How to Make Cool-Looking Callouts with Map Graphics

Map graphics are handy doodads for dropping in rando stuff like images, shapes, and text, that you want to be pinned to the map. Here's how to make a rectangle map graphic in ArcGIS Pro and apply a blend mode to take it to the next level of nerdy goodness.
Check out some other social channels where I share how-to's and updates on random map adventures:
adventuresinmapping.com
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[@elyashamidi1555]

I love your GIS and designing skills. You are the father of mapping in ArcGIS Pro. Keep doing such an incredible job.

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

Thanks I hope you find them useful!

[@Eshugga]

“Good enough is where I live,” is my new mantra.

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

I forgot I said that!

[@jonathansouthwood3767]

“This is where I live. Really minor gradient tweaking.” 😂 please never change John.

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

Hah, thanks Jonathan!

[@johnnymitnick]

Youve been so helpful thank you so much John Nelson. You are a legendary modern cartographer!

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

oh gosh, thanks John! i'm so happy some of this has been useful. it's fun.

[@seanhlousek3872]

Outstanding video that delves into one of the new "Nerd-Level" features built into ArcGIS Pro. Thank you!

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

thanks Sean!

[@maptastik]

I hadn't heard of or noticed graphics layers in 2.6. Can't wait to use these. Thanks for the demos!

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

yeah! they're handy. sometimes.

[@madeinusa5395]

So awesome and helpful! Thank you John!

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

my pleasure!

[@happymountaingirl6719]

OMG! I am loving your tutorials, thank you so much and I hope you teach, very engaging voice!

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

wow, thanks so much!

[@AbhijayaDhakal]

Your tricks and tips are priceless! Please keep it coming.

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

Thanks!

[@cadco1996]

This is a great trick, and easy to apply! I was able to use this on a small map frame that I inserted into a larger map to make it pop out in an appealing way. Thanks!

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

rock and roll!

[@pvelasquezfranco]

I just enjoy all your videos! Tks master of masters!

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

Ha! Thanks!

[@bobsage]

Mr John Nelson... You are my newly discovered favorite person! Thank you so much for sharing all of your great ideas.

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

Gosh thanks Bob!

[@Jason-uy6iu]

This is so cool. Thanks for sharing

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

Thanks!

[@musicmori]

Thanks for this! Your videos are always so inspiring! :)

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

hey thank you!

[@adwaithba2510]

Sir this is really great and i love the way you present your videos, i was bored with ArcGIS Desktop and now you gave me a push to tryout ArcGIS Pro. Thankyou for inspiring me.

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

it's so fun! get ready to live.

[@franzpc]

Excellent, very good, I will make a summary on my channel, thanks for everything.

[@Snaggerthe1st]

Hi John. Great video. I've just started dabbling with the blending. We don't actually have much use for things like blending day to day, so trying it out where I can. I followed your tips on creating the area of interest circle, but I used it as a layout graphic around a North Arrow. Went to try "Nerd Level 3" and realised that blending wasn't an option in the Layout. :( Never mind - Nerd Level 1 still made the North Arrow really pop in the corner of my map frame. I originally tried the transparent colour ramps like what you used on the circle graphic as a part of a new stroke symbol layer under the North Arrow in the North Arrow symbol setup - but don't seem to get the same results (seems to partially ignore the transparent nature of the ramp so still very black/dark). Pity we can't share pictures here. Never mind - thanks again!

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

sounds like a cool plan. keep at it. yeah, blend modes aren't in the layout unfortunately, just 2D maps. but if you are interested in funky north arrows, maybe check these out: esri-styles.maps.arcgis.com/home/item.html?id=998442e7b1e943e592b67ec03091fcbe

[@nathanmccall7024]

Blend modes on map graphics!?! 🤯

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

I know, right?

[@lagocardiel]

wooww, muy bien 10!!

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

¡Gracias Héctor!

[@michellegutierrez136]

!!!!! Thank you

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

yes, thanks!

[@benmissimer]

🙌

[@shelleyperry4856]

John, Great videos!!! Really like this “call out” but I’m having a problem with labels showing up. Is there a work around or something I’m completely overlooking (most likely). Thanks John ....

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

thanks Steve! do you mean feature labels for a layer? or inserted text graphics in a layout? either way, though, i don't know why they might fail to appear.

[@shelleyperry4856]

@@JohnNelsonMaps Thanks John for getting back with me. Late last night I figured out the issue and was planning on getting back with you today to let you know. When you add a graphic by default the weight is set to high. So if you have anything behind it weighted lower it won’t display. It would be nice if that default was set to low. Of course I didn’t document my steps so I’ll be retracing it this morning and writing things down. Thanks again and looking forward to future videos...

[@jeremybarnby4771]

This is the exact (almost) technique I was looking for! Have any ideas how I can apply this to state outlines though? I want to highlight a few states with this technique and I don't feel like tracing the states to turn them into graphics. I used the feature to graphics tool, but that doesn't allow me to adjust the symbology the way you did here. If you can offer any tips that would be appreciated!

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

yes, here is how: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bKnZk32tgKiLgKMsi=GTo-eW6OtAEmX68R

[@Lynchmob643]

Can you set the distance of the callout radius Map graphic?

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

you mean dynamically? i don't know if you can do that. i just drew it manually. it's easy to resize though.

[@JV-gi1hs]

Hi, I want my graphic layer the same shape as my district polygon?.. How can I do that?. Do i just roughly draw it?

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

nah, you are already one step ahead and have the shape already. you can do all these things you see in the video to your district polygon.

[@vojtechblazek716]

Nerd level :D :D

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

:)

[@amydunn99999]

I can not get this to work in Pro 2.9.1. My gradient does not look smooth in the corners in the preview. As soon as I set the black to transparent it doesn't show a gradient it just shows some faint black lines. Any thoughts?

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

oh strange, not sure what's going on. sounds weird, but hard to know without seeing.

[@amydunn3510]

@John Nelson I ended up getting the transparent gradient to show up on my work computer in Pro... until I went to export to PDF and then it stopped showing up again. I'm in the carto mooc right now and I ended up posting a screenshot of my stretch goal because that's the only way it will show up properly.

[@JohnNelsonMaps]

@@amydunn3510 ah, ok. export to PDF definitely has issues. i suggest exporting as an image file like jpg or png. i'll let the team know you are having issues with the PDF export, and i'm sorry!

[@amydunn3510]

@John Nelson I tried a TIF and it did the same thing. I can try other formats.