Esri continually updates ArcGIS Online to make it simpler and more impactful to use. With so many releases coming out in a given year, though, it can be difficult to keep up with all the improvements.
To help users gain more familiarity with some of the recent updates to ArcGIS Online, here is an in-depth look at a few new features that help users’ content shine, make working in 3D faster, provide quick access to apps, and expand the ways in which files can be added.
Create, Designate, and Find Quality Content
Content consumers often judge the quality of an item by the information on its item page. That is why it’s important to provide thorough item information.
To help with this, ArcGIS Online now includes an item information status bar that tells item owners and administrators how to improve their item information to ensure that others can find, understand, and use their items. For example, the item information status bar might suggest writing a longer summary or description, adding tags, or including terms of use. As the item owner adds information, the status bar moves from Low to High. Content with quality item information appears in search results when users search for terms that are listed in the item’s title, summary, description, and tags.
ArcGIS Online also has two new content status settings—Authoritative and Deprecated—to help users discover quality content. When an item is marked as authoritative, ArcGIS Online recommends its use. When an item is marked as deprecated, it means that it isn’t as reliable or is out of date. Items assigned one of these indicators contain a corresponding badge on their item pages to make them clearly distinguishable. So when users search within the organization with filters, look at organization content on the content page, or add layers from the organization in Map Viewer, they can easily see authoritative content. Anything marked as deprecated is demoted in search results.
An Even More Dynamic Scene Viewer
A new measurement tool in Scene Viewer allows users to dynamically calculate distances in 3D—all while gliding right over features, terrain, buildings, or point clouds. Clicking and moving the pointer diagonally measures both horizontal and vertical distances in one action. Users can employ a variety of units and leverage laser lines to guide their measurements.
Scene layers have undergone two significant improvements. First, 3D objects and integrated mesh scene layers load up to 50 percent faster. Second, scene layers now display front-to-back when loading, so users can see what’s most important to them from the outset without having to wait for other pieces of the scene to randomly load.
Additionally, users can now place their own 3D models, such as fire hydrants or airplanes, into their scenes. Once these 3D symbols are added, they are available in the Scene Viewer point symbol gallery, alongside Esri’s default 3D symbols. Users can also share custom 3D symbols created in ArcGIS Pro 2.1 to their ArcGIS Online organizations (and ArcGIS Enterprise 10.6).
The App Launcher Can Be Customized!
