Displaying layers at certain scales
Release 9.3 Last modified October 5, 2010	Print all topics in : "Working with layers"

About displaying layers at certain scales

Note: This topic was updated for 9.3.1.

Normally, if a layer is turned on (checked) in the table of contents, ArcMap will draw it. However, as you zoom out, it may become difficult to see the more detailed information, or as you zoom in, information may become too coarse. While you can turn off a layer, this may be inconvenient, especially if your map contains several layers or if you change the scale frequently as you work.

Layers can be set to automatically display only within the appropriate scale. You can set a layer's visible scale range on the General tab of the Layer Properties dialog box. Whenever the scale of the data frame is outside the layer's visible scale range, the layer will not draw.

The ability to set the scale range for a layer's visibility is useful because you can progressively display more detailed layers as you zoom in on an area. If a layer isn't drawing because it has a visible scale range set, you'll see a dimmed scale bar under the layer's check box in the table of contents.

Group layers are also a useful shortcut when you need to set visible scale ranges for more than one layer. Often it makes sense to create group layers for each scale range within which your map will display data. The scale range within which a group layer is set to display features overrides the scale range of any layers within the group layer. To further refine the level of detail shown within your map, you can set any of the layers within a group layer to turn on or off at scales within the scale range of the group layer.

Learn more about group layers

How to display layers at specified scales

Setting the minimum visible scale for a layer

1. Right-click the layer in the table of contents and click Properties.
   
2. Click the General tab.
   
3. Click Don't show layer when zoomed.
   
4. Type a minimum scale for the layer.
   
If you zoom out beyond this scale, the layer will not be visible.

5. Click OK.
   

Setting the maximum visible scale for a layer

1. Right-click the layer in the table of contents and click Properties.
   
2. Click the General tab.
   
3. Click Don't show layer when zoomed.
   
4. Type a maximum scale for the layer.
   
If you zoom in beyond this scale, the layer will not be visible.

5. Click OK.
   

Setting a visible scale based on the current scale

1. Adjust the data frame display to the appropriate scale.
   
2. Right-click the layer for which you want to set a visible scale.
   


3. Point to Visible Scale Range and click Set Maximum Scale or Set Minimum Scale.
   

Zooming to make a layer visible

Right-click a layer that is currently not being drawn because of the map's scale and click Zoom To Make Visible.
ArcMap zooms to the nearest scale at which the layer will become visible.

Tips

Zoom To Make Visible is enabled if the layer has a visible scale range and is currently not being drawn because of the map's scale. This command makes it easier to zoom your map to a scale at which the layer will become visible. The centerpoint of the map is maintained during this zoom. Using the command doesn't necessarily mean you will see the layer's features on your map, since you may be looking at a part of the map where no features are located.

Clearing a layer's visible scale

Right-click the layer for which you want to clear a visible scale range, point to Visible Scale Range, and click Clear Scale Range.

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