Fundamentals of Arcgis Desktop Pathway
Fundamentals of Arcgis Desktop Pathway
Table of Contents
ArcGIS Desktop I: Getting Started with GIS ______________________________________________ 3 ArcGIS Desktop II: Tools and Functionality ______________________________________________ 5 Understanding Geographic Data ______________________________________________________ 8 Understanding Map Projections and Coordinate Systems _________________________________ 10 Creating and Maintaining Metadata Using ArcGIS Desktop ________________________________ 12 Turning Data into Information Using ArcGIS 9 __________________________________________ 14 Working with Rasters in ArcGIS Desktop ______________________________________________ 17 Basics of the Geodatabase Data Model________________________________________________ 19 Customizing ArcMap: Easy Ways to Extend the Interface _________________________________ 20 Creating and Editing Labels and Annotation ____________________________________________ 22 The 15-Minute Map: Creating a Basic Map in ArcMap ____________________________________ 24 Understanding GIS Queries _________________________________________________________ 26 Working with Map Topology in ArcGIS ________________________________________________ 27
Explain what a GIS is and what it can do. Work with and create GIS maps in ArcMap. Access and query a GIS database. Describe two common GIS data structures. Explain what geographic data is, how it is made, and where to get it. Explain what spatial analysis is and solve geographic problems using ArcGIS analysis tools.
The big picture of GIS: Basic functions of a GIS; Real-world applications. Exploring GIS maps: Defining features, layers, and data frames; Exploring map scale; Understanding the relationship between features and attributes.
Exploring a GIS database: Exploring attribute tables; Identifying features; Symbolizing features based on their attributes; Labeling features based on their attributes. Creating map layouts: Understanding data view and layout view; Using the Layout toolbar; Using map templates; Modifying map elements; Printing maps. Understanding location: Defining coordinate systems and map projections; Reading and finding location coordinates on a map; Measuring area and distance on a map. Understanding raster and vector data: Representing geography; Storing real-world locations; Symbolizing rasters; Using raster and vector data together; Understanding geodatabases. Acquiring geographic data: Data formats; Methods of creating geographic data; Using ArcCatalog to explore geographic data; Using metadata. Querying data: Understanding and performing attribute queries; Understanding and performing spatial queries. Analyzing spatial relationships: Understanding overlay; Understanding buffer; Accessing tools in ArcToolbox; Performing Union and Intersect; Buffering features. Solving problems with GIS: Applying the geographic inquiry process; Using GIS tools to solve a geographic problem; Creating a map to show results.
Prerequisites Students should know how to use Windows-based software for basic file management and browsing. Software Used in Course This course is designed to work with the following software: ArcGIS Desktop* ArcView ArcEditor ArcInfo Version 9.3 9.3 9.3
List common GIS tasks and identify which ArcGIS Desktop application is used for each task. Understand what the geodatabase offers for GIS data storage. Create and edit geodatabase features. Control the appearance and display of data layers in ArcMap. Classify and symbolize map data. Label map features. Change the coordinate system and map projection used to display a dataset.
Access feature information in tables and control table display properties. Query and analyze GIS data. Create presentation-quality maps and graphs.
Investigating geographic data: How geographic data is stored; Vector and raster data; Geodatabase basics and advantages; Shapefiles; Coverages; CAD data; Managing data in ArcCatalog; Displaying data in ArcMap; ArcMap basics; Data and layers. Managing map layers: Zooming to layers; Bookmarks; Display windows; Scale ranges; Group layers; Selection layers; Layer files; Creating hyperlinks. Symbolizing categorical data: Symbology; Choosing symbology; Types of symbols (marker, line, fill); Creating symbols. Symbolizing quantitative data: Symbology options (graduated colors, graduated symbols, proportional symbols, dot density, charts); Classification methods (Natural Breaks, Equal Interval, Quantile, Manual); Excluding data from a classification; Rendering raster data. Labeling map features: Label placement for different feature types (points, lines, polygons); Label symbology; Controlling label display using scale range and SQL query; Label classes; Label expressions; Label ranks and weights; What is annotation?; Geodatabase annotation; Map annotation. Using coordinate systems and map projections: What is a coordinate system?; Geographic coordinate systems; Datums; Projected coordinate systems; Map projections; Feature classes and coordinate systems; Data frames and coordinate systems; Geographic transformations; Working with an unknown coordinate system; Projecting data; Defining a projection. Making a map layout: Working in layout view; Tools for arranging map elements; Data frame properties for layouts; Adding legends, scale bars, and other map elements; Exporting maps; Working with map templates. Managing tables: Table structure; Layer attribute tables; Nonspatial tables; Getting information from tables; Field properties; Table appearance; Creating graphs and reports; Connecting tables using joins and relates; Cardinality. Editing features and attributes: Reasons to edit data; Working with the Editor toolbar; Edit sketches; Common editing tools; Edit tasks; Snapping to features while editing; Editing attributes; Calculating values for geometry fields; Working with coincident geometry in a map topology; Typical editing workflow.
Creating geodatabases and feature classes: Types of geodatabases; Geodatabase organization; Feature class organization; Feature class properties and attributes; Metadata; Creating, viewing, and editing metadata; Importing and exporting metadata; Creating features in a new feature class. Getting locations from attributes: Adding x,y coordinate data; Finding places and addresses; Finding routes and nearby places; Geocoding; Geocoding components (address table, address locator, reference data); Address matching overview; Geocoding workflow; Reference data sources. Solving spatial problems with query and analysis: GIS analysis basics; Typical analysis workflow; Common analysis operations (attribute and spatial queries, clipping data from layers, buffering features, overlaying features); Overview of geoprocessing; Analysis results. Customizing ArcGIS Desktop: Why customize the interface?; Customize dialog box; Locating commands; Adding new toolbars, commands, and menus; Saving customizations; Saving to a template; Storing templates.
Prerequisites Students should have completed ArcGIS Desktop I: Getting Started with GIS or Getting Started with GIS or have equivalent knowledge. Software Used in Course This course is designed to work with the following software: ArcGIS Desktop* ArcEditor ArcInfo ArcView Version 9.3 9.3 9.3
Specify the characteristics of geographic data needed to perform common GIS tasks. Determine whether the required data is available. Recognize the technology required to produce data needed for a particular task.
Topics Covered
What Are Geographic Data?: Data informs decision making; Properties of geographic data; Map scale and map projections; Sources of geographic data; Exploring ArcGIS Desktop Land Surveys and GPS: Specifying positions on a plane; Horizontal positions; Vertical positions; Specifying positions on a spheroid; The Global Positioning System (GPS) Aerial Photographs and Planimetric Data: Topographic maps; Air photos and
Aerial Photographs and Elevation Data: Elevation data on topographic maps; Vector elevation data; Raster elevation data
Remotely Sensed Image Data: The nature of remotely sensed image data; Visible and infrared image data; Multispectral image processing; Microwave data Census Data and Thematic Maps: Attribute data produced by the U.S. Census Bureau; Thematic maps; Planimetric data produced by the U.S. Census Bureau
Prerequisites None. Software Required To complete course exercises, you need the following software: ArcGIS Desktop* ArcView ArcEditor ArcInfo *Only one product in this category is required. Version 9.1, 9.2 or 9.3 9.1, 9.2 or 9.3 9.1, 9.2 or 9.3
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Explain map projection distortion. Define map projection plane and aspect. Set map projection parameters. List strengths and weaknesses of different map projections. Describe horizontal datums. Understand the properties of different coordinate systems.
Topics Covered
Sizing Up the Earth: Discovering the earth's shape and size; Refining the earth's shape; Establishing location Flattening the Earth: Birth of the map projection; Developable surfaces; Refining the map projection
Understanding Aspect and Perspective: Aspect for cylindrical projections; Aspect for planar projections; Aspect for conic projections; Perspective; Classifying projections Understanding and Controlling Distortion: Understanding distortion; Examining tangents and secants; Projection parameters; Choosing a projection Geographic and Planar Coordinate Systems: What is a coordinate system?; Commonlyused coordinate systems Introduction to Datums: Basics of datums; Datum transformations
Prerequisites Students should be familiar with basic GIS concepts. Familiarity with ArcGIS software is beneficial. Software Required To complete course exercises, you need the following software: ArcGIS Desktop* ArcView ArcEditor ArcInfo *Only one product in this category is required. Version 9.1, 9.2 or 9.3 9.1, 9.2 or 9.3 9.1, 9.2 or 9.3
Describe the benefits of creating and maintaining metadata. Explain the advantages of adhering to a metadata standard. Implement an appropriate metadata standard. Search metadata to find datasets. Evaluate datasets using metadata. Plan metadata content. Write proper metadata. Create templates and use sample code to streamline metadata production. Identify various ways to share metadata.
Topics Covered
Getting Started with Metadata: The value of metadata; Finding data and applying metadata standards Creating and Editing Metadata: Creating metadata; Planning metadata content Planning a Metadata Workflow: Developing a metadata workflow; Sharing your metadata
Prerequisites Students should have completed Learning ArcGIS Desktop or have equivalent knowledge. Software Required To complete course exercises, you need the following software: ArcGIS Desktop* ArcView ArcEditor ArcInfo *Only one product in this category is required. Version 9.1, 9.2 or 9.3 9.1, 9.2 or 9.3 9.1, 9.2 or 9.3
Describe what spatial data are and how information is derived from them. Identify how to best represent spatial data. Assess the nature of spatial data and techniques of spatial autocorrelation, sampling, and interpolation. Understand how uncertainty in spatial data is propagated through the conception, measurement, and analysis of geographic phenomena.
Comprehend how GIS-based visualization allows users to derive information, interact with spatial data, and represent attributes and spatial objects. Query and measure spatial and other attribute data. Perform spatial overlays, interpolation, and density estimations in order to transform spatial data into meaningful information. Produce statistical summaries of spatial data. Conduct optimization studies with spatial data to identify desired point locations and routes. Understand the rationale of and methods for spatial hypothesis testing. Assess the uncertainties associated with spatial data.
Topics Covered
Basics of Data and Information: Representing geography; The nature of geographic data; Creating and visualizing information; Uncertainty Cartography, Map Production, and Geovisualization: GIS-based visualization;
Representing attributes and spatial objects; Scientific visualization; Advanced methods for improving visualizations Query and Measurement: Querying views of a GIS; Advanced queries; Querying for measurements Transformations and Descriptive Summaries: Buffering, point-in-polygon, and polygon overlay; Spatial interpolation and density estimation; Centers and dispersion; Histograms, pie charts, and scatterplots; Spatial dependence and fragmentation
Optimization and Hypothesis Testing: Optimization; Hypothesis testing Uncertainty: Measuring uncertainty of nominal and ordinal values; Measuring uncertainty of interval or ratio values; Uncertainty issues for spatial data
Prerequisites Students should have completed Learning ArcGIS Desktop or have equivalent knowledge. Software Required To complete course exercises, you need the following software: ArcGIS Desktop* ArcView Version 9.1, 9.2 or 9.3
Describe the structure of a raster. Display different types of rasters in ArcMap. Work with raster catalogs. Georeference rasters. Symbolize rasters using a variety of classification methods. Choose appropriate analysis techniques for different types of rasters. Adjust raster brightness, contrast, and transparency. Assign appropriate band colors to display multiband rasters. Understand which band combinations are useful for different applications.
Topics Covered
Raster Basics: What is a raster?; Types of rasters; What do cell values mean? Displaying Rasters in ArcMap: Displaying thematic rasters; Displaying multiband rasters
Managing Raster Data: Raster storage; Aligning raster data with other spatial data
Prerequisites Students should have completed Learning ArcGIS Desktop or have equivalent knowledge. Software Required To complete course exercises, you need the following software: ArcGIS Desktop* ArcView ArcEditor ArcInfo *Only one product in this category is required. Version 9.2 or 9.3 9.2 or 9.3 9.2 or 9.3
List the basic components of the geodatabase data model. Use the ArcCatalog tools for identifying and examining geodatabase components. Understand different ways to organize geodatabase feature classes.
Prerequisites None. Software Required To complete course exercises, you need the following software: ArcGIS Desktop* ArcView ArcEditor ArcInfo *Only one product in this category is required. Version 9.1, 9.2 or 9.3 9.1, 9.2 or 9.3 9.1, 9.2 or 9.3
Use the Customize dialog box to add, delete, and move buttons and tools on standard ArcMap toolbars. Create a custom toolbar. Modify a shortcut key. Find sample code and run it as a macro. Associate a macro with a tool on a toolbar. Save customizations only to the current map document or to all ArcMap sessions.
Prerequisites Students should be familiar with basic ArcMap operations and concepts. No programming experience is required. Software Required To complete course exercises, you need the following software:
ArcGIS Desktop* ArcEditor ArcInfo ArcView *Only one product in this category is required.
Version 9.1, 9.2 or 9.3 9.1, 9.2 or 9.3 9.1, 9.2 or 9.3
Organize feature labels into label classes. Position and prioritize feature labels. Customize label appearance. Use VBScript to customize label text. Create annotation by converting feature labels. Convert coverage annotation to geodatabase annotation. Add new annotation features. Modify annotation attributes, position, and symbology.
Topics Covered
Working with Labels: Adding labels to your map; Managing labels Working with Annotation: Getting started with annotation; Organizing annotation; Modifying annotation
Prerequisites Students should have completed Learning ArcGIS Desktop or have equivalent knowledge. Software Required
To complete course exercises, you need the following software: ArcGIS Desktop* ArcView ArcEditor ArcInfo *Only one product in this category is required. Version 9.1, 9.2 or 9.3 9.1, 9.2 or 9.3 9.1, 9.2 or 9.3
Note: ArcView users can complete all course exercises, except the last one. The final exercise guides students through the creation of feature-linked annotation, which requires ArcEditor or ArcInfo.
Access and preview map templates. Modify map elements such as titles, data frames, legends, scale bars, and graticules. Draw a graphic on a map. Add text to a map. Save a map as a custom template. Prepare a map for printing.
Prerequisites Students should be familiar with basic ArcMap operations and concepts. Completion of the free first module of Learning ArcGIS Desktop is recommended. Software Required To complete course exercises, you need the following software: ArcGIS Desktop* Version
Construct a query to select features based on an attribute. Construct a query to select features based on their location. Construct a query to remove features from a selected set.
Prerequisites Students should be familiar with basic ArcGIS operations and concepts. Software Required To complete course exercises, you need the following software: ArcGIS Desktop* ArcView ArcEditor ArcInfo *Only one product in this category is required. Version 9.1, 9.2 or 9.3 9.1, 9.2 or 9.3 9.1, 9.2 or 9.3
Create a map topology. Modify coincident feature geometry. Set snapping preferences for an edit session. Move a boundary shared by two features.
Prerequisites Students should be familiar with basic ArcMap operations and basic editing tasks. Software Required To complete course exercises, you need the following software: ArcGIS Desktop* ArcView ArcEditor ArcInfo *Only one product in this category is required. Version 9.1, 9.2 or 9.3 9.1, 9.2 or 9.3 9.1, 9.2 or 9.3