topic Re: Can I draw a graphic line to be a certain length to scale in a map? in ArcGIS Pro Questions

Can I draw a graphic line to be a certain length to scale in a map?

SusanHall4 — Mon, 05 Jan 2026 15:27:32 GMT

ArcGIS Pro 3.5 - Can I draw a graphic line to be a certain length to scale in a map? I used to be able to do that in ArcMap, but I can't figure out how to do it in Pro. I use the graphic layer when I am doing design drawing sketching and not trying to create a map to publish. In ArcMap the graphics layer was more "sketch on drafting paper like" than creating features with an attribute table. Let's say I want to draw a diagonal line 20' long, the element is sized as the box around the line element.

Re: Can I draw a graphic line to be a certain length to scale in a map?

AyanPalit — Mon, 05 Jan 2026 16:20:29 GMT

@SusanHall4 Good ask, but like you, I couldn't figure this out. The workaround for me is to configure the reference grid so I can know approximate lengths while sketching.

Re: Can I draw a graphic line to be a certain length to scale in a map?

DuncanHornby — Wed, 07 Jan 2026 10:10:44 GMT

@SusanHall4 the Graphics layer does not have the same suite of sketching tools as when creating a feature in a feature class. If you want access to such tools you probably need to start using Map Notes these are preconfigured feature classes (so they sit in the default geodatabase) which you sketch into. As its a genuine feature class it will have all the sketching tools to constrain length/distance etc.

But its not a graphics layer that sits within the project file. If you demand this then one can constrain graphics by altering the properties. This works for a few graphics but if you have hundreds this approach may be impractical?

See the video below, I create a random line graphic, set to 10m long, then show how I reset it to 20m long and finally prove the length with the measure tool.

Tweaking a graphics property

Re: Can I draw a graphic line to be a certain length to scale in a map?

SusanHall4 — Tue, 06 Jan 2026 17:52:29 GMT

Thank you, both of the responses help me know that what I was looking for is no longer a tool, and also provide a workaround.