Using the Layers tab expand/collapse all
Related Topics

Using the Layer Properties dialog

Using the legend

expand/collapse item About the layers tab

The Layers tab has tools for changing layer properties and adding renderers. A renderer provides the framework for adding symbols. Each symbol must be associated with a renderer. The layers tab allows you to create complex symbols as well as set scale dependencies.

You can use more than one symbol to represent a layer. This is done by grouping together several renderers. For example, suppose you create a streets layer using a thick black line. You then add a second symbol, a thin white line. The result is a black and white line symbolizing the street features.

You can also change a layer's symbology based on scale. This is done by setting scale dependent renderers. When a map is zoomed out, you may want to show simple symbols. As you zoom in, you may want to show more detail by using a different set of symbols.

The Layers tab toolbar also includes buttons for changing the drawing order of renderers, removing renderers, and clearing labels. When changing the drawing order of renderers, keep in mind that renderers at the bottom of the list draw first and appear behind renderers at the top of the list.

 Layer tab buttons

expand/collapse item How to use the layers tab options

expand/collapse item Editing an existing renderer

  1. Click the Layers tab.
  2. Click the Active Layer dropdown arrow, and click a layer.
  3. Click the Edit selected renderer button.

    The Layer Properties dialog box appears.

  4. Make your changes to the layer's properties.
  5. Click OK to apply your changes and to close the Layer Properties dialog box.

expand/collapse item Adding another renderer

  1. Click the Layers tab.
  2. Click the Active Layer dropdown arrow, and click a layer.
  3. Click the Add another renderer button.

    The Layer Properties dialog box appears.

  4. Set the symbol for the new renderer.
  5. Click OK to apply your changes and to close the Layer Properties dialog box.

expand/collapse item Changing the drawing order of renderers

  1. Click the Layers tab.
  2. Click the Active Layer dropdown arrow, and click a layer.
  3. Click a renderer in the list of renders.
  4. Click Move renderer up. The renderer draws on top of those below it in the list.
  5. Click Move renderer down. The renderer draws behind those above it in the list.

expand/collapse item Removing a renderer

  1. Click the Layers tab.
  2. Click the Active Layer dropdown arrow, and click the layer from which to remove a renderer.
  3. Click a renderer in the list of renderers.
  4. Click the Remove selected renderer button.

expand/collapse item Clearing labels

  1. Click the Layers tab.
  2. Click the Active Layer dropdown arrow, and click the layer from which to remove labels.
  3. Click the Clear labels button.

expand/collapse item Tips

The Layers tab versus the Layer Properties button

The Add another renderer, Move renderer up, Move renderer down, and Clear scale dependent renderer tools are only available on the Layers tab.

Drawing order of shield and label renderers

Shield and label renderers draw on top of all layers. This means that even if a layer draws behind other layers, its shields and labels draw on top of other layers in the map. Shields will not draw on top of labels. ArcIMS Author tries to place shields so that they do not obscure labels.



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