ArcGIS for Experienced GIS Users

Theresa Valentine
USDA Forest Service
Corvallis Forest
Science Laboratory
ArcGIS

 ArcCatalog
 ArcMap
 ArcToolbox
 Workstation ARC/INFO
 SDE
 ArcIMS
ArcCatalog

 Explorer for GIS Data

– Copy, Paste, Delete
– Create new shapefiles/geodatabases
– Create/view/update metadata
 Drag and drop into ArcMap
ArcMap

 View Data
 Edit Data
 Perform some geoprocessing
 Create map layouts
 Activate and run extensions
– 3D Analyst, Spatial Analyst, Geostatistical Analyst
ArcToolbox
 Perform data conversions
– Projections
– Move data from one format to another
– Export and import data
 Performs workstation ARC/INFO commands through
wizards
 Some geoprocessing
 (all geoprocessing will be in toolbox in version 9)
Secret Codes:
 Right click on your mouse and you’ll find
additional functions
 Data Layers: representation of data in
ArcMap, not real data (exception is when you
are editing).
 .mxd is the file you need to make ArcMap work
(map document)
 You can not edit coverages in ArcMap.
ArcCatalog

 Drag and Drop

 Create/Copy
 Project/Projection Define
 Preview (table/geography/3-D)
 Metadata
ArcToolbox

 Activate from ArcCatalog or ArcMap (version 9)

or from start button
 Wizards and Tools for Data
Conversion/Projections/Geoprocessing/Etc.
 This area will expand in Version 9
 Can batch/write AML’s from wizards and tools
ArcMap

 Set up your map properties

– Symbolize/query/labels/joins/data source
 Customize your desktop
 Geoprocessing wizard
 Extensions
 Toolbars
 Editing
ArcMap

Data View
Table of Contents (Legend and Source)
Layout View
Page size, toolbar
Projects on the fly
Viewing tables
Reports/graphs
Workstation ARC/INFO

 Access through the Start button

 Command line (DOS)
 AMLS will work, may need to change from Unix
system calls to DOS system calls.
ArcSDE

 Spatial Data Engine

 Runs with relational database system (here we
use Microsoft SQLServer)
 Special class on this. Very powerful, but more
complicated.
 Stores data in multiuser geodatabase.
 Extended service from Forestry Computing
ArcIMS
 Internet Map Server
 Put your data on the web for others to use
(works on browser, doesn’t require GIS
software to view the data)
 OSU Forestry: Server is on Unix, works with
data in SDE on windows machine.
 Need to take SDE/ArcIMS class.
 Extended Service from Forestry Computing
Exercise/Demo

 Go to start and open up ArcCatalog

 Connect to T:GIS drive
 View data tree
 Preview data and tables/do a find
 Preview metadata
– T:GIS\oregon\willamette\hjandrews and click on
geology
 Open the metadata editor
 Create a new shapefile in c drive
 Give it a projection from an existing coverage
 Add some items
 Copy geology to your c drive
 Copy roads and streams to your c drive
 Start up arctoolbox
 Review the different tool options
 Look at the difference between project and
project define
• Close ArcToolbox
• Open ArcMap from ArcCatalog
• Drag your c drive data from ArcCatalog to
ArcMap
• Review the properties
• Symbolize your data
• Change the order in the table of contents
• Turn on extensions
• Edit your new shapefile
• Add points
• Save your edits (changes are perm)
• Symbolize your points
• View a table
• Do a summary stats
• Change some settings (map properties)
• Create a shaded relief (using lat_10) and 345
65
• Set you page size
• Add a legend/north arrow/scale
• Add a title
• Print Review
• Escape key
• Add Scripts (mxd doctor/xtools)
• Transparency
• Labels
• Set up printer and print
• Layer files (you set up properties and save to a
file, others can use the file as long as they have
access to the data as well)
• Save as to create another .mxd (make templates
as well)
Can import ArcView 3.x project files into
arcmap. May work, may not work
One layout per .mxd file
Scripts won’t convert
Scripting is done in Visual Basic
Lots of Help under help and on-line @ esri.com
go to support pages and do a search under
advanced search.
Lots of changes with Version 9. Watch for
seminars on ‘what’s new with Version 9’