BUG-000176472 for ArcGIS Pro

Bug ID Number	BUG-000176472
Submitted	May 15, 2025
Last Modified	July 23, 2025
Applies to	ArcGIS Pro
Version found	3.1.3
Operating System	Windows Server
Operating System Version	2019 64 Bit
Status	Under Consideration

Additional Information

This is a limitation of the style specification used in vector tiles, which has no equivalent to ArcGIS Pro's robust marker placement options. Marker placements inside polygons are saved in vector tiles as fill layers with a fill-pattern applied, which functions much like a picture fill. Each marker layer is saved as a separate fill layer. If there is an offset applied to the markers of a marker layer, this is saved as a 'fill-translate' in vector tiles, which moves the entire fill. There is no way in the style spec to offset just the fill-pattern without also moving the boundaries of the fill itself.

Workaround

Workaround 1: Works with a simple polygon with no adjacent polygons:

A dissolved polygon layer is added to create an outline. In Map Properties, on the Clip Layers tab, select Clip to an outline.
Create a buffer around the polygon. The polygon area was erased from the buffer.
In the Map Properties dialog box, on the Clip Layers tab, the Buffer_Erase layer is excluded.
Buffer_Erase layer is symbolized in white color with no border.
Move the layer above the polygon.
Turn off the buffer layer.
Run the Create Vector Tile Package tool.
Insert a new map. This step is required to view the VTPK in a map without Clip Layers activated.
Copy and add the polygon layer. This step is required to use the layer to zoom to, or else VTPK will not visualize at the correct extent.
Add the VTPK to the new map.

Workaround 2: Works with multiple polygons with adjacent polygons:

There is no need to set Clip Layers in the Map Properties dialog box for this workflow.

Screenshot a high-resolution picture file (.bmp, .jpg, .png, .gif) of desired symbology.
In the Symbology pane, on the Properties tab, on the Layers tab, select Picture fill from the drop-down menu.
In the Appearance drop-down, click Picture and browse to the picture file.
In the Map Properties dialog box, on the Metadata tab, update summary and description, or else the Create Vector Tile Package tool will fail.
Run the Create Vector Tile Package tool.

The resulting vector tile package symbology will stay contained within the polygon boundary and will dynamically adjust based on scale. The clarity and precision of the symbol rendering will be influenced by both the resolution of your picture file and the scale at which the symbol was displayed in the picture.