Register symbology for multiple variables

A raster layer may contain a data source of multiple variables such as a layer created from a netCDF file. These different variables often require different types of default symbology, which can be preconfigured individually and saved with the layer. This means you don’t have to redefine the symbology each time you select a different variable (on the Multidimensional tab).

Register the first variable

The steps below show you how to set up the first symbology item for the multidimensional variable.

There are two ways to set up symbology items, using Register Symbology, as shown in this workflow, or using Manage Symbology. These options are located on the Options menu .

1. In the Contents pane, select the raster layer that you are working with.
2. On the Multidimensional tab, change the variable to the one that you want to symbolize first.
3. Open the Symbology pane, and set up the symbology parameters.
4. In the Symbology pane, click the Options button .
5. Click Register Symbology.

   The Symbology item properties page appears in the pane.

6. Edit the Symbology Name text.

   The other parameters are read-only information about the symbology item.

7. Click OK to register the symbology item.

   This symbology item now shows in the drop-down list for Primary Symbology, in the Symbology pane.

You have now registered the first symbology item. Once you have registered all the symbology items, you must save the layer, which is step 8 in the next section.

Register additional variables

Follow the steps below to create additional symbology items for additional variables. Once all the items have been registered, they can be saved to a layer file.

1. On the Multidimensional tab, select a variable.
2. Open the Symbology pane, and set up the symbology parameters.
3. In the Symbology pane, click the Options button .
4. Click Register Symbology.

   The Symbology item properties page appears in the pane.

5. Edit the Symbology Name text.

   The other parameters are read-only information about the symbology item.

6. Click OK to register the symbology item.

   This symbology item now shows in the drop-down list for Primary Symbology, in the Symbology pane.

7. Repeat steps 1 through 6, until you have created all the symbology items needed.
8. Save the raster layer as an .lyrx file, so that it can be shared and used with any similar raster datasets.
   1. In the Contents pane, right-click the raster layer, point to Share, and click Save Layer File.
   2. Choose a location and a name for the layer file, and click OK.

Once the variables have registered symbology items, change the variable from the Multidimensional tab to automatically update the symbology with the preset symbology item.