Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Download your data, save to Desktop, save your work as you go, and remember to
backup your work on your own memory device when finished with this lab.
Up until this point, we’ve been working with ‘layers’ in a very general sense that they are
what we stack upon each other to make a map. They contain a collection of similar
features, are usually points, lines, or polygons, and those features within a layer contain
attributes that can be seen in the attribute feature for the ‘layer’.
In actuality, ArcMap differentiates between shapefiles and layers. You may have
noticed that we’ve been adding shapefiles to our data frames and have been referring to
them as ‘layers’ in the data frame. These shapefiles contain actual spatial information
that allows the program to draw the data in the display window. On the contrary, a
layer does not contain the actual spatial data; rather it refers to it while being utilized in
ArcMap.
Layers do not contain spatial data; rather they refer to the spatial data.
Layers record the symbology of the data.
Layers can be created in ArcCatalog and ArcMap.
Layers cannot be shared on their own. You must send the data to which it refers
along with the layer as well.
Layers can be created for other people to use without those people needing to
open ArcMap.
Layers can be created in a series for the same data but given different symbology.
Layers can be shared on a network so that others can drop those layers into their
maps without having to know how to access the database or classify the data.
Let’s make a layer! We’re going to create one from a shapefile.
Open ArcCatalog, remove any previous folder connections, and connect to your
lab4_data folder.
Create thumbnails for the eight drawable files (five shapefiles and three rasters), but
before you create the thumbnail for uga_ele_pts.shp, be sure to zoom in first. Before
zooming in, it may look like a dense black box, but once you zoom in a bit, you should be
able to find 133 x 167 = 22211 points in uga_ele_pts.shp. They appear to be in a perfect
grid. Preview the table. Q1
We’re going to create a layer from this shapefile. Right click on the file
and click “Create Layer…”
1
Be sure to save the layer
into your lab4_data folder
on the desktop, and give the
file the name uga_ele_pts.
Preview the new layer. It still looks like a dense box due to ArcCatalog’s default
symbology. Let’s change that.
Symbolize the layer in ArcCatalog by first opening the “Layer Properties” window as you
would in ArcMap.
Click on the “Symbology” tab, and then click on the large “Symbol” button. Make the
color blue and the size 1. Click OK.
If the view does not automatically refresh, right click on the lab4_data folder and click
“Refresh”.
To emphasize the difference between a shapefile and a layer, let’s take look at the
difference between the sizes of the two files.
Click on the lab4_data folder in the Catalog Tree and click the “Contents” tab. You may
be on the thumbnails view, so go ahead and change it to the “Details” view .
In this view, the default is to show the file “Name” and file “Type”. We also want file
“Size”, but it’s not available by default.
2
Click OK, and you should see a new column for “Size” appear in the displayed contents
of the lab4_data folder. Q3-4
Now that you know how to make layers, make layers for Clarke_rds.shp and
UGA_BOX.shp. Make the names of these files as Clarke_rds.lyr and UGA_BOX.lyr.
Don’t forget to save your map document into your lab4_data folder as lab4.mxd! Q6-7
3
The interpolation method we are going to perform in this lab is the Inverse Distance
Weighted (IDW) method.
IDW estimates cell values by averaging the values of sample data points in the vicinity of
each cell. The closer a point is to the center of the cell being estimated, the more
influence, or weight, it has in the averaging process.
According to ArcGIS Help, “With IDW you can control the significance of known points
on the interpolated values based on their distance from the output point. By defining a
higher power, more emphasis is placed on the nearest points, and the resulting
surface will have more detail (less smooth). Specifying a lower power will give more
influence to the points that are farther away, resulting is less detail. A power of 2 is
most commonly used and is the default.” Q8
Your “Input point features” should be the uga_ele_pts layer in the active
“Interpolation” data frame.
Once you’re sure that your settings are correct (see above), click OK.
4
When the tool is finished running, you should see a new raster surface. This was created
from interpolating the grid code values from point data.
To see it better, close ArcToolbox, turn off uga_ele_pts, and zoom to “Full Extent”. Q9
Derive the aspect, just like you did in Lab3, calling it uga_grdasp. Save your work! Q10
“TINs represent a surface as a set of irregularly located points linked to form a network
of triangles with z-values stored at the nodes. TINs consist of nodes that store z-values,
connected by edges to form contiguous, non-overlapping triangular facets. The edges of
TINs can be used to capture the position of linear features that play an important role in
the surface, such as ridgelines or stream courses.
“You can convert a raster surface to a TIN for use in surface modeling or to simplify the
surface model for visualization. Converting to a TIN can also allow you to enhance your
surface model by adding features such as streams and roads that are not represented by
the original raster.”
Let’s create a TIN from our raster! Insert yet another data frame, and call it “TIN from
Raster”. Add the uga_grdele raster to this data frame.
When you add uga_grdele to the new data frame, it may come up as a gray box. To
obtain some sort of useful coloring, you’ll need to change the symbology.
Click Apply, and move your “Layer Properties” window aside to see if there’s a
difference. If you don’t like the color ramp, change it. When you’re satisfied, click OK.
5
We are going to be using the 3D Analyst Extension. Remember the two steps to use an
extension? 1) Turn it on. 2) Bring it up.
You should now have a new toolbar that just popped up (see below).
If you have any experience with past versions of the 3D Analyst toolbar, you’ll notice
that this version has limited functionality, just like the Spatial Analyst toolbar. Where
there used to be multiple available in the “3D Analyst” dropdown list, there is only
general “Options”. Many of the 3D Analyst tools have been grouped together in
ArcToolbox. We need to create a TIN, and after a quick
scan of the 3D Analyst toolbar, we find that this is one of
the tools that has been moved to ArcToolbox.
There is a key field in the “Raster to TIN” window that pops up on your screen, and that
is “Z tolerance”. This is different than the “Z factor”. The Z factor, if you remember, is a
compensation factor between x,y units that are different from the z units. The Z
tolerance, however, controls the vertical accuracy of resulting TIN. The closer the
tolerance is to zero (maximum accuracy), the more points will be in the TIN.
Let’s create three different TINs to emphasize the effect of changing the Z tolerance:
You will run the field three times, and each time, the “Input Raster” will be uga_grdele.
You will save all three new “Output TIN”’s in the lab4_data folder on your desktop.
We will delete the values under “Maximum Number of Points (optional)” and set the “Z
Factor (optional)” to 1 all three times in order to emphasize the effect of Z tolerance.
6
Create all three TINs according to the parameters listed on the previous page. All three
should be in the Table of Contents for you to inspect and compare. Q11
Minimize all windows you have open on your screen, and open your lab4_data folder
from your Desktop in Windows Explorer. You should be able to find three new folders
entitled, “uga_rastin00”, “uga_rastin20”, and “uga_rastin40”. (These folders hold all
the little files that make up your TIN, and if you were to open ArcCatalog, you’d see that
they are a single TIN file with a unique icon.) Q12
You may close Windows Explorer. Maximize ArcMap. Remove uga_rastin40 and
uga_rastin00. We will be using uga_rastin20 from this point onwards.
Open the Layer Properties window for uga_rastin20, and click “Symbology”.
In the “Show” box, make sure that “Edge types” is selected (checked) and “Elevation”
not selected (unchecked).
Con-
tinue
on
next
page
…
7
Next we want to see aspect from our TIN. However, we don’t actually have to derive the
aspect, because the TIN structure already has the aspect calculated! This is definitely a
benefit over the raster, because it saves us a little time. We just need to display the
aspect, so let’s open up the Layer Properties window again and return to Symbology.
You better be saving your work! What if you lost it?! *gasp* See victim.
If you open your lab4_data folder in Windows Explorer, you’ll see that the DRG image is
a TIF file, and it’s accompanied by a TFW file, which is a world file that comes with the
TIF. It’s the world file that has the geographic information that we need to put the TIF
file in the right place on the world. Q15
(If you happened to be asked if you want to build pyramids, click YES.)
8
Use your zooming and panning tools to see what’s in the DRG. Q16
DOQQ
Use your zooming and panning tools to see what’s in the DOQQ. Q17
TIP! The bookmark feature is helpful when you have a large map extent and would like
to more easily zoom to some of the most frequently visited areas.
Note that you can create more than one bookmark, remove bookmarks by going to
Bookmarks Manage…, and you can overwrite bookmarks that you’ve created.
Again, zoom back out to the study area by right clicking on UGA_BOX and clicking
“Zoom to Layer” so that you can continue working on lab. End tip.
CAD
Computer Aided Design (CAD) data is also used in GIS. AutoCAD files (.dwg or .dxf) are
stored in layers and also have point, annotation, line, and polygon features.
9
Now click the “Add Data” button. We want to add line features from to
the “CAD” data frame. Double click on , then add “Polyline”.
When a window pops up saying that the spatial reference for this data is unknown (see
right), just click OK.
If you find yourself still looking at the CAD files, you may need to go “Up One Level”
in order to view all the contents of your lab4_data folder once again.
Make sure that “UGA buildings utm” is listed above “UGA streets utm” in the Table of
Contents.
The buildings and streets should help you get to know your way around the CAD
drawing a little. Q18
In Lab2, you were required to make a layout with one data frame and a few layers, but
how do you manage more than one data frame? In this portion of this week’s lab, we’ll
be going over creating layouts in much more detail.
You may choose 2 or 3 data frames from which you will create a layout. For example,
you may choose any one (1) of the following combinations:
10
Before continuing, save your work. Sometimes it’s easier to create layouts in another
copy of your map document, so once you’ve saved your lab4.mxd, go to File Save As…
Save a new copy of your lab4.mxd as “lab4_copy.mxd”.
There should now be two ArcMap documents in your lab4_data
folder (see right).
The top of your ArcMap window should now say, It would be best to have 2 different ArcMap
documents for this portion of the lab.
“lab4_copy.mxd – ArcMap – ArcInfo”.
This is how you know that you’re working in the copy of your lab4.mxd. Any changes
you make to this map document will not affect all the work that you did in this lab,
which is saved in lab4.mxd.
For demonstration, I’ll show you how to make a layout with the interpolated raster
surface and the DRG. This is not one of the recommended combinations (listed above),
because you need to make your own layout.
TIP! You can follow along with the demonstration if you like, OR you can modify these
instructions to work on your own layout. Just don’t submit the product of this
demonstration! Be sure to choose a one of the combinations listed on the previous page.
If you find that you do want to follow the demonstration, you can reopen the lab4.mxd
and save it as another map document of a different name and create your layout in that.
That’s the purpose of saving all of the initial work in lab4.mxd. End tip.
I will be writing in 1st person instead of 2nd person, because the following is a
demonstration, not the work you will be submitting. Nevertheless, do not skip this! It
contains information and tips that will be very helpful for your layout due with this lab
and any future layouts!
Now that only the data frames that contain the information I want to use in my layout
are available, I’m going to switch from data view to layout view.
11
I’m not going to print this map, so I’m going to uncheck .
This is how I know which map element is active. I can now click and hold the active
map element, and I can move it where I want. I’m going to move it to the side.
I’m going to click the other data frame, and I’m going to move it as well. Like I
mentioned before, I want to put them side by side.
TIP! You must click a map element to activate it before you can click and drag it.
Remember: click-click&drag. End tip!
I want to be sure that everything fits within a neat line, so I’m going to add this next.
12
I click Insert Neatline. Personally, I prefer to choose “Place around all elements”
because this allows me more control over where I would like to place my neatline. I can
edit its placement much more easily. I also like to give the neatline a little character by
changing its “Border”, “Background”, and “Drop Shadow”.
I’m going to create guides next, so that I can place the neatline where I want more
accurately. Guides are easily created by clicking the ruler. I’m going to make four
guides (two on the horizontal ruler and two on the vertical ruler) that are each an inch
away from the edge.
The guides appear as dotted, cyan
lines, and they intersect each other
in four places (see right).
In the Table of Contents, I’m going to activate the “Interpolation” data frame, zoom to
full extent, and remove all layers except uga_grdele.
(If you ever want to turn off the guides or ruler or turn
on a
13
I’m going to resize each of them by first
left clicking a data frame, right clicking
the same data frame, and selecting
“Properties”.
This is how you can access the Data
Frame Properties window (in contrast
to the Layer Properties window).
To insert my north arrow, I click “Insert” and “North Arrow”. Once I have chosen an
appropriate style for my map, I click ok. ArcMap randomly places the north arrow on
the map, and it’s up to me to put it where I want.
A great title for your map would address the general goal that your map is trying to
accomplish. What’s the map trying to show? The two data frames chosen for this demo
are not necessarily trying to show you anything (except how to create a layout). I’ll just
use the general location of this map for the title. You, however, should think of
something more appropriate.
14
Once you enter a title and click OK, the title will be automatically inserted in the top
center of the map, regardless of the presence of other map elements.
In my case, the
title was placed
right on the edge
of a neat line (see
below). This
needs to be fixed!
The title is considered a map element, so you can click it to activate it and click and drag
it elsewhere.
If the font dull or an inappropriate size, you can right click on the active title and click
“Properties”. Then click “Symbol”. This is where you can change the font and size. It
looks very much like the symbol selector symbol, just with text. I’ll use the first option
(Country 1), and I’ll change the size to 20. Click OK. Click OK.
I could repeat the same process as above for introducing new text, or I can just click the
one I have and press control-C on my
keyboard followed by control-V to copy
and paste the text I already have. I can
move this above the other data frame,
and I can double click it to edit the
name.
15
The last two necessary elements missing from this layout are scale bar and legend (see
right).When I’m looking at the first data frame that has the interpolated raster, I feel the view of
the entire surface is appropriate.
However, when I’m looking at the DRG, it looks a little distant and cluttered. It’s hard
to see what’s on the DRG (much less what purpose it is attempting to serve).
It would be good to zoom in to some section of the map, but what would this imply for a
scale bar? I would need two! One for each data frame since, since the raster is zoomed
out and the DRG is zoomed in.
Don’t Skip! You really need to know how to use your zooming in tools and your
zooming out tools when you’re in layout view.
There is only one toolbar that you can use in Data View that allows you to zoom in and
zoom out. That is the Tools toolbar (see below):
There are TWO toolbars that you can use in Layout View that allow you to zoom in and
zoom out of different things. These are the Tools and Layout toolbars (see below):
As you can see, there are many similarities between the two toolbars, and you need to
understand these similarities and the differences between these toolbars.
These are probably the four tools that used the most, and they’re the
best tools for helping explain the difference between the two toolbars.
The Tools toolbar is for moving the data within the data frame(s).
The Layout toolbar is for moving the entire map layout page.
1 2 3 4 ArcMap is trying to give you a hint with the little ‘page’ images behind
1 – Zoom in each of the tools in layout view!
2 – Zoom out
3 – Pan The full extent button on the Layout toolbar looks different than the
4 – Full Extent one on the Tools toolbar, but it works about the same. When you click
it, it’ll zoom out until you can see the entire layout page. End DS.
16
Part 5.6: Scale Bars and Legends
Before I click OK, I’m going to click “Properties…”. Here I can change the units that will
be displayed on my layout. Right now, the drop down list under “Division Units:” is set
at “Meters”. Since I know I want to display the scale bar for my other data frame in
miles, it may be good to choose miles as well for this data frame. Click OK. Click OK.
The new scale bar just pops up in the middle of the display window, regardless of the
features already present. I’m going to click and drag the scale bar below the DRG. It’s
also somewhat large, so I’m going to change the size of the scale bar. I am now
reasonably content with the size, units, and
divisions of my scale bar (see right).
Before I can make a scale bar for my other data frame, I need to click it to activate it.
Once it’s activated, the Insert Scale Bar… tool will make a scale bar for the correct
data frame. I’m going to choose my style and units to match my first scale bar.
All that’s left is the legend, so I need to think about what my legends should include for
each of my data frames.
As for my DRG data frame, the DRG is a raster image that has been simplified to exactly
13 colors; however, upon researching whether or not these colors represent certain types
of features, I found that they do NOT necessarily correspond with buildings, water, etc.
17
I can, however, include a legend for the interpolated raster surface. When I go to Insert
Legend…, I will be taken through steps that allow me to create an appropriate legend.
The first window lets me select which layer(s) should be included in the legend.
In this case, there is only one layer, so I’m going to click Next.
The second window lets me choose a title for my legend. Honestly, legend titles,
especially when they’re as boring as “Legend”, are superfluous, so I’m just going
to delete what’s in the Legend Title box and then click Next.
The third window lets me create a frame for my legend, if desired. I don’t desire
one this time, so I’m just going to click Next.
The fourth window lets me change the appearance of the items in the legend. I’m
not worried about that right now, so I’m going to click Next.
The fifth (and final) window lets me play with spacing, but there’s nothing much
TO space in my very basic legend, so I’m just going to click Finish!
Once again, the legend just pops up in the middle of the display
regardless of other map elements. It’s also somewhat large. I’m going
to shrink it a little and move it somewhere more appropriate (see right).
Now that I have everything I need, I can look at the entire page to see if I need to make
any final adjustment. For example, I think I’m going to move my north arrow up. Now,
I can go to File Print Preview to see how the map would look were I to print it, and
this is also how it will look when I export it.
My map appears to be slightly off center on the page due to the shadow, so I can close
the print previous, select all elements at once, and move them. Looking at Print Preview
again, I’m decently content with what I see.
When you satisfied with your layout, you need to know how to export your map. This
creates a permanent file on your computer where you can access your map outside of
ArcMap, share it with others, or print it from programs other than ArcMap.
Ensure that you are in your lab4_data folder, and give your map an appropriate
name.
18
Before you click “Save”, be sure to check what you’re saving your map as. In
other words, take a look at “Save as type:”.
Be sure that it’s being saved as a common image format such as a JPEG (.jpg) or
BMP (.bmp).
In order to preserve detail, be sure that your resolution is at least 300 dpi! (Don’t
make it too much larger tough, because it’ll make the file huge.)
Once you’re sure that you’re saving your map in the right place, with an
appropriate file name, as the right type, and at a sufficient DPI, then you can click
“Save”.
Save your work by hitting the Save icon, and then you can close ArcMap. For all
layouts in the rest of the semester, you’ll be exporting them and inserting them into your
lab report, so with your lab report open in Microsoft Word (assuming you’re using the
most recent version), you’ll want to Insert Picture (from file). Navigate to your
lab4_data folder, open it, and within it, you should see the file that you just saved. Click
it and click “Insert”.
You may find that there is a lot of white space around the main portion of your map.
You can crop this off by right clicking on the image and selecting the crop tool .
This is the fastest and easiest way to clean up any layouts you insert or screenshots
you paste into your lab report. You should have a clean layout inserted as follows:
19
Assignment for Lab4
Part 1
Part 2
Follow the instructions and demonstration in Part 5 of the instructions to make a layout
for this week’s lab.
Remember: Your layout should not be the same as the demonstration. Choose one (1)
of the four suggested combinations on page 10.
20