How to speed up redrawing of layers (from shapefiles) in MXD? [duplicate]

Question

How do I speed up the process of redrawing layers in a MXD?

I have already tried reloading and indexing the layers.

The layers were created from shapefiles.

Answer 1

If you don't need to edit or change symbology in your layers (too often), you can use Basemap layers. It will keep the data in-memory after drawing it for the first time.

But, as mentioned, the price to pay is that the only thing you can do with a layer in a Basemap layer group is turn it on or off. Everything else is disabled.

Another thing you can do is to save all your data on disk instead of a remote server, if you haven't already done so.

Answer 2

Some points to improve display performance of vector data:

Data

• use File Geodatabase instead of Shape Files
• use Basemap layers
• avoid projection on-the-fly
• Generalize data (Generalize Tool, Integrate Tool )

Layer

• set visible scale range to display layers only at certain scales
• use definition queries to display only a subset of features in a layer

Symbols/Styles

General:

• Use simple cartographic symbols/styles.
• Use only one symbol layer to create your symbol. Symbols created of multiple layers decrease performance.

for points:

• Use simple or character marker symbols.
• Do not use picture marker symbols.
• If you can’t avoid picture marker symbols then use wmf. Do not use bmp.
• Don’t use a “mask”.

For lines:

• Use simple solid lines.
• Marker, cartographic Lines, offset and others will decrease performance

For polygons:

• Use simple fill with simple outline.
• Fill marker, picture fill, character marker fill and others will decrease performance

Label/Annotation

• Turn labeling off.

• use display range for labels and annotations

• Use label classes to display only a subset of features with Labels.

• Using of label weight will decrease Performance

• Label expressions decrease performance

• Annotations are faster than labels

• Store annotations in Geodatabases, not in MXD

Answer 3

I recommend the use of a file geodatabase. This clearly improves the speed at which the layers are drawn.