Using ArcGIS 9.

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Division of Wildlife Management

Table of Contents
1: Introduction............................................................................................................................................................. 1 2: ArcCatalog Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... 1 Exercise: Create a Database Connection................................................................................................................. 1 Exercise: Set Source for an Existing Map ............................................................................................................... 1 3: Map Projections ......................................................................................................................................................2 Exercise: Defining the Coordinate System/Projection of a Shapefile ....................................................................2 Exercise: Reprojecting a Shapefile to a Different Coordinate System/Projection.................................................6 4: Working with Shapefiles .........................................................................................................................................7 Exercise: Create Blank Shapefile.............................................................................................................................7 Exercise: Add/Modify Attributes to a Shapefile .................................................................................................... 8 5: ArcMap Introduction ............................................................................................................................................10 Exercise: Add Layer to Map (Method 1) ...............................................................................................................10 Exercise: Add Layer to Map (Method 2) ...............................................................................................................10 6: Map Navigation.....................................................................................................................................................10 7: Data Frames .......................................................................................................................................................... 11 Exercise: Create a New Data Frame...................................................................................................................... 11 8: Formatting Map (layout view).............................................................................................................................. 11 Introduction........................................................................................................................................................... 11 Navigation.............................................................................................................................................................. 11 Exercise: Resize Overview Data Frame................................................................................................................. 12 Exercise: Add Scale Bar......................................................................................................................................... 12 Exercise: Add Legend ............................................................................................................................................ 13 Exercise: Add North Arrow ................................................................................................................................... 14 9: Editing Features.................................................................................................................................................... 14 Introduction........................................................................................................................................................... 14 Creating a Sketch................................................................................................................................................... 15 Other Edit Functions ............................................................................................................................................. 17 Exercise: Digitize a Point by Typing X, Y Coordinates ......................................................................................... 17 Exercise: Digitize a Polygon by Tracing Other Features ......................................................................................18 Exercise: Modify Existing Polygon........................................................................................................................ 19 Tip/Trick: Reshaping or Cutting a Polygon from Another Feature .................................................................... 20 10: Where to get Help!!!............................................................................................................................................ 21 11: Appendix - Commonly-Needed Functions/Procedures......................................................................................22 Changing Coordinate System of a Data Frame .....................................................................................................22 Export Symbology to a Layer File .........................................................................................................................22 Updating Area for Shapefile ..................................................................................................................................23 Updating Perimeter for Shapefile .........................................................................................................................23 Updating Length for Shapefile ..............................................................................................................................24 Create Point Shapefile from Coordinates..............................................................................................................24 Appending Data to an Existing Shapefile .............................................................................................................25 Import Symbology from a Layer File ................................................................................................................... 26 12: Appendix - Reference Information .....................................................................................................................27 Discussion of Projections ......................................................................................................................................27 Tip/Trick: Placing Projection files in Default Location....................................................................................... 29 Projection and Coordinate System Details .......................................................................................................... 29

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List of Figures
Figure 2-1. Set Data Source Window ..........................................................................................................................2 Figure 3-1. ArcToolbox Window .................................................................................................................................3 Figure 3-2. Spatial Reference Properties (blank) .......................................................................................................4 Figure 3-3. Browse for Coordinate System.................................................................................................................4 Figure 3-4. Spatial Reference Properties (detail shown) ...........................................................................................5 Figure 3-5. Projected Coordinate System Properties .................................................................................................6 Figure 3-6. Project Window ........................................................................................................................................7 Figure 4-1. Create New Shapefile............................................................................................................................... 8 Figure 4-2. Shapefile Properties .................................................................................................................................9 Figure 9-1. Digitize a Polygon ...................................................................................................................................18 Figure 9-2. Modify Polygon Vertices ....................................................................................................................... 20 Figure 11-1. Create Feature Class From XY Table ....................................................................................................25 Figure 11-2. Append Data Window .......................................................................................................................... 26 Figure 11-3. Import Symbology.................................................................................................................................27 Figure 12-1. Projection Illustration.......................................................................................................................... 28

List of Tables
Table 6-1. Map Navigation Tools ..............................................................................................................................10 Table 8-1. Map Layout Navigation............................................................................................................................ 12 Table 9-1. Task Menu Functions............................................................................................................................... 15 Table 9-2. Right-Click Menu On An Existing Vertex (used to create a sketch) ....................................................... 15 Table 9-3. Right-Click Menu Where There Is No Vertex (used to create a sketch)................................................. 16 Table 9-4. Editor Menu Functions (performed on existing features)...................................................................... 17

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1: Introduction
This booklet is designed as a reference and workbook for ArcGIS training class offered at the 2005 North Carolina Wildlife Management Division Annual Meeting. The main body of the booklet contains general information about the components and functions of the ArcGIS software. I have also included a section with step-by-step directions for some commonly-needed functions/procedures. At the end of the booklet, I have included some reference information. I hope that the training is useful to you. Please let me know if you have any suggestions for future training topics. As always, if you have any GIS questions, you can contact me at 919.707.0054 or scott.anderson@ncwildlife.org. Enjoy! Scott Anderson GIS Biologist Division of Wildlife Management Wildlife Resources Commission

2: ArcCatalog Introduction
ArcCatalog provides an interface in which to organize GIS data. In it, you can create shapefiles, add/modify attributes, reproject shapefiles, and access more advanced editing tools through ArcToolbox. Exercise: Create a Database Connection In the left panel of ArcCatalog, you see a directory tree, much like in windows explorer. However, you can add folders to this tree to provide quick access to frequently accessed folders. 1) Open ArcCatalog. 2) Click on the Connect to Folder button . You will see a window with a directory of your computer.

3) Navigate to the folder you wish to connect to, and highlight it. For this exercise, we will connect to the folder on our hard drive where the training files are located. These are located in the c:\arcgis_train folder. 4) Click Ok. You will notice a new heading appear in the left panel of ArcCatalog. You can navigate directly to this folder by clicking on the heading in the left panel. Exercise: Set Source for an Existing Map Maps are stored in map documents (with the file extension *.mxd). Map documents point to (but do not store) the shapefiles that used in the map and any formatting (legends, labels, etc.). We will cover formatting in ArcMap later, but for this exercise, we will create a new map document from an existing map file. This function creates a copy of a map document with updated links to the shapefiles included in the map. This is particularly useful when transferring a map document to another computer, where the source shapefiles are not in the same location. 1) Open ArcCatalog. 2) Navigate to the location of the map (*.mxd) file (FtFisher_broken.mxd). 3) Open the map file. Note that in the table of contents on the left, there are small, red, exclamation points next to each layer. This means that the map document does not know where to find these shapefiles/layers. 4) Close the map document. 5) In ArcCatalog, right-click on the map file and choose Set Data Source(s). A new window will open (Figure 2-1). 1

Figure 2-1. Set Data Source Window

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6) Highlight one of the layers listed (1) in the New data source column and click on the Replace All button. The Replace All window will appear. The Replace All function will replace all data sources from the highlighted location with the path that you choose. 7) Change the address in the Replace with: box to match the location of the actual files on your computer (C:\arcgis_train) and click on Replace All. 8) In the box labeled Output file:, type the path and name of the new map document to be created (c:\arcgis_train\FtFisher.mxd). 9) Click Ok in the Set Data Sources window to create the new map document. 10) Right-click in the left panel of ArcCatalog and choose Refresh. This will refresh the listing of files in the current folder, displaying the new map document you just created. A new document will be created in the path displayed in the Output file: box. You can now open this file, and all attachments will be linked correctly.

3: Map Projections
In this section we will define the projection of a shapefile, then reproject it in the desired format. We will use the shapefile gmlwrc05_undefined which currently has no defined projection, but was created in NC State Plane feet (NAD27). We want to change its projection to NC State Plane meters (NAD83). Note: See reference section on a discussion of projections for more information. Exercise: Defining the Coordinate System/Projection of a Shapefile 1) Open ArcCatalog. 2) Open the ArcToolbox by clicking on the button . This will open the ArcToolbox window (Figure 3-1).

Figure 3-1. ArcToolbox Window

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3) Navigate to the Define Projection heading (1), and double-click it. This will open the Define Projection window. button, and navigate to the shapefile for which you want to define the coordinate 4) Click on the system/projection (c:\arcgis_train\gmlwrc05_undefined). Once you have selected the file, click on the Add button to return to the Define Projection window. Note that the Coordinate System is listed as undefined. button next to the Coordinate System box, and the Spatial Reference Properties window 5) Click on the will appear. This is where you will choose the predefined coordinate system the shapefile was originally defined in (Figure 3-2).

Figure 3-2. Spatial Reference Properties (blank)

6) Click on the Select button to choose the predefined coordinate system. This will open the Browse for a Coordinate System Window. Alternatively, you can also import a coordinate system from a previously defined shapefile by clicking the Import button (Figure 3-3). Figure 3-3. Browse for Coordinate System

7) Navigate through the folders to locate the correct coordinate system file (in this example, we are looking for NAD 1927 StatePlane North Carolina FIPS 3200.prj). It is located in the Coordinate Systems/Projected Coordinate Systems/State Plane/Nad 1927 folder. 8) Highlight the appropriate file and click on the Add button. This will return you to the Spatial Reference Properties window. Note that now the Name: field no longer says Unknown (1), and there is text in the Details: (2) window (Figure 3-4). Figure 3-4. Spatial Reference Properties (detail shown)

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9) Click the Modify button to check the settings. This will open the Projected Coordinate System Properties window. From here, you can change any of the parameters that define the coordinate system. Check to make sure that the Linear Units are Foot_US (Figure 3-5 (3)), since this is the projection information we have been given.

Figure 3-5. Projected Coordinate System Properties

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10) If these settings are acceptable, click on the Ok button to close the properties window, and return to the Spatial Reference Properties window. 11) If the settings in this window are acceptable, click on the Ok button to set the coordinate system, and you will be returned to the Define Projection window. 12) Click on the OK button in this window to define the shapefile with the coordinate system you just selected. Done! Note that in some cases, the shapefile you receive from someone else may not be defined as one of the predefined coordinate systems available through ArcGIS. Once you have selected a coordinate system, you can modify the parameters (as discussed in the Coordinate Systems section above, and detailed in the Projection and Coordinate System Details section below) by clicking on the Modify button. You will have to be provided the correct parameters from the creator of the shapefile. Exercise: Reprojecting a Shapefile to a Different Coordinate System/Projection Now that we have defined the shapefile as being in NC State Plane feet (NAD27), we can reproject it in the state standard, NC State Plane meters (NAD83). 1) Open ArcCatalog. 2) Open the ArcToolbox by clicking on the button . This will open the ArcToolbox window (Figure 3-1).

3) Navigate to the Project heading (Figure 3-1 (2)), and double-click it. This will open the Project window (Figure 3-6). 6

Figure 3-6. Project Window

button next to Input Dataset or Feature Class, and navigate to the shapefile for which you 4) Click on the want to define the coordinate system/projection (ff_gmlwrc05_undefined). Once you have selected the file, click on the Add button to return to the Define Projection window. ArcGIS will automatically place the reprojected file in the same folder. button next to Output Dataset or Feature Class, and navigate to the folder where you 5) Click on the would like to place the new, reprojected shapefile. Then type in the name of the file at the bottom of the window (in this case, save the file as c:\arcgis_train\ff_gmlwrc05). Click Save to close this window. button, and the Spatial Reference Properties window will appear. The procedure for 6) Click on the selecting a coordinate system is identical to the procedure outlined in Defining the Coordinate System/Projection of a Shapefile above. Follow the steps 6-9 above. This is where you will choose the predefined coordinate system that you wish to project the shapefile into. After following these steps, you should be back at the Project window (fig. 7). 7) In some cases, you may need to pick a geographic transformation. This is required if you are choosing a coordinate system/projection that uses a different datum than the original shapefile. If this is the case, choose the first item in the list. 8) Once the information is filled out, click the OK button to perform the reproject procedure. This will create a new shapefile in the new coordinate system/projection.

4: Working with Shapefiles

Exercise: Create Blank Shapefile 1) Open ArcCatalog. 7

2) Navigate to the folder where you would like to create the shapefile (c:\arcgis_train). 3) Right-click on a blank are of the right window and choose New, then Shapefile. The Create New Shapefile window will appear (Figure 4-1).

Figure 4-1. Create New Shapefile

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4) In the Name field, type in the name of the shapefile (1) (training_pt). Do NOT include spaces in the title. 5) Choose the feature type from the Feature Type list (2) (Point). 6) Set the coordinate system by clicking on the Edit Button (3). This will open the Spatial Reference Properties window (Figure 3-4). Once the coordinate system is set to NC State Plane meters (NAD83), click on Ok to return to the Create New Shapefile window. 7) Click on Ok to create the new shapefile. 8) Repeat this exercise, creating training_line (for storing Line features) and training_poly (for storing Polygon features). Exercise: Add/Modify Attributes to a Shapefile In this exercise, we will edit the attributes of the shapefile created in the previous exercise. Before beginning, make sure that the shapefile is not opened in any other program (e.g., displayed on an open map). 1) Open ArcCatalog 2) Double-click on the shapefile whose attributes you wish to edit (training_poly). The Shapefile Properties window will appear (Figure 4-2). Note the table in the middle lists all the current fields stored as attributes for the shapefile. 8

Figure 4-2. Shapefile Properties

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3) Click on the first blank row in the table (1), and type NAME. Note: no spaces are allowed for attribute field names, and field names cannot be longer than 8 characters. 4) Click in the Data Type column and choose Text (2), to make this new attribute field a text field. Once a data type is chosen, the field properties show up in the window below (3). 5) Since we have designated this field as a text field, we can modify the length of the text that can be entered into the field. Click to the right of Length and choose type 100 (this will allow 100 characters to be stored in this field). 6) Now create two more fields, DT_ADDED (type = Date), and YRS_OWNED (type = Long Integer). In the future, if you wish to store decimal numbers in a field, choose Double as the Data Type. 7) When finished modifying the attributes, click Ok to save your changes.

5: ArcMap Introduction
Exercise: Add Layer to Map (Method 1) Using these directions, add the training shapefiles we just created to the map (training_pt, training_line, and training_poly). 1) Click on the Add Layer button . The Add Data window will appear. 2) Navigate to and highlight the file(s) you wish to add to the map (training_pt, training_line, and training_poly). Note: You can select multiple files by holding down the Control key while selecting. 3) Click on the Add button. Exercise: Add Layer to Map (Method 2) Using this method, add three aerial photos located in the arcgis_train\aerial_photos folder to the map (holyrd1, holyrd3, topsal1, topsal2, topsal3, and topsal4). 1) Open ArcCatalog (keep ArcMap open). 2) Resize the windows so that ArcCatalog is on top, and you can see the left side of ArcMap. 3) Navigate to and highlight the file(s) in ArcCatalog that you would like to add to the map (holyrd1, holyrd3, topsal1, topsal2, topsal3, and topsal4). 4) Drag and drop the files from ArcCatalog to the left panel of ArcMap.

6: Map Navigation
There are many ways to move around your map once you have added some layers. Below is a chart of useful buttons/functions for navigating and exploring your layers. Table 6-1. Map Navigation Tools Zoom In Zoom Out Fixed Zoom In Fixed Zoom Out Pan Zoom Full Extent Go Back To Extent Go Forward To Extent Select Features Zoom to Selected Select Elements Identify Find Measure Zoom in to the extent drawn on the map Zoom out from point clicked on map Zoom in to the map a fixed amount Zoom out from the map layout a fixed amount Pan view of the map Zoom to the full extent (show the extent of all data layers) Return to previous map layout extent Go forward to next map layout extent Use to select specific features of a layer Zoom view to selected features Use this tool to select elements on the page such as drawn shapes, labels, etc. Returns attributes of item selected with this tool Search attributes for specific feature Measure distances on the map 10

7: Data Frames
Data frames are different maps that can be contained within the same map document (mxd file). They serve two main purposes. First, they are useful for creating multiple maps (e.g., insets) in the layout format. Second, the data frame defines how the data is presented on the screen (including spatial reference, scale, and display units). Once the spatial reference for the data frame is set, ArcGIS will project-on-the-fly any layers that are not in the same projection as the data frame. The result is that layers with in different projections will still line up when added to a map! The data frame properties can be accessed by right-clicking on the data frame heading (by default it is named Layers), and clicking on properties. In order to work with layers in a data frame, you must activate the frame. The active frame is always in bold. You can activate a data frame by right-clicking on the data frame title and choosing activate. Exercise: Create a New Data Frame In this exercise, you will create a new data frame that will be used later to create an overview map. 1) Open the FtFisher map document. 2) Insert New Data Frame: From the Insert menu, choose Data Frame. A new heading will appear in the Table of Contents titled New Data Frame 3) Rename New Data Frame: Right-click on the New Data Frame title in the table of contents and choose Properties 4) Click the General tab. 5) Change the text in the Name: box to Overview 6) Click OK to exit Data Frame Properties. 7) Add Layers to the Data Frame: Click and drag the ff_gmlprimary and Hydrography layers from the Layers data frame into the Overview data frame.

8: Formatting Map (layout view)

Introduction Maps are created in ArcMap. Formatting and layout of maps is controlled in the layout view. In this view, you can modify the placement of the map on the page, add reference information (legends, scale bars, and north arrows), and create multiple data frames (e.g., including an overview on top of the main map). Navigation You can move around in your data frame just as you do in data view, using the buttons on the Tools toolbar. However, if you would like to zoom in on sections of your map (like taking a magnifying glass to your map on the page), you must use the navigation tools on the layout toolbar. Their functions are enumerated below.

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Table 8-1. Map Layout Navigation Zoom In Zoom Out Pan Fixed Zoom In Fixed Zoom Out Zoom Whole Page Zoom To 100% Go Back To Extent Go Forward To Extent Zoom Control Toggle Draft Mode Focus Data Frame Change Layout Zoom in to the extent drawn on the map layout Zoom out from point clicked on map layout Pan view of the map layout Zoom in to the map layout a fixed amount Zoom out from the map layout a fixed amount Zoom so that the entire page is visible Zoom to actual size Return to previous map layout extent Go forward to next map layout extent Zoom to a given percentage Toggle drawing map elements Allows you to work in the data frame as if you were in data view Change layout to match a saved template

Exercise: Resize Overview Data Frame In this exercise, you will create an inset map to include in the map layout. 1) Open the FtFisher map document. 2) Switch to Layout View: Click on the layout button at the bottom left of the map panel. 3) Set Overview Data Frame Properties: In the Table of Contents, right-click the Overview data frame and choose Properties a) Click on the Size and Position tab. b) In the Position: box, type 0.2 next to the box labeled X: and 0.2 next to the box labeled Y:. c) Click on the Frame tab. d) Click on the down arrow next to the Background box, scroll down, and select White. e) Click on the Extent Rectangles tab. f) Highlight Layers in the Other data frames: box and click on the single right arrow button .

g) Click the OK button to close the Properties box. 4) Modify the extent of the Overview data frame using the Zoom tools in the Tools toolbar (see reference in the Map Navigation section above). Exercise: Add Scale Bar 1) Open the FtFisher map document. 2) Switch to Layout View: Click on the layout button 12 at the bottom left of the map panel.

3) Insert Scale Bar: On the Insert menu, click Scale Bar. The Scale Bar Selector window will appear. 4) Choose Format: Click on a preformatted scale bar (Scale Line 1) in the left panel of the Scale Bar Selector window. Click OK. A scale bar will be placed in the middle of the map. Notes: You can modify the size of the scale bar by selecting the scale bar, choosing the Select Elements tool , and clicking and dragging on the handles of the scale bar object (the small blue boxes surrounding the , move to the center of the selected scale bar). To move the scale bar, choose the Select Elements tool selected scale bar, and click and drag the bar to the desired location. If you want to change the properties of the scale bar, right-click on the scale bar and choose Properties. Exercise: Add Legend In this exercise, you will create and format a legend for your map in layout view. 1) Open the FtFisher map document. 2) Switch to Layout View: Click on the layout button at the bottom left of the map panel. 3) Change Layer Titles: Before creating a legend, you should rename the layer titles in the table of contents BEFORE starting the Legend wizard. a) Right-click on the ff_cb100shore layer and choose Properties. b) Click on the General tab, and change Layer Name: to County Boundary. c) Repeat steps a. and b., changing ff_gmlprimary to Primary Roads and ff_gmlsecondary to Secondary Roads. 4) Insert Legend: On the Insert menu, click Legend. The Legend Wizard window will open. 5) Choose Legend Items: The Legend Wizard window will have two panels, one labeled Map Layers: and one labeled Legend Items. Those layers included in the left panel will be included in the legend. For this exercise: a) Click on the ff_nheo_pt layer, and click on the left double-arrow button the Legend Items panel. to remove all items from .

b) Click on the ff_gmlprimary layer (primary roads) and click on the single right arrow button c) Repeat step b. for the ff_gmlsecondary and ff_cb100shore layers. d) Click the Next > button to continue.

6) Choose Legend Title: In the Legend Title box, type Fort Fisher Legend. You can also modify how the legend appears (font size, font color, font type, etc.) here. Click the Next > button to continue. 7) Format Legend Frame: In this window, you can change the appearance of the frame around the Legend. a) Click on the down arrow to the right of the Border box and choose Double Line. b) Click on the down arrow to the right of the Background box, scroll down, and choose White. c) Click on the down arrow to the right of the Drop Shadow box and choose Grey 60%. d) Click the Next > button to continue. 8) Format Symbols: In this window, you can modify how each symbol is displayed. a) Click on the ff_gmlprimary layer in the Legend Items:box. b) Click on the down arrow to the right of the Line: box, and choose S Curve. c) Click on the ff_gmlsecondary layer in the Legend Items:box. d) Click on the down arrow to the right of the Line: box, and choose Arc.

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e) Click on the ff_cb100shore layer in the Legend Items:box. f) Click on the down arrow to the right of the Line: box, and choose Ellipse. 9) Finish Legend: Click the Finish button to create the legend. Note: If you to resize or move the Legend box, you can do so in the same way you moved and resized the Scale Bar in the previous exercise. If you would like more meaningful titles to each symbol, be sure to change the layer headings in the table of contents on the left BEFORE creating the legend as in step 3. Exercise: Add North Arrow In this exercise, you will place a North Arrow on the map in layout view. 1) Open the FtFisher map document. 2) Switch to Layout View: Click on the layout button at the bottom left of the map panel. 3) Insert North Arrow: From the Insert menu, click on North Arrow 4) Choose Arrow: In the left panel of the North Arrow Selector window, choose ESRI North 4 Note: You can change the color and size of the north arrow by clicking the Properties button. 5) Click the OK button when finished. Note: You can resize and move the North Arrow in the same way you moved and resized the Scale Bar in the previous exercise.

9: Editing Features
Introduction When creating or editing features in ArcMap, there are three basic pieces of information that the computer needs to know. What is the target of the editing action (that is, to what layer do you want to make changes)? What editing action or task do you want to make (create new feature, modify feature, cut polygon, move, buffer, split, merge, etc)? To what feature(s) do you want to perform the action (selection), or are you creating a new feature?

The target is set in the Target: drop-down menu on the editor toolbar. Once the workspace is set, all layers that are included in the map in that workspace are added to the drop-down list. You must pick a layer from the drop-down list before creating (and sometimes before modifying) a feature. The editing action or task is the function that you want to perform on a selected feature(s) (or a new feature). By selecting feature(s), you specify which feature(s) to carry out the action. To create or edit any features, you must complete the following general process: 1) Open an Editing Session. You must also choose the workspace. If the layers in the map come from different folders or geodatabases, you will be prompted to choose a workspace. 2) Choose the task (see table X for options). 3) Choose the target layer (one of the layers in the workspace). 4) Create a sketch representing the change/new feature. 5) Finish the sketch. Note: Edits will not be saved until the Editing Session is closed or you click on Save Edits in the Editor menu. In this section are a series of tables that enumerate the available editing functions. Next to each function is the icon for the type of shapefile for which the function is relevant (i.e., point, line, or polygon).

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Key:

= available for point features = available for line features = available for polygon features

Table 9-1. Task Menu Functions Feature Type Function Name Create New Feature Reshape Feature Cut Polygon Features Mirror Features Extend/Trim Features Modify Feature Description Moves the feature an X and Y distance away (in the units of the data frame). Modifies the edge along a line you create. Divides a polygon into two features along a line you create. Creates a mirror image of selected features on the other side of a line you create. Extends or trims to a line you create (use only two points to create the line). Combine selected features in the same layer.

Creating a Sketch Before creating or modifying a feature, you must create a sketch representing the new feature or change to an existing feature. Once you have selected the target and the task, create a sketch using the tools in the tools menu and functions available in the context menus (Table 9-1 and Table 9-3). A sketch is a temporary drawing representing the feature or feature part that you wish to create or modify. The selected task is completed when you finish the sketch. You can use multiple tools for the creation of a single sketch. The two most commonly tools used to do this are the sketch tool and the trace tool. Sketch tool Create a feature by clicking anywhere on the map. If the target layer is a line or polygon, a vertex is placed at each mouse click. Trace tool Create a feature by tracing an existing feature (valid for lines or polygons only). Begin by highlighting the feature to be traced, select the trace tool, then click on the selected feature to begin tracing. When finished tracing, left click again. Table 9-2. Right-Click Menu On An Existing Vertex (used to create a sketch) Feature Type Function Name Delete vertex Move Move to Flip Trim to Length Delete sketch Finish sketch Finish part Properties Description Deletes the selected vertex from the sketch. Moves the current vertex an X and Y distance away (in the units of the data frame). Moves the current vertex to a given set of coordinates (in the units of the data frame). Allows vertices to be added to the opposite end of a polyline. Trims current segment to a specified length (in the units for the data frame). Deletes the current sketch from the layer. Adds the current sketch to the layer. Completes the current part of the feature. You can either add another line or polygon to the feature, or cut a hole out of a polygon feature, by making more than one part. Lists the point(s) that make up the feature and their coordinates in the units of the data frame. 15

Table 9-3. Right-Click Menu Where There Is No Vertex (used to create a sketch) Feature Type Function Name Snap to feature Direction Deflection Length Change Length Absolute X,Y Delta X,Y Direction/Length Parallel Perpendicular Segment Deflection Replace Sketch Tangent Curve Streaming Delete sketch Finish sketch Square and Finish Finish part Properties Description

Set the absolute bearing of the segment to be created. Set the angle relative to the last segment (e.g., 90 would make a right angle from the last segment). Set the length of the next segment in the units of the data frame. Change the length of the last segment. Creates vertex/point at specific coordinates (coordinates must be in the units of the data frame). Creates vertex/point at X and Y distance from the last vertex (in the units of the data frame). Combination of the Direction and Length functions above. Constrains next segment to the same angle as the last segment. Constrains the next segment to a 90 degree angle from the last segment. Works the same as the Deflection function above, but you choose the segment you want to deflect the next vertex from by right-clicking on it. Adds the feature clicked on to the current sketch. Creates a curve tangent to the last segment. Creates stream of points as you move the cursor (like writing on paper). Deletes the current sketch from the layer. Adds the current sketch to the layer. Squares the angles from the first and last segment and finishes the sketch. Completes the current part of the feature. You can either add another line or polygon to the feature, or cut a hole out of a polygon feature, by making more than one part. Lists the point(s) that make up the feature and their coordinates in the units of the data frame.

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Other Edit Functions The following editing functions (Table 9-4)are for performing edits using existing features (e.g., creating a 300 ft. buffer on a clear cut, combining multiple stream reaches into one feature, or moving a species occurrence a specific X and Y distance from its original position). Table 9-4. Editor Menu Functions (performed on existing features) Feature Type Function Name Move Split Divide Buffer Copy Parallel Merge Union Intersect Clip Description Moves the feature an X and Y distance away (in the units of the data frame). Splits at a specified proportion or distance along a line. Divides a line into a specified number of equally sized units. Creates a line (for points and lines) or polygon (for polygons) at a specified distance around the feature (in the units of the data frame). Creates a copy of the line at a specified distance from the feature (in the units of the data frame). Combine selected features in the same layer. Adds the current sketch to the layer. Completes the current part of the feature. You can either add another line or polygon to the feature, or cut a hole out of a polygon feature, by making more than one part. Lists the point(s) that make up the feature and their coordinates in the units of the data frame.

Exercise: Digitize a Point by Typing X, Y Coordinates In this exercise, you will add a new species occurrence using X, Y coordinates. 1) Open the FtFisher ArcMap document. 2) Change View: In the View menu, click on Bookmarks, then digitize species. The view will change to the area where an alligator was observed. 3) Start Editing: To begin an editing session, click on the Editor button , and select Start Editing.

4) Set Task: To create a new polygon from scratch, choose Create New Feature from the Task: menu on the Editor Toolbar. 5) Set Target: Set the target layer by changing the Target: dropdown list to ff_nheo_pt. This is a subset of the Natural Heritage database of species occurrences. from the tools menu on the Editor Toolbar. Place the 6) Select Tool: Choose the Pencil/Sketch tool pointer on a portion of the border you wish to begin tracing, and left-click to begin tracing. 7) Note: If you did not have the exact coordinates of the sighting, you could place a point on the map by leftclicking in the appropriate location. However, since we have been given X, Y coordinates, you can place the point precisely. 8) Place Point: Right-click on the map and click on Absolute X, Y. A small window will appear. 9) Specify Coordinates: Type 737045.78 in the first box (the X- or longitude coordinate), and 76675.63 in the second box (the Y- or latitude coordinate). Press Enter. The new point will be created. Note that these coordinates are in the projection of the map, NC State Plane Meters. If you have coordinates in another format, see note below. 10) Close Edit Session: Click on the Editor button and choose Stop Editing. 11) Save Changes: When the new window appears, click Yes.

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Note: If you have coordinates in latitude/longitude, you must change the projection of the map. See Changing Map Coordinate System in the Commonly-Needed Functions/Procedures section. Exercise: Digitize a Polygon by Tracing Other Features In this exercise, you will add a polygon to the ff_gmlwrc05 layer representing a newly added tract of land. Polygons are simply a series of points strung together to create a shape. Each of the points in a polygon is called a vertex. 1) Open the FtFisher ArcMap document. 2) Change View: In the View menu, click on Bookmarks, then digitize tract. The view will change to the area where a new tract is to be added to Pender Game Land. The new tract will be placed to the east of the existing Game Land (Figure 9-1). Make sure that ff_secondary, ff_primary, ff_gmlwrc05, and the aerial photography you added are visible.

Figure 9-1. Digitize a Polygon

Digitize this tract

3) Start Editing: To begin an editing session, click on the Editor button

, and select Start Editing.

4) Set Task: To create a new polygon from scratch, choose Create New Feature from the Task: menu on the Editor Toolbar. 5) Set Target: Set the target layer by changing the Target: dropdown list to ff_gmlwrc05. 6) Select Polygon to Trace: You will begin by tracing the border of the existing game land. Click on the Select Features tool selected. and click on the polygon to the west of the area to be digitized. The polygon should be

7) Select Tool: Choose the Trace tool from the tools menu on the Editor Toolbar. Place the pointer on a portion of the border you wish to begin tracing, and left-click to begin tracing. 18

8) Trace Border: Follow the border until you are finished tracing the desired section. Left-click where you wish to stop. . Continue to digitize by placing vertices at the edge of 9) Change Tools: Change to the Pencil/Sketch tool the tract (see fig. XX for guidance). If you wish to follow the surrounding roads, highlight the road and repeat steps 7 and 8. Note: If you do not have any features to trace, you can digitize the entire tract by placing each vertex with the Pencil/Sketch tool. 10) Finish Sketch: When you have completed creating a sketch of the new tract, either double-click, or rightclick and choose Finish Sketch from the menu that appears. ArcGIS will automatically complete the polygon by connecting the first and last vertex with a straight line. 11) Close Edit Session: Click on the Editor button and choose Stop Editing. 12) Save Changes: When the new window appears, click Yes. Notes: To make a doughnut polygon (one with an in-holding, or an excluded area in the middle of a polygon), do the following: Digitize the outer boundary as described above, and instead of finishing the sketch in step 10, right-click and choose Finish Part. Then digitize the extent of the in-holding or doughnut-hole. When finished, finish the sketch as in step 10. You can create as many parts (or cut-outs) to a polygon feature that you wish. Exercise: Modify Existing Polygon In this exercise, you will modify the Pender Game Land boundary to match the bordering roads. To do this, you will use the Snapping feature. You can have points or vertices snap to vertexes in of other features to ensure that the borders match exactly. 1) Open the FtFisher ArcMap document. 2) Change View: In the View menu, click on Bookmarks, then digitize tract. The view will change to the area where a new tract is to be added to Pender Game Land. The new tract will be placed to the east of the existing Game Land (see fig. X). Make sure that ff_secondary, ff_primary, ff_gmlwrc05, and the aerial photography you added are visible. 3) Start Editing: To begin an editing session, click on the Editor button , and select Start Editing.

4) Set Task: To create a new polygon from scratch, choose Modify Feature from the Task: menu on the Editor Toolbar. 5) Set Target: Set the target layer by changing the Target: dropdown list to ff_gmlwrc05. 6) Select Polygon to Trace: You will begin by tracing the border of the existing game land. Click on the Edit tool and click on the polygon to the west of the area to be digitized. The polygon should be selected. Each vertex will appear as a green square connected by a green line. 7) Set Snapping Environment: Click on the Editor button menu. A new window/panel will appear. and choose Snapping from the

8) Choose Layer to Snap to: Check off the box next to ff_gmlsecondary in the Vertex column. Your pointer will now snap to vertices in this layer. 9) Move Game Land Border: Pick a vertex, and hover over it with the Edit tool pointer. Click and drag the vertex until it snaps to the closest road vertex, then let up on the mouse button (Figure 9-2). Repeat this until you have moved all the game land vertices to match those of the road.

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Figure 9-2. Modify Polygon Vertices

Move these vertices to match road

10) Finish Sketch: Click outside of the game land polygon to finish the sketch. 11) Close Edit Session: Click on the Editor button and choose Stop Editing. 12) Save Changes: When the new window appears, click Yes. Tip/Trick: Reshaping or Cutting a Polygon from Another Feature In a situation where you need to reshape (cut a piece out, add a piece, or both) a polygon to match an adjoining polygon, you can use the following methodology. 1) Select the line (for cutting or reshaping the poly) and the underlying poly(s) you want to cut. 2) Change edit task to 'Create new feature'. 3) Change target to the line layer. 4) Get Pencil/sketch tool .

5) Hover the mouse over the selected line feature, right-click and choose replace sketch 6) UNSELECT the line feature (use the Selection tab for ease or right click layer in TOC, Selection - clear select) 7) Choose the task you would like to perform from the task menu (Reshape to change boundary edge, or Cut Polygon to split polygon along the line).

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8) Either finish the sketch or keep digitizing to make sure that you started both in & out of the polygon (e.g., this only works if beginning and end point of line intersects polygon boundary).

10: Where to get Help!!!

If you come up with a question that you cannot figure out, the best resource is the online support group at ESRIs website (http://support.esri.com). You can type in your question, and get answers from ESRIs folks as well as other users who have come across the same problems. Alternatively, you can contact me: Scott Anderson scott.anderson@ncwildlife.org (919) 707-0054

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11: Appendix - Commonly-Needed Functions/Procedures

Changing Coordinate System of a Data Frame Each Data Frame in your map is displayed in a specific projection or coordinate system. This is usually set based on the coordinate system of the layers in the map. Below are instructions to change the coordinate system of the data frame. 1) Make sure that you are not in an Editing Session (Click on the Editor button and click on Stop Editing if available). 2) Right-click on the title of the Data Frame (by default, the title is Layers) in the Table of Contents and click on Properties 3) Click on the Coordinate System tab. 4) Select the desired coordinate system in the window at the bottom of the Data Frame Properties box. You may have to navigate through appropriate folders. If you would like to change the coordinate system to be in latitude/longitude, choose \Geographic Coordinate Systems\North America\North American Datum 1983. 5) Click on the OK button. Export Symbology to a Layer File A layer file contains all symbology for a given layer and points to the appropriate source shapefile. When adding a layer file to the map, you will also import all symbology. 1) Right-click on the layer whose symbology you wish to save in a Layer (.lyr) file. 2) Choose Save as Layer File. A new window will appear. 3) Once you have chosen the location to save the file, click the Ok button. You have now saved a layer file to the location, with the complete symbology. Updating Area, Perimeter, X Coordinate, or Y Coordinate for Shapefile (9.2) This procedure shows how to update an attribute field with either the area, perimeter, X coordinate, or Y coordinate in a shapefile. The results will be in the units of your choosing. 1) Click Editor on the Editor toolbar and click Start Editing. 2) You can make calculations without being in an editing session; however, in that case, there is no way to undo the results. 3) Right-click the shapefile layer you want to edit and click Calculate Geometry. The Calculate Geometry window will appear. 4) In the Property: field, choose the metric you would like to populate the chosen attribute field (either Area, Perimeter, X Coordinate, or Y Coordinate. 5) In the Coordinate System box, choose whether you would like to use the coordinate system of the data source or of the data frame. This is important if you wish to calculate the X or Y coordinates in units other than those of the shapefile coordinate system. 6) In the Units: field, choose the units you would like to use. Note that the choices vary depending on the Property field and the Coordinate System chosen. 7) Once these fields are completed, click the OK button. The field should be populated with the appropriate data.

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Updating Area for Shapefile (9.1) This procedure shows how to update the shape_area attribute in a polygon shapefile. The results will be in the units of the shapefiles projection (i.e., if in state plane meters, the units will be square meters). 8) Click Editor on the Editor toolbar and click Start Editing. 9) You can make calculations without being in an editing session; however, in that case, there is no way to undo the results. 10) Right-click the shapefile layer you want to edit and click Open Attribute Table. 11) Right-click the field heading for area and click Calculate Values. 12) If there is no field for area values, you can add a new field for area by clicking the Options button and selecting Add Field. However, to add a new field, you need to exit the editing session. 13) Check Advanced. 14) Type the following VBA statement in the first text box: Dim dblArea as double Dim pArea as IArea Set pArea = [shape] dblArea = pArea.area 15) Type the variable dblArea in the text box directly under the area field name. 16) Click OK. Note: If you wish to change the measurement units, multiply dblArea by the appropriate conversion factor (e.g., to convert from square meters to acres, type dblArea*0.000247 in the text box directly under the area field name, as in step 8 above). Updating Perimeter for Shapefile (9.1) This procedure shows how to update the shape_perimeter attribute in a polygon shapefile. The results will be in the units of the shapefiles projection (i.e., if in state plane meters, the units will be meters). 1) Click Editor on the Editor toolbar and click Start Editing. 2) You can make calculations without being in an editing session; however, in that case, there is no way to undo the results. 3) Right-click the shapefile layer you want to edit and click Open Attribute Table. 4) Right-click the field heading for area and click Calculate Values. 5) If there is no field for perimeter values, you can add a new field for perimeter by clicking the Options button and selecting Add Field. However, to add a new field, you need to exit the editing session. 6) Click Calculate Values. 7) Check Advanced. 8) Type the following VBA statement in the first text box: Dim dblPerimeter as double Dim pCurve as ICurve Set pCurve = [shape] dblPerimeter = pCurve.Length 9) Type the variable dblPerimeter in the text box directly under the perimeter field name. 10) Click OK.

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Note: If you wish to change the measurement units, multiply dblPerimeter by the appropriate conversion factor (e.g., to convert from meters to feet, type dblPerimeter*3.28084 in the text box directly under the area field name, as in step 8 above). Updating Length for Shapefile (9.1) This procedure shows how to update the shape_length attribute in a line shapefile. The results will be in the units of the shapefiles projection (i.e., if in state plane meters, the units will be meters). 1) Click Editor on the Editor toolbar and click Start Editing. 2) You can make calculations without being in an editing session; however, in that case, there is no way to undo the results. 3) Right-click the shapefile layer you want to edit and click Open Attribute Table. 4) Right-click the field heading for length and click Calculate Values. 5) If there is no field for length values, you can add a new field for length by clicking the Options button and selecting Add Field. However, to add a new field, you need to exit the editing session. 6) Click Calculate Values. 7) Check Advanced. 8) Type the following VBA statement in the first text box: Dim dblLength as double Dim pCurve as ICurve Set pCurve = [shape] dblLength = pCurve.Length 9) Type the variable dblLength in the text box directly under the length field name. 10) Click OK. Note: If you wish to change the measurement units, multiply dblLength by the appropriate conversion factor (e.g., to convert from meters to feet, type dblLength*3.28084 in the text box directly under the area field name, as in step 8 above). Create Point Shapefile from Coordinates This exercise will demonstrate how to take an Excel table of latitude/longitude coordinates and create a shapefile from them. Please note that the coordinates must be in decimal degrees, one column for latitude and one column for longitude (e.g., 35.34556, -76.25694) 1) Open ArcCatalog and navigate to the worksheet in the Excel table containing the coordinates. 2) Right-click on the dBase file created in step 2, and choose Create Feature Class, and then from XY Table. The Create Feature Class from XY Table will appear (Figure 11-1).

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Figure 11-1. Create Feature Class From XY Table

(1) (2)

3) In the box labeled Input Fields, you need to designate the columns that represent longitude (X-values), and latitude (Y-values). Choose the appropriate fields from the list under the appropriate boxes. 4) Click on the Spatial Reference of Input Coordinates button (1). The Spatial Reference Properties box will open. 5) Select as the appropriate spatial reference using the directions above (Figure 3-4). For Latitude/Longitude coordinates, choose either North American Datum 1983, or WGS 1984 (these are so close as to be virtually indistinguishable). Click on the Ok button once you have selected the appropriate reference. You will return to the Create Feature Class from XY Table window (Figure 11-1). 6) Note the location of the output file in the Output box (2) (you can change this if you wish by clicking on the ), then click on Ok to create the shapefile. By default, the file will be named XY and the folder button name of the dBase file. Appending Data to an Existing Shapefile In some cases you may want to append data (points, lines, or polygons and their attributes) from one shapefile or feature class to an existing shapefile or feature class. Make sure that the shapefiles are not being used in another program and that they have identical attribute fields. 1) Open ArcCatalog 2) Open ArcToolbox by clicking on .

3) Navigate to the Data Management Tools\General folder and double-click on Append. The Append window will open (Figure 11-2). 25

Figure 11-2. Append Data Window

(1)

(2)

4) Click on the folder icon and choose the file to append to the existing file (1). Repeat this step for as many files as you would like to append. 5) Click on the folder icon append features (2). next to the Output Features box and choose the file to which you would like to

6) Click on the Ok button to append the features. Import Symbology from a Layer File This procedure sets the symbology of a layer to match another layer in the map document. 1) Open ArcMap. 2) Open the properties of a layer in the map by double-clicking on it. The layer properties window will appear . 3) Click on the Symbology tab. 4) Click on the button in the upper right labeled Import. The Import Symbology window will appear (Figure 11-3).

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Figure 11-3. Import Symbology

(2) (1)

5) Choose a layer from the open map (1), or click on the folder icon source of the symbology.

(2) to choose a layer file to use as the

6) Once you have chosen the layer to obtain symbology from, click on the Ok button to apply the formatting. Note: if the symbology is dependant on an attribute field, you will be prompted to set the appropriate attribute field for the layer on your map.

12: Appendix - Reference Information

Discussion of Projections Introduction Ok. Map projections are complicated and difficult to understand. I have attempted here to give the basic information about map projections and how to define and change projections in ArcGIS (and what this means). I have purposefully tried to keep it short and simple. The first few sections are not required, but I encourage you to read them as it may help you understand the process later on. If you want more detail than is provided in this document, you can check out this website at the University of Colorado. Map Projections All maps need to be projected in order to transfer what is essentially a spherical surface (i.e., the surface of the earth) onto a flat surface (a map). This term derives from the fact that this method is akin to shining a light through a globe and projecting it onto a flat surface (Figure 12-1).

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Figure 12-1. Projection Illustration

Before the age of computers, this required complicated calculus and tedious plotting in order to transfer coordinates taken in the real world onto a map by hand. Computers (through the use of GIS products like ArcView or ArcGIS) can now perform all these calculations quickly using algorithms, and even change how the map is projected if need be. Each different kind of projection has a set of parameters (including the datum it is based on) associated with it that define how a point on the globe (latitude and longitude coordinates) are placed on a flat map (for a more detailed look at these parameters see Projection and Coordinate System Details below). Because of the projection process, some areas of the globe will be more distorted than others (in the example in Figure 12-1, areas near the poles will be more distorted than those near the equator). Some examples of projection names are Albers Conic Equal-Area, Lambert Conformal Conic, and Geographic Reference System. Datums The shape of the Earth is not perfectly spherical. In order for the projection process to be accurate, the shape of the Earth must be known with precision. The definition of the shape of the Earth (including all the bumps, lumps, and deformities) is called a datum. Typically, these are named using an acronym and the year it was surveyed. Hence, NAD27 refers to North American Datum 1927. Some other examples of common Datum names are NAD83 and WGS84. Coordinate System Since every type of projection distorts some areas worse than others, the goal is to place the area of interest over the area of least distortion. To accomplish this, we use a coordinate system unique to a certain area of the globe. It includes information about the projection used (including the datum), as well as some defining characteristics about where exactly the area of interest is located. For example, the state government uses the coordinate system NC State Plane Meters (for a more detailed list of these parameters see Projection and Coordinate System Details below). When distortion of images is not a concern, some areas will not have this information and be simply in a projection (with no information defining how to orient the projection). ArcGIS 9 Products like ArcGIS make the managing of these datums, projections, and coordinate systems relatively easy. ArcGIS provides a number of the most commonly used coordinate systems/projections predefined. That is, they have already compiled the necessary parameters needed to define a particular coordinate system/projection. Lets use a simple example of a shapefile containing point locations. Whoever created the shapefile used a specific coordinate system to plot the points on a map (lets say it is in NAD83 North Carolina State Plane (feet)). Therefore, the points in the shapefile are defined in this coordinate system. They give you the file and you want to include it in another map of the NC coast. In order for ArcGIS to place these locations correctly in relation to the other layers you plan to add, it must know what coordinate system or projection the data were 28

defined in (ArcGIS may or may NOT know this). If ArcGIS does not know this information, it will make a guess, and it will be wrong (i.e., the points that are actually on the NC coast will appear where New Jersey should be not good). Therefore, you need to tell ArcGIS what coordinate system or projection it is defined in (see below Defining the Coordinate System/Projection). Now, if you would like to change the projection of a shapefile, you must run a tool within ArcGIS to redefine the points in the coordinate system/projection of your choice (see below Reprojecting a Shapefile to a Different Coordinate System/Projection). Important: If ArcGIS does not know what projection the shapefile was defined in, it cannot reproject the shapefile correctly! In this case, you must define the coordinate system/projection of the shapefile before reprojecting. Tip/Trick: Placing Projection files in Default Location The following instructions are for placing the most commonly used projection files in a more convenient location. 1) Open Windows Explorer and locate the Coordinate Systems folder. It is usually located in the C:\Program Files\ArcGIS folder. Any projection files placed directly in this folder will appear when searching for a coordinate system (e.g., when reprojecting or defining the projection of a shapefile). 2) From this folder, navigate to the Projected Coordinate Systems\State Plane\Nad 1983 folder and locate the file titled NAD 1983 StatePlane North Carolina FIPS 3200.prj. 3) Right-click on the file, and a menu will appear. Choose copy. 4) Navigate back to the Coordinate Systems folder you located in step 1. 5) Right click on a blank portion of the window, and choose paste. A copy of the projection file has now been placed in the Coordinate Systems folder. Repeat these instructions for any other projections/coordinate systems that you use often. Projection and Coordinate System Details Below is an example of the parameters associated with the NAD 1983 North Carolina State Plane (meters) coordinate system. Name: "NAD_1983_StatePlane_North_Carolina_FIPS_3200", Projection Information: Name: False_Easting: False_Northing: Central_Meridian: Standard_Parallel_1: Standard_Parallel_2: Latitude_Of_Origin: Linear_Unit: Name: Meters per unit: Geographic Coordinate System: GCS_North_American_1983 Name: Degree (0.017453292519943295) Angular Unit: Greenwich (0.0) Prime Meridian: D_North_American_1983 Datum: GRS_1980 Spheroid: 6378137 Semimajor Axis: 6356752.3141403561 Semiminor Axis: 298.25722210100002 Inverse Flattening: 29 Meter 1 Lambert Conformal Conic 609601.22 0.0 -79.0 34.33333333333334 36.16666666666666 33.75