ArcGIS Pro, the focus of Esri’s desktop GIS development efforts moving forward, has recently been updated to Version 2.1.
The focus of this update according to Esri are improvements and additions to functionality. If you recall, with ArcGIS Pro, you can visualize, edit, and analyze your geographic data in both 2D and 3D.
- New Extensions – These include, Business Analyst Pro is an extension to gather a variety of marketing analytics and ArcGIS Image Analyst to visualize and analyze imagery, including stereo mapping, advanced image segmentation and classification
- A new editing grid in 3D to precisely edit, snap, and work with your data in 3D
- Visualize and analyze imagery in the stereo viewer, and accurately compile 3D feature data with the new 3D line of sight capabilities
- Users can add subtype group layers to a map or scene as a preset layer.
- create selection layers from a subset of features in an existing layer in a map or scene. The new selection layer has the same data source but references only the features that were selected.
- Enhanced symbology – Draw quantities within polygon features with the new dot density symbology method.
- copy the coordinates of any location to the clipboard.
- Grids and graticules now have additional components including neatlines, intersection points, corner labels and more!
- Vector tiles can be created using symbology that varies by transparency, color, rotation, or size.
- There is a new style class in styles called Map surround that is a generic container for items that you can place on a layout.
- AND MUCH MORE!

To see the complete list of new functionality in Release 2.1 be sure to bookmark this blog post from Esri
Benefits of ArcGIS Pro
So why should you consider migrating to ArcGIS Pro? There are many benefits ArcGIS Pro brings to the table. Here are several:
- ArcGIS Pro features a modern ribbon-based user interface, 2D and 3D views, multithreaded geoprocessing, support for multiple maps and layouts, and more (see image below)
- 2D and 3D maps that you create in ArcGIS Pro can easily be shared as web maps and web scenes to ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS Enterprise
- you can customize ArcGIS Pro in numerous ways to fit your needs. Create Tasks in Pro to streamline repeatable workflows, automate your work with Python and more
- ArcGIS Pro has many capabilities beyond ArcMap including better 3D visualization
- There are SO many great learning materials for ArcGIS Pro, and a lot of them are free – be sure to check out ArcGIS Pro lessons.
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See more info on ArcGIS Pro HERE
Related Articles:
- Tips, Tricks & Resources to Assist you Getting Started with ArcGIS Pro
- 10 Tips to Help You Migrate to ArcGIS Pro, the CONNECTED GIS desktop
- Esri Workbook Helps Users Make the Switch to ArcGIS Pro
The ArcGIS Desktop Team has finished up @ArcGISPro 2.1, it’s an amazing release. Great job Team! Want to get it fast? Click the Project tab in Pro and select About, check the Software Update Box to automatically install Pro 2.1, its releasing soon. pic.twitter.com/i6aC9qnqSG
— Jim McKinney (@jmckgis) January 11, 2018