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NRS 409/509

 

File Formats and a GIS Data Base

Files versus folders

1. Files and File Formats
   .Zip: Compressed files and folders. Expand out with WinZIP
   Shape: An ESRI file format for geospatial data (points, lines, polygons)
   .E00: An ESRI format to package coverages (points, lines, polygons)
   Coverages: An ESRI format for points, lines, and polygons. Ton of legacy data. Has topology. Uses folders and binary files
   Geodatabase: Newest ESRI format for geospatial data. There are two kinds, file geodatabase and personal geodatabase. Use file geodatabases when you can.
   Rasters: Geospatial data using small squares (pixels) to span the earth's surface. Can have one data value per pixel (e.g., elevation in a DEM), or many (bands in a TM image). ESRI Grid.
   Images: Sid, jpg, TIF
   Attribute files: .dbf, xls, txt, csv
   ArcGIS project files: .mxd
   Feature Class: Point, line, polys. Can be shape files, geodatabases, or coverages.
   
2. Folder Structure
   Folders for shapefiles, geodatabases, coverages (INFO subfolder)
   Workspaces
   Creating new folders
   Creating files (notepad, wordpad, Word)
   
3. Manipulating Geospatial Data
   Windows Explorer
   ArcCatalog
   • Navigation
   • Reading the information, icons, types
   • Changing column types
   • Changing Views
   • Adding Conversion Tools
   • Contents, Preview, Metadata tabs
   • Preview controls (zoom, pan, table, coordinates)
   • Changing folders
   • mxd files
   • Connecting to new folders and network drives
   • Copying, renaming, and deleting files (versus in Explorer)
   • Feature class properties (Rt. click on feature class)

   Navigating the class data area, codes, raster versus vector data
   

1. File Format Conversion
   Zip>>folders and files (WinZip, Other Tools)
   Files and folders >> Zip
   .E00>> coverage (IMPORT, ArcToolbox, Conversion Tools)
   Coverage>>shapefile (Toolbox)
   Among image formats (Irfanview, Mr. Sid)
   Unit Conversion
2. Big Mistakes to Avoid
• Not copying all the files in a shapefile
• Using Windows Explorer to copy a coverage or a raster grid
• Not changing permissions when copying files from a CD
• Messing with a Geodatabase in Access
• Not copying the world file associated with an image
• Creating an ascii text file with MS Word
• Using blank spaces in folder or file names
• Changing locations of an mxd file using Windows Explorer

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Mapping in ArcGIS

Navigating the ArcGIS Window

• Panels
• Buttons
• Pulldown
• Right Clicks

The Data Frame



Layers



Layer Properties



 

Pull downs

• Window | Viewers

Symbolism and Legends

• Symbolizing Categorical Data
  - Grouping Values
  - Headings and Subheadings
  - Formatting Labels
  - Additional Symbol Libraries
  - Translucency
• Symbolizing Continuous Attributes
  - Classification Schemes
  - Color Ramps
  - Color Schemes
  - Mapping Styles (dot maps, graduated symbol)
• Layer Files
• Mapping Raster Data
  - Stretching
  - Histograms
  

Working With Tables

• Attribute Definition in Layer Properties
• Basic Table Management (sorting, hiding, stats)
• Selections
  - Manually
  - By Attribute
  - Other Selection Tools
• Adding New Fields (format definitions)
• Populating New Fields
  - Field Calculator
  - Calculate Geometry
• Exporting Tables

Lables and Annotation

• Label properties tab
• Converting to annotation, editing annotation

Project Management

• Converting to a digital image
• Source Tab
• Relationship between ArcMap project and files
• Reestablishing connections
• Selected Tab
• Charting

Layouts

• Setting up
  • Print/Page Setup
  • Rulers, Guides, Grids, Snapping
  • Tools | Options
• Screen Controls (Zoopm/Pan)
• Layout Templates
• Scale Control
• Data Frame Controls
• Inserting
  • Title
  • Scale Bar
  • Scale Text
  • North Arrow
  • Text
  • Labels
  • Legends
  • Images
• Multiple Frames
  • Locus Boxes
  • Frame Properties

  Printer Settings

  Adding Remote ArcGIS Services

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  Creating New Data

  • Using Shape Files
    • Create empty shape file using ArcCatalog
      • Set coordinate system and projection
      • Be sure to define feature type
    • Add Editor Toolbar in ArcEdit
    • Add empty shapefile to Data Frame
    • Be sure empty shape file (or the one you wish to edit) is the target layer
    • Add and edit as required
    • Save often!
  • Entering and editing point, line, polygon shape files
  • Creating donut polygons
  • Editing tools
  • Snapping, snap environment
  • Coincident features
  • Map topology on shape files
  • Geodatabases, feature classes, feature datasets
  • Creating topology
    • Create shape files with near-final point, line, and polygon information
    • When done, create a file geodatabase
    • Inside the file geodatabase create a new Feature Dataset
    • Within the Feature Dataset, import your shapefiles as Feature Classes
    • Right click to add new topology
    • Use the wizard to establish topology rules
    • Validate your dataset
    • Go into ArcGIS editor to view topology and errors. Fix errors and revalidate the topology until all the mistakes are cleared up.
  • Creating and viewing metadata