Scaling: Small, but large. :)

[DannyLackey]

So, I have a map I'm outputting to PDF based on specific bookmarks (that part is working fine), but I can't find the right method to make it produce the way I need.  This is a detailed map with many points/labels.  I need to be able to make these maps appear zoomed in, yet show the whole map.  In other words, the map pdf will be enormous and I'd just have to zoom-in in order to read the text over the point.  I've been messing with

.scale

but that doesn't seem to do what I need (unless I'm using it wrong).  For example,

df.scale = 2000

shows the level of detail I need and individual points/labels are separated and clear, but is WAY too close on the map.  If I zoom way down in ArcMAP, I can see all labels/points.  That's what I want, just with high resolution to see everything at once when zoomed out. 

I realize it will be pretty gnarly when zoomed way out - the points (and text within them) would all appear very small when zoomed out, but I need to be able to see the detail if I zoom in on the PDF.

[JoshuaChisholm]

Hello Danny,

Your line df.extent = bkmk.extent should be setting up the right zoom/extent. It seems to be working on my end. I'm not sure I understand the problem correctly. Is the problem that the symbols are too large in the attached picture? Or is the problem that the map was exported as the data view only (and not the layout mode)?

Let me know, I think we're getting close!

[DannyLackey]

In the attached image (from arcmap) the focus area of the map is perfect (as saved in the bookmark), but points/labels too large.  On the PDF output, the points/labels are good, but the focus area of the map is too large (larger than bookmark parameters).  So, each attachment has elements that are correct - just have to get both aspects to output on my pdf.  The screen shot jpg has the correct focus of the map, while the PDF has the correct icon/label size.

[JoshuaChisholm]

If you're exporting your map from Arcmap, you have to manually change your reference scale:
Data Frame Properties > General tab > Reference Scale
(the script sets it to 1/4 of the scale)

As for the bookmark not exporting to right extent (using arcpy), I've had that issue before too. In my case it would export to the correct area, but the scale would be off (like 1:125,264 instead of 1:95,000). In other words it would be more zoomed in/out than I had specified in the bookmark. Let me know if you're having the same issue. Perhaps this is a bug....or we're both just missing a step.

[DannyLackey]

Is there a way I can alter the reference scale for only certain layers?  Its as if I need to only shrink down the icons/labels and NOT the colored shapes.

[JoshuaChisholm]

The polygon areas themselves shouldn't shrink if you're altering the reference scale, but I don't think there is any way to change the reference scale for individual layers in your mxd.

If you're looking for a work around, you can try creating 2 or 3 sets of layer. Each set of layers could have different symbology and label settings for different scales. You can use you script to turn on/off these layer sets depending on the current scale of the map being exported.

[DannyLackey]

Ok, tried manually changing the reference scale in ArcMAP and this IS what I need.  I haven't really been understanding what reference scale did (I'm more familiar with scriping for ArcMAP than USING ArcMAP....weird I know).  So, I've been playing with reference scale and I can get the icons/labels to shrink...but now there is a weird situation with the labels.

Here is the complete code I'm using:

import arcpy
import os
from arcpy import env

mxd = arcpy.mapping.MapDocument(r"I:\GIS_Workspace\Output\test.mxd")
df = arcpy.mapping.ListDataFrames(mxd, "Layers")[0]

lyrs=arcpy.mapping.ListLayers(mxd, "*", df)

#Turn off "Sections" and "MGT" layers:
for lyr in lyrs:
    if lyr.name in ["GRP_SAV_1-0"]:
        lyr.visible=False

#Loop through layers (and bookmarks) to export PDFs
for lyr in lyrs:
    if lyr.name in ["Sections", "MGT"]:
        lyr.visible=True #Turn on layer
        for bkmk in [bkmk for bkmk in arcpy.mapping.ListBookmarks(mxd,"*",df) if bkmk.name in ["North","Middle"]]:
            df.extent = bkmk.extent
            df.referenceScale=1500
            outFile = r"I:\GIS_Workspace\Output\\" + bkmk.name + ".pdf"
            arcpy.RefreshActiveView()
            arcpy.mapping.ExportToPDF(mxd, outFile, df, picture_symbol="VECTORIZE_BITMAP",layers_attributes="LAYERS_AND_ATTRIBUTES")

Here is an example of what the labels are doing in the produced PDF...all smashed together.  It's like only the labels are being scaled down:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]31966[/ATTACH]

When I modify reference scale to 1:1000 within ArcMAP, it displays perfectly (within ArcMAP).  Maybe I'm placing this line in the wrong spot?

[JoshuaChisholm]

Nice, map automation > static maps.

Do you have overlapping labels enabled on any of the layers that have overlapping text? Check here (using ArcMap):
Layer Properties (2x click target layer) > Labels tab > Placement Properties > Conflict Detection tab > Place overlapping labels

[DannyLackey]

Nope, no overlapping labels selected.  It looks any character longer than 1 and smashing together.  The points with a label with 1 character look fine.  Weird.  Need a solution...  Still researching.

[JoshuaChisholm]

Maybe it's character spacing?
In ArcMap: Layer Properties > Labels tab> Symbol > Edit Symbol > Formatted Text tab > Character Spacing