Layout graphic elements offset when exporting

[Kevin_Andras]

I am making a map for a client. They didn't like how large rivers were hidden behind mountains in a 3D scene, so I drew some graphics to make the river lines continuous.    Here's the layout view in Arc:

And here is the same area when exported as a PDF (TIF has same offset):

All of my graphic elements are offset similarly.  How can this be avoided?

[TomBole]

Hi @Kevin_Andras 

I don't believe that you are working with Layout graphics. Layout graphics live in the page space and are unconnected to the geographic space of the scene being displayed. There cannot be an "offset" from geographic features. I'm pretty sure that there is not an issue with Layout graphic elements or with exporting. 

From the screenshots you provided it appears that the graphics are draped over the terrain. I believe you are working Map graphics. You can confirm this by looking at the layers within the scene (map frame). Is there a graphics layer under the "2D Layer" group?  

According to the help topic - Work with graphics layers - "Graphics layers cannot be created in scenes. They can be added to scenes, but to the 2D Layers category only. The contents of a graphics layer cannot be edited in a scene."  I would expect that you would have the same issues with map graphics as you would with a feature layer.

I can think of  2 possible solutions.

1. To "show what's hidden behind X" is to make X semi-transparent so you can see what is behind. 

2. You could "fake" the effect by drawing a Layout graphic on top of the map frame.

Here is an example with an exported PDF.

However, since this graphic lives in "page space" and is not connected to the scene, if you change the extent, for example the tilt angle" the graphic will no longer line up.

Hope this helps,

Tom

[Kevin_Andras]

Hi Tom, 

Thanks for your response.   I fully understand that changing the tilt would affect the placement of  any graphics.   I have not changed the map orientation.  I added the graphics using the Insert tab > Graphics and Text.  They are shown as layers in the TOC under Layout, and are not in the Map Frame/Scene.  See my screenshot. Is there another way to add graphics?  

[TomBole]

Hi Kevin,

Thanks for the additional information.

It took me a repeated views of your screenshot to see the offset you are describing. I missed it the first time I looked. 

Are you seeing any issues with other Layout graphic elements, text on the layout? Or is this only occurring with the line graphics? Are you seeing the issue with other layouts? In other projects? If not perhaps the issue is specific to this particular layout. Recreating the layout might offer a workaround.

To answer your question on other ways to create graphics, you could add graphics programmatically using python, though I doubt that would make a difference. 

As you can see from the screenshot I provided I was not able to reproduce the issue when exporting to PDF. At the moment I can't think of anything that might cause this effect.

The issue might be with specific properties of the graphic, or with specific export settings. Or a combination. Without more specific information it is difficult to troubleshoot. Can you contact Esri Support? They are better equipped to handle troubleshooting steps and gather bug data. They can be contacted at https://support.esri.com/en/contact-tech-support. 

Thanks,

Tom