Getting Ready to Use the Collector App
The ability to collect geographically referenced information using your smartphone or tablet is an increasingly popular way to quickly and efficiently collect data. Although there are many different applications that can accomplish this, here we will focus on the Collector App from Esri. This blog posting will focus on the steps necessary…
Obtaining Elevation Data from NOAA Digital Coast
Finding and accessing high quality elevation data can be challenging. If you’re working in a coastal area, the NOAA Coastal Service Center’s Digital Coast website will probably be one of your first stops. Not only does this website provide users with access to data collected by NOAA itself, but a variety of…
Customizing US National Grid Maps for Post-Storm Recovery
When people in New England hear the words “National Grid,” thoughts automatically turn to the utility company. Many people are unaware that the U.S. National Grid exists, and that it is different from the aforementioned electricity and natural gas provider. The U.S. National Grid is a standardized, grid-based reference system that is…
USGS Topographic Maps: Converting GeoPDF to JPEG2000
After more than 60 years, the USGS topographic maps still provide an excellent way to explore the United States. The content and symbology are consistent and easily recognizable, and they serve both as a reliable data source and a basemap. Since 2009 the USGS has begun offering the US topographic…
USGS Topographic Maps: Converting GeoPDF to GeoTIFF
After more than 60 years, the USGS topographic maps still provide an excellent way to explore the United States. The content and symbology are consistent and easily recognizable, and they serve both as a reliable data source and a basemap. Since 2009 the USGS has begun offering the US topographic…
Creating Custom Color Ramps in ArcMap
Creating eye-catching visualizations for your printed maps, or online web applications is key to catching your viewer’s eye and holding their attention. Through the creation of your own custom color ramps, you can better visualize your data to suit your needs. Here, I will show how you can create two…
Visualizing Topobathy Digital Elevation Models (DEMs)
Creating eye-catching visualizations is crucial to a memorable presentation. Here we will introduce an Esri tool that allows users to “split” a topobathy digital elevation model (DEM) into two separate rasters, allowing for better visualization for submerged and topographic elevations. This blog will build on the “Developing a Topobathy DEM”…
Developing a Topobathy Digital Elevation Model (DEM)
LiDAR, or Light Detection and Ranging, is a method used to remotely study the surface of the earth. LiDAR data is most commonly collected through the utilization of airplanes and helicopters; these carry the instrumentation necessary to collect these data. This specialized instrumentation consists of a laser, a scanner and…
Prepping and Adding Metadata to ArcGIS Online Items
Metadata – or data about data – is an important component of any GIS system. This tells users how data were created, how reliable these data are, the spatial reference of the data, and who can be contacted with questions regarding a particular dataset. Until recently, it has been impossible…
Mosaic Datasets and LiDAR Data: An Introduction
LiDAR, or Light Detection and Ranging, is a method used to remotely study the surface of the earth. LiDAR data is most commonly collected through the utilization of airplanes and helicopters; these carry the instrumentation necessary to collect these data. This specialized instrumentation consists of a laser, a scanner and…