[GIS] Creating symbology for multiple attributes within the same feature class in ArcMap 10

arcgis-10.0symbology

I'm struggling to find a way to take a single point feature class that has multiple attributes that I want as feature layers with unique symbology. Let's call these attributes Depth1 and Depth2. A key point here is I want to apply a lyr setting to automate the symbology of each layer and it seems what may be the best way of doing this is in the properties of an output in model builder you can add a lyr file to use as symbology. But I'm not sure how I can get these two attributes as new layers using model builder and then default to correct attribute for the symbology for each (ie. Depth1 for first layer & Depth2 for the 2nd layer). Any ideas? Let me know if I need to explain any of this better.

Best Answer

From your description it sounds like you could use Apply Symbology From Layer tool from the Data Management toolbox. The field names for your input feature layers need to be stable -- meaning the field to use for unique symbols in layer1 will always be Depth1, layer2 ...Depth2 and so on. You'll need a source layer file for each kind of symbology you wish to apply.

If you've already tried this route and it doesn't work, we'll need more specifics about you're attempting to do in order to help.

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ArcGIS – How to Rename Feature Classes Based on Field Values

You can try something like this:

import arcpy
import glob

def main():
    for f in glob.glob(r'C:\test\*.shp'):
        rows = arcpy.SearchCursor(f, '', '', 'name')
        for r in rows:
            try:
                arcpy.Rename_management(f, r.name)
            except:
                print 'Error: Unable to rename ' + f + ' to ' + r.name
            break
        del rows

if __name__ == '__main__':
    main()

[GIS] How to apply symbology from two layers to one feature class with common features using ArcMap 10

I'd recommend exporting the symbols to a style via the "Export Map Styles..." command from the customize dialog (Customize menu > Customize mode > Commands tab > Tools category). This command will export all the styles in the map to style items with the name of the attribute value that corresponds to the symbol. You can then use it in Match Symbols to a Style.

Best Answer

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ArcGIS – How to Rename Feature Classes Based on Field Values

[GIS] How to apply symbology from two layers to one feature class with common features using ArcMap 10

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