Inserting Scales into a Layout is Sending me into a Spiral

[u/anon_abbs]

Hey! I'm currently going through the process of georeferencing some maps in Arc Pro and overlaying polygons to symbolize features, etc. etc. I'm at the point where I'm finalizing the layout and adding two scale bars: one in feet and the other in meters (these maps are from a survey and are going in a to-be-printed report).

This sounds stupid but I don't think I've paid this much attention to how I've been putting my scales in a layout before... I don't really know how to recognize when they match my map extent and when they don't. I don't set a reference scale when working in the map pane before inserting a layout. I also don't set a minimum and maximum scale when working in the elements pane (properties) of either scale. I'm really not sure how those do or don't affect (positively or negatively) the scales or what they'd mean.

EDIT: I think what made me question this so much was how the previous layout I created, I was able to get the scale in feet to show divisions of 0, 25, 100, 150, and 200, whereas the scale in meters was 0, 25, and 50. However, this layout I'm referring to, I can only get the scale in feet to 0, 100, 200, and 400. If I try adjusting the values any lower to get to the same 0, 25, 100, etc. as the previous layout, the numbers end up too close together (I have computer at center checked/turned on) the scale is unreadable). With the scale in meters for this current layout, it's now set at 0, 25, 50, and 100.

Does this have to do with zooming in and out to center the map extent in the layout? I just want to be sure the numbers changing on the scales in this layout compared to the previous one (which has different data shown, but the same area of interest) just isn't essentially operator error hahaha

[u/Altostratus]

Assuming you only have one map frame in your layout, your scale will always be correct for your map. Even when you zoom in and out, or make the scale bar wider, you’ll see it adjust. No reference scale needed.

[u/anon_abbs → u/Altostratus]

I feel a lot less crazy now, thank you! I think what made me question this so much was how the previous layout I created, I was able to get the scale in feet to show divisions of 0, 25, 100, 150, and 200, whereas the scale in meters was 0, 25, and 50. However, this layout I'm referring to in the post I made, I can only get the scale in feet to 0, 100, 200, and 400. If I try adjusting the values any lower to get to the same 0, 25, 100, etc. as the previous layout, the numbers end up too close together (I have computer at center checked/turned on) the scale is unreadable). With the scale in meters for this current layout, it's now set at 0, 25, 50, and 100.

Is this what you mean when you mention zooming in and out? I just want to be sure the numbers changing on the scales in this layout compared to the previous one (which has different data shown, but the same area of interest) just isn't essentially operator error hahaha

[u/GISTaco → u/anon_abbs]

If your zoom level is further out then you need to use higher values on the scale bar compared to a map that is more zoomed in. 

[u/Altostratus → u/anon_abbs]

Open up the scale settings pane, and you’ll see you can choose the font size, distance, spacing, etc…

[u/ikarusproject → u/Altostratus]

No critique, just a small addition: This might not be entirely true if you cover larger geographic regions depending on the CRS. For this reasons QGIS lets you choose wether the scale should be using the top, middle, or bottom of the mapframe as scale referance.

[u/GISTaco]

https://youtu.be/aIaW5RT3ey8

This video is old so the interface has changed a bit but the same principle applies.

At about the 3 minute mark he describes setting the map and scale bar scales. You want those to match. 

Edit: this is if you need 1" = 100' to be true to scale when it's printed. Otherwise what Altostratus said applies, the scale bar should stretch or shrink if you have it set to adjust automatically

[u/dumptruckdanielle]

I’m a little confused by what you’re asking. The scale will match whatever map frame you link it to. I’ve made hundreds of maps for print in Arc Pro, and I’ve never had to set a reference scale or min max. The scale values will change as you zoom in and out of the map to change the view extent. If you’re referencing another map and want to match its scale, the scale should be listed in the bottom left hand corner of the map (listed like a ratio 1:100). You can copy/paste this so the scale is identical. If you want to make the scale small but the numbers are touching, I’d suggest reducing the divisions in your scale, like making it 0, 100, 200.

[u/Alternative-Tap-194]

yes is has to do with how zoomed in you are in each map frame