Utilizing the ArcMap Draw Toolbar
Creating and editing graphic elements can become very time consuming within ArcMap; however, there is a valuable help called the Draw Toolbar. The tools within this toolbar will help you save time and become more productive with your work. Your cartographic productions will benefit from these tools.
Learn how to quickly change an element’s properties without accessing the properties dialog. Discover new techniques to manipulate each element and even convert them to a feature class. Do more now by watching this video!
This video covers the following areas:
- Draw Menu
- Select Elements
- Rotate Elements
- Zoom to Elements
- Add Elements
- Change Element Size
- Change Element Color
- Change Annotation Font
Stop wasting your valuable time and learn a new tip today!
Note: Videos are broadcast through youtube.com. Some browsers may block this content.
Download the video to your computer: ArcMap Draw Toolbar
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Related Readings
ESRI Mapping Center: Adding columns to text boxes
What’s new in ArcGIS 9.3 – Mapping
Easily Create a Custom Google Map
February 18, 2009 by Timothy
Filed under GIS Tips, Google Maps
Google maps are all around us. These maps can be embeded into websites. They can also be customized to include various types of information for display.
Instead of looking up temporary maps, you can create custom maps with various elements like pushpins, lines, and polygons that can be saved and accessed on demand. These maps can be accessed with a direct link or placed on a web page.
To create a custom map:
1. Go to Google Maps
Make sure you are logged into Google so that your map is saved under your account. If you do not have a Google account, you can create one here.
2. Click on My Maps
3. Click Create new map
4. Enter map information
- Map Title
- Description
- Privacy Settings
- Public
- Unlisted
5. Add additional elements to map
- Add a Placemark
- Add text to information balloon
- Draw a Line
- Will give you distance of line
- Draw a Shape
- Will give you area of shape
6. Click Done to save map
Note: You can make changes to your map by clicking the Edit button.
With your own custom map, you can now embed it into your own webpage or blog.
Check out the Embed Basic Google Maps into Websites.
GIS Boot Camp vs. Traditional Teaching
I recently came across a post about the Introduction to GIS class at the University of Richmond. Kimberly Klinker changed up her Introduction to GIS class from the traditional lecture/lab format to a boot camp/project format. She did five weeks of teaching basic concepts of GIS and the ArcGIS software then used the remaining part of the semester to assign a project. Wondering what the result was? Well according to the article, it was a success. The class was able to present a project that helps students with disabilities transverse the campus (Read more on this project).
This teaching style may sound very strange and unorthodox, but the evolution of education is providing various techniques to help students learn. I must first commend Ms. Klinker for thinking outside of the box. I do not believe that the traditional style of learning through lecture is the best method for this technology. However, the boot camp method may also not be the best. You have to remember that each individual student has their own learning style. Some are able to use a self study workbook approach and learn more than sitting under the lecture of an experienced professor. Others may prefer the traditional classroom style, while there may be a few who even like to learn by trial and error through experience. Is there a particular learning style that works best for Geospatial Technology? I believe that this subject cannot be taught through just lecture. There must be some type of application. Having book knowledge is OK, but putting that knowledge to use is even better.
I like that fact that these students were able to take on a project from start to finish. Application, application, application is important! Knowing how to perform a task is one thing; being able to apply it is another. Students can be provided with the tools for Geospatial Technology, but they must also be able to discern when it is best to put them to use.
Does a mixture of learning styles produce the best environment for learning GIS, or is there a particular style that works best?
Loading ...Show Area Vetices while Editing in ArcMap
Finding a vertex to snap to can be very challenging while editing. With snapping turn on, you can slowly more your cursor along the desired path and the cursor will snap to the nearest vertex. Although this can be affective, there is a great risk that a vertex may be missed. Showing the vertices within the area of you cursor can help you find all vertices while preventing gaps from forming within the data.
Simply press [V] to show the vertices in the area of the cursor. Remember that you must be editing during this procedure. This saves time and helps you to be more productive while editing in ArcMap. (See Example)
Screenshot of edit session
Screenshot of edit session while using [V]
Embed Basic Google Maps into Websites
February 10, 2009 by Timothy
Filed under GIS Tips, Google Maps
Google Maps are becoming more and more common on websites. They are being used to show business locations, directions, news happenings, etc. Very rarely now can you go to a website without encountering a map. Although Google Maps appear very high-tech, they can be easily placed into any website or blog with just a few steps. Make sure you are not missing out on the technology available today.
To Embed a Google Map:
1. Decide where you would like to have the map located.
I have decided to place a map on my Google Mapz page under the Create Map section. This example is being done through Weebly (A free, simple to use website host and editor).
2. Go to Google Maps and zoom in on the extent of desired map.
I have zoomed in on the Washington, DC area.
3. Select Link from the top right hand corner of the page.
This will give you the option to copy the actual page link or embed with html.
4. Copy HTML code from embed window.
Highlight code and right click to copy or Ctrl + C.
5. Paste HTML code into web page editor.
Make sure you are placing this where HTML can be read and not directly as plain text. To paste, right click in area and choose paste or Ctrl +V.
6. Publish web page
The map is now embedded within my web page with a matter a minutes. Try it out today!
Related Books
Beginning Google Maps Mashups with Mapplets, KML, and GeoRSS: From Novice to Professional
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota GIS Program
The Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota Department of Resource Analysis provides a Master of Science – Geographic Information Science degree. This degree consists of 41 semester hours. In addition to the master’s degree they also have a Professional Certificate in Geospatial Technology which can be earned separately or concurrently with the master’s degree. These educational options are available between their two campuses; the Winona Campus and the Twin Cities Campus.
Saint Mary’s Department of Resource Analysis prides itself in allowing for “hands on learning”. This learning style embraces the ESRI technology in their labs and instructional materials. The class sizes are usually small and enable students to receive direct instructor support. Beyond the classroom, Saint Mary’s helps to develop networking opportunities for career placement and advancement.
On their website, Saint Mary’s University describes their program:
The program is suited for diverse interests and provides educational options for any learner no matter their background. Student centered learning is maximized through flexibility in offering distance-learning courses as well as multiple degree concentrations in natural resource management, homeland security/emergency management, business, policy administration, criminal justice, and/or project management.
Their students and alumni have received quite a bit a recognition and praise from various sources. These include:
- GIS Project Presentation at the International ESRI Conference
- Job Interview with the United States Postal Inspection Service
- Received Job as the Deputy GIS officer for all of Europe
- Student said that they went from no technology background to gaining effective GIS skills
- Described as putting top-quality professionals out in the GIS world!
To see what type of graduates this program puts out, check out some of their students’ work:
Graduate Project Video Presentations
Graduate Papers Online
Some of the topics include:
- Using GIS to Examine the Head Start Service Area in Winona County, Minnesota
- The effect of Tourist Attractions on the Crime Trends in the Growing Community of Shakopee, Minnesota
- Using GIS to Create a Gray Wolf Habitat Suitability Model in the Western Upper Penninsula of Michigan and Assessment of Wolf Pack Ranges
- Improving Geocode Match Rates of Valid Addresses by Combining Multiple Reference Data Sets
- Using GIS to Locate Target Markets in the Retail Banking Sector
The Professional Certificate in Geospatial Technology falls under the Continuing Education Program. There are three different certificates available:
- Professional Certificate in Geospatial Technology – Foundations
- Professional Certificate in Geospatial Technology – Advanced Engagements
- Professional Certificate in Geospatial Technology – Excellence
Each certificate requires 120 continuing education units with each continuing education unit equaling 10 hours of course time. The program is setup as an on-learning environment. The courses are described as:
The courses provided through this program are intended to ensure that geospatial and technology enthusiasts have access to, and are provided with, opportunities to remain current with technology in the field of Geographic Information Systems and related geospatial technologies.
Scholarships
Saint Mary’s University offers a variety of scholarships although none directly apply to GIS. One that caught my attention was the SGPP Faculty Staff Scholarship. The faculty and staff provide two scholarships of at least $1,700 which are available to students in any of the certificate, bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral programs.
Learn more about Saint Mary’s University: http://www.smumn.edu/
Learn more about the Geospatial Program: http://www.gis.smumn.edu/
Note: The information within this article has been thoroughly researched but should be verified with the college. Publication of this article was not initiated by the college but is the sole work of GIS Pathway.
