Creating representations
A representation can be created on a feature class by converting a symbolized layer in ArcMap from the shortcut menu of a layer in the Table of Contents window. Automatically created representation rules will be assigned to features when you create a representation by converting a layer.
Alternatively, a representation can also be created on a feature class from the Feature Class Properties dialog box in ArcCatalog. You will need to create representation rules and assign them to the appropriate features if you use this method.
Once the new representation has been created, create representation rules as necessary and apply them to selected features in an edit session with the Representation Properties window in ArcMap.
Symbolizing layers with representations
To draw a layer with a representation, ensure that the source feature class contains at least one representation. The Symbology tab on the Layer Properties dialog box will show a Representations heading in the left column if at least one representation is present. Choose a representation from this column to use to draw the features. Modify the properties of the rules if desired.
Working with representation rules
Representation rules are typically modified from the Symbology tab on the Layer Properties dialog box, but this can also be done from the Representations tab on the Feature Class Properties dialog box in ArcCatalog. Typical modifications include adjusting symbol layer properties, adding geometric effects, and modifying marker placement styles.
When working with marker symbol layers, click the marker itself to open the Marker Editor dialog box to modify representation markers.
The Representation Marker Selector dialog box will open with the marker showing in the Preview window. Click Properties to open the Marker Editor.
Overriding representation rules
Overrides are exceptions made to a representation rule on individual features. They are a way of customizing the appearance of a few key features without breaking the representation rule structure or creating many unique rules to handle outlier situations. Both the properties of a representation rule and the drawing geometry can be overridden for individual features when they are drawn with representations.
Working with the Representation toolbar
Overrides are created and modified from the Representation toolbar during an edit session.
The commands on the Representation menu on the Representation toolbar are operations that can be performed on selected feature representations.
- Make Invisible turns off the visibility property for selected features.
- Make Visible turns on the visibility property for selected features.
- Clear Shape Overrides removes shape overrides for selected features.
- Clear Property Overrides removes property overrides for selected features.
- Free Representation lists the available operations for free representation features.
- Options opens the Representation Options dialog box where you can specify the size of the feature representation vertices and the view mode.
Representation toolbar buttons and their functions
Buttons | Name | Function | Shortcut key |
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Select | Selects one or more whole feature representations for editing. | Press G to activate the Select tool. Press again to switch to the Direct Select tool. | |
Direct Select | Selects segments and vertices of one or more feature representations for geometry editing. | Press G twice to activate the Direct Select tool. Press again to switch to the Select tool. | |
Lasso Select | Selects one or more whole feature representations for editing by drawing a free-form outline. | Press L to activate the Lasso Select tool. Press again to switch to the Lasso Direct Select tool. | |
Lasso Direct Select | Selects segments and vertices of one or more feature representations for geometry editing by drawing a free-form outline. | Press L twice to activate the Lasso Direct Select tool. Press again to switch to the Lasso Select tool. | |
Insert Vertex | Adds a new vertex to a selected feature representation. | Press I to activate the Insert Vertex tool. Press again to switch to the Delete Vertex tool. | |
Delete Vertex | Removes a vertex from a selected feature representation. | Press I twice to activate the Delete Vertex tool. Press again to switch to the Insert Vertex tool. | |
Insert Bezier | Adds a new Bézier vertex to a selected feature representation. | Press U to activate the Insert Bezier tool. Press again to switch to the Delete Bezier tool. | |
Delete Bezier | Removes a Bézier vertex from a selected feature representation. A standard representation vertex will remain in its place. | Press U to activate the Delete Bezier tool. Press again to switch to the Insert Bezier tool. | |
Insert Control Point | Adds a new control point vertex to a selected feature representation. | Press Y to activate the Insert Control Point tool. Press again to switch to the Delete Control Point tool. | |
Delete Control Point | Removes a control point vertex from a selected feature representation. A standard representation vertex will remain in its place. | Press Y to activate the Delete Control Point tool. Press again to switch to the Insert Control Point tool. | |
Warp | Smoothly reshapes feature representations by moving selected segments proportionally to the direction you drag with the mouse. | Press W to activate the Warp tool. | |
Move Parallel | Reshapes feature representations by moving selected segments parallel to their original locations. | Press P to activate the Move Parallel tool. | |
Erase | Erases portions of feature representations. | Press E to activate the Erase tool. | |
Mask | Interactively creates masks on selected feature representations. | Press K to activate the Mask tool. | |
Rotate | Rotates feature representation geometry and/or representation properties. | Press R to activate the Rotate tool. Press again to open the Angle dialog box. | |
Orient | Orients feature representation rule properties to a common angle. | Press O to activate the Orient tool. Press again to open the Angle dialog box. | |
Resize | Resizes feature representation geometry and/or representation properties. | Press S to activate the Resize tool. Press again to open the Ratio dialog box. | |
Move | Moves feature representation geometry and/or representation properties. | Press M to activate the Move tool. Press again to open the Offsets dialog box. | |
Offset | Offsets feature representation rule properties to a common distance. | Press F to activate the Offset tool. Press again to open the Offsets dialog box. | |
Representation Properties | Opens the Representation Properties dialog box. | Press D to activate the Drawing tab of the Representation Properties window. Press T to activate the Tools tab of the Representation Properties window. |
Working with representation properties
The Drawing tab of the Representation Properties dialog box shows the properties of representation rules as applied to the selected feature(s). Any changes that are made to these properties from this window will be stored as feature-specific overrides and will appear anywhere the feature class is drawn with the current representation.
The Tools tab of the Representation Properties window is used in conjunction with the five manual editing tools, Rotate , Orient , Resize , Move , and Offset , to interactively override feature shape and certain rule properties.
Working with free representations
Free representations are features that have their own independent rule. You can think of them as having been completely overridden. While the free representation is a useful way to get a very specific appearance for a few significant features, it should be used sparingly. Free representations will impact drawing performance if used excessively and must be updated and modified manually.
Free representation operations
Operation | Description | Result |
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Convert to Free Representation |
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Convert Effect to Geometry |
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Separate Symbol Layers |
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Ungroup Elements |
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Delete Elements |
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Edit Free Representation |
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The Free Representation Editor dialog box is used to modify all aspects of a free representation.