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Create Layout and Update Dynamic Text


Using templates to create layouts in ArcGIS Pro is a great way to have a map ready to go quickly.

ArcGIS Pro allows users to apply pre-formatted layout templates to easily create print-ready maps. The use of templates dramatically speeds the job of the GISS allowing them to apply legends, scale bars, graticules, and other STANDL elements to their map. Using templates allows the GISS to provide a quicker standardized product to the firefighters.

Job Aids

Layout Templates

The Pro Project Template includes preconfigured layouts for the most common page sizes, which are already tied to the included map view.

All the text elements in these layouts are dynamic. The project specific items (Title, Author) are sourced from map view metadata, while incident-wide elements (Date and Operational Period, Incident Name, Incident ID, Current Acreage) are sourced from the DynamicTextUpdate table in the other_incident_data GDB. This should further reduce time spent updating daily products.

Creating a New Incident Product

After using Save As to create a new Master Project from the Pro Project Template, repairing the Event layer paths to the Master Incident GDB, and adding any necessary ancillary data, and otherwise configuring the map view as desired, a layout can be selected for the product.

  1. From the Contents pane in the Catalog view, open the project Layouts. Make a copy of the appropriate size and orientation for the product to preserve the original template. At minimum, replace “Layout” with the map product type in the layout name (e.g. iap_11x17_Land). Layouts with the “_Sidebar” are preferred for multipage maps as all the map elements are placed off of the Map Frame in a separate area of the Layout. This ensures no data will be accidentally covered up on the map.
    Image
    Content screen with Layouts highlighted.
  2. Activate the map frame from the Layout ribbon and zoom or pan to the area of interest. This can be done several ways including manually, Zoom to Layer, a Bookmark, and Zoom/Pan to Feature. Double-check the scale is correct for the product.
    Layout ribbon, Activate button highlighted.
  3. Close the Activation when the map displays the desired area at the appropriate scale.
    Close Activation Map button.

Dynamic Text

Dynamic text changes dynamically based on the current properties of the project and allows for the insertion of automatically updating values into the layout. Dynamic text works using tags, like HTML, and can be added on its own or in conjunction with static text.

It is very useful to automate some of the more tedious aspects of map creation such as updating each map's creation date and time, providing the file path of the map document, and now with Pro: setting the incident information (name, unique fire ID) and updating the fire acres for every project at once using dynamic text set to a table value.

Using dynamic text can be an enormous benefit to the consistency and accuracy of map creation.

Job Aids

 

Each layout in the Pro Project Template comes preconfigured with dynamic text. Instructions for use are included in a text element in each layout.

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  • Elements highlighted in Yellow are sourced from the Map View Metadata. These will apply to all templates in that APRX.
  • Elements highlighted in Green are sourced from the DynamicTextUpdate table. These will apply to all the templates in all the APRXs for the incident.
  • The scale, date/time, and datum are sourced from the system.

Update Dynamic Text

  1.  From the Catalog view, right-click the map view and select Edit Metadata.
  2. Enter the map title under Title.
    Enter the author name or initials under Credits.
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  3. Click Apply to save the changes.
    Image
    Highlight of metadata buttons on the toolbar


    The Layout may need to be refreshed for the text to update.
    Image
    Image
  4. If the Date and OP of Use, Acres, or Acres Effective Date are incorrect, this and any other projects should be closed and the DynamicTextUpdate table should be edited from the Edit Project.
  5. Make any final adjustments to layout elements:
  • Add a Team logo.
  • Move or resize the Legend.
  • Adjust the scale bar.
  • Etc.

Create Different Size or Area of the same Product

Once a product has been created at one size, to recreate it with different dimensions simply open the desired layout size and follow the same steps.

To create the same product in multiple areas, make a copy of the layout and activate the map frame to set the new area and scale.

All the map elements (symbology, annotation, basemaps, etc) will be the same because all the layouts are tied to the same map view.

All the text elements will be identical and prepopulate because they are all tied to the same dynamic settings.

 

Modified / Reviewed:

NWCG Latest Announcements

NWCG Equipment Technology Committee Releases Safety Warning: 24-001 Stihl Chainsaw Toolless Fuel Cap Spill Prevention

Date: November 14, 2024
Contact: Equipment Technology Committee

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) has released Safety Warning: 24-001 Stihl Chainsaw Toolless Fuel Cap Spill Prevention. Misaligned toolless fuel caps on Stihl chainsaws have led to recurring fuel spillage, fuel ignition, and burn injuries during wildland fire management operations.

This Safety Warning is intended to highlight the details and recommended procedures for the installation of a Stihl chainsaw toolless fuel cap, as well as how to identify and correct a misaligned, damaged, or broken fuel cap to help prevent fuel spillage.

References:

NWCG Safety Warning: 24-001 Stihl Chainsaw Toolless Fuel Cap Spill Prevention

Advertencia de equipos 24-001: Prevención de derrames de la tapa de combustible sin herramientas de la motosierra Stihl

NWCG Alerts

The Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book are now available for Equipment Time Recorder (EQTR)

Date: November 13, 2024
Contact: Incident Business Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Equipment Time Recorder, PMS 350-51 and NWCG Position Task Book for Equipment Time Recorder (EQTR), PMS 311-51 are now available.

The Performance Support Package, which for EQTR, includes the Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book were developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort. The Performance Support Package will support trainees, those qualified in the position, and evaluators.

References:

NWCG Equipment Time Recorder Position Page

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Equipment Time Recorder, PMS 350-51

NWCG Position Task Book for Equipment Time Recorder (EQTR), PMS 311-51

The Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book are now available for Personnel Time Recorder (PTRC)

Date: November 13, 2024
Contact: Incident Business Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Personnel Time Recorder, PMS 350-53 and NWCG Position Task Book for Personnel Time Recorder (PTRC), PMS 311-53 are now available.

The Performance Support Package, which for PTRC, includes the Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book were developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort. The Performance Support Package will support trainees, those qualified in the position, and evaluators.

References:

NWCG Personnel Time Recorder Position Page

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Personnel Time Recorder, PMS 350-53

NWCG Position Task Book for Personnel Time Recorder (PTRC), PMS 311-53

NWCG Risk Management Committee Releases Safety Bulletin: 24-001 Use of Respirators on Wildland Fires

Date: November 7, 2024
Contact: Risk Management Committee

The Risk Management Committee (RMC) has released Safety Bulletin: 24-001 Use of Respirators on Wildland Fires. As wildland fire respirators are available through several established vendors, wildland fire personnel need to understand regulations and limitations of respirator use in the workplace.

Safety Bulletin 24-001 outlines the following topics regarding respirator use for wildland fires:

  • Requirements for Respirator Use
  • Voluntary Respirator Use
  • Current Respirator Options
  • Unknown Risks of Respirator Use

This bulletin also provides mitigation recommendations to help reduce smoke exposure for wildland firefighting efforts.

References:

NWCG Safety Bulletin: 24-001 Use of Respirators on Wildland Fires

NWCG Smoke Management Guide for Prescribed Fire, PMS 420-3

VIDEO: Protecting Wildfire Personnel from Smoke - How Incident Management Teams Address Smokes Risks

VIDEO: Smoke, Knowing the Risks