Changing The Annotation Reference Scale

[ThomasBurke2]

I am using ArcGIS 10.1 and I am trying to change the reference scale for an annotation layer that I have in my model.  In the properties of the layer, the reference scale is grayed out.  I tried changing the reference scale through ArcCatalog, as was mentioned in another post, but that was grayed out also. 

The annotation layer was created by converting labels to annotation in 10 different maps and I didnt realize that I had to have each map at the same scale when I converted the labels to an annotation layer in order for the annotation on the maps to be similar. 

How can change the reference scale?

[MelanieSummers]

Hi Tom,

Are you in an editing session? If so, you will not be able to change the Reference Scale until you end your editing session.

Best,
Melanie S.

[ThomasBurke2]

Hi Melanie, no, I am not in an editing session when I try to change the scale.  I have actually tried it both ways and it is always grayed out.

[MelanieSummers]

Hi Tom,

Are you accessing the properties through the Catalog Window in ArcMap or stand alone ArcCatalog?

Melanie S.

[ThomasBurke2]

I tried it both ways and still the same results.  Here are screen captures of the dialog boxs for both attempts.  The ArcCatalog image is for a different file than the one showing the properties within ArcGIS, but all 10 file/annotation layers are acting the same.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]22156[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]22157[/ATTACH]

[MelanieSummers · Accepted solution]

Hi Tom,

Sorry if this sounds redundant, but do you have both ArcMap and ArcCatalog open?

-Melanie S.

[ThomasBurke2]

I may have had them both open.  I will try them one at a time.

[ThomasBurke2]

You hit on it, ArcCatalog cannot change the reference scale on any file if ArcGIS is open.  Even if ArcGIS is opened to a blank map that is not referencing the layer in question.  Having ArcGIS opened must be automatically disabeling some of the features in ArcCatalog.  I know some tools only work in ArcGIS even though they are present in ArcCatalog, and some tools only work in ArcCatalog even though they are present in ArcGIS, but this is the first time I have seen one program disable previously working features in the other just by opening the program.

[MelanieSummers]

Hi Tom,

You should only be seeing the issue after opening the properties of the annotation in one of the applications. When you open the properties of an object in either ArcMap or ArcCatalog, it is being seen as open in-memory which is why you have to close one of the applications to be able to view it in the other.

Best,
Melanie S.

[DanaNolan]

I am still having this problem too. Last night, all users were off my SDE db, ArcMap was closed, ArcCatalog just opened (and closed/opened more than once after a reboot), but yet the ability to change the reference scale was still grayed out. I really don't see where the lock is coming from.