Symbology based on more than 1 field

KajVan_der_Hallen

Hi all! I've a question.

Assume that I've a data input with some location data, some other stuff and a field Name and two fields Type1,Type2 (wich are 2 boolean fields).

Now, I've put this information on a map, but I want to use the next symbology:

Color based on the name (3 possibilities: '1': red, '2': blue, '3': green, and Type defines the symbol that's used (4 possibilities here)

Now, is there an other, easier way to realize this than making for each name value a group layer, and within each of those grouplayers, again 4 grouplayers for each Type-bool possibilitie? Because in reality, there are more than just 3 options in the name field so it's a lot of work this way..

~Kajvdh

JoshuaDamron

Kajvdh,
  So far as I know ArcGIS can't do exactly what you are asking for, however there are work arounds. 

I've come across situations which may be similar to yours where I wanted to create symbol combinations of shape and color based on the values in two fields  (a simple example could be mapping flower farms with a shape to depict their specialty flower and a color to show if they take cash, credit or both).  Figuring out a way to do this without going through the headache of populating all the symbology combinations by hand can be tricky (though the style manager makes this much easier).

Assuming you are tracking with me, a way to do this is to have one field be the "Type" (shape) and the other be the "Color" (color).  Symbolize your features with a shape based upon type and have the symbology be transparent/see through.  Now add your shape file/feature class to your .mxd again and place this duplicate layer beneath the original in the table of contents.  Symbolize the duplicate layer based upon the color field and select the color background or halo you want for each symbol type.

Now you have a bunch of symbology combinations on your map with very little leg work... Now the legend is the real tricky part...

Hope this helps!