The ArcGIS Workshop
A Workshop introducing ArcView
ArcMap, ArcCatalog ArcToolbox
using ESRI Virtual Campus
Contents
Learning ArcGIS 9 Module 1: Getting Started with ArcGIS Desktop
Learning ArcGIS 9 Module 2: Creating Map Symbology
Learning ArcGIS 9 Module 4: Organizing Geographic Data
Learning ArcGIS 9 Module 6: Getting Started with GIS Analysis
November 2006Schedule
Date 15 – 17 November 2006
Tutor Dr Nigel Trodd
Demonstrator Chris Chima
Day 114:00 / Lecture / Introduction to ESRI ArcGIS and the ESRI Virtual Campus / JL 112
15:30 / VC Mod 1 / Getting Started with ArcGIS Desktop / WM 306, WM 307 and WM 308
17:00 / Close
Day 2
09:00 / VC Mod 1 / Getting Started with ArcGIS Desktop (cont.) / WM 209, WM 307 and WM 308
VC Mod 2 / Creating Map Symbology
11:00 / Lecture / Spatial data modelling / GE 403
VC Mod 2 / Creating Map Symbology (cont.)
tbc / Lecture / Storing data
VC Mod 4 / Organizing Geographic Data / WM 209, WM 308 and GE 536
17:00 / Close
Day 3
09:00 / Lecture / Spatial queries and analysis / GE 403
VC Mod 4 / Organizing Geographic Data (cont.) / WM 209, WM 308 and GE 536
11:00 / VC Mod 6 / Getting Started with GIS Analysis / WM 209, WM 307 and GE 536
15:00 /
Lecture
/226GEO Going further
16:00 / Lecture / M27GEO Going futher17:00 / Close
Copies of the ArcGIS ArcView software can be copied from the W: to a RW-CD
W:\BES\STUDENT\GeoImaging and GeoInformatics\arcgis91cd
The license file required during installation can be copied from CUonline.
Module 1: Getting Started with ArcGIS Desktop
Why do people use a geographic information system (GIS)? The short answer is it helps them obtain better information, and better information leads to better decision making. In a GIS, data about real-world objects is linked to an onscreen map. Geographic features are drawn quickly and can be displayed using different information in the database.
ArcGIS® is the name of the family of ESRI's software solution programs. Because no two organizations are alike, ArcGIS is designed to meet the diverse needs of organizations, small and large. While the depth of functionality in ArcGIS is tremendous, as you'll see, it takes a friendly approach to GIS with easy-to-use tools that help you through the most complicated of tasks.
This module provides an overview of basic GIS concepts and standard ArcGIS functions, while remaining modules provide more in-depth information. You'll start working with the software immediately and will be introduced to the main components of the ArcGIS Desktop family.
Learning objectives
A student who completes this module will be able to:
· explore a GIS map and get information about map features
· preview geographic data and metadata
· add data to a map
· describe the structure of a GIS map
· explain how a GIS represents real-world objects
· change the way features are drawn on a map
· access feature information in different ways
· describe spatial relationships of map features
· describe how GIS can be used to solve problems
Data for the practical exercises in this module should be copied from the W: to your H:
W:\BES\STUDENT\GeoImaging and GeoInformatics\LearnArcGIS9\Start
Module 2: Creating Map Symbology
Have you ever noticed that some maps are easier to understand than others? Often, the difference is due to the mapmaker's choice and arrangement of symbols and text. A map is most effective when its symbols are easy to distinguish and their meaning is intuitive.
ArcGIS® Desktop software provides many common symbol and label styles that you can use on your maps, and you can modify them so that your maps look just the way you want.
Your choice of symbols and labels will be influenced by the type of map you are making. Maps can be divided into two main categories: reference maps (also called general maps) and thematic maps. Reference maps show the location of features and are useful for multiple purposes—atlas maps and topographic maps are examples of reference maps. Thematic maps show the structure and distribution of one or more phenomena. Examples of thematic maps include maps of world population, today's weather, and rice production in the Philippines.
In this module, you will practice a variety of techniques for choosing and modifying symbols and text for both reference and thematic maps.
Learning objectives
A student who completes this module will be able to:
· choose symbols for point, line, and polygon features
· modify symbol properties such as color, size, and outline
· label map features using an attribute and by adding text
· symbolize features to show type, rank, or amount
· group features into classes and apply symbols to each class
· compare different methods of grouping features into classes
· correct visual distortion caused by differences in area
· show proportional amounts on a map by normalizing data
· symbolize features to show density
Data for the practical exercises in this module should be copied from the W: to your H:
W:\BES\STUDENT\GeoImaging and GeoInformatics\LearnArcGIS9\Symbols
Module 4: Organizing Geographic Data
Imagine you are flying from New York to Los Angeles. As the airplane descends over the L.A. basin, you look out the window. How would you describe what you see?
Because you cannot describe all the details of the complex cityscape below, you might break it down into objects: you might describe features such as buildings and streets, events such as a traffic jam, or phenomena such as a rainstorm. To describe the location of features, events, and phenomena, you might use terms such as "in front of" or "next to" or even geographic directions such as "north of the freeway" or "southwest of downtown."
What you did was the first step in creating geographic data. You identified features, events, and phenomena and associated them with a location. In your head, you created a model of the cityscape below you. If you recorded this model by drawing a map, taking a photo, or just writing the information down on a piece of paper, the result would be geographic data.
Geographic data is recorded information about the earth's surface and the objects found on it, associated to a geographic location. In this module, you will learn more about geographic data—how it is organized and stored in a GIS, and how it can be assembled into a useful GIS database.
Learning objectives
A student who completes this module will be able to:
· describe two common data models used to represent geographic data
· list different geographic data formats
· determine the data source of a layer in ArcMap
· identify data formats in ArcCatalog
· create a geodatabase
· add data from different formats to a geodatabase
Data for the practical exercises in this module should be copied from the W: to your H:
W:\BES\STUDENT\GeoImaging and GeoInformatics\LearnArcGIS9\Organize
Module 6: Getting Started with GIS Analysis
Throughout this course, you've been told that one of the primary uses of a GIS is to perform analysis. But what exactly is meant by "GIS analysis"? In the very first module, you performed some relatively simple analyses to calculate damages from a tornado and to find potential locations for a youth center. In this module, you're going to go further.
A GIS analysis involves visualizing and combining geographic data to derive new information. A GIS analysis may be as simple as looking at a map and discovering patterns in the data—such as clusters of asthma cases close to a heavily trafficked freeway. Some GIS analyses are very complex and involve many data layers and operations—such as an analysis to predict the spread of a contamination plume and its possible effects on a watershed.
Depending on the project, a GIS analysis can include many different operations and methods. All analyses, however, follow a process that includes specific steps. In this module, you will learn the steps in the GIS analytical process. You'll follow these steps in the exercises to work through a complete GIS analysis, from start to finish.
Learning objectives
A student who completes this module will be able to:
· list the steps in a GIS analysis
· interpret an analysis plan that includes GIS tools, criteria, and workflow
· extend a layer attribute table by joining another table to it
· create and modify a selected set of features using a series of attribute and location queries
· explain the difference between attribute and location queries
· examine analysis results through maps, tables, and reports
· generate a report that presents the results of an analysis
Data for the practical exercises in this module should be copied from the W: to your H:
W:\BES\STUDENT\GeoImaging and GeoInformatics\LearnArcGIS9\Analysis