The type of Feature you can digitize in a Map Layer is dependent upon which Feature Class type was set during the creation of the Shapefile in ArcCatalog. Features are most commonly Polygons, Lines, or Points. For more information, see the tutorial on Creating New Shapefiles or Feature Classes. The following instructions assume that users will be digitizing shapes in a new, empty shapefile. These directions are also relevant to digitizing and editing Shapefiles with existing features.
Add a New Feature to the Map Layer
Add all of the Basemaps and other necessary layers you want to work with in the Map Project to ArcMap.
Add the new, empty Shapefile/Map Layer you created in ArcCatalog to which you want to add Features.
Change the Symbology for the New Features
Double-click on the Symbol below the name of the new Shapefile. The Symbol Selector dialog box will appear.
Change the Symbology for your new Features to match the purpose of your map.
Add the Editor Toolbar to Your Tools
Click Customize → Toolbars → Editor. If there is a check box next to the Editor option already, it means that the Editor Toolbar is already enabled and visible.
If there is not a check box next to the Editor option, click on Editor to add the Toolbar to your list of tools.
Begin Digitizing Features
Click the Editor button in the Editor Toolbar.
Choose Start Editing. The Create Features dialog box will appear. The name of your new Shapefile should appear in the list of Templates.
Click on the name of the new, empty Shapefile.