Gaining CompetencyWith GIS:

How-to ManualFor ArcGIS Desktop

Version 10

Published by Maiaco Bookshttp://maiaco.com/books/index.php

Copyright © 2012 by Trevor Perkes and Greg Newkirk

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the authors.

Printed in the United States.

Cover image: Ideago/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

ISBN 978-0-9833840-3-8

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Lisa Taylor and her advisor Robert Brown for their assistance editing this book. We would also like to thank Steven Brown and the students of English 452 for their assistance with layout.

Table of Contents

Introduction..........................................................................................1ArcGIS Desktop

ArcMap.....................................................................................3ArcCatalog.................................................................................5ArcTools....................................................................................7Model Builder...........................................................................9

MapsDefining coordinate systems in ArcMap.................................13Adding and symbolizing data..................................................15Making a map.........................................................................17Adding XY data........................................................................19Labeling data...........................................................................21Managing labels......................................................................23Creating annotation................................................................25Georeferencing.......................................................................27

DataCommon types of geographic data.........................................31Creating and editing metadata...............................................33Projecting data........................................................................35Choosing between vector or raster........................................37Creating a file geodatabase....................................................39Creating a topology.................................................................41Creating a geometric network................................................43Creating a KML........................................................................45

Analysis Querying an attribute table....................................................49Calculating geometry and attributes.......................................51Clipping data...........................................................................53Buffering data.........................................................................55Building a Model.....................................................................57

Editing

Starting an Edit Session...........................................................61Snapping.................................................................................63Coordinate geometry (COGO) ................................................65

ArcGIS ExtensionsSpatial Analyst

Creating a Hillshade....................................................693D Analyst

Creating a TIN..............................................................73

Introduction 1

This book is intended to introduce you to the concepts and technology needed to successfully navigate your way into the field of Geographic Information Science & Technology. Initially known as Geographic Information Systems (GIS), this field is a hybrid of Geography, Cartography, Spatial Science and Information Science. Each proceeding chapter contains an explanation and procedural description of the tools needed to undertake a GIS project. They are designed to help you gain competency and to serve as a reference while you become familiar with GIS.

The concepts and tools contained in this book are based upon ESRI’s Documentation for ArcGIS Desktop Software Version 10 and the US Department of Labor’s Geotechnical Competency Model. If you need for a more in-depth understanding on any concept or tool, you consult these documents.

ESRI’s documentation is found on the website listed below. This is the online help library for ArcGIS Desktop version 10. It is divided into four main parts. The “What’s New in ArcGIS 10” is for individuals who are acquainted with previous versions of ArcGIS Desktop. The “Essentials Library” provides extensive explanations about GIS and ArcGIS in particular. It also includes tutorials. The “Professional Library” provides in-depth knowledge about GIS concepts and tools. The “Administrator Library” is for information about working with ArcGIS in a “client-server” or enterprise environment. http://help.arcgis.com/en/arcgisdesktop/10.0/help/index.html

The US Department of Labor’s Geotechnical Competency Model can be downloaded from the website listed below. This is a comprehensive pyramid structure consisting of the levels of competency needed to successfully function as a GIS professional in the workforce. The first three levels or tiers of the pyramid consist of personal, academic and workplace competencies that any professional needs to function in a scientific discipline. Levels four and five identify the core geospatial and industry sector competencies needed for GIS proficiency. You can download the actual document from the webpage using links in the lower left corner.http://www.careeronestop.org/CompetencyModel/pyramid.aspx?GEO=Y

Notes

ArcGIS Desktop 3

ArcGIS Desktop is a software platform for performing geographic operations. It consists of six separate applications: ArcMap, ArcCatalog, ArcToolbox, ModelBuilder, ArcGlobe and ArcScene. The first four are essential to any GIS project and will be covered extensively.

ArcMap

ArcMap is the main application you will use. It allows you to compile and visualize data as well as create both static and web-based maps. The Data Frame is a main window. All other windows such as the Table of Contents and toolbars such as the Drawing Toolbar can be freestanding anywhere on your desktop or docked on the top, bottom or sides of the application.

ArcCatalog 5

ArcCatalog is the application you will use for GIS data management. It is like Microsoft Explorer (“My Computer”) or Apple’s “Finder” except that it recognizes and symbolizes geographic data as single objects. ArcCatalog allows the user to see:1. The types of data that are stored

Annotation Parcel Fabric

Points Geometric Network

Lines RelationshipAreas (polygons) Topology

Raster Projection (.prj)

Toolbox (.tbx) Layer (.lyr)

Map Document (.mxd) Table2. The containers in which data are stored

Folder SDE DatabaseDatabase Feature Dataset

3. The connections to data (i.e. folders, databases, servers)

ArcToolbox 7

ArcToolbox contains hundreds of tools you will use to perform geographic operations. The tools are listed by category, but you can use the Search Tool to look for other tools, data and maps.

When you open a tool, you will get a dialog box to set the parameters for performing the particular geographic operation. Below is the dialog box for the Buffer Tool. On the side of each tool is the help window with diagrams that illustrate how the tool works.

Model Builder 9

Model Builder allows you to manage geographic operations consisting of many steps by linking data and tools within a graphic environment. Below is a simple illustration of a points shapefile and the buffer tool connected to perform a buffer operation. You can add hundreds of tools and data types and then link them together into complex operations. While models can be very complex, the process for creating one is very simple:

1. Add data and tools or or drag and drop from ArcCatalog or ArcMap

2. Link the data with the Connect Tool

3. Validate the model

4. Run the model