Introduction to ArcGIS I (for ArcView 9, ArcEditor 9, and ArcInfo 9)

Classroom Time (8:30am – 4:30pm)

Overview

This course introduces participants to ArcGIS™ and provides the foundation for becoming a successful ArcView®, ArcEditor™, or ArcInfo™ user. Participants learn how to use ArcMap™, ArcCatalog™, and ArcToolbox™ and explore how these applications work together to provide a complete GIS software solution. The course covers fundamental GIS concepts as well as how to create, edit, and work with georeferenced spatial data. Participants learn how to manipulate tabular data, query a GIS database, and present data clearly and efficiently using maps and charts.

Goals

Display feature and tabular data
Work with georeferenced spatial data
Query features using logical expressions
Find features using spatial relationships
Edit spatial and attribute data
Associate tables with joins and relates
Produce maps, reports, and graphs

Topics covered

ArcGIS overview: Capabilities and applications; Interacting with the interface; Basic display

Spatial data concepts: Representing spatial data and descriptive information

ArcGIS data model: Geodatabases; Shapefiles; Coverages; Feature types; Attributes

GIS software: Components; Functions; Applications

Spatial coordinate systems and map projections: Georeferencing data; What map projections are; How ArcMap works with map projections

Querying data: Selecting and identifying features; Creating reports and graphs

Map displays: Creating; Symbolizing; Scaling; Adding map elements

Outline of Topics

Introduction

What is a GIS?
GIS functions
Capturing data
Storing data
Query
Analysis
Display
Output
Organizing spatial data
Representing features in vector data
Map scale
Components of geographic data
Using spatial relationships
Overview of ArcGIS
Overview of applications: ArcCatalog, ArcMap, ArcToolbox
Getting help
Exercise 1A: Install the class database
Exercise 1B: Explore a sampling of GIS concepts

Displaying Data

The ArcMap interface
Data View or Layout Views
Layers, data frames, and maps
Managing the Table of Contents
Layer symbology in ArcMap
Saving a layer file
Labeling features
Scale-dependent display
Magnifier and overview windows
Exercise 2: Displaying data

Querying your database

Map tips and hyperlinks
Identifying
Finding
Measuring
Available selection tools
Interactive selection options

Interactive selection methods
Selection methods and layers
Attribute selection
Select by location (spatial query)
Location selection methods
Selection by graphics
Calculating summary statistics
Exercise 3: Query your GIS database

Working with tables

Tables
Understanding table anatomy
Tabular data field types
Table manipulation
ArcGIS tabular formats
Associating tables
Table relationships
Connecting tables with joins
Connecting tables with relates
Graphs
Reports
The ArcMap Report Writer
Seagate Crystal Reports
Exercise 5A: Relate and join tables
Exercise 5B: Create a graph and report in ArcMap

Working with spatial data

Representing geographic features
Introducing feature classes
Linking features and attributes
Spatial data formats
Data format: Shapefile
Data format: Coverage
ArcInfo coverage organization
Data format: Geodatabase
Data format: CAD files
Tabular locations
Images and grids
Introducing metadata
Using Geography Network data
Exercise 4: Explore spatial data formats

Editing data

Editable data formats
Navigating the Editor
Managing edit sessions
Selecting features
Simple editing functions
Working with sketches
Using the Sketch tool
Edit tasks
Create New Feature task
Distance and Intersection tools
Trace
Extend/Trim Features task
Editing attribute data for selected features
Editing tables using the Field Calculator
Exercise 6A: Edit features with the Editor toolbar
Exercise 6B: Edit attribute data

Working with georeferenced data

What is georeferencing?
Coordinate systems
Datums and datum conversion
Referencing locations
Map projections
Projection distortion
Types of projections
Coordinate system components
Storing projection information
Viewing projection information
ArcMap and projections
Changing projections
Exercise 7: Work with map scale and projections

Presenting data

Map and design objectives
Factors controlling cartographic design
Communication in maps
Types of maps
Issues in cartographic design
Creating maps in ArcMap
Setting up the page
Identifying map elements
Inserting map elements
An example of the Legend Properties window
Adding a north arrow and a scale
Incorporating a reference system
Graticules or button index grids
Inserting textual information
Layout tools
Grids and rulers
Creating and using map templates
Printing and plotting maps
Exercise 8: Create a map