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New Year, New Release! Introducing ArcGIS Pro 3.2 Q&A – Part 1

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Author Maggie Samson

We’re answering your questions from our “New Year, New Release: Introducing ArcGIS Pro 3.2” webinar in a two-part series. This first post covers topics in ArcMap to ArcGIS Pro migration, oriented imagery, generating schema reports and radio group layers.  

Earlier this year, to kick off our year of technical webinars, Justin Brassard and I introduced the latest release of the Esri core software, ArcGIS Pro 3.2. In our webinar, "New Year New Release: Introducing ArcGIS Pro 3.2," we counted down our ten favourite new features and functionalities. Whether you're a seasoned GIS pro or just starting your geospatial adventure, ArcGIS Pro 3.2 brings some noteworthy enhancements; if you couldn't make it to the live session, worry not! Please sit back, relax and catch up on all the action with our webinar recording. 

Our New Year resolution was to take our GIS to the next level with this latest release and with March upon us, we are sticking to our goals by answering your top questions. Join us in making 2024 the year of GIS triumphs with ArcGIS Pro 3.2! 

ArcGIS Pro Migration: 

With the retirement of ArcMap approaching, we started things off by doing a quick recap of the ArcMap lifecycle and the introduction of Named User licenses. Let’s take a moment to review some of the vital information.  

Q: When will we no longer be able to use ArcMap? 

A: As of March 1, 2024, ArcMap and the ArcGIS Desktop suite of products will have entered Mature Support. This means ArcMap is still available; however, Esri will provide no further patches or certify major versions of an environment release. Technical support will still be available for customers with current maintenance. In March 2026, ArcGIS Desktop will be officially retired. At that point, ArcMap will no longer be available and technical support will not be provided.  

A timeline displaying three boxes from left to right: (1) Triangular play button icon with the text below stating “Today – start your transition,” below this is a single bullet point reading “There is no better time than today to start your move to ArcGIS Pro.” (2) Hourglass icon with the text below stating “March 1st, 2024 – ArcMap enters mature support” below this are the bullet points 1. Esri no longer provides patches/bug fixes for ArcGIS Desktop (ArcMap) and extensions. 2. Technical support is available for those on maintenance. (3) Ringing alarm clock icon with the text below stating “March 1, 2026 – ArcMap retires.” Below are two bullet points: 1. ArcGIS Desktop and extensions are no longer available. 2. ArcGIS Desktop and extensions are not eligible for technical support.

For more information, please review the ArcMap Life Cycle.  

Q: How does forward and backward compatibility work between ArcMap and ArcGIS Pro?  

A: Compatibility between ArcMap and ArcGIS Pro is minimal. While it is possible to import ArcMap map documents (.mxd files) and map packages (.mpk files) into ArcGIS Pro, the new copies of these maps that have been opened in ArcGIS Pro cannot be exported back out in ArcMap readable files.    

Q: Can users work offline with a Named User ArcGIS Pro License? 

A: ArcGIS Pro can be configured to work offline with a Named User license. It is essential to be aware that when you authorize ArcGIS Pro to work offline, you can only use the application on one machine. This is the machine you use to take your license offline. You cannot use the same Named User account to sign into ArcGIS Pro on any other machine until you return the offline license. 

For the steps for how to take your license offline, review the steps in the ArcGIS Pro documentation: Authorize ArcGIS Pro to work offline.  

Screen capture of the licensing page in the ArcGIS Pro settings showing the option to Authorize ArcGIS Pro to work offline checked off.

Q: When should my organization start transitioning to ArcGIS Pro if we still use ArcMap? 

A: Start today! ArcGIS Pro has been around for a long time, since back in 2015 and it is ready for all your ArcMap workflows. There is no time better than today to start your transition. This will help ensure you are prepared when March 2026 arrives and help identify any gaps in ArcGIS Pro that can be addressed before it is too late.  

Oriented Imagery: 

Oriented imagery allows you to integrate non-traditional imagery into your GIS. From flying drones to stepping outside and snapping pictures with your cell phone, you can bring your images to life on a map.  

Screen recording of ArcGIS Pro showing the oriented imagery viewer docked to the right of a map with an imagery dataset. In the recording, an image is zoomed in to and panned left and right, showing how the footprint on the map reacts to the image being manipulated.

Q: Does the imagery need to be geo-tagged for the oriented imagery tool? 

A: The input images will require some geographic information in the metadata for the tool to draw them on the map. In most cases, this information is recorded by the device being used, for example, a digital camera or cellphone. If the input source is a file, folder or list of image paths, the tool reads image metadata directly from the EXIF and XMP metadata in .jpeg files. 

Q: Will ArcGIS Field Maps or ArcGIS QuickCapture support collecting Oriented Imagery datasets in ArcGIS Online? 

A: Yes, support for oriented imagery is in the roadmap for both ArcGIS QuickCapture and ArcGIS Experience Builder. Check out the Oriented Imagery, Integrated into ArcGIS blog by Esri Inc., to see what else is coming in future releases. 

Q: Does the oriented imagery viewer support video files?  

A: No, the oriented imagery dataset only supports JPG, JPEG, and TIF image formats. The MRF image format is also supported if the images are in cloud storage. 

Q: Are the green dots of the oriented imagery datasets the locations of the cameras where the images were taken? 

A: Yes, the green circles represent all camera locations of every photo in the dataset. When using the Image Explorer, there is an option to show camera locations that draw blue circles on the map. These blue points represent the cameras with image footprints covering the map's selected area. The red circle represents the camera location of the image currently being viewed.