Create dashed line symbol with tick marks in ArcGIS Pro

Summary

In ArcGIS Pro, line symbols can be customized to represent line features on a map. When creating a map that requires distinguishable line symbols, a dashed line with tick marks can be used as one of the symbols.

For example, when displaying a rock fault system on a map, a dashed line symbol with tick marks represents the rock's fault and the direction in which the fault dips.

In this article, the fault below is used to demonstrate the workflow to create a dashed line symbol with tick marks representing the rock's fault and the direction of the fault dips.

Procedure

1. Open the ArcGIS Pro project.
2. In the Contents pane, click the line symbol to open the Format Line Symbol pane.

3. Add a new marker symbol layer and delete the existing stroke symbol layer.
   1. In the Format Line Symbol pane, on the Properties tab, click the Structure tab.
   2. Expand Layers, click Add symbol layer, and select Marker layer from the drop-down list.

3. The new marker symbol layer is added. Click the delete button on the existing stroke symbol layer to delete it.

Note:
A stroke symbol layer is the default symbol layer when a line feature is created. To control more symbol properties such as the rotation, size and placement, use a marker symbol layer. Refer to ArcGIS Pro: Marker symbol layer properties for more information.

4. Configure the marker symbol layer.
   1. In the Format Line Symbol pane, on the Properties tab, click the Layers tab.
   2. Expand Appearance. For Form, click the drop-down menu and select the shape.
   3. Configure the other parameters to edit the symbol's size, or color if necessary.

5. Duplicate the marker symbol layer.
   1. In the Format Line Symbol pane, on the Properties tab, click the Structure tab.
   2. Click the Duplicate layer button.

6. Configure the duplicated marker symbol layer.
   1. In the Format Line Symbol pane, on the Properties tab, click the Layers tab.
   2. Select the duplicated marker symbol layer and expand Rotation. For Angle, click the drop-down menu and select 90° to rotate the marker symbol horizontally.
   3. Expand Offset Distance. For Offset Y, set the desired value. A negative value shifts the symbol down while a positive value shifts the symbol up from the origin.
   4. Expand Marker Placement. For Placement, ensure Along line is selected.
   5. Configure the other parameters to edit the symbol's size, or color if necessary.
   6. Click Apply to save the changes.

The dashed line symbol with tick marks represents the rock's fault and the eastward direction of the fault dips.