idea Export Maps Based on Time Interval or Attribute in ArcGIS Pro Ideas

Export Maps Based on Time Interval or Attribute

LeeDavis1 — Tue, 06 Aug 2024 21:45:03 GMT

A time enabled map works similarly to data driven pages in that the view of the data frame changes based on an index (page or time). But there's no option to automatically export individual pages for each time step interval.

I would like the ability to set time enabled data and export individual pages for each time interval like data driven pages.

I was working on a project where I created a time phased build out of a large infrastructure project over 15 years and used the time slider to show the development. I had to export each year as a separate PDF manually. I then converted PDF to JPG and created a nice animation GIF. If I had 100 time intervals this wouldnt have worked at all. It would be great to have an extra option to export GIF file of animation in addition to AVI video.

This actually would be a feature add on for Data Driven Pages. It is simply the ability to add a common attribute to multiple layers and export individual pages based on that attribute. So that you can create and export variations of the data display from a single MXD. For instance if I have various different options for a powerline route.

Re: Export Maps Based on Time Interval or Attribute

TopMap — Mon, 30 Dec 2013 21:26:14 GMT

This is a great idea when you work with time aware data! Please, please add this funcionality!

Re: Export Maps Based on Time Interval or Attribute

JssrRR — Wed, 26 Feb 2014 21:39:11 GMT

I have exported pages as sequential images (jpeg or png) for each time stamp in a time enabled layer.I am using ArcGIS 10.2 and when you use export function on the time slider or animation tool bar, it gives you two choices, AVI and Sequential Images and when you pick Sequential Images, an image for each time interval is exported and all sent to a folder, just like data driven pages. I had about 15 or more images exported out as sequential images,and then I used these to convert to make a video using Raster to video tool from the ArcTool box.

Step time in layout

Anonymous User — Mon, 23 Nov 2020 17:11:22 GMT

It would be really nice to be able to step through time of a map in a layout instead of activating the map then closing it to export it.

alternatively if it were possible to create a map series based on time data where I could select the start, end, and interval, that would also work

Re: Step time in layout - Status changed to: Needs Clarification

KoryKramer — Mon, 23 Nov 2020 17:38:56 GMT

Thank you for posting this idea, @Anonymous User .

If I understand the request correctly, this is already possible to do. Before marking the idea as already offered, though, I wanted to get your confirmation. Take a look at this quick video and let us know if that is what you're looking for.

Cheers,

Kory

Re: Step time in layout

Anonymous User — Mon, 23 Nov 2020 17:53:17 GMT

Hello Kory,

That is helpful but not quite what I'm after as it would require me to make a bookmark for each time rage before hand. that works well if you've only got a few like you show but I've got hundreds of time ranges I need to create maps for and there doesn't seem to be a quick way to do it.

my use case: I've got AVL data and we have a map layout template and we need to create maps for each hour over a certain area. so I need to set up the time steps then export one, then advance the time step, close the map activation, export the layout, etc...

if there is a better way to do this, I'm all ears.

Thank you

Re: Step time in layout - Status changed to: Open

KoryKramer — Mon, 23 Nov 2020 17:55:57 GMT

Re: Step time in layout

JeffBarrette — Tue, 24 Nov 2020 14:50:52 GMT

Hello Joel,

Another alternative is to use the Python arcpy.mp module. If you already have a time enabled layer, you can control the time slices using Python CIM Access.

This (Temporal Map Series) snippet is from a set of samples provided at: https://www.arcgis.com/home/item.html?id=8772f61319584882bb697ba003030636

# Author: Esri
# Date: March 2020
# Version: ArcGISPro 2.5
# Purpose: This script updates the time window for a mapframe on a layout by
# iterating over 5 year time intervals.
# Notes: - The script is intended to work from a script tool provided with
# a sample project using "CURRENT". To see the changes happen be
# sure to active the appropriate map or layout.
# - Because each time window is a separate result, you must get and
# set the CIM for each iteration.
# - Optionally, each time window can be exported to PDF by
# uncommenting the the last line. You may need to change the
# output folder in the string.

from datetime import datetime

p = arcpy.mp.ArcGISProject("current")
lyt = p.listLayouts('Time')[0]

#Iterate from 1975 to 2010 using 5 year intervals
for x in range(1975, 2010, 5):

lyt_cim = lyt.getDefinition('V2') #Get the Layout's CIM definition

#Iterate though all layout elements to find the MapFrame element
for elm in lyt_cim.elements:
if elm.name == 'Map Frame':
#Set start/end time window
elm.view.timeDisplay.timeValue.start = datetime(x, 1, 1, 0, 0)
elm.view.timeDisplay.timeValue.end = datetime(x+5, 1, 1, 0, 0)

lyt.setDefinition(lyt_cim) #set start/end time

#Update the page name in the script tool and optionally export
arcpy.AddMessage(f'Range: {x}-{x+5}')
lyt.exportToPDF(f'C:\Temp\Time_{x}-{x+5}.pdf')

Re: Step time in layout - Status changed to: Under Consideration

AubriOtis — Fri, 17 Dec 2021 23:33:23 GMT

Time-based Map Series

JonathanDandois — Fri, 23 May 2025 16:48:02 GMT

Suggestion: Time-aware or time-enabled Map Series

Use Case:

- I have a Campus Major Construction Projects PDF layout. This is a useful supplement to web maps / apps, can be printed and handed out in the visitor center, and can be used in slide decks when combined with other data.

- We also have a time-aware construction project "fence" dataset which shows the position of fences every month / quarter. This highlights changes in an individual project fence geometry throughout a project's lifecycle, for example showing certain parts of the fence shrink and grow to cover different work. New project geometries appear as we move forward in time, and others go away as those projects are completed. The feature class has both stand and end dates.

- The goal with a time-aware map series would be to cycle each page through a date list, whether from a table, manual entry, or pre-baked list (monthly, yearly, whatever). Just like a spatial map series, the underlying map elements, legend, etc. remain unchanged (or dynamic as needed), but the time-aware layers are able to respond to the page "time" and show the correct geometry for that time stamp.

- In addition, there would be dynamic layout elements that can show the current time stamp for that page to show in titles or subtitles: "Major Construction - May 2025", "Major Construction - August 2025", etc.

I searched and couldn't find anything, so apologies if a duplicate! For doing this manually, I did find this one post which involves Activating the map in the Layout, changing the date in the Time ribbon.

Re: Time-based Map Series

DavidSolari — Fri, 23 May 2025 19:15:11 GMT

Handling date field out of the box would be great, but if not his is another good use case for this other idea for Arcade expressions in the map series options. Right now the workaround is to calculate some fields and use those to drive the map series, which is a pain to maintain if you're constantly tweaking or rerendering a layout.

Re: Time-based Map Series

TomBole — Fri, 23 May 2025 20:41:45 GMT

Hi @JonathanDandois

Currently, you can utilize the date/time stored in a bookmark in order to create a Bookmark Map Series that sets the time for the map frame. You can use dynamic text to display the date/time. One caveat, you won't be able to set a page query on layers such as you can with Spatial Map Series.

This may not be the clean workflow/solution you're looking for, but it might help you get "most" of the job done in the meantime.

Hope this helps,

Tom

Re: Time-based Map Series

JonathanDandois — Wed, 28 May 2025 11:37:09 GMT

@TomBole Interesting, I will investigate that.

My current approach is just to use Spatial Map Series with a number of polygons with a "named" timestamp string, then use that for a page query.

So in a new polygon FC I just create a bunch of identical rectangles that match the map extent. I assign an MapSeriesOrder INT and then a MapSeriesTimeStep string that corresponds to the same new string in the time aware FC. So if the time aware FC has features with Start 2025/11/01 - End 2026/01/31, then the MapSeriesTimeStep in the time aware FC and the map series extent FC have the same value of 'November 2025 - February 2026' and then the Page Query can be applied to only reveal the features relevant for that time period based on the string. Kind of breaks the time aware aspect, but it is workable.