Latest Contributions by DanaNolan

If a new feature class is added to a map table of contents, that creates a layer within that map. It does not save it anywhere else. It only stores any symbology, selects, etc. that you add there. You can save the lyr outside the map to re-use these choices. But layer files have little to do with storage; they are only pointers. Storage is done through database tools, what was sometimes called ArcCatalog. ... View more

I remember discussing this issue in a GIS class about 2005, but rarely since then. I also worked at a state Dept. of Transportation as an intern; many of the experience GIS analysts did have surveying licenses and backgrounds. ... View more

Depends on the intended use of the map. This is not OK to add in many secure (or proprietary) environments.  ... View more

Fulfilling the intended purpose of the map is prime. Maps do have very different uses. ... View more

If you don't manage the database, you cannot "clean house"; you will knock the house down. Someone else will probably have to fix this database, if there is a real problem. It sounds like someone is editing/managing in SQL or with other non-GIS software while you are also editing with GIS software. There are ways to do that well. Database files are not overhead, they are the database.     ... View more

In my very secure environment, password-based connections are considered gross security risks. Our Active Directory is kept up to date, seriously so, so no one who leaves or violates policy keeps rights.  There are also firewalls everywhere. So when I talked to Esri many moons ago about the SDE account (database authentication), we discussed setting up an Operating System Authenticated service account that could function as SDE. Then the network people would just change the name/directory credentials associated with that account if needed. But that account would have to own the schema, which would have meant rebuilding the database. Maybe some day. ... View more

ArcPro handles symbol level drawing similarly to ArcMap. But SL drawing is for ordering features or classes of features within the same layer. Interweaving sounds like representations, which ArcMap did. It appears ArcPro has something similar; https://pro.arcgis.com/en/pro-app/latest/help/mapping/layer-properties/draw-layers-with-representations.htm  I work in more of a wilderness area, so I can't say I have tried representations. ... View more

Before getting too far into the "geo" of geodatabases, if your employer wants to track things or people, not just map points, I recommend a general database resource. The book "Database Design for Mere Mortals' by Hernandez explains how to interview users and look at existing data when designing a database. ... View more

Have you looked into an intermediate product such as a terrain? In ArcMap, I created DEM rasters and contours from the terrain database from our Lidar provider. Starting from the same provider's TINs was also an option, but this always failed to produce results for me. It looks like you can use 3D lines to create terrains in Pro.  ... View more

This is slowing down converting to Pro. I used this option in ArcMap when I had layers with very similar unique symbols and when I use Symbol Levels, which requires using unique symbols to work. I have dozens of maps and layers with a heading "Show" to pick what is shown in the legend. ... View more

Is it possible the annotation is feature linked to some data in the DGB? And what is "DGB"...distributed geodatabase? ... View more

In ArcMap, the Find tool is pretty close to what you want, and it can work on specific layers or visible layers, specific fields or all fields. It can zoom to results So if you set up for your desired feature and field, the map might remember that option (this should depend on how you save your map customizations). ArcPro also has a Find tool. ... View more

Is the line you are working with 3D? 3D lines are usually noticeably longer than their 2D equivalent if there is a lot of relief.     ... View more

We keep data separate, organized at the top level or two by SDSFIE topics or in a few cases by owner. Layer files are kept with data. Map projects and exported maps are also separate from one another. We can move map projects and output files easily, but moving data is always harder because of links. Map projects and output are also organized by SDSFIE topic and owner, although those that are not meant to be permanent are usually stored in a "temporary" folder. I don't think there is any way to avoid some miscellaneous folders for maps or strange bits of data, especially with 3+ people creating them. I just periodically try to find better locations for them or to toss them. Map projects that are more permanent (reusable) or that are good templates are stored higher up in the map project file folders. We often have an "older" and "one-off" and "testing" subfolders. We try to avoid updating these subfolder maps with new links or when software changes. I also like keeping editing maps and some analysis maps separate from cartographic maps, not inside topic folders. They are too different and a little risky for anyone other than their creators or experienced analysts to use. They can be great documentation, though, because they can tell a story of how the data came to be, which is incredibly useful when cleaning up after a complex edit or analysis process. I start some of my editing maps over from scratch after major software or data changes (so they run better). ... View more