5/2/12

This download contains newly updated cartographic symbols for the National Park System (NPS). New symbol fonts from the NPS were used to create this ArcGIS 10 style, its five associated Esri fonts, and three associated graphic files. With this style, you can use the most current NPS symbology on your maps.

The marker symbols in this style depict cultural features and facilities and are designed to be quickly deciphered by US and, to some extent international, audiences.

To learn more about the standard cartographic symbols and patterns that NPS uses on its maps, see the NPS web page, Map Symbols & Patterns for NPS Maps [http://www.nps.gov/hfc/carto/map-symbols.htm].

For the marker and marker line symbols in the style to display correctly, you will need to install the five fonts that are included in the download. To learn about installing the fonts, see Fonts in ArcGIS symbols [http://blogs.esri.com/esri/arcgis/2012/03/28/fonts-in-arcgis-symbols/]. Once the fonts are installed on your computer, the symbols will display correctly. Remember that if you share your map with others, you will also need to share the fonts along with the map, as noted in the Fonts in GIS symbols blog entry.

To use the ArcGIS style, reference the style and then the symbols will appear in the symbol selector. To reference the style, click Tools on the top menu bar, click Styles, then click Style Manager. Scroll down to the bottom and click Add, then navigate to the directory where you downloaded the style. Click NPS_2012.style, and it will be referenced. Now you can browse through the folders to see the contents of the style.

Once youve installed the fonts that are included in this download, you can use them to create your own character marker symbols. The fonts will appear in the ArcMap Symbol Property Editor in the Font drop-down list as ESRI NPS 5.1, 6.1, 7.1, 8.1, and 9.1.

To learn more about using styles in ArcGIS, see the online help topic About creating new symbols [http://help.arcgis.com/en/arcgisdesktop/10.0/help/index.html#/About_creating_new_symbols/00s600000004000000/.

Esri Mapping Team

(first published 3/30/12)
