Changing Layer display with local data

[MichaelErlich]

When using an mpk file locally, is there anyway to change the following display characteristics without editing directly in arcMap:
+show/hide a layer (will each layer need to be in its own mpk?)
+specify zoom level for a layer to be displayed
+change the line type, forecolor, backcolor, text color of a layer

[MichaelBranscomb]

Hi,

ArcMap is certainly the best environment for defining the symbology/display of map layers. For example, if you take a look at some of the maps in the map template gallery (http://resources.arcgis.com/gallery/file/map-templates), I do not think you would ever want to attempt to programmatically replicate the level of cartography they contain. However, in the next beta release we're hoping to include functionality that would allow you to develop an application in which end users could define/choose their own symbology for a local map service. Even with that support, ArcMap will still be the default authoring environment for your map packages.

Cheers

Mike

[MichaelErlich]

Mike,

Another request for sdk would be to at least allow changing colors.  In the public safety arena, uses like to customize the looks of their maps so that they coincide with their map books, and would be a useful feature if those attributes could be changed.  Also, when using while driving, there is a need to change the coloration when switching between day/night mode and with the current release, the only way I can see to get around this is to have the map set duplicated with color-schemes being the only difference.

Thanks,
Mike

[MichaelBranscomb]

Hi,

The best way to achieve this is almost certainly via Map Packages. They can either physically contains the data or can reference a File GDB or Enterprise GDB externally to the Map Package. If you wanted to produce multiple alternative map styles (e.g. day and night) with each map referencing the same underlying data you would choose to reference a GDB (File or Enterprise) from the Map Package. This would avoid any data duplication. The option to reference data from the package is specified within the map packaging dialog in ArcMap (File > Share As... > Map Package) or within the Geoprocessing tool. Additionally, if/when the customer updates their corporate map styling and produce new Layer Files and/or Map Documents, the use of Map Packages makes it very straightforward to pick up these changes, create new Map Packages and rollout to applications and users without having to code up new symbology styles.

Any future functionality to provide API level control over symbology would include the ability to specify color (as per your request).


Cheers

Mike

[PatrickGandy]

I have just attempted to create a map package that references external data rather than contains the data itself using the  Package Map geoprocessing tool. I cannot see a way to indicate that the data should not be packaged up with the map package. I am attempting to create several map packages with different symbologies that go against the same data.

[MichaelBranscomb]

Hi,

I've attached a picture of the sharing dialog in ArcMap to indicate how you specify that the Map Package should support the ArcGIS Runtime AND reference the data externally to the package - you should check the box to "Reference all data". If you don't see the "Make ArcGIS Runtime Compatible" option in that dialog you need to enable ArcGIS Runtime support in ArcMap: Customize > ArcMap Options... > Sharing.

Cheers

Mike