Latest Contributions by AdamForknall

When using a Database Connection which requires authentication via username and password, the authentication should be carried across all sessions of ArcGIS software which are using this database connection. So if I connect to a database in ArcCatalog and complete the authentication, and then open an MXD in ArcMap which uses this connection, I should not have to authenticate again - ArcMap could check with ArcCatalog (and other instances of ArcGIS software) to confirm that the connection has already been authenicated, and then let me get on with my work rather than pester me for a username and password again. ... View more

When labelling a contour layer (or any line layer using the contour placement method) with labels ON the line, the line is visible behind the numbering (for example through the hole in a zero). When this is applied on a plain background, a halo matching the background colour can be used to block the line out, however this isn't suitable when an image or other non-plain background is used. To overcome this, there should be an option when using the contour placement for labels, which removes the contour line from behind and immediately around the labels. This also shouldn't require the use of annotation for the labels... . No Masking 😞 Plain halo 😞 Line feature erased from behind numbers 😄 ... View more

Currently, to find the numerical location of a guide on the ruler, the guide has to be moved for the number of unites (i.e. 12.20 Centimetres) to be displayed. Using guides and the rulers would be much more user friendly if the position of the guide was displayed when hovering the mouse over the buide position on the ruler as shown below. Also, the ability to right-click the ruler and enter a value for the location of a new guide would be a plus. ... View more

To enable multi-monitor users to get the most out of their data view, an optional Tool Palette window which allowed users to place their commonly used toolbars into a floating window that could be placed on another screen would be handy. Yes, you could create a new toolbar an load heaps of tools onto it and put it wherever, but a better solution would be to drag existing toolbars to dock onto the floating window. Something like the window below which could be moved around to a preferred location and which other toolbars could be docked to as required. ... View more

Page Definition Queries are very useful, however they have the potential to be much more so. Rather than only being able to turn features on/off based on them having a field which matches (or doesn't) the page name, the ability to use SQL queries (mush like regular definition queries) would enable much greater scope for filtering features. An example might be a a state-wide feature class containing many classes of road from major highway to dirt track. Depending on the scale of each data driven page, the level of road class dsplayed may need to be changed (i.e. only showing major highways at small scales when lower classes cause cluttering, and showing minor roads/tracks at large scales). To facilitate this, the Index Layer would be populated with fields corresponding to layers which are to have Page Definitions applied. These fields would contain the values to be matched in the definition, in the above example the values would be road classes. The Page Definition could then contain an SQL query where the field in the road dataset containing Road Class is selected, a boolean operator is selected and the corresponding field in the Index Layer is is selected. The below example selects the major roads (Classes 1 & 2) for display on the State-wide page. ... View more

When using a scale bar with the unit of measurement below the bar, the graphic element box should reduce in size so that centring the element provides the expected result. Currently the element is much wider than it needs to be and results in the scale bar not being able to be centred properly when using the align option on the contect menu. The image below shows the horizontal centre of the element, which is almost 25% of the length of the scale bar away from the actual centre of the scale bar (the centre point shoulf be at the '4' division). ... View more