1.4.3.2 Using ArcMap
Note: ArcMap has a bug relating to GetMap requests for version 1.3.0 WMS service requests in which it supplies an invalid format for the EXCEPTION parameter. This means that most WMS servers will refuse to show a map. This has been logged as a bug by ESRI (NIM045493) and is due to fixed in the next version (10) of the ArcGIS software.
In ArcMap you can use the Add Layer button to add an existing WMS layer (previously added using ArcCatalog) or add a new WMS map using the same options available in ArcCatalog.
If the map is scale layered (layers are shown greyed out) you may use the ‘Zoom to Make Visible’ option. This zooms into the layer to the scale cited in the layer below which the layer will be visible, that is you need to zoom in a little bit further using the zoom tool to be able to view the map.
If you are going to provide scale layered data, it is suggested that you also provide an outline coverage map viewable at all scales to allow users to pan around the area of interest, without needing to zoom in first.
There are two ways you can view the legend for any layer. First off you can use the ‘Add WMS legend to map’ option, which will overlay a large copy of the legend on top of your map window. You will probably need to move or resize this legend graphic in order to see your map.
The legend will scale to the initial scale of your map and will not redraw (rescale) if you change the scale of your map view.
Alternatively, you may use the layer properties dialogue to save a copy of the legend.
Section last modified: 31 August 2010.