2

My workflow entails exporting ArcGIS Layers into Adobe Illustrator for cartographic output purposes. One problem I have at the moment is that I cannot replace my points with an Illustrator symbol. For example, points from ArcGIS are imported into Adobe Illustrator as circles. I cannot replace a circle with an Illustrator-symbol. What I can do however, is replace a single anchor point with a symbol. Is there a way to convert a circle to a single anchor point? or are there other ways in which I can replace GIS objects with Symbols?

So my question is somewhat illustrator based, but I thought as this is such a common GIS workflow, is may be answered here.

Improve this question
4
  • convert to SVG or EMF you will able to import them into ArcGIS.
    – Mapperz ♦
    Feb 11 '14 at 15:25
  • Sorry...Obviously I didn´t explain myself. I want to create the map in Illustrator - not import the symbols into ArcGIS. I need to convert my ArcGIS points into a form which, after I have imported the map into Illustrator, can the be replaced with Illustrator Symbols in illustrator.
    – Robert Buckley
    Feb 12 '14 at 16:23
  • Most ESRI symbols are TrueType Fonts - you can add the symbol using the correct ESRI TrueType font - there are many windows7/8 Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Fonts
    – Mapperz ♦
    Feb 12 '14 at 16:44
  • Nathaniel Kelso's excellent "Find and Replace Graphics" worked like magic! It wasn't clear how to download the script from the web page. I just saved the file the as a js.txt file, which was the default file format in my PC. Then renamed the file extension from js.txt to .js and it worked.
    – Samz
    Apr 10 '20 at 18:15
2

You might want to look into Nathaniel Kelso's excellent "Find and Replace Graphics" Illustrator script, which you can download here. This script allows you to uniformly replace GIS-generated symbols (or shapes, as the case may be) with Illustrator-defined symbols. It also allows you to scale the transformations, as necessary.

Mr. Kelso has compiled a number of other useful Illy scripts on his site, many of which help streamline the cartographic design process. Check them out!

Improve this answer

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.