Get started with Military Symbology Editor

In support of military operations and planning, the military uses standard map symbols to visualize the battlefield. These symbols represent military units, equipment, and installations, along with tactical graphics to show military operations, boundaries, or other special designations. The symbols are also color-coded to represent friendly, enemy, or neutral entities. The Military Symbology Editor supports MIL-STD-2525D , MIL-STD-2525C, MIL-STD-2525B w/CHANGE 2, APP-6(D), and APP-6(B). Using the Military Symbology Editor, you can create, edit, and publish military overlays that are compliant with symbology standards.

Using the Military Symbology Editor, you can search for basic symbols, modify attributes, preview complete military symbols, and save favorites. You can add these military symbols to the map by clicking the map or entering coordinates.

Enable the Military Symbology Editor

In a new ArcGIS AllSource project, the Military Symbology Editor is disabled. To enable the Military Symbology Editor, complete the following steps:

  1. Click Edit tab and click Military Symbology Editor Military Symbology Editor.
  2. In the Military Symbology Editor pane, click the Enable button.

    The Add Military Overlay dialog box appears.

  3. Click Browse Browse next to the Military Overlay Database text box to select a location for the Military Overlay Database, or accept the project's default database.
  4. Select the standard you want to use from the Military Symbology Standard drop-down list.
  5. Enter a name for the overlay in the Military Overlay Name text box.
  6. From the Layers To Add list, use the check boxes to select the layers to add to the overlay.
    Note:

    Military Symbology Editor allows you to search all symbols available in the standard. To add a symbol that does not belong to one of the layers added when Military Symbology Editor is enabled, you are prompted to add the required layer.

  7. Click OK.

    The data model for the standard you selected is added to the project.