Manage symbol layers

You can manage symbol layers in the Symbology pane.

Modify symbol layers

Symbols are composed of one or more component symbol layers. Symbol layers are graphical elements of type marker, stroke, fill, or procedural. For example, a polygon symbol may be comprised of two symbol layers: a fill layer that draws the interior of the polygon and a stroke layer that draws the outline of the polygon.

Modifying a symbol may mean changing its appearance such as its shape, color, or texture. It may mean changing its dimensions such as size, width, orientation, or relative placement. To make detailed modifications to symbols, you must access the individual layers that comprise the symbol.

To add, remove, or reorder symbol layers, see Symbol structure.

To modify a symbol, highlight the symbol layer that contains the property to change, expand the property groups as necessary, and apply the changes.

  1. In Format Symbol mode, in the Symbology pane, click the Properties tab and click the Layers tab Layers.
  2. Click a component graphic in the upper section of the pane to highlight a component symbol layer.
  3. Expand the property group headings of the highlighted layer and review the symbol properties.
  4. Verify that the symbol appears as expected by viewing it in the preview panel in the lower section of the pane.
  5. Click Apply to save changes.

Turn off symbol layers

You may want to view or save a symbol with one or more symbol layers turned off from view, without deleting the symbol layer.

  1. In Format Symbol mode, in the Symbology pane, click the Properties tab and click the Layers tab Layers.
  2. Uncheck the box to the left of the symbol layer graphic to hide the symbol layer.

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