Support Map Layer Draw Order

[TedCronin]

Would love the ability to Drag and Drop in the Contents, or at the very least move up or down capability to move data to other locations in Contents.  Layers Added via URL are getting dropped below the basemap, and thus I need to either move up, or drag up.

[DanWade]

Hello Ted,

We believe what you are describing is based on an ArcGIS Desktop client workflow where there is one table of contents. While there is logic to this one table of contents all polylines, points, polygons and basemaps are added to this one table. However, the user has the ability to rearrange the layers to create the best map as needed.

ArcGIS for AutoCAD has the Esri Contents UI which simply separates the map/image layers from the feature layers from the document feature layers. In this scenario the map/image layers appear to be on "top" of the feature layers, but the feature layers have a predefined drawing order to be on the top of any map/image layers as they should be when working with these GIS layers.

If I am off topic here please provide more detail as to what the issue and or idea you are looking for is.

[TedCronin]

Essentially you are correct, but we observed that the Basemap of Imagery was blocking the data that was added in the TOC below the Imagery, hence why we need the ability to either drag drop OR an Up/Down arrow to move, you are saying that even if the imagery basemap is above the layer in the TOC, it should not be blocking the Map Service, in our case it was, so if the Move around the TOC is not the way to do things in A4A, then this could be a bug.

[Randy_Garcia]

Hi Ted, 

I can add some clarity, although I suspect its still not what you want. 

Map and imagery layers will always draw below feature layers. Feature layers will draw above as these are true autocad linework. 

ArcGIS for AutoCAD does not have a true concept of a basemap. World Imagery, world street map etc are just another map layer. We do not guarantee any specific draw order. The reason is that we are a bit beholden to the AutoCAD technology we are using to draw the layers. Draw order is determined by speed of the layer. I still recommend adding the layers in the order you would like them (first layer added is the one you would want towards the back). With that said know that is not 100% fool proof. If a layer is fast to come back it will be drawn first and therefore towards the back of the pile, slower maps will be on top.  

We have toyed around in the past with doing something to support draw order but at this point would require a major overhaul of our map layer support. Not saying its out of the question and this is the perfect place as the rest of the community can vote and help influence what we do with the software. 

A workaround to this whole problem is to set the maps to not be dynamic from the TOC. You can then refresh each map in an order of your choosing thus enforcing a draw order but this won't give you that nice automatic dynamic experience you are looking for. 

[TedCronin]

Cool, maybe a setting for display order might work as well.

What you have posted is helpful so thank you.

[Kenneth_D]

Our company would use this too.  We do electrical design in AutoCAD Map3D with a plugin product called "Automated Utility Design (AUD)" by Spatial Business Systems.  AUD brings in aerial imagery as raster objects from Google or Bing for designers to view as a backdrop.  We then use ArcGIS for AutoCAD to bring in map services from our electrical network so that designers can pan around and see what's in their area.  Finally, once they find the spot they want, the designers can import AutoCAD-native features to edit using functionality of AUD.

The issue is that we want the map services to show up on top of those aerial rasters, but they display underneath.  So the designer must delete and re-add these aerial rasters as they pan around.  Our request is similar, but not exactly the same to those above.  We are fine with the ArcGIS For AutoCAD functionality to toggle layers and such.  We just want an option to display the entire map service above or below other AutoCAD entities.  

[ThomasWrede]

We are planning to implement ArcGIS for AutoCAD (v. 430) on a large scale in City government primarily using Map and Imagery Layers. Map Layers are great for preserving symbology and labels. Imagery is where a layer draw order is most necessary. In our case, Imagery Layers always draw faster (and over) Map Layers. Workflows become increasingly cumbersome when having to refresh/redraw layers every time a user pans to see Map Layers above Imagery. A layer draw order would be a worthwhile addition to a future release of AFA.

Any updates to this thread? @DanWade @Randy_Garcia 

Thank you.