Mapping and visualization > Symbolizing data > Styles and symbols
About styles |
|
|
Release 9.2
Last modified January 4, 2008 |
Print all topics in : "Styles and symbols" |
Styles are a collection of predefined colors, symbols, properties of symbols, and map elements that allow you to follow a mapping standard and help promote consistency in your organization's mapping products.
Styles help define not only how data is drawn but also the appearance and placement of map elements and other cartographic additions on your map. Styles provide storage for your colors, map elements, symbols, and properties of symbols. Every time you choose and apply a particular map element or symbol, you are using the contents of a style.
Benefits of using styles include
- Maintaining mapping standards for symbols, colors, patterns, methods of rendering distributions, relationships, and trends
- Communicating more effectively through familiar styles that enable people to easily explore, understand, and analyze a map
- Using a map template with referenced styles or groups of styles when creating a map or map series
- Standardizing map symbolization so your maps will look the same when they are published or printed with different printers
How styles are used
Styles help describe how data is drawn, as well as the appearance and placement of map elements, symbols, and other cartographic additions on your map. Every time you select and apply a particular map element or symbol, you are using the contents of a style.
Styles are designed to be used with map templates and feature layers. A style or group of styles can be referenced with a map template to help you create a map for a specific purpose or a map series. You can work with styles using the Style Manager in ArcMap.
Why styles are used
Styles can help you maintain standards for
- Symbols
- Colors
- Patterns
- Methods of rendering distributions, relationships, and trends
Styles are a powerful tool that let you easily explore, understand, and analyze a map. ArcMap comes with a wide variety of styles to help you create maps that convey the right message for a specific application and audience.