ArcGIS Data Interoperability

An Introduction
Patrick Demer
ESRI

ArcGIS Data Interoperability

Why use it?

Integrate multiple data formats from open or proprietary

sources directly into their GIS
Make the most of your data investments
Maintain data quality (spatial and attribute information)
as you convert between different data models.
Migrate more easily from other packages/data models or
maintain multiple systems and directly use your data asis.

ArcGIS Data Interoperability

Key Features

1. Direct Read (70 + data formats)

Use data directly in all Desktop applications

2. Data Translation
Convert easily between data formats

3. Data Transformation (Semantic Data Translation)

Data Remodeling restructuring data

Direct Read

Direct Read
Use any data source with ArcMap, ArcCatalog, ArcScene,
ArcGlobe
70+ spatial data formats
Mapping, visualization and analysis
GML
MapInfo
Oracle
PostGIS
FRAMME

S-57
QLF
ESF
MGE
WFS
XML

Mapping
Over 70
total

Analysis
Visualization

Direct Read
ArcCatalog

Browse Interoperability data sources

in the ArcCatalog Browse tree.

Create Interoperability Connections

(RDBMS, WFS, XML, shapefile)
Format settings
Set Spatial Reference

Direct Read
ArcMap

Easily add your Interoperability data sources to ArcMap

Read-Only

Add Data Dialog

Drag n Drop

Direct Read
ArcMap

Interoperability data sources support all standard map

functions such as label, identify, selections and symbolization.

Data Translation

Direct Read

Geoprocessing
Full integration with the ArcGIS Geoprocessing
framework
Input to core Geoprocessing tools
Buffer, Clip, Union, Frequency, etc

Output to Shapefile, Personal Geodatabase,

Enterprise Geodatabase.

Data Translation

Data Interoperability Tools

Automated Translation Tools
Quick Import
Move data into a Personal Geodatabase

Quick Export (50 + formats)

Publish data to many formats

Use tools in
ModelBuilder to
perform data
translations within
GIS models

Geoprocessing Models
Build Interoperability into your geoprocessing
models

Data Transformation

Data Transformation
Semantic Data Translation

Semantic Translation is a term coined by the OpenGIS Consortium

and addresses the problems of the first generation of data
translation by providing users with the ability to restructure the data
during the translation process.

Semantic Data Translation focuses on changing the view of the data

to that which matches the desires of the end user or end system.
Changing the format during data translation is a small part of the
translation process.

Data Transformation
Data Restructuring

Data model transformation is the cornerstone

Schema is front and center
Clearly restructure:
Attribute Names
Feature Types

Data Transformation
Workbench application

Graphically create dataflow from source data to destination

Create, manipulate and convert geometry and attributes
Source

Destination

Data Transformation
Workbench application

Step 1 Extract: Drag your

source dataset on to the
workspace.

Step 3 Load: Load your

data into the destination

Step 2 Transform: Adjust the way

your data flows from its source to
the destination

Data Transformation
Custom Formats

On-the-fly transformation
No data conversion
Define once and use over and over

Data Transformation

Custom Geoprocessing Tools

Use Custom Data Import and Custom Data Export tools
to create powerful import and export transformations
Useful if you need to perform Spatial ETL operations during
import and export

Use Custom Data Transformation Tool to create

Geodatabase to Geodatabase transformations
Useful if source and destination have different schemas.

Data Transformation
Custom Geoprocessing Tools
Data Interoperability custom tools can be used in ArcToolbox,
ModelBuilder, scripting, and the command line
same as other models and tools

ModelBuilder and Workbench

Workbench

ModelBuilder
Graphical batch creation
Fundamental data unit is
a dataset, or layer
Partial runs of a model are
possible
Models exportable as
Python scripts

Data flow architecture

Schema-centric
Fundamental data unit is
a feature
Partial runs not possible
Writes spatial ETL scripts
(stored in Toolboxes)

Availability
NEW at 9.1
Integrated as part of Desktop Product Box
Standard Extension pricing
Works on ArcView, ArcEditor, and ArcInfo
Supported on Windows XP, 2000
Not supported for NT

What about ArcIMS?

ArcIMS Data Delivery Extension
New product at 9.0

Clip, Zip and Ship allows

Extraction of specified area of data from IMS

Translation of data to many formats and projections

Summary
Integrated with ArcMap, ArcCatalog, ArcScene,
ArcGlobe
Direct read for 70+ spatial data formats
Export of 50+ spatial data formats

Fully integrated into the geoprocessing

framework of ArcGIS
Easily diagram and model your own spatial data
formats and conversion tools