Add graphics to a map view

You can use graphicsA graphic is a visual element composed of a geometry, symbol, and attributes that is displayed on a map or scene.Learn more to display objects on top of the data in your map viewA map view is a user interface that displays map layers and graphics in 2D. It controls the area (extent) of the map that is visible and supports user interactions such as pan and zoom.Learn more while your app is running. A graphic is a type of geoelementA geoelement refers to any geographic element in a map or map view that can be identified by its location to return attribute information.Learn more that has a shape (geometry) and attributesAttributes are fields and values for a single feature or non-spatial record. They are typically stored in a database or service such as a feature service.Learn more. A graphic can have its own symbolA symbol defines the properties used to display a geometry or text.Learn more, or can be displayed using a rendererA renderer is a collection of rules and symbols used to display the data in a layer.Learn more. Graphics are added to a graphics overlayA graphics overlay is a client-side, temporary container of graphics to display on a map view or scene view.Learn more for display in the map view.

Graphics and graphics overlays allow you to do things like:

• Show updated locations for objects in the map view, such as moving vehicles.
• Display results from an analysisAnalysis is a systematic examination of a problem that provides new information.Learn more, geocodingGeocoding is the process of converting text for an address or place to a complete address with a location.Learn more, or routingA route is a polyline that defines the best path between two or more points in a street network.Learn more operation.
• Allow the user to draw temporary sketches on top of the map.
• Store user input, such as a set of route stopsA stop is a single point along a route: it can be the origin, an intermediate stop, or destination.Learn more to visit.
• Show ad hoc text labels to describe things on the map.

How graphics work

A map view has a graphics overlay collection that may contain zero or more graphics overlaysA graphics overlay is a client-side, temporary container of graphics to display on a map view or scene view.Learn more. Each graphics overlay manages a collection of graphicsA graphic is a visual element composed of a geometry, symbol, and attributes that is displayed on a map or scene.Learn more that display on top of all data inside the map view. The graphics you add to a graphics overlay can have a mix of geometry types and attributeAttributes are fields and values for a single feature or non-spatial record. They are typically stored in a database or service such as a feature service.Learn more fields. Because they offer so much flexibility, graphics and graphics overlays are ideal for working with temporary geoelementsA geoelement refers to any geographic element in a map or map view that can be identified by its location to return attribute information.Learn more that you need to display as your app runs.

Graphics in map views and scene views

The pattern for working with graphics is the same whether in a map viewA map view is a user interface that displays map layers and graphics in 2D. It controls the area (extent) of the map that is visible and supports user interactions such as pan and zoom.Learn more or scene viewA scene view is a user interface that displays scene layers and graphics in 3D. It uses a camera to control the visible area of the scene and supports user interactions such as pan, zoom, tilt, and rotate.Learn more. In either case, the viewA view is a UI component that draws the layers in a map or scene and controls their extent (area) and geographic features.Learn more has a collection of graphics overlaysA graphics overlay is a client-side, temporary container of graphics to display on a map view or scene view.Learn more that contain a collection of graphicsA graphic is a visual element composed of a geometry, symbol, and attributes that is displayed on a map or scene.Learn more. When working with a scene view, additional 3D properties and symbol types are available that are not applicable when working with a map view.

For more information about working with graphics in 3D, see Add graphics to a scene view.

Graphics overlays

A GraphicsOverlay is a container for temporary graphicsA graphic is a visual element composed of a geometry, symbol, and attributes that is displayed on a map or scene.Learn more that display in your map viewA view is a UI component that draws the layers in a map or scene and controls their extent (area) and geographic features.Learn more. Graphics you add to graphics overlaysA graphics overlay is a client-side, temporary container of graphics to display on a map view or scene view.Learn more are created at run time and are not persisted when the application closes.

You can give each graphics overlayA graphics overlay is a client-side, temporary container of graphics to display on a map view or scene view.Learn more a ID (string). If the map view's graphics overlay collection contains several graphics overlays, you can use the ID to find the one you need.

The following code shows how to create a new graphics overlay, assign an ID, then add it to your map view.

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// Add the graphic overlay to the geo view's graphics overlay collection.
MainView.GraphicsOverlays.Add(graphicsOverlay);

Later, you can access it from the map view's graphics overlay collection using its ID.

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// Get the points-of-interest graphics overlay using its ID.
var poiGraphicsOverlay = MainView.GraphicsOverlays["PointsOfInterestGraphics"];

Unlike a feature layerA feature layer (client-side) is a data layer that can access and display features from a feature service that has the same type of geometry and attribute fields.Learn more, which always contains featuresA feature is a single record, also known as a row, that represents a real-world entity. It typically contains a geometry (point, multipoint, polyline, or polygon) and attributes but it can also contain just attributes.Learn more of a single geometryA geometry is a geometric shape, such as a point, polyline, or polygon, that contains one or more coordinates and a spatial reference.Learn more type, a graphics overlayA graphics overlay is a client-side, temporary container of graphics to display on a map view or scene view.Learn more can contain graphicsA graphic is a visual element composed of a geometry, symbol, and attributes that is displayed on a map or scene.Learn more with a variety of geometry types (a mix of points, lines, and polygons, in other words). A feature layer has a consistent schema (the same set of attributesAttributes are fields and values for a single feature or non-spatial record. They are typically stored in a database or service such as a feature service.Learn more), while graphics in a graphics overlay can each have a distinct set of attributes.

For more information and a description of when to use each, see the Features and graphics topic.

Graphics

Graphics are created at run time and only persist for as long as the app is running. You can create them to show geocodeGeocoding is the process of converting text for an address or place to a complete address with a location.Learn more candidates, routesA route is a polyline that defines the best path between two or more points in a street network.Learn more, results from analysisAnalysis is a systematic examination of a problem that provides new information.Learn more operations, and so on. They are also commonly used to show input from the user, such as a click or touch on the display.

A Graphic uses the following to represent an object on the map view:

• Geometry: a point, line, or polygon that represents the object's location and shape.
• Attributes: a collection of one or more pairs of fields and values that describe the object.
• Symbol: an object that controls the visual representation of the graphic's geometry on the display.

Draw order (z-index)

A graphic's z-index defines the draw order of that graphic within its graphics overlay. It is primarily intended for use when working with graphics in a 2D map view.

If the z-index is not set, the graphics will render in the order in which they were added to the graphics overlayA graphics overlay is a client-side, temporary container of graphics to display on a map view or scene view.Learn more, the first graphic added is rendered lowest and subsequent graphics are layered on top. In rare cases, the rendering algorithm may change the display order to provide more efficient rendering. If ordering is important, set the z-index explicitly for each graphic. You can also place graphics of the same geometry type in their own graphics overlay and manage the order of the graphics overlays in the map view.

Work with graphics

Because they are both geoelementsA geoelement refers to any geographic element in a map or map view that can be identified by its location to return attribute information.Learn more, you can work with graphics in much the same way as you would with featuresA feature is a single record, also known as a row, that represents a real-world entity. It typically contains a geometry (point, multipoint, polyline, or polygon) and attributes but it can also contain just attributes.Learn more. Graphics can be symbolized using attribute values, identified using a tap or click from the user, and selected in the display. You can update graphics' geometry to move them on the view and update their attributes to reflect their current state. Unlike features, graphics are not persisted when the app closes.

Add a graphics overlay and a graphic

The following example shows how to create a graphics overlayA graphics overlay is a client-side, temporary container of graphics to display on a map view or scene view.Learn more, add a single graphic, and add the overlay to a map view.

1. Create a new GraphicsOverlay.

2. Create a Geometry to define the graphic's shape and geographic location.

3. Create a symbolA symbol defines the properties used to display a geometry or text.Learn more to display the graphic.

   • You can also do this by defining a Renderer for the graphics overlayA graphics overlay is a client-side, temporary container of graphics to display on a map view or scene view.Learn more. See Styles and data visualization for more information about symbolizing geoelementsA geoelement refers to any geographic element in a map or map view that can be identified by its location to return attribute information.Learn more.

4. Create a new Graphic using the geometry and symbol.

   • Optionally, you can define a set of attributesAttributes are fields and values for a single feature or non-spatial record. They are typically stored in a database or service such as a feature service.Learn more for the graphicA graphic is a visual element composed of a geometry, symbol, and attributes that is displayed on a map or scene.Learn more.

5. Add the graphic to the graphics overlay.

6. Add the graphics overlay to the map view.

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// Create a new graphics overlay.
var graphicsOverlay = new GraphicsOverlay
{
    Id = "PointsOfInterestGraphics"
};

// Create a new map point to define the graphic location.
var pierPoint = new MapPoint(-118.4978, 34.0086, SpatialReferences.Wgs84);

// Create a new symbol for the graphic.
var redCircleSymbol = new SimpleMarkerSymbol(SimpleMarkerSymbolStyle.Circle, System.Drawing.Color.Red, 20);

// Create a new graphic.
var santaMonicaPierGraphic = new Graphic(pierPoint, redCircleSymbol);

// Add attribute values (if needed).
santaMonicaPierGraphic.Attributes.Add("Name", "Santa Monica Pier");
santaMonicaPierGraphic.Attributes.Add("type", "pier");

// Add the graphic to the graphics overlay's graphics collection.
graphicsOverlay.Graphics.Add(santaMonicaPierGraphic);

// Add the graphic overlay to the geo view's graphics overlay collection.
MainView.GraphicsOverlays.Add(graphicsOverlay);

Symbolize

A comprehensive API for creating and modifying symbolsA symbol defines the properties used to display a geometry or text.Learn more for every type of geometryA geometry is a geometric shape, such as a point, polyline, or polygon, that contains one or more coordinates and a spatial reference.Learn more is provided. Symbols define properties such as color, size, and style that define how the graphic is displayed. There are specialized symbols for representing objects with text or images and you can create advanced symbols that combine multiple symbol layers. See Styles and data visualization to learn about the available symbol types.

There are two ways to symbolize a graphicA graphic is a visual element composed of a geometry, symbol, and attributes that is displayed on a map or scene.Learn more.

1. Apply a symbol directly to the graphic. Graphics expose a symbol property that you can use to define the symbol.
2. Apply a renderer to the graphics overlay. A rendererA renderer is a collection of rules and symbols used to display the data in a layer.Learn more is a collection of one or more symbols that are applied to all graphics in the graphics overlay. A renderer allows you to do things like control symbology based on attributeAttributes are fields and values for a single feature or non-spatial record. They are typically stored in a database or service such as a feature service.Learn more values.

If you define a renderer for a graphics overlay, you do not need to assign symbols to the individual graphics it contains. Assigning a symbol directly to a graphic overrides the symbology defined by the renderer of the graphics overlay.

Display text

To display text on the map view as a graphic, create a graphic with a point, line, or polygon to define the location for your text. You can then provide a TextSymbol that defines the font, color, size, and text to display.

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// Create a point to define text location (anchor point).
var labelPoint = new MapPoint(-118.4978, 34.0086, 500, SpatialReferences.Wgs84);

// Create a text symbol to define the text, color, size, angle, alignment, and offsets.
var textSymbol = new TextSymbol
{
    Text = "Santa Monica Pier",
    Angle = -45,
    Color = System.Drawing.Color.Red,
    HaloColor = System.Drawing.Color.White,
    Size = 20,
    VerticalAlignment = Esri.ArcGISRuntime.Symbology.VerticalAlignment.Bottom,
    OffsetX = -40,
    OffsetY = 15
};

// Create a graphic with the geometry and symbol.
var labelGraphic = new Graphic(labelPoint, textSymbol);

Identify

A graphic can contain descriptive information in the form of attributesAttributes are fields and values for a single feature or non-spatial record. They are typically stored in a database or service such as a feature service.Learn more. Attributes are a collection of pairs of keys (field names) and values that are defined when you create a graphic. Your app can identifyIdentify is a query based on a point on a map or scene that is used to find feature, graphic, or raster cell data.Learn more a graphic in the view from a click or tap and return its attributes. You can then display these attributes in a suitable UI element, such as a calloutA callout is a container view that can be added over the map and anchored to a coordinate with a leader.Learn more, pop-upA pop-up is a visual element used to display data for features or graphics in a map.Learn more, or dialog.

The following example shows how you can identify a graphics overlay in response to a tap on the map view. An attribute (name) is shown in a callout next to the identified graphic.

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MainView.GeoViewTapped += async (s, e) =>
{
    // Get the points of interest graphics overlay.
    var pointsOfInterestOverlay = MainView.GraphicsOverlays["PointsOfInterestGraphics"];
    if (pointsOfInterestOverlay == null) { return; }

    // Identify graphics in the points-of-interest overlay using the screen tap.
    var screenPoint = e.Position;
    var resultGraphics = await MainView.IdentifyGraphicsOverlayAsync(pointsOfInterestOverlay, screenPoint, 10, false);

    // Show name attribute value in a callout for the first graphic identified (if any).
    if (resultGraphics != null && resultGraphics.Graphics.Count > 0)
    {
        var poiGraphic = resultGraphics.Graphics.FirstOrDefault();
        var callout = new CalloutDefinition(poiGraphic)
        {
            Text = "Point of Interest",
            DetailText = poiGraphic.Attributes["name"].ToString()
        };
        // Assuming that all POI graphics are points.
        MapPoint calloutAnchor = poiGraphic.Geometry as MapPoint;
        MainView.ShowCalloutAt(calloutAnchor, callout);
    }
};

Select

Select graphics to highlight them on the display. You can select zero, one, or several graphics in a graphics overlay. Each graphic's selection state is represented with an IsSelected property that is either true or false.

The following example finds all graphics in the points of interest graphics overlay that have a "type" attribute of "pier" and selects them on the display.

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// Get all graphics with a "type" attribute of "pier".
var pierGraphics = poiGraphicsOverlay.Graphics
.Where(g => g.Attributes["type"].ToString() == "pier");

// Select them all.
foreach (var g in pierGraphics)
{
    g.IsSelected = true;
}

Move

To move a graphic, you only need to update its geometry. This is much more efficient than creating a new graphic and replacing the existing one. Updating a graphic's geometry will cause it to immediately display at the new location. Use this technique to animate the display of moving geoelementsA geoelement refers to any geographic element in a map or map view that can be identified by its location to return attribute information.Learn more.

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// Get the current location (point) of the graphic.
var currentPosition = boatGraphic.Geometry as MapPoint;

// Define new x and y coordinates by applying an offset.
var newX = currentPosition.X + deltaX;
var newY = currentPosition.Y + deltaY;

// Update the point with the new coordinates (graphic will update to show new location).
var updatedPosition = new MapPoint(newX, newY);
boatGraphic.Geometry = updatedPosition;