Feature Description
Map symbols are the fundamental means of representing map content. They consist of graphics and text with different shapes, sizes, and colors, serving as the language of maps. Compared to textual language, their most significant feature is intuitiveness. An individual symbol can represent the spatial location, size, quality, and quantity characteristics of an object; a set of similar symbols can reflect the distribution characteristics of various elements; and the collection of all symbols can illustrate the interrelationships between elements and the overall regional characteristics. Therefore, map symbols not only serve the basic function of determining the spatial location, distribution characteristics, and quality and quantity attributes of objects but also have the special function of collectively expressing various geographic elements in an interconnected manner.
ArcGIS Symbols
Based on the geometric type used for symbol rendering, ArcGIS symbols can be classified into four types: marker, line, fill, and text symbols. A combination of multiple symbols is collectively referred to as a style, which is saved as a single file (*.style).
- Marker Symbols: Used for rendering point features and point graphics.
- Line Symbols: Used for rendering linear datasource, such as transportation networks, water supply systems, boundaries, zones, and other connecting networks.
- Fill Symbols: Used for rendering polygon features, such as countries/regions, provinces, land use areas, habitats, cadastral parcels, and contour lines.
- Text Symbols: Used for labeling, annotations, titles, dynamic text, descriptions, comments, legends, scale bars, graticule labels, tables, and other textual and tabular information on maps.
SuperMap Symbols
Provides a rich symbol library, including over 1,000 point, line, fill, and 3D effect symbols. It also supports the creation of both 2D and 3D map symbols with powerful symbol creation and management capabilities. Symbols are organized and managed through a symbol library.
Symbols are categorized into three types: point symbols, line symbols, and fill symbols. Various symbol styles are supported, allowing customization of symbol colors, outlines, and line styles, with an option to reset them with one click. Complex hierarchical settings enable unified editing, browsing, and hiding operations, as well as customization to meet different user needs.
Supports importing SVG format-generated map symbols, allowing arbitrary zooming without affecting image quality. Currently, over 500 SVG format symbol resources are supported, which can be directly used for mapping. The vectorization of symbols resolves issues like icon blurriness on high-resolution screens.
Symbol Type Support
| ArcGIS Symbol | SuperMap Symbol | Support Status | |
| Point Symbol | SimpleMarkerSymbol | Simple Symbol | √ |
| CharacterMarkerSymbol | TrueType Symbol | √ | |
| PictureMarkerSymbol | Raster Symbol | √ | |
| MultiLayerMarkerSymbol | Multi-layer TrueType Symbol | √ | |
| 3D Point Symbol (3D Character Marker Symbol, 3D Marker Symbol, 3D Simple Marker Symbol) | -- | × | |
| Line Symbol | SimpleLineSymbol | System Line Symbol + Layer Style | √ |
| CartoGraphicLineSymbol | Dashed Line Symbol | √ | |
| HashLineSymbol | Short Vertical Line Symbol | Partially Supported | |
| MultiLayerLineSymbol | Multi-layer Dashed Line Symbol | √ | |
| Picture Line Symbol | -- | × | |
| 3D Line Symbol (3D Simple Line Symbol, 3D Texture Line Symbol) | -- | × | |
| Fill Symbol | SimpleFillSymbol | Solid Fill + Layer Style | √ |
| LineFillSymbol | -- | Partially Supported | |
| MarkerFillSymbol | Point Fill Symbol + Layer Style | Partially Supported | |
| GradientFillSymbol | System Fill Symbol + Gradient Style | √ | |
| PictureFillSymbol | Raster Symbol | √ | |
| MultiLayerFillSymbol | Point Fill Symbol | √ | |
| 3D Texture Fill Symbol | -- | × | |
Symbol Library Migration
SuperMap iDesktopX supports migrating ArcGIS platform symbol information. It allows batch conversion of ArcGIS symbol library files (*.style format) into SuperMap symbol library files, including point symbol library (*.sym), line symbol library (*.lsl), and fill symbol library (*.bru). This provides an efficient and fast way to migrate symbol styles for quick style configuration.
Feature Entry
- Data Migration Tab -> Data Migration -> Symbol Library Migration.
Parameter Description
- Style Folder: Specifies the ArcGIS symbol library folder.
- Target Folder: Specifies the target storage folder after migration.
- License Verification: Select the ArcMap license type. "Default" indicates an unofficial ArcMap license type. The Check button allows you to verify whether the corresponding ArcGIS license exists on the current machine.
Point/Line Symbol Migration Comparison:
Fill Symbol Migration Comparison:
Related Topics