ArcGIS: ArcMap Layout View

The Layout Interface - Empty

The Layout Interface In use

Using Templates
Opening a Layout View window
Select Layout View from the View menu, OR Click on the Layout View button

Creating a Layout from a Template

Open the Template file (*.mxt)
*Also available during startup

Add Data to the Map template Save work as a Map Document

Creating a Template
Create the desired layout structure (you can decide whether or not to include data in the template) Select Save As from the file menu. Choose ArcMap Templates(*.mxt) as the Save As Type

Using Templates (cont.)

Special Templates There is a template folder in the bin directory. This contains the templates available at startup. Some of these are standard templates, but some are full base maps for basic mapping needs. Be sure to explore these timesavers Switching Templates There is a Change Layout button on the far right of the Layout toolbar. Click this and you will get a dialog for converting to a different layout template.

Page Properties
Page Setup Dialog
In the Page setup dialog you can make adjustments to items which affect the entire layout. There are a few ways to access this dialog:
File Menu>Page Setup Right-click in layout>Page Setup Page Size - *Same as printer Page Orientation Print Quality Printer

Items you can adjust in the Page setup dialog include:

View Menu
The view menu has several tools to help with layout creation:
Rulers, Guides, Grids, Margins These tools are also available by right clicking in the layout view

Options Dialog
The items which you can turn on/off in the view menu can also be changed in the Layout View tab of the options dialog. When you make the changes here, however, they will affect all future layouts, not just the current one.
Tools Menu>Options>Layout View

Data Frame Properties

Right-Click on Data frame in Table of Contents>Properties There are several items which can be set for the data frame in the Data Frame properties dialog. The items of concern when working in layouts are available in the Frame and Grid Tabs Frame Tab Border Add a border in the color and style of your liking to the data frame Background Select a background color for the data frame Drop Shadow gives a subtle 3d effect to the layout Grids Tab Add Graticule Add a grid based on the coordinate system Add Measured Grid Add a grid with custom dimensions Add Reference Grid Add a grid with Row column ID info

Toolbars Tools Toolbar Same Toolbar that was available in

the data view. You can actually zoom in and out of data frames directly on the layout!

Layout Toolbar Similar to the Tools Toolbar. Used

to navigate around the layout page.

Data Frame Toolbar Has tools for rotating your

data frame. You can choose a set interval, or you can eyeball it

Layout Elements
Main Elements - Data Frame, North Arrow, Scale Bar/Text, Legend Other Elements Titles, Graphics, Neat-line, Picture, Object Adding and deleting elements All elements are available in the Insert menu. Just select the item from the insert menu. Some elements open a wizard because they need input before being added to the layout. To delete any element, first click on it to select it, then hit the delete key. You may also choose delete from the edit menu if you prefer. Moving and Resizing Elements Click on an element to select it. When you mouse-over the element, you will notice the pointer with 4 arrows pointing out from it. When you see this cursor, you can click and drag to relocate the element. To resize an element, mouse over one of the corners of the selected element. When you get the two diagonal arrows click and drag to resize the item Element Properties You can access element properties by double clicking on the element. You can also select the element, right-click on it, then choose properties. Properties vary by element.

Fine-Tuning
Detailed Element Arrangement Available from the Draw
toolbar. Also available if you select the element(s) and right click. Align Line up elements with one another or with page Distribute Spread items evenly across the page Nudge Useful when you need to make very small changes Rotate or Flip Self-explanatory *Graphics only

Grouping/Ungrouping Grouping elements can make it easier

to work with several items at once. Ungrouping can allow you to edit specific parts of complex items.

Order Change the drawing order of elements on a Layout

Finishing the Layout

Exporting Select Export Map from the
file menu. Choose a format to export your map to (.tiff, .jpg, .emf, etc.) and click on Options to change the quality of the output image. Note: Select your format before setting options as the options vary based on the format used.

Printing Most of the ArcGIS printing

options are available in the Page Setup menu. Once you are ready to print, select Print from the file menu. You will get a standard Windows printing dialog.