Create two ring symbologies surrounding point features in ArcGIS Pro

Summary

In ArcGIS Pro, buffer polygons can be created using the Buffer tool to generate an area of effect surrounding a point feature for analysis. However, the Buffer tool creates an additional polygon feature layer on the map. In a scenario where additional features are not required, the ring symbology can be used to create an area of effect surrounding a point feature. This article describes the workflow to symbolize point features with two rings. The symbology emulates the effect of the Buffer tool while maintaining a single point feature layer on the map.

Procedure

1. Change the project’s units to millimeter in ArcGIS Pro.
   1. In ArcGIS Pro, navigate to Project and click Options.
   2. In the Options window, click Units.
   3. Select and expand 2D Symbol Display Units.
   4. Check the Millimeter option. Click OK.

2. Create the first ring symbology surrounding the point features.
   1. In the Contents pane, double-click the symbol of the layer to expand the Symbology pane.
   2. In the Symbology pane, under Properties, click Layers .
   3. Under Layers, expand Appearance.
   4. Under Appearance, click Form  and select the filled circle.

5. Click the Shape fill symbol drop-down button, under Polygon symbols, select Outline only (0.1 pt).

6. Select an outline color and set an appropriate value for Outline width. This workflow uses 0.25mm as an example.
7. In the Symbology pane, click the Menu icon  and click Allow symbol property connections.
8. Under Appearance > Size, click the No attribute mapping defined icon .

9. In the Set Attribute Mapping window, click the Set an expression icon  to expand the Expression Builder pane.
10. In the Expression Builder pane, in the Expression text box, enter the following expression. In this example, the circle size used is 500,000 mm. Click OK.

<circle size in mm> / $view.scale * 2.83465

3. Create a duplicate of the ring symbology created in Step 2 and resize it.
   1. In the Symbology pane, under Properties, click the Structure icon .
   2. Under Layers, click the Duplicate layer icon  to duplicate the symbol layer.
   3. In the Symbology pane, under Properties, click Layers.
   4. Change the duplicated layer’s size expression. Repeat steps 2(i) and 2(j).
   5. In the Expression Builder pane, in the Expression text box, enter the following expression. In this example, the circle size used is 1,000,000 mm. Click OK.

1000000 / $view.scale * 2.83465

6. In the Symbology pane, click Apply.

The following image shows the two rings created on each point feature.