HOW TO
Note: This article pertains to ArcGIS versions 8.x. Later versions of ArcGIS may contain different functionality, as well as different names and locations for menus, commands and geoprocessing tools.
This VBA code sample illustrates how to call the StyleSelector programmatically to select a North Arrow. The code then places the selected North Arrow on the PageLayout.
Note: Support for Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) for ArcMap and ArcCatalog ended with the ArcGIS 10.2.2 release, and Esri has not included VBA compatibility setups since version 10.5. See: ArcGIS Desktop and VBA Moving Forward
Note: For more information on creating a UIControl, see the ArcGIS Desktop Help topic: 'Creating custom commands with VBA and UI Controls'
'''This code will: '''1:Call up the StyleSelector. '''2:Allow User to select a NorthArrow '''3:Place selected arrow in PageLayout (1,1). (NorthArrow will draw in Red...) Dim pMxDoc As IMxDocument Set pMxDoc = ThisDocument Dim pAV As IActiveView Dim pGC As IGraphicsContainer Set pGC = pMxDoc.ActiveView Dim pStyleSelector As IStyleSelector Set pStyleSelector = New NorthArrowSelector pStyleSelector.DoModal 0 '''You must use 0 below. I THINK this is because once a NorthArrow is selected '''it is in the first position (0). Dim pUnk As IUnknown Set pUnk = pStyleSelector.GetStyle(0) Dim pArrow As INorthArrow Set pArrow = pUnk '''QI to above class's main interface.... '''A MapSurround is a term referring to "things" that can sit around a '''map. (ScaleBars, Legends, NorthArrows, etc) Dim pMapSurround As IMapSurround Set pMapSurround = pArrow '''Color the NorthArrow red...(just to prove we have access to its properties.... Dim pClr As IRgbColor Set pClr = New RgbColor pClr.Red = 255 pArrow.Color = pClr '''In order to be displayed on a pagelayout, all MapSurrounds must sit in '''a frame (MapsurrounfFrame). Dim pMapSurroundFrame As IMapSurroundFrame '''*********THIS IS NECCESARY******************** '''If this block of code is excluded, the NorthArrow will have re-sizing issues. '''The CreateSurroundFrame ties the MapFrame to the MapsurroundFrame which will '''allow for a correct repositioning when moving/re-sizing. Dim pMapFrame As IMapFrame Set pMapFrame = pGC.FindFrame(pMxDoc.Maps.Item(0)) Dim pUID As UID Set pUID = New UID pUID.Value = "esricore.MarkerNorthArrow" Set pMapSurroundFrame = pMapFrame.CreateSurroundFrame(pUID, pArrow) '''*********************************************** Set pAV = pMxDoc.ActiveView '''QI and set an IElement interface. This interface give you acces to a '''Geometry property. This geometry property (in this case) takes rectangle/envelope '''that represents a location on the PageLayout where the NorthArrow will be stored... Dim pElem As IElement Set pElem = pMapSurroundFrame '''The function named 'TheGeometry' returns an envelope. pElem.Geometry = TheGeometry '''Finally add the element to the graphicsContainer pGC.AddElement pElem, 0 pMxDoc.ActiveView.Refresh
Code: Public Function TheGeometry() As IGeometry '''This function creates a piece of geometry that is used by the PageLayout as a '''position to display the North Arrow. Dim pEnv As IEnvelope Set pEnv = New Envelope Dim pt1 As IPoint Set pt1 = New Point pt1.x = 1 pt1.Y = 1 Dim pt2 As IPoint Set pt2 = New Point pt2.x = 1.5 pt2.Y = 1.5 pEnv.LowerLeft = pt1 pEnv.UpperRight = pt2 Set TheGeometry = pEnv End Function
Get help from ArcGIS experts
Download the Esri Support App