Working with free representations

This topic applies to ArcGIS for Desktop Standard and ArcGIS for Desktop Advanced only.

In cases where overriding the properties of the assigned representation rule does not allow enough flexibility to depict a feature as desired on a map, you can convert the feature representation into a free representation.

Upon conversion, a free representation appears on the map exactly like its former feature representation counterpart. The key difference is that, instead of being assigned to a representation rule that other feature representations in the feature class share, a complete copy of the current rule is placed within the feature record to be accessed only by this feature. This means that not only can individual properties of the representation rule be overridden in the free representation, but the actual structure of the rule can also be changed. You can modify this independent rule by adding or removing both symbol layers and geometric effects and create additional geometry associated with the symbol layers.

Since the link to the representation rules is broken, free representations should only be used in cases where overriding the properties of the assigned representation rule does not allow enough flexibility to depict a feature as desired on a map. Resorting to many free representations on a single map is an indication of poorly designed rules. Free representations should only be used for real exceptions.

Tip:

The Rule ID value of a free representation is always -1.

Understanding free representations

A selected feature representation follows the Walking Trail representation rule. The properties of this rule are displayed on the Representation Properties window.

Once the feature representation has been converted to a free representation, you can modify its independent rule by changing, adding, removing, and reordering symbol layers, geometric effects, and marker placement styles using the Representation Properties window.

The entire free representation, including its independent representation rule, is collectively an override of the supporting feature, so the definition of the rule and all the geometry of the free representation is stored in the Override field that corresponds to the current feature class representation. This is true even if the feature class representation is set to change the geometry of the supporting feature.

Learn more about representation geometry editing behavior

Working with free representations

There is a sequence of operations that can be performed on free representations, each of which increases the level of control and flexibility you can have over the feature. You will not always perform them in the order listed here. Your workflow will depend on how the original representation rule of the feature was defined and what you are trying to accomplish with a free representation.

You can access these operations from the Representation button on the Representation toolbar. Once a free representation has been created, you can also access most of them from the shortcut menu within the Free Representation Editor. (Right-click in the Free Representation Editor canvas to open the shortcut menu.)

Operation	Description	Result
Convert to Free Representation	Converts a feature representation to a free representation.	An independent copy of the representation rule is copied into the Override field. Feature geometry is copied from the Shape field into the Override field. No visible change to the feature.
Separate Symbol Layers	Makes the geometry of each symbol layer an independent entity for editing. This command is disabled if there is only one symbol layer in the representation rule.	You can interact with each symbol layer separately. You can move the fill of a polygon feature independently of its outline, for example.
Convert Effect to Geometry	Converts the dynamic result of geometric effects and marker placement styles in the free representation to actual geometry. Geometric effects and marker placement styles are converted one at a time in the order that they are processed in the drawing order of the representation rule. Global geometric effects are converted first. This command is disabled if There are no geometric effects or marker placement styles present in the representation rule. There are no global geometric effects and there is more than one symbol layer (Use the Separate Symbol Layers command to interact with each symbol layer).	Converted geometry is stored in the Override field. Multipart geometry can be created depending on the type of geometric effects and marker placement styles converted. No visible change to the feature unless it is selected as vertices, and the bounding box can be updated to reflect new geometry.
Ungroup Elements	Ungroups multipart geometry produced by the Convert Effect to Geometry command into individual elements.	Individual geometry elements are available for editing.
Delete Elements	Deletes a geometry element.	Element is removed from the free representation geometry stored in the Override field.
Edit Free Representation	Opens the free representation for editing inside the Free Representation Editor.	The Free Representation Editor opens.

Operations that can be performed on free representations

How to make a free representation from a feature representation

1. In an edit session, select a feature representation.
2. On the Representation toolbar, click Representation > Free representation > Convert to free representation.

How to make a feature representation from a free representation

1. In an edit session, select a feature representation.
2. Open the Representation Properties window by clicking the Representation Properties button on the Representation toolbar.
3. Click the Drawing tab on the Representation Properties window.
4. Use the pull-down menu to choose a different representation rule to apply to the feature representation.

Caution:

The feature will follow the chosen representation rule using the geometry stored in the Shape field. It will no longer be a free representation. Any overrides, including shape overrides, will not be maintained. Any additional representation geometry that was added in the Free Representation Editor will be lost.

How to separate symbol layers

1. In an edit session, select a feature representation.
2. On the Representation toolbar, click Representation > Free representation > Separate symbol layers. All symbol layers will be separated, and the Representation Properties window will only display one selected symbol layer at a time.

Tip:

• This command is disabled if there is only one symbol layer in the representation rule.
• You can also separate symbol layers in the Free Representation Editor by right-clicking in the canvas and clicking Separate symbol layers on the shortcut menu.

How to convert geometric effects and marker placement styles to geometry

1. In an edit session, select a feature representation.
2. On the Representation toolbar, click Representation > Free representation > Convert effect to geometry. The dynamic result of geometric effects and marker placement styles in the free representation is converted to actual geometry.

Tip:

• If a free representation is made up of more than one symbol layer, you will need to separate the symbol layers first, then select a single symbol layer to convert.
• You can also convert effects to geometry in the Free Representation Editor by right-clicking in the canvas and clicking Convert effect to geometry on the shortcut menu.

How to ungroup free representation elements

1. In an edit session, select a feature representation.
2. On the Representation toolbar, click Representation > Free representation > Ungroup elements to ungroup multipart geometry produced by converting effects into geometry into individual elements for editing.

Tip:

• The Ungroup elements command is disabled unless a single free representation feature is selected that has had geometric effects or marker placement styles converted to multipart geometry.
• You can also ungroup elements in the Free Representation Editor by right-clicking in the canvas and clicking Explode multi-part geometry on the shortcut menu.