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Chapter 7 Using GIS to Make a Map
7.5 Map Elements
1. Again, think of the layout as a blank sheet of paper that you’ll use to
construct your map. There are numerous map elements that can be
added, including scale bars, north arrows, and a legend. Each element
has properties (such as creating borders, filling colors, or fixing size
and position) that can be accessed individually (using the black ‘select
elements’ arrow on the Tools toolbar).
2. The default element that appears on the layout is the Data Frame,
which contains all of the GIS data. All of the visible layers in the
TOC under the word “Layers” will appear in this frame. You can’t
manipulate parts of individual layers (for instance, you can’t click
and drag a state somewhere else), but you can treat the entire
Frame as if it’s a map element. Click and drag the Frame around
the map or resize it as you see fit (using the eight blue tabs at its
corners and midpoints), or access its properties (like any regular
element) to create borders around the map or fix it in a particular
position.
3. Map elements can be resized and moved by selecting them with the
mouse and resizing like you would the data frame.
4. Map elements can be deleted by selecting them with the cursor and
pressing the delete key on the keyboard.
7.6 Layer Properties and Layouts
Each layer you use in ArcMap (such as the states) has a set of layer properties. Anything changed in the layer properties will be reflected in changes
to the layout. For instance, if you change the symbology of a layer in its
properties, it will be changed in the layout elements such as the map legend. However, to change the name of the layer and how it will appear in
something like a map legend, the shapefile must be renamed in its Layer
Properties.
1. To do this, return to the Layer Properties and choose General. You can
type a new name for the layer (like “Population Per Square Mile”). Click
OK when you’ve typed in a new name.
7.7 Inserting a Scale Bar
1. To add a scale bar to the map, choose the Insert pull-down menu and
select Scale Bar.
Chapter 7 Using GIS to Make a Map
7.5 Map Elements
1. Again, think of the layout as a blank sheet of paper that you’ll use to
construct your map. There are numerous map elements that can be
added, including scale bars, north arrows, and a legend. Each element
has properties (such as creating borders, filling colors, or fixing size
and position) that can be accessed individually (using the black ‘select
elements’ arrow on the Tools toolbar).
2. The default element that appears on the layout is the Data Frame,
which contains all of the GIS data. All of the visible layers in the
TOC under the word “Layers” will appear in this frame. You can’t
manipulate parts of individual layers (for instance, you can’t click
and drag a state somewhere else), but you can treat the entire
Frame as if it’s a map element. Click and drag the Frame around
the map or resize it as you see fit (using the eight blue tabs at its
corners and midpoints), or access its properties (like any regular
element) to create borders around the map or fix it in a particular
position.
3. Map elements can be resized and moved by selecting them with the
mouse and resizing like you would the data frame.
4. Map elements can be deleted by selecting them with the cursor and
pressing the delete key on the keyboard.
7.6 Layer Properties and Layouts
Each layer you use in ArcMap (such as the states) has a set of layer properties. Anything changed in the layer properties will be reflected in changes
to the layout. For instance, if you change the symbology of a layer in its
properties, it will be changed in the layout elements such as the map legend. However, to change the name of the layer and how it will appear in
something like a map legend, the shapefile must be renamed in its Layer
Properties.
1. To do this, return to the Layer Properties and choose General. You can
type a new name for the layer (like “Population Per Square Mile”). Click
OK when you’ve typed in a new name.
7.7 Inserting a Scale Bar
1. To add a scale bar to the map, choose the Insert pull-down menu and
select Scale Bar.