[GIS] way to associate a scale bar with a new, different data frame than the one used to create it

arcgis-10.1arcgis-desktoparcmaplayoutsscale bar

If I remember correctly, in ArcView 3, after a scale bar had been created, you could change its properties so that it would show the scale for a different data frame than the one that was used to create it. I think the same applied to north arrows.

In ArcGIS 10, when you create a scale bar, it displays the scale of the data frame that is active when you create it. Is it possible to change that association after the scale bar has been created? As far as I know, if you want to use that scale bar (and whatever customizations you've made to it) with a different data frame, you can't, you need to delete it and insert a new one, re-creating any modifications you've made to the scale bar.

I'm asking because I have an MXD which has a layout I like, and I want to paste a data frame (containing a map I need) into it. But I can't re-use the scale bars and north arrow which already exist in the MXD, I'll need to recreate them.

Best Answer

I was able to copy the scale bar I wanted to use, activate the data frame I needed it for, then paste. The new one retains all the formatting of the old. You can then set aside or delete the old one.

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[GIS] Dynamic scale bar, coordinates and grid for map frame in Mapinfo map layout

I am closing this one because Mapinfo does not seem to have anything better.

The best way for me to do this is by using QGIS or ArcMap - both have very good tools for Dynamic scale bar and grid for map frame in layout.

ArcGIS Data Driven Pages – How to Change Scale Bar Interval and Settings

I don't think you can change the properties of the scale bar using the out-of-the-box Data Driven Pages functionality.

However, that is not to say that what you're looking to do is impossible.

It wouldn't be terribly difficult to do this using ArcPy and is roughly described in this [ESRI Help Page][1]. Using their example, you could set up multiple scale bars, one for each setting you prefer, and then move them on and off the page based on scale of a given data-driven page.

To get it to work you would have to bypass the normal data-driven pages export and loop through the pages using Python and the above example.

Something along these lines (I HAVE NOT TESTED THIS, YOU WILL HAVE TO ADAPT IT TO YOUR DOCUMENT):

#You're going to need to reference your current map document and the data frame, assuming you just have one 
mxd = arcpy.mapping.MapDocument("CURRENT")
df = arcpy.mapping.ListDataFrames(mxd)[0]

#Associate scale bars in your layout with variables that arcpy can manipulate
m_scale = arcpy.mapping.ListLayoutElements(mxd, "MAPSURROUND_ELEMENT", "m scale bar")[0]
km_scale = arcpy.mapping.ListLayoutElements(mxd, "MAPSURROUND_ELEMENT", "km scale bar")[0]

#Iterate through all the pages, for each page, look at the scale, then adjust the scale bars to be on, or off, the page.
for page in range(1, mxd.dataDrivenPages.pageCount +1):

    #Check the scale and move the elements around to get the right scale bar on the page
    if df.scale < 25000:
        m_scale.elementPositionX = 5 #on the page
        km_scale.elementPostitionX = 15 #off the page

        #Export the current page to a pdf, using a specified path
        arcpy.mapping.ExportToPDF(mxd, r"C:\Project\Output\Project1.pdf", df)
    else:
        m_scale.elementPositionX = 15 #off the page
        km_scale.elementPostitionX = 5 #on the page

        #Export the current page to a pdf, using a specified path
        arcpy.mapping.ExportToPDF(mxd, r"C:\Project\Output\Project1.pdf", df)
    mxd.dataDrivenPages.refresh()

Best Answer

Related Solutions

[GIS] Dynamic scale bar, coordinates and grid for map frame in Mapinfo map layout

ArcGIS Data Driven Pages – How to Change Scale Bar Interval and Settings

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