topic Re: How do I make points from a data set different colors, as well as different sizes? in Mapping Questions

How do I make points from a data set different colors, as well as different sizes?

OliverRay — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 19:17:09 GMT

I know this is a symbology issue. I have lat/lon data which populates the points, but I need to make variable sizes from one row of data and variable colors from another row.

Example: Row A contains several lines of 3 or 4 repeating variables that need to be assigned 3 or 4 colors. Row B contains all different values which need to be plotted with variable size, in accordance to their values or value ranges. Rows C and D contain lat/lon data, Rows C and D are a non-issue.

PLEASE HELP WITH THIS! It's probably not too difficult but I've been stuck on it for too long!

Thanks,

Oliver

Re: How do I make points from a data set different colors, as well as different sizes?

ChrisDonohue__GISP — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 19:41:05 GMT

Here's a starting point:

Symbolizing data based on unique attribute values

http://resources.arcgis.com/en/help/main/10.1/index.html#//006300000018000000

If this doesn't provide what you need, let us know what else is needed. There are other ways to do the symbolization, so more detail would be needed to chose the best method (they tend to get more complex).

Chris Donohue, GISP

Re: How do I make points from a data set different colors, as well as different sizes?

ChrisDonohue__GISP — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 20:15:00 GMT

Here's an example I threw together quickly, which I think might be representative of what you are trying to do (please see attached jpg):

I'm assuming you want to symbolize simulataneously with two fields, so chose the "unique values, many categories". To have ArcGIS provide all the possible data combinations, hit the "Add All Values" button and it will come up with a default series of symbols for all the combinations in your data.

The symbology itself can then be modified to suit your needs in the window in the Layer Properties, Symbology Tab. Click on the Symbol in the "Symbol" column and a "Symbol Selector" window will come up with many symbol options, including size and color.

You can also edit the symbols by clicking on them in the Table of Contents.

Chris Donohue, GISP

Re: How do I make points from a data set different colors, as well as different sizes?

OliverRay — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 20:24:14 GMT

Chris,

I follow what you did in that image. I am trying to make the first value field well operator and the second value field average MCF/D of gas production. When I do this and click "Add All Values", it comes up with nothing.

Re: How do I make points from a data set different colors, as well as different sizes?

OliverRay — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 20:43:31 GMT

Re: How do I make points from a data set different colors, as well as different sizes?

ChrisDonohue__GISP — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 20:59:47 GMT

Interesting. Can you post a snapshot of the first several lines of your attribute data?

Re: How do I make points from a data set different colors, as well as different sizes?

ChrisDonohue__GISP — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 21:03:13 GMT

And I need to ask, in case I missed an obvious issue, is the data already developed into a feature class or shapefile? If not, that would have to happen before it can be symbolized.

Re: How do I make points from a data set different colors, as well as different sizes?

OliverRay — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 21:17:08 GMT

I just clicked add data and added the excel file I had saved. That's how I have always done it and it always works, for one variable thought. I can not show some of the data but here is a snapshot of what I am able to show you.

Re: How do I make points from a data set different colors, as well as different sizes?

ChrisDonohue__GISP — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 21:45:57 GMT

Ah, I think I see the issue. It looks like it is not currently a shapefile or feature class. That's why the symbolization is not working as intended.

BTW, the giveaway that this might be the issue is the field names with restricted characters and the filename with the $ sign (a restricted character).

Anyway, what you can do to resolve this is convert the data to a feature class in a geodatabase or a shapefile. Then you can do the symbolization off that.

Here's a way to do the converting:

Adding x,y coordinate data as a layer

http://resources.arcgis.com/en/help/main/10.1/index.html#//00s50000001z000000

Important Notes:

Before running this process, make a copy of your Excel data. You will need to "clean" up the fields to avoid issues regarding the restricted characters. As a general rule, I would take out all the characters in the field names that are not letters or numbers. Also, remove any spaces. Otherwise the conversion might fail or be irregular due to the restricted characters in the existing field names.

Once it is added in, you can export it as a shapefile or feature class. Note that the first part of adding it in to ArcMap doesn't make it a feature class or shapefile until it is explicitly saved. It's been my experience that folks forget to finish the process by saving out the file, and then wonder why it is not allowing them to do what they want. The initial process creates an "Event Layer" which looks like a feature class, but is not one.

Chris Donohue, GISP

Re: How do I make points from a data set different colors, as well as different sizes?

OliverRay — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 22:09:58 GMT

THANK YOU! One more question. I am now able to do what I have been trying to do all along...except... when I do it all instead of it being 3 or 4 colors for the 3 or 4 companies, it is a ton of different colors. Any way to do something with the categories bar in the "show" box as well as with the multiple attributes "quantity by category", That might not make any sense at all but it's frying my brain.

Thanks!

Oliver

Re: How do I make points from a data set different colors, as well as different sizes?

ChrisDonohue__GISP — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 22:21:20 GMT

What the software is doing is by default coloring every combination of the two fields as its own color. And if there are many combinations, it will sometimes re-use colors, adding to the chaos.

The simplest way to resolve this is to manually recolor all your combinations. Tedious and time consuming, yes, but workable.

The more elegant way is to write code in Python that automatically assigns the color and size according to your criteria. I have seen that done, so know it is possible, but have not done that particular challenge myself. It would take some time to research the specific coding needed to make this happen and then test it, but it might be worth it if you forsee doing this symbolization with many times with many files.

Re: How do I make points from a data set different colors, as well as different sizes?

OliverRay — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 22:26:30 GMT

I just made three separate data sets, one for each operator, assigned a color and then made them vary in size. Worked like a charm. Thanks Chris! I really appreciate your help today.

Regards,

Oliver Ray

Re: How do I make points from a data set different colors, as well as different sizes?

ChrisDonohue__GISP — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 22:34:03 GMT

Another way to differentiate the three - use the same dataset (with the complete data/all your oil/gas operators), but use a "Definition Query" to limit it to each individual operator.

To do this:

1. Add the data into ArcMap 3 times.

2. Right-click on the first dataset in the Table of Contents

3. Click on the "Definition Query" tab.

4. Click the "Query Builder" button.

5. From the top part, double-click on the field for the Operators.

6. Click once on the equal sign button.

7. Click once on the "Get Unique Values" button.

8. Int he middle window, double-click on this operator name.

9. Repeat on the other two copies (in ArcMap) for the other two operators.

Why do this instead of making 3 copies, you might ask? The reason is for data integrity - you only have to worry about editing one dataset if there are any changes need to be made to the data in the future.