Creating and editing military symbols

i2 Overwatch lets you build, edit, and reuse military symbols that follow the APP-6E and MILSTD-2525E SIDC standards. Symbols are constructed in the Military Symbol form, where you set a label, choose the symbol set and modifiers, and configure graphical and textual amplifiers. A live preview at the top of the form updates as you make changes, so you can see what the symbol will look like before adding it to the map or chart.

Opening the form

You can open the Military Symbol form in two ways:

  • To create a new symbol, right-click an empty area of the map and select Create symbol. The symbol is placed at the location you clicked.

  • To edit an existing symbol, right-click the symbol on the map or chart and select Edit symbol. The form opens populated with the current values.

The standard the form is using (APP-6 or MILSTD-2525E) is shown in the top-right corner of the dialog.

Tabs

The form has two tabs:

  • Create symbol: build a symbol from scratch by choosing its appearance, modifiers, and amplifiers.

  • Recently used: pick from symbols you have recently created or edited, to quickly reuse them.

Label

The Label field sets the display name for the symbol on the map and chart. The label is for your own reference and does not affect the rendered symbol icon.

Appearance

The Appearance section controls the core identity of the symbol.

  • Standard identity: the affiliation of the symbol, for example Friend, Hostile, Neutral, or Unknown. The standard identity determines the frame shape and color used in the preview.

  • Symbol set: the category that the symbol belongs to, for example Land unit, Air, Sea surface, or Space. Changing the symbol set updates which icons, modifiers, and amplifiers are available.

Modifiers

The Modifiers section sets the icon and additional symbology drawn inside the symbol frame.

  • Icon: the main icon shown inside the frame. The available icons depend on the selected symbol set.

  • Modifier 1: an additional modifier drawn above the icon (for example to indicate a role or equipment type).

  • Modifier 2: an additional modifier drawn below the icon.

Only modifiers that are valid for the selected symbol set are listed.

Advanced

The Advanced section sets attributes that apply across symbol sets.

  • Echelon / Mobility / Towed array: the echelon (for units) or mobility/towed-array indicator (for equipment and sea symbols). The available options depend on the symbol set.

  • Headquarters / Taskforce / Dummy: marks the symbol as a headquarters, task force, dummy, or a combination of these.

  • Context: whether the symbol represents Reality, an Exercise, or a Simulation. This is reflected in the frame styling of the rendered symbol.

Graphical amplifiers

The Graphical amplifiers section controls visual amplifiers drawn on the symbol frame.

  • Status: whether the symbol is Present or Anticipated/Planned. Anticipated symbols are drawn with a dashed frame.

  • Direction (degrees): a bearing, in degrees, used to draw a direction-of-movement indicator on the symbol.

Textual amplifiers

Textual amplifiers are extra text labels you can attach to the symbol, such as a unit designation, an altitude, or a date-time group. The fields available in the form depend on the selected symbol set, and some amplifiers share a render position so only the highest-priority value is drawn.

For the full list of textual amplifier fields, their accepted formats, and the render-position precedence rules, see Military symbol form: Textual amplifiers.

Preview

The preview at the top of the form shows the symbol as it will be rendered using the values currently entered. The preview updates live as you change the form, so you can confirm the appearance before committing.

Confirming or cancelling

  • Click OK to add the new symbol to the map, or to apply your changes to the existing symbol.

  • Click Cancel to close the form without making any changes.