Hi @m_kingdon
You can turn off the labels and keep the linework.
I don't know whether hiding the labels will speed up performance but you can try it anyway.
Here's an example:
1. I have a parcel shapefile. It's labeled with the attribute AREA and has a custom suffix inserted right after it, SF (square feet). The Map Task Pane indicates Display Map: Default.
<<The Default is WYSIWYG (what-you-see-is-what-you-get) which means the display as shown in modelspace is the Default Map style. As I change (or customize) the appearance of the shapefile in modelspace, the Default Style will change too. >>
Image-1
2. I can create a NEW map style as shown below. I'll name it 'No Labels.'
Image-2
3. In Display Map dropdown, I make sure Default is shown.....then....Highlight Parcels in Task Pane=>Right click=>Copy=>then back to Display Map Dropdown=>No Labels style=>Paste contents of my clipboard so Parcels appears in the Task Pane (red arrow).
Image-3
4. Next, I make sure No Labels is shown in the dropdown (No Labels is critical!!), then delete the labels for the Parcels in the Style Editor.
<<Deleting like this in the Style Editor only deletes the labels for the No Labels map style. It doesn't have any effect on Default Style, therefore the labels will remain under Default Style.>>
In the dropdown, I can toggle the map styles between Default and No Labels. Depending on which Map Style is currently shown in the dropdown, the labels will be displayed or not displayed (refer to image-4 below).
Image-4
5. (Optional) On a Layout Tab....Display Maps=>Default=>Click on a viewport. The Style is applied to the VP and is now shown in upper right corner. The contents of this viewport will be Default Style.
Image-5
6. (Optional) Click on a second VP, either on the same Layout Tab or go to another Layout Tab. It doesn't matter where the second VP is located. This time, Display Maps=>select No Labels from dropdown=>Click on the second viewport. The contents of this VP will be No Labels Style. No Labels is now shown in upper right corner.
Image-6
7. To return the Viewport Style back to original OOTB behavior, go to dropdown=>select as shown below=>click on a VP.
Image-7
8. Also, if you want to Turn Off a specific Data Layer (a shapefile) in a VP, first give the VP a Style. Then go to Layer Visibility=>click turn OFF a light bulb to turn the layer OFF. Uncheck to turn back ON.
Image-8
Chicagolooper
