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Part I: Prepare and Export an ArcMap .mxd for Adobe Illustrator

NOTE: These instructions are tailored for the ENVS-321 (Cartography) class, but should be generally applicable for anyone going from ArcGIS to Adobe Illustrator...

Before doing any work in Adobe Illustrator we first need to assemble and prepare a map in ArcMap. For this tutorial we will be using ArcGIS primarily as a tool to assemble data and create a simple layout for export (most of the symbology and annotation work will be done in Adobe Illustrator). Note that these instructions are by no means the only way to accomplish this goal. This is simply one way that, for the most part, will work. For now, we'll keep the map as simple as possible so as to avoid as many issues as possible...

Prepare a Blank, New .mxd

1. Start with a new, BLANK .mxd (do not re-use an existing .mxd)
2. Be sure to set the Page Size and layout (profile vs. landscape)
3. Add VECTOR data 
   • For the simplest workflow do not use ANY raster data (air photos, satellite imagery, GRID data, scanned maps, ESRI base maps, etc.)
     • There are ways of working with raster data in Illustrator, but it presents a bunch of new challenges... For this (simple) tutorial, stick with Vector Data only
     • See Raster Notes below...
   • Likewise do not use ANY transparent symbology for ANY of your map features or elements
     • You can easily add transparency to any part of the map in Adobe Illustrator if you want to later...
4. Arrange the layers in the Table of Contents as usual (polygons on the bottom, etc.)
5. Choose the Projection for your data frame as desired
6. Do not use rounded corners for your data frame
   • You could add these in Adobe Illustrator (but we probably won’t)
   • You can use rounded corners on your page neatline, your legend or locator map box, etc., just not for the data / map frame (for now)
7. Do not use a Background color for the map data frame (leave it as None not white)
8. Do not use Drop Shadows
9. Add a scale bar and legend
10. Do not include a Locator map
11. Include only minimal text, if any (we'll add most of the text in Illustrator)
12. Do get your basic Page Layout and dataframe size the way you want the final map to be (with space allotted for the Title, map credits and notes, etc.)

Symbolize/Annotate Your Map:

1. Be sure that NONE of your data layers use ANY transparency at all (turn all transparency Off: Transparent = 0%)
2. Recommended: For your polygon features, set the Outline widths to 0 so that there is NO outline (we’ll add outlines in Illustrator, and for some effects the ArcGIS outlines cause problems later on…). And NO picture fills (solid fills are best).
3. Recommended: For your line features, use a simple, solid line (NO dashes, NO casing, NO transparency) – all of this can be changed later in Illustrator (and will create problems for you in Illustrator if you use these types of symbology in ArcMap)
4. Recommended: For you point features, do NOT use picture markers - just basic (vector) marker symbols - but choose a symbol and size that you want to use for the final map if possible so you don't have to tweak them in Illustrator
5. Use appropriate symbology for point features (NO transparency)
6. Leave the data frame background as None or No Color (which will appear white) - but not White (as a specified color)
7. For the most part, don't do any labeling or text work in ArcMap: we'll do all of that in Illustrator (which has better tools for customizing text)
   • If you want to you can label features that can be easily auto-labeled and converted to map annotation in ArcMap (but beware, you may have 'issues' in Illustrator)
   • Better is just to do most/all of your labeling in Illustrator...
   • Likewise we'll add the title, map credits, etc. in Illustrator
8. Create a simple legend with a solid background and no drop shadow (and No rounded corners) - text here is ok
   • Recommended: Place the legend OFF of the main map (no overlap) - having the legend to the side and not overlapping with other map elements will make it much easier to modify (you can optionally re-locate it in Illustrator)
9. If you really want or need a locator map you can create one as usual
   • Recommended: Place the locator map OFF of the main map (no overlap) - having the locator map to the side and not overlapping with other map elements will make it much easier to modify (you can optionally re-locate it in Illustrator)
   • Recommended: Keep your locator map simple: Include either countries or continents (with a solid outline) and perhaps some lat-long lines
   • Any labeling can be done in Adobe Illustrator
   • Optionally include a frame or border for the locator map – or you can also have no border and no background and use a global projection that will simply float on the map
   • Again, For the ENVS-321 assignment you DO NOT need to do a locator map at all
10. Create a Spatial Bookmark for your final map extent
11. Recommended: Print your map (in color, as a simple draft for later comparisons of colors, etc. with your Adobe map)
12. Save your .mxd

Export the .mxd as an .AI (Adobe Illustrator) File

1. Make sure All of the data layers are turned ON
   • ​​Recommended: if you have layers in your .mxd that you don't want in Adobe Remove them from the .mxd
2. With the map in Layout View choose Export Map from the File menu
3. For Save as Type choose AI (*.ai) - (as opposed to .pdf or .jpg)
4. Expand the Options settings and for the Resolution choose 300 dpi
5. For the Output Image Quality choose Best
6. Click the Format tab and choose CMYK for the Destination Colorspace
   • Note that the default Destination Colorspace is RGB. As you may recall, CMYK uses the subtractive color theory (subtract color pigment to make white), and is used for print. RGB uses the additive color theory (add color light to make white) and is better for screen and web products. For this lab, since we’ll be printing hard copy maps, choose CMYK. You will also have the option to change this in Illustrator, but it is easier to do it now, especially if you have chosen colors you would like to keep in your final product.
   • Note that you have the option to convert your Marker Symbols to polygons, or not. If you intend to edit your marker symbols in Illustrator, this is important. For this exercise, it probably doesn't matter.
7. Choose an appropriate name and file location for your .ai file and click Save.
8. Save your .mxd file, and close ArcMap

Next: Part II - Open the Map with Adobe Illustrator