Book Image

Mapping with ArcGIS Pro

By : Amy Rock, Ryan Malhoski
Book Image

Mapping with ArcGIS Pro

By: Amy Rock, Ryan Malhoski

Overview of this book

ArcGIS Pro is a geographic information system for working with maps and geographic information. This book will help you create visually stunning maps that increase the legibility of the stories being mapped and introduce visual and design concepts into a traditionally scientific, data-driven process. The book begins by outlining the steps of gathering data from authoritative sources and lays out the workflow of creating a great map. Once the plan is in place you will learn how to organize the Contents Pane in ArcGIS Pro and identify the steps involved in streamlining the production process. Then you will learn Cartographic Design techniques using ArcGIS Pro's feature set to organize the page structure and create a custom set of color swatches. You will be then exposed to the techniques required to ensure your data is clear and legible no matter the size or scale of your map. The later chapters will help you understand the various projection systems, trade-offs between them, and the proper applications of them to make sure your maps are accurate and visually appealing. Finally, you will be introduced to the ArcGIS Online ecosystem and how ArcGIS Pro can utilize it within the application. You will learn Smart Mapping, a new feature of ArcGIS Online that will help you to make maps that are visually stunning and useful. By the end of this book, you will feel more confident in making appropriate cartographic decisions.
Table of Contents (11 chapters)

Summary

The key role of text on maps is to help communicate information more clearly. Labels should enhance the overall message and contribute to the visual hierarchy. Labels should never overwhelm the reader, either in quantity or in format. Remember that size equates to relative importance, so large, bold fonts should be used with caution. Capital letters also help to imply size and importance, and can be used quite effectively for large areas, but should be rationed elsewhere.

Fonts should be chosen with the map's audience in mind, so that the tone of the map is appropriate to the subject. Combining fonts should be done with care, and the total number of fonts should be minimized. Remember that many fonts have extensive font families that allow many distinct types of labels to be styled without adding noise.

In the next chapter, we'll look at the use of color in maps...