Tracing polygons to create feature classes from a PDF that is not geo referrenced.

NJ2021

Basically I have a work site that I have created an arcgis PRO map for. I have an old screen shot of the site as a PDF that has polygons and hand drawn data on it of site areas. All I want to do is upload this PDF into my map, manually move and zoom the layer so it matches my current map and trace the hand drawn lines to create feature classes. 

When I bring it into the map as a pdf it opens on the map but it is not clear where, it is somewhere in the known universe but not located on planet earth, zooming to the layer takes me off the world map and is in white space somewhere.

Is there a simple way to just manipulate an image as a layer and trace it? Possibly I need to georeference the old PDF which I have never done, and was hoping for a quick simple work a round.

Any thought gratefully received

Thanks

ValerieCaden-Baptiste

I would recommend converting your PDF File to a TIFF File, you may use the PDF to TIFF Geoprocessing Tool. 

Once you have added your TIFF into ArcGIS Pro, you can use the Fit To Display tool in the Georeferencing options to fit your image to your intended area. I've shared a short video to demonstrate the tool. From there, you can georeference your image, create your feature class, and use the editing tools to create polygon the features. 

I would also recommend looking at the following ArcGIS Pro Idea:  https://community.esri.com/t5/arcgis-pro-ideas/georeferencing-pdfs-in-arcgis-pro/idi-p/923669 

 

Additional resources:

Georeference a raster to a referenced layer: https://pro.arcgis.com/en/pro-app/latest/help/data/imagery/georeferencing-a-raster-to-a-referenced-layer.htm 

Georeferencing tools: https://pro.arcgis.com/en/pro-app/3.1/help/data/imagery/georeferencing-tools.htm 

Create a feature class: https://pro.arcgis.com/en/pro-app/latest/help/data/feature-classes/create-a-feature-class.htm 

Create features: https://pro.arcgis.com/en/pro-app/3.1/help/editing/get-started-editing.htm#ESRI_SECTION1_C1B1369180244477B87A7D72C1E8C9C5 

Esri_Community_Fit_to_Display_Demo.mp4