Restructuring symbol layers
The appearance and behavior of a symbol is dictated by the component symbol layers and symbol effects it contains. Even the order that these components are placed within a symbol can impact how it appears. You can add, delete, and reorder the layers in a symbol. Be aware that you may be prevented from deleting layers if the deletion will violate the minimum core symbol layers. A point symbol must contain at least one marker symbol layer. A line symbol must contain at least one stroke symbol layer, and a polygon symbol must contain at least one layer of any type.
Note:
Text symbols have no layer structure, so there is no notion of symbol layers or minimum layer requirements. Text symbols do not have symbol effects.
Add a symbol layer
- In the Format Symbol mode on the Symbology pane, click the Properties tab and click the Structure tab .
- Under the Layers heading, click Add symbol layer.
- Choose a layer type: Marker layer, Stroke layer, Fill layer.
The new layer is added at the top of the draw stack within the symbol.
- Click Apply to save changes to the symbol.
Delete a symbol layer
- In the Format Symbol mode on the Symbology pane, click the Properties tab and click the Structure tab .
- Under the Layers heading, click to remove the unwanted symbol layer.
- Click Apply to save changes to the symbol.
Reorder symbol layers
- In the Format Symbol mode on the Symbology pane, click the Properties tab and click the Structure tab .
- Under the Layers heading, click the three dots of a symbol layer and drag it to a new location in the stack.
The symbol layer at the lowest position in the pane draws first. The layer at the top of the pane draws last, above the others.
- Click Apply to save changes to the symbol.
Duplicate symbol layers
Instead of adding a new symbol layer, you can duplicate an existing symbol layer in a symbol. This can save you time when building complex layers that have similar properties.
- In the Format Symbol mode of
the Symbology pane, click the Properties tab and click Duplicate layer .
The new layer is placed immediately above the source layer in the stack.
- Click Apply to save changes to the symbol.