PROBLEM

Some symbols turn black or are color-inverted when exported with the 'convert marker symbols to polygons' option

Last Published: April 25, 2020

Description

Some symbols may become black or have their color inverted when exported with the ArcMap export option 'Convert marker symbols to polygons'.

Cause

This problem may occur if the symbols are from custom authored fonts and if the 'Convert marker symbols to polygons' is used.

Some custom authored fonts have invalid glyphs or glyphs with bad geometry. One workaround for this type of problem is to use the 'Convert marker symbols to polygons' option. However, sometimes when this option is used, the symbols are filled all black, or their colors are incorrectly inverted.

Solution or Workaround

Increase the DPI of the output to 720 dpi or more.

Note:
Increasing the DPI too far may result in "out of memory" or "Cannot map metafile" errors. Increase the DPI slowly from 720 to find the optimum setting.

  1. Navigate to File > Export Map.
  2. Select the Save as file type. If the export options are not visible, expand the Options:

    Summary:
    When ArcMap is first installed, the Export Map dialog box is collapsed and may be difficult to notice.

    Instructions provided describe how to expand the ArcMap Export Map dialog box options.

    Procedure:
    Click the arrow in the lower left-hand corner of the Export Map dialog box. The dialog box expands and displays the export format options.
    [O-Image] ArcMap Export dialog options button

  3. Change the DPI option to 720.
    [O-Image] Export dialogue 720dpi.

Article ID:000008069

Software:
  • ArcMap

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