Getting to know ArcGIS Pro: What is it and how will it be useful to you?
To mark the beta release of ArcGIS Pro, I'm publishing a blog series to explore and highlight the new ArcGIS Pro application. If you've never heard of ArcGIS Pro, or if you're just starting out with the beta release, this blog series will be of interest to you.
Esri recently announced the release of the ArcGIS Pro beta program. It's been a very long time since we've released a brand new desktop application, so we're all excited to share it with our users.
The release of a new application can be both exciting and challenging. In Tech Support, we spend a lot of time getting to know new applications to make sure we can adequately support potential questions and issues you may have about a new release. So, while we're busy getting to know the new application, I thought it would be helpful to write a series of blog posts over the next few weeks outlining some of ArcGIS Pro's features and new functionality. To get started, it's important to understand ArcGIS Pro and how it fits into the ArcGIS Platform.
Let's start with the basics. ArcGIS Pro is a new, state-of-the-art mapping application that's part of ArcGIS for Desktop. It's not a replacement for ArcMap, but rather a companion to existing applications within ArcGIS for Desktop. It's available to all ArcGIS for Dekstop users who have an ArcGIS Online for Organizations account.
ArcGIS Pro beta release
So, what exactly is ArcGIS Pro? Here are a few key features to look out for:
- ArcGIS Pro is a modern 64-bit, multi-threaded mapping/authoring application
- It's integrated with ArcGIS Online, which makes sharing and accessing your online content faster and easier
- It offers both 2D and 3D display and editing
- ArcGIS Pro features a new modern graphic display engine that greatly improves display and output
- Multiple map layouts within one project (finally!)
- It introduces a new interface that uses ribbons and panes instead of toolbars
Over the next few weeks, I'll be taking a closer look at some of the new functionality within ArcGIS Pro. In the meantime, I encourage you to download the beta release, give it a try and send us feedback on what you think of the application. Keep in mind that the application is still in beta and is continuously being updated.
ArcGIS Pro Beta is available to all ArcGIS for Desktop users with an ArcGIS Online for Organizations account. Download ArcGIS Pro Beta here.
ArcGIS Pro Final Release will be available to all ArcGIS for Desktop users who are current on maintenance.