Profile Graph in map series

[Descartes]

Hello, 

I am trying to generate a catalogue using map series along a pipeline. By making use of the strip map index tool, I can set up a layout page with views "along" the feature line that I want to describe. However I wish to add the local elevation profile, and with the use of a 3D line feature class, I managed to add a Profile Graph as a chart.

Adding this in my layout page, I can tick the option to only show what is within the extent of the map series shape. However, there are 2 big issues with this process :

1) The horizontal distance axis is set to 0 at the beginning of each page and I can't figure out how to leave the "absolute" KP distance.

2) On top of this, I can't seem to add data on this profile graph (e.g. if there are punctual features that I want to highlight such as crossing, structures, geohazards etc.)

I tried to change the graph type and use a line chart instead. I created a point feature class along the previous line and adding the Z information in a dedicated field, but this graph doesn't show data when I tick the "only show chart data visible in the map frame" : the window stays blank with a "Points" label in it. It only works if i untick the option to show local data AND if the map frame is zoomed out to show the whole line, which defeats the purpose of the map series.

Has anyone tried to do something like this before? 

Thanks for your help,

Adrien

[AdamDavis]

Hi Adrien,

I can't think of anything within the Pro product itself. There are several 3rd party extensions available specialising in Alignment Strip charts.

New Century SheetCutter

GeoFields DataFrame ASG

Blue Sky Lightning

Eagle TurboRoute

and specifically for offshore pipeline / wind farms interconnectors / turbine location survey / transoceanic cables in AutoCAD/BricsCAD/ArcGIS Desktop/ArcGIS Pro

Wish Software AutoChart

Best regards,

Adam (Wish Software)

[Descartes]

Hello, 

Thanks for the information. I know there are some 3rd extensions available and I heard about the Wish Software one, but my question is a one-off issue at the moment which doesn't justify going this way as it represents significant amounts of time/training/money. But I will definitely check this further if need be. For the moment I will explore the arcpy.mp functions to find a workaround. However I am a bit surprised by the little amount of control we have over basic charts in ArcGIS pro when I see the complexity and amount of processing power available in the core features like raster calculation etc.

Best regards,

Adrien

[AdamDavis]

Hi Adrien,

I am in agreement with you that it is strange that Esri doesn't have better native "longitudinal" functionality. The profile graph is essentially a picture so is difficult to use / scale / add to.

I've always thought that this kind of data would be better served in a dataframe type of it's own. This would allow for any types of data to be shown and profiles to be drawn to accurate scales. A dataframe that allowed feature classes to be shown with the X-axis as a Measure (Kp) and a Y-Axis (Z) that is vertically exaggerated. Currently a Map is always 1:1 X/Y. It would be fantastic if either data frames could have different X/Y scales or a new data frame type existed that allowed for different scales and the grids would automatically update for that.

Something like this showing a seabed profile, various other subbottom profiles and Core/Cpt data 

Best regards,

Adam

[Descartes]

Hi Adam,

Indeed, that's what I plan to do : figure out a way to generate a basic chart from a csv file, generating elements in a polygon feature classes with appropriate attributes to make use of the labelling engine to display it correctly, and adding this as a dataframe in my layout page for display. I have to dive in the arcpy documentation now.. But after browsing some tutorials, this seems like a good start : https://pro.arcgis.com/en/pro-app/3.1/arcpy/get-started/writing-geometries.htm

Best regards,

Adrien

[AdamDavis]

Hi Adrien,

Something like this?

https://www.wishsoftware.com/Videos/GISCreateProfileCoreLogs/GIS_Import_CoreLogs.html

Adam

[Descartes · Accepted solution]

Hi,

Yes in principle I am drawing shapes to imitate a chart along my flowline. My workflow involves other disciplines so I don't plan on making an arcGIS/Python standalone solution. However I am combining the map series functionality in order to make the process automatic. My workflow is still pretty heavy to set in motion and I have a couple of inputs to gather from the previously mentionned other disciplines, but once I get an Excel file in a certain template, I think it'll work.

So far I managed to understand the basics of arcpy.mp, create feature classes from csv-imported data, and I was able to draw polylines/polygons with given attributes. I was able to identify points located in each sheet of the map series, so I think I will eventually be able to draw a "table" along each datasheet in a separate map frame which will be constrained/linked to the map series dataframe.

By the way, the point graph mentionned in my first post now works and shows data even with the "only show chart data visible in the map frame". Maybe it needed some time to settle. It is now working smoothly and updates quickly when I browse the map series catalog, and most importantly, the horizontal axis being a text field "KP number", it is not set to 0 at the beginning of each page. It is slowly coming together.

Best regards,

Adrien

[AdamDavis]

Hi Adrien,

That's fantastic. Well done!

Adam

[whanik]

Hi Guys

I've been quite struggling with the same thing for a while so decided to issue the chart series without long profiles. Still no feedback from the client so waiting.

In the meantime I actually found a simple solution - meaning, it does the job automatically without a need of splitting data by chart panels nor need to draw anything by hand. The pay off is obviously very limited ability to apply formatting - ArcGIS Pro limitations. So no vertical scale can be set rigidly, no Y axis Min/Max values.

But in the end it is quick and relatively easy if you have a proper input. Somebody mentioned about point along pipelines and this is what I already have had as my pipelines were imported from 5-Point x-profile listings. Therefore I do have series of points along all my pipes with an interval of 1m. Attribute table contains KP and Depth Of Cover value delivered from the survey.

I simply used a Scatter Plot chart type as it forces the proper KP range on the X axis and I can stick any numeric value on the Y. Very little formatting and I managed to come up with dense point plot. Dense enough to pretend to be a line. It is simple but it works and delivers the information.

The only problematic part is the first and the last page, where pipe may not start at the beginning of the panel but the chart is stretched along the panel from the start to an end. Since there is no possibility to convert chart frame to graphic, I don't see at the moment of how to solve that issue.

[Descartes]

Thanks for the input, indeed this is what I opted to do for the elevation view despite the limited formatting as you mentionned.