Modifying symbols and map elements
Release 9.2 Last modified January 4, 2008	Print all topics in : "Styles and symbols"

About modifying and saving symbols

You can use the Style Manager to create new symbols or modify an existing symbol.
When you save your changes from the Symbol Selector dialog box, the new symbols are stored in your personal style folder. Later, you can use the Style Manager to move them into another style. When you insert a map element on the map layout, you can modify its properties. Later, you may decide to make more changes and save them to use in another map.
Most map elements are composed of a mix of symbols and map elements. For example, the north arrow's graphic comes from a marker that is created from a font, and its frame comes from a border and background that are created from other symbols.
To set or modify properties of a map element or symbol in a style, double-click it in the contents window of the Style Manager. This opens a property dialog box and allows you to define the appearance of the element or symbol and save changes within the style.
Layers appear in the list according to the order in which they are drawn. Therefore, the bottom layer will be covered by the layer listed above it.
By adding or working with layers, you can enhance the symbols that already exist or combine them to make new symbols. The layers you use can be a mixture of different symbol types and properties, such as color, width, and offset. Turning on or off a layer affects which layers will be viewed in the preview. Although locking and unlocking a layer does not affect the capabilities of the Symbol Property Editor, it does affect the ability to change the color in the Symbol Selector you access through the Layer Properties dialog box. Therefore, if you change the symbol color, only the unlocked layers will change to the new color.

How to modify and save symbols

How to modify and save map elements

1. Double-click the element in layout view that you want to modify.
   
This opens a Properties dialog box.

2. Click the Color drop-down arrow and click a new color.
   
3. Click the Style button.
   
4. Click Save.
   
5. Type a name and click OK.
   
This element is stored in your personal style folder.

6. Click OK.
   
7. Click the Frame tab.
   
8. Click the Style Selector button to change the border style.
   
9. Click Properties.
   
10. Choose the desired properties on the Border dialog box and click OK.
    
11. Click Save.
    
12. Type a name and click OK.
    
This style is stored in your personal style folder.

13. Click OK.
    
14. Repeat steps 8 through 13 to set the background style and properties.
    
15. Click OK.
    

Tips

What's the difference between modifying symbols and map elements? Map elements have an additional Frame tab for background and border properties. Sometimes a symbol layer or layers are locked and cannot be modified. In this case, you can either click Properties and use the Symbol Property Editor dialog box to modify the colors, or, if you find you will be modifying this color often, you may want to unlock the layer and save the symbol. You can use the Style Selector button or the drop-down arrows to choose a border, background, or drop shadow for your symbols and map elements.

Modifying and saving symbols used to draw feature layers

1. Click the symbol you want to modify in the table of contents.
   
The Symbol Selector dialog box is displayed.

2. Click a symbol.
   
3. Use the Color and Size Options to set specific properties if you want to make further simple modifications.
   
4. Click Properties to access the Symbol Property Editor dialog box if you want to make further advanced modifications.
   
5. Click OK.
   
6. Click Save.
   
7. Type a Symbol Name.
   
Your new symbol is saved in your personal style and appears at the top of the Style contents window.

8. Click OK on the Save Symbol to Style dialog box.
   


9. Click OK on the Symbol Selector dialog box.
   

Tips

If you can't modify the color of a symbol, a layer may be locked. If this is the case, you can click Properties and use the Symbol Property Editor dialog to modify the colors. When you save a symbol, you can specify a name and a category for class distinction. The category can be used to differentiate drawing methods and other criteria, and it can be viewed in the Style Manager. Click the preview area on the Symbol Selector dialog box to display the properties of a symbol. The menus on the Symbol Selector and map element Properties dialog boxes use points. The Symbol Property Editor can be set to use points, inches, centimeters, or millimeters.

Modifying symbols used to draw graphics

1. Double-click a graphic element on the map in layout view or click the context menu and click Properties.
   
2. Change the Color, Size, and Angle options as needed or click Symbol and choose another symbol.
   
3. Click Properties to access the Symbol Property Editor dialog box if you want to make further changes.
   
4. Click OK.
   

Tips

If you can't modify the color of a symbol, a layer may be locked. If this is the case, you can click Properties and use the Symbol Property Editor dialog box to modify the colors you want. Click the preview area on the Symbol Selector dialog box to display the properties of a symbol. The menus on the Symbol Selector and map element Properties dialog boxes use points. The Symbol Property Editors can be set to use points, inches, centimeters, or millimeters.

Using the Draw toolbar to make quick symbol changes

1. Click the graphic element in layout view that you want to modify.
   
2. Click the appropriate button on the Draw toolbar.
   
3. Click the new property.
   
Your changes are immediately applied.

Tips

The shortcuts on the Draw toolbar only modify graphic elements, they can't modify symbols used to draw features. If you can't modify the color of a symbol, a layer may be locked. If this is the case, you can click Properties and use the Symbol Property Editor dialog box to modify the colors you want. Click the preview area on the Symbol Selector dialog box to display the properties of a symbol. The menus on the Symbol Selector and map element Properties dialog boxes use points. The Symbol Property Editor can be set to use points, inches, centimeters, or millimeters.

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