box around the marker(s) you want to delete.
    • Click an individual marker to delete.
      Example of removing a marker
  4. Repeat step 2 as needed until all desired markers are removed from the map.

Resize markers

Markers are drawn on the map with a default size. However, you can use the context menu to change the size of markers to best illustrate your story.

NoteNote:

The Resize option can be used for a single-marker edit or for all markers of the same type. To learn more about toggling the marker edit modes, see Toggle the marker edit mode.

Steps:
  1. Open a marker layer using one of the following methods:
    • On the Tool ribbon, click New Marker Layer New Marker Layer button. Enter a name for the new marker layer and click OK.
    • Select an existing marker layer from the Content drop-down menu and click.

    Now you can make changes with the marker tools.

  2. Add markers to the map (Optional).
  3. Right-click a marker on the map.

    A context menu appears. The context menu contains options for working with markers.

  4. Click Resize.

    The marker size slider appears.

  5. Slide the marker size slider to the desired size.
    Example of resizing a marker

    When you click the marker slider, the current pixel size is displayed. The marker updates dynamically to let you view your changes.

  6. Repeat steps 3–5 as needed.

Change markers

You can use the marker context menu to change the marker symbology. This feature lets you update existing markers to a different predefined marker or custom marker.

NoteNote:

The Change Marker option can be used in single-marker mode or the universal marker mode. To learn more about toggling the modes, see Toggle the marker edit mode.

Steps:
  1. Open a marker layer using one of the following methods:
    • On the Tool ribbon, click New Marker Layer New Marker Layer button. Enter a name for the new marker layer and click OK.
    • Select an existing marker layer from the Content drop-down menu.

    Now you are in an edit session. The marker tools are enabled.

  2. Add markers to the map (Optional).
  3. Right-click a marker on the map.

    A context menu appears. The context menu contains options for working with markers.

  4. Click Change Marker.

    The Add Marker dialog box opens. The marker type and marker is highlighted.

    Add Marker dialog box with current marker selected

  5. Select a new marker symbol using one of the following methods:
    • Select a marker type from the drop-down menu and click to select a predefined marker.
    • Click File System and select a local image file. Click to select the custom marker.
  6. Click Done.

    The marker on the map is updated to the new marker symbol.

  7. Repeat steps 3–5 as needed.

Move markers

You can use the Move tool to change the placement of markers on the map.

Steps:
  1. Open a marker layer using one of the following methods:
    • On the Tool ribbon, click New Marker Layer New Marker Layer button. Enter a name for the new marker layer and click OK.
    • Select an existing marker layer from the Content drop-down menu.

    The marker tools are enabled.

  2. Add markers to the map (Optional).
  3. Right-click a marker on the map.

    A context menu appears. The context menu contains options for working with markers.

  4. Click Move.

    The cursor turns into a cursor with crosshairs.

  5. Click to select the marker.
  6. Drag the marker to the desired location.
    Example of moving a marker
  7. Repeat steps 3–6 as needed.

Toggle the marker edit mode

As you make changes to markers on your map, you can choose to work with individual markers or all similar markers in the active layer.

By default, you are in single-marker mode. Any edits you make will only occur to the selected marker. However, you can toggle between modes. You can turn on edits for all similar markers to make universal edits in the active layer.

Steps:
  1. Right-click a marker on the map.

    A context menu appears. The context menu contains options for working with markers.

  2. Click Toggle Marker Edit Mode.

    A confirmation dialog box appears. Any edit you make will not affect all similar markers in this editable layer.

    Confirmation dialog box for universal changes to similar markers in the editable layer

  3. Click OK.
  4. Edit the marker(s) as needed.
  5. Click Save Marker Layer Save Maker Layer button.

To return to single-marker edit mode, repeat steps 1–2 above. When you are in single-marker edit mode, edits will only affect the single marker. A confirmation dialog box appears to let you know you are in single-marker edit mode.

Confirmation dialog box for single-marker edit mode

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4/16/2012