WYSIWYG plotting, backgrounds and tips

This is about the aspect of MXD concerning the underlying map view.

When plotting, the order of the layers from the map view, which is specified in the plot MXD, applies.
The order of the layers determines what is displayed in the foreground and thus possibly covers other layers.

When plotting without WYSIWYG, the visibility of the layers is as specified in the plot MXD.
Optimally, only visible layers should be included. This reduces the load on the system because all the layers contained are loaded before the visibility is evaluated.

When plotting with WYSIWYG, the visibility of the layers is defined in the calling application.
The plot MXD must therefore contain (at least) all the layers needed by the application. The order of the layers in the plot MXD must match the order of the layers in the application MXD.
It is possible to use the same plot MXD for several applications. To do this, all layers of the applications must be included and the order of the layers must match all application MXDs.

How the WYSIWYG plot works:

1. All layers of the plot MXD are treated as invisible by default.
2. For each visible layer of the application, the composite text string consisting of group layer name(s) and layer name is searched for in the plot MXD. If it is found, it is switched to visible for the plot.
3. The search starts with the first layer of the plot MXD for the first layer to be switched.
4. For each further layer to be switched, the search is continued at the point in the plot MXD where the last layer to be switched was found. This is done to preserve the order of the layers.
5. The search ends normally when all the layers to be switched have been found.
6. The search ends unexpectedly if a layer to be switched is not found. In this case, this layer and all further layers to be switched are not plotted.

Notes on WYSIWYG plotting:

• Pay attention to the notation of the layers (upper/lower case, additional spaces, character set, ...).
• Ensure that the layers in the plot MXD and the application MXD are in the same order.