Chart automation finishing processes

The Chart Automation script tool can perform the following processes: add layers to the TOC, generate cartographic limits, create grids and graticules, convert labels to annotation, and mask annotation. The processes are described in the following sections.

Add layers to TOC

This process adds to the map document a group layer of ordered and rendered nautical layers with labels turned on, and updates the data sources in each layer to the workspace path of the production database. The group layer is called Nautical.lyr and is installed with ArcGIS for Maritime: Charting in the following location.

Generate Cartographic Limits

The Generate Cartographic Limits model located in the Nautical Tools.tbx is ran on a predefined list of feature classes\subtypes. The table below shows the input feature classes, subtypes, and output A_L feature classes that are run through the Generate Cartographic Limits model. A selection set is created on the input feature class for the subtype(s) listed. The selected features are converted to polylines and erased where their boundary is coincident with a CoastlineL feature. The resulting output polyline features are appended to the corresponding A_L feature class and added as a layer to the map document if it does not already exist as a layer in the chart panel’s data frame.

Input Feature Class

Subtype(s)

Output Feature Class

DangersA

All

DangersA_L

DepthsA

5, 10, 15

DepthsA_L

IceFeaturesA

All

IceA_L

MilitaryFeaturesA

All

MilitaryA_L

NaturalFeaturesA

1, 20, 35

NaturalA_L

OffshoreInstallationsA

All

OffshoreA_L

PortsAndServicesA

5, 10, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 80

PortsA_L

RegulatedAreasAndLimitsA

1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 65, 70, 75, 85, 95, 105, 110, 115

RegulatedA_L

SeabedA

15

SeabedA_L

TracksAndRoutesA

1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 40, 45, 70

TracksA_L

Grids and Graticules

This process runs the Make Grids And Graticules Layer geoprocessing tool located in the Cartography Tools toolbox. The appropriate preconfigured grid XML for the INT2 standard is selected based on the MAPSCALE attribute defined in the Product Class AOI feature class for the product. If the value for the MAPSCALE attribute is NULL, the scale defined in the COMPILATIONSCALE attribute is used instead. The output grids are stored in the GRD_Grids feature dataset in the production database and the grid layers are added to the map document under a group layer called Grids. The Grids group layer is listed at the top of the Table of Contents window. The data frame’s coordinate system, rotation, scale, size, and shape are updated based on the properties of the grids. Finally, the data frame is clipped using the polygon geometry of the CLP_GRD_Grids feature class created by the Make Grids And Graticules Layer geoprocessing tool and the map document is switched to the page layout view.

Convert Labels to Annotation

This process runs the Tiled Labels To Annotation geoprocessing tool located in the Cartography Tools toolbox. The process runs on all layers in the data frame associated with the chart panel. If the labels are turned on in the layer’s properties, feature-linked annotation is generated for that layer at the reference scale of the data frame, and the labels for that layer are then turned off. The output annotation feature classes are stored in the production database and the annotation layers are added to the map document under a group layer called Anno. If the Grids and Graticules process is also selected, the Anno group layer is listed immediately below the Grids group layer. Otherwise, the Anno group layer will be listed at the top of the Table of Contents window. The table below shows all of the annotation layers that are run through the model, the output mask layers that are created from the model, and the intersecting layers/masking layers.

Anno Layer

Mask Layer

Intersecting Layer(s)/Masking Layer(s)

SoundingsPAnno

SoudingsPAnno_MASK

DepthsL, TracksAndRoutesL, RegulatedA_L, OffshoreA_L, DepthsA_L, GLN_GRD_Grids

DangersPAnno

DangersPAnno_MASK

DepthsL, TracksAndRoutesL, RegulatedA_L, OffshoreA_L, DepthsA_L, GLN_GRD_Grids

SeabedPAnno

SeabedPAnno_MASK

DepthsL, TracksAndRoutesL, RegulatedA_L, OffshoreA_L, DepthsA_L, GLN_GRD_Grids

AidsToNavigationPAnno

AidsToNavigationPAnno_MASK

DepthsL, CoastlineL, NaturalFeaturesL, CulturalFeaturesL, TracksAndRoutesL, GLN_GRD_Grids

LightSectorsLAnno

LightSectorsLAnno_MASK

DepthsL, CoastlineL, NaturalFeaturesL, CulturalFeaturesL, TracksAndRoutesL, GLN_GRD_Grids

PortsAndServicesPAnno (where AnnotationClassID <> BERTHS_TXT)

PortsAndServicesPAnno_MASK

DepthsL, CoastlineL, NaturalFeaturesL, CulturalFeaturesL, TracksAndRoutesL, GLN_GRD_Grids

CulturalFeaturesPAnno

CulturalFeaturesPAnno_MASK

NaturalFeaturesL, CulturalFeaturesL, GLN_GRD_Grids

CulturalFeaturesAAnno

CulturalFeaturesAAnno_MASK

NaturalFeaturesL, CulturalFeaturesL, GLN_GRD_Grids

DangersAAnno

DangersAAnno_MASK

DangersA_L, GLN_GRD_Grids

RegulatedAreasAndLimitsAAnno

RegulatedAreasAndLimitsAAnno_MASK

RegulatedA_L

NaturalFeaturesLAnno

NaturalFeaturesLAnno_MASK

NaturalFeaturesL

Mask Annotation

This process creates mask polygons for all annotation layers, enables layer masking in the Advanced Drawing Options dialog box, and applies layer masking settings. The Feature Outline Masks geoprocessing tool located in the Cartography Tools toolbox is used to create 1 point masks on all features in the DepthsLAnno layer. The table below shows the mask layer created by the Feature Outline Masks geoprocessing tool, as well as the layers masked by the DepthsLAnno mask polygon.

Anno Layer

Mask Layer

Intersecting Layers/Masking Layers

DepthsLAnno

DepthsLAnno_MASK

DepthsL, TracksAndRoutesL, RegulatedA_L, OffshoreA_L, LightSectorsL, GLN_GRD_Grids

Additionally, 1 point masks are also created for other predefined annotation layers in the tool. The Generate Annotation Masks model found in the Nautical Tools toolbox is used to create mask polygons on annotation layers only where they intersect certain nautical layers predefined in the tool. The annotation mask is set as the layer used to mask the intersecting layers.

3/4/2014