The process of making a map in ArcGIS

Source: GIS Hui

data

First of all, the first step is the preparation and processing of data, there is nothing to say here.

All data used are OSM data downloaded from the web.

first step main vision

In order to better explain the complete operation process of the map, and at the same time, it must be organized and easy to understand, so I use the method of splitting to explain.

To split is to decompose, to decompose layer by layer. For example, we split the main visual elements in the map and see how this part is done separately.

The main visual elements of the map

Then split the main visual elements. On the left is the building, the main body is white, which may not be clear; on the right is the outline effect, which has a gradient and a layered effect.

left, building; right, silhouette

2.1 Buildings

First of all, let's look at the buildings. We use the surface vector data of OSM, and specially select the Chunxi Road-Taikoo Li area.

It consists of two layers, one is the building, and the other is the darker vector layer behind it.

The building layer color is pure white, and then using the move in the representation , offset -2pt on the X and Y axis, so that a shadow effect can be achieved in the lower left corner of the building.

The second layer is a dark layer behind the building. Setting the transparency to 60% is actually useless. The main reason is to use this layer to set the area label, so you can see that it says "Daci Temple ".

2.2 Profile

So how does this contour effect work? How many layers are there?

It looks like two layers, but in fact, this effect is achieved with only one layer. This is the credit of the cartographic expression. This layer is drawn by myself, and it looks like this originally.

In the cartographic representation, two layer effects are set, the first is gradient, and the second is gradient plus offset.

first effect

second effect

Outline of the second step

How is the outer contour made? In fact, there is only one layer. This layer is the surface vector sketched by myself. The range needs to cover the entire drawing, and then erase the outline of the first step to become a hollow in the middle.

This time, we did not use the production expression to make the gradient. The common symbol system has its own gradient, and you can choose the gradient fill in the symbol attribute editor.

Then combine the results of the first step and the second step together, and it will look like this. You can see that the effect is already very good.

The results of the second step

The third step road, river

The OSM line vector road data is used, including rivers, subways, and roads. The color is mainly white, and the labels are set; the branch roads outside the range are removed, and only the branch roads of the main part are kept, and the main road is reserved.

The results of the third step are obtained by superimposing the results of the second step as follows:

The third step results

Step 4 Text and Retouching

The last is the text and some additional decoration, this can also be split into two parts. The first is the vector element on the left below; the other is the text element on the right.

Left: Vector elements; Right: Text elements

4.1 Vector elements

First, let's look at the vector elements on the left . The most obvious one is the densely packed architectural vector graphics. Cartographic expressions are also used to achieve offset shadow effects, but the color here is darker than the architectural vector (pure white) in the first step;

Then there is a semi-transparent rectangle in the upper right corner and directly below the picture. This is not drawn by using the painting function, but a new surface vector layer, and then draw the rectangle by yourself. Only in this way can the translucent effect be achieved. This is mainly to make a base for the subsequent text;

The lower right corner is the icon of Chengdu, which is a vector point layer, set the symbol as a symbol mark symbol , select a pre-downloaded image, and set the appropriate size.