New GIS Job Board Added
I have added a new addition to the GIS Pathway website. There is now an active job board for GIS jobs. There is a variety of positions available. There is even an option for adding your own job posts.
In an effort to help boost the available positions, you can post as many jobs as you would like for free during the month of February 2010. Simply use the discount code: <FreeFeb10>.
Also take the time to visit and follow the @GISJobs4U twitter account. Get the latest GIS jobs sent to your Twitter account.
Here are some of the latest GIS jobs available through the job board.
ArcGIS Explorer – Setting Relative Paths
As you begin developing your ArcGIS Explorer presentation you will find many new and helpful additions to make it one of a kind. The time you spend developing the presentation is well worth the wow-effect people see with this software. Most of the time you create your presentations on a desktop computer and then present it on another computer. By moving your files from one system to the other, the data paths can easily be corrupted. This can cause a big headache if you find the problem as you are fixing to present. Fortunately, there is a way to prevent this problem.
In ArcMap there is the option to store relative paths for the data layers you add to your map. This same feature is available in ArcGIS Explorer. A few quick steps will put you on your way out the door with no worries for your presentation data.
1. Click the Office Button and select Map Properties
2. Under Data Access check the Store relative paths option
3. Save your presentation
If you found this tip helpful, try these other ArcGIS Explorer tips:
ArcGIS Explorer – Adding Slides
ArcGIS Explorer – Change Color Scheme
This example uses ArcGIS Explorer 900. If you don’t have it, download ArcGIS Explorer 900 for free today!
ArcGIS Explorer – Adding Slides
In ArcGIS Explorer 900 you are able to create dynamic presentations. There is the ability to go from a slide presentation directly into an interactive map. You can then go back to the slides all within this one program. There is not a slide creation method in ArcGIS Explorer. The only text you can add in are title that appear at the top of the screen. In order to add slides, they must be created in another program and added in as a *.PNG file. This can be done through either PowerPoint or a graphics program such as Photoshop. This example uses Microsoft PowerPoint.
1. Create slide in Microsoft PowerPoint
2. Save slide as a Portable Graphics Network Format (*.png)
3. Choose either current slide or every slide
4. Add content -> Image Overlays…
This example uses ArcGIS Explorer 900. If you don’t have it, download ArcGIS Explorer 900 for free today!
ArcGIS Explorer – Adding Data
The new ArcGIS Explorer 900 has some really cool features to make exploring the globe fairly simple. With ArcGIS Explorer, adding data could not be any easier. Looking at data already provided my ESRI, Bing, USGS, etc. is one thing. Adding in data, specifically your own makes ArcGIS Explorer even more useful.
Data that can be added in includes: ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Layers, Map Content Files, KML Files, GIS Services, Shapefiles, Raster Data, Geodatabase Data, Text Files, GPS Data Files, and Image Overlays.
Each of these data elements can be added directly from the Add Content button on the Home Menu ribbon. By clicking the Add Content button, a menu like the one on the right will show and you can choose your data type. Follow the specific directions provided and the data will be added into the Contents Window. The data will be shown with various icons to indicate the data type.
One type of data that can be added in that will preserve the symbology is ArcGIS Layers and ArcGIS Layer Packages. The symbology that is create in ArcMap can be shown in ArcGIS Explorer. Since explorer has limited symbology, this helps take visualization to the next level. The difference between ArcGIS Layers and ArcGIS Layer Packages is that the packages area created so that both the data and symbology can be easily move from one computer to another computer in one file package. The Layers can be used, but the data must reside on the some computer.
To create a layer package:
1. Right click the desired layer from the table of contents.
2. Click Create Layer Package…
3. Designate where to save the file.
4. A conformation of completion will pop up in an alert.
You can then use or send the file however you would like.
This example uses ArcGIS Explorer 900. If you don’t have it, download ArcGIS Explorer 900 for free today!
ArcGIS Explorer – Change Color Scheme
The color scheme of ArcGIS Explorer can become boring after some time. Fortunately, you are not stuck with the blue color. In a few simple steps, the color scheme can be changed to either blue, aqua, black, or silver. This will help liven your desktop up a bit or even add that special touch to your presentation. This same concept is very similar to the Office 2007 products with the ribbon toolbar. Try it out on Explorer and you favorite Office 2007 products.
1. Click the Explorer Button (Office Button).
2. Click ArcGIS Explorer Options.
3. Under the Common tab, choose your desired color scheme.
Blue Color Scheme
Black Color Scheme
This example uses ArcGIS Explorer 900. If you don’t have it, download ArcGIS Explorer 900 for free today!
One Year Anniversary and More
Things have been so busy with family, going to school, and other stuff that the one year anniversary of GIS Pathway has slipped by. It was actually back at the beginning of August. The site was created on the WordPress site and after a few months I moved it over to its current domain. Everything kind of took off from there. It has been an exciting journey with both ups and downs. I want to thank YOU for being a dedicated follower of this site. It has been by word of mouth that others have found this site. I hope that it has been a help to you. I have enjoyed providing the content and look forward to continuing to do so.
I am still working to put out content although slow at times. If you have any suggestions on content please email me @ timothy [at] gispathway [dot] com or by Twitter.
As for future content plans….
- I have created a GeoMentor Resources page. I am still working to add content.
- I have some ArcGIS Explorer 900 tips coming out in January.
- More college programs will be highlighted with featured articles.
Check out my blog…most recent discussions include:
Have a Merry Christmas!
-Timothy
The National Geospatial Technology Center of Excellence
A website and technology center that I found a year ago or so through VerySpatial is the GeoTech Center. This is a great resource for those wanting to learn more about geospatial technology. There are some valuable resources for educators, students, and industries. The center (main location at Del Mar College in Corpus Christi, TX) is focused on geospatial technology awareness. They are represented across the county by several community colleges which all focus on this awareness.
The GeoTech Center’s purpose:
In 2008, the National Science Foundation funded the National Geospatial Technology Center of Excellence to support two-year college geospatial technology programs. The GeoTech Center is a collaborative effort between colleges, universities, and industry to expand the geospatial workforce. The partners of the Center work together to provide professional development, teaching and curriculum resources, career pathways and model core competencies for geospatial technicians.
The website has a variety of information. The website is broken down into three areas: Educators, Students and Industry. You can see the additional areas of focus below.
- Educators
- Development
- Curriculum Materials
- Teaching Resources
- Latest Research
- GIS in Administration
- GIS in Classroom
- Students
- Career Pathway
- Certification
- Locate Programs
- Internships
- Jobs
- Social Networking
- Industry
- Training Opportunities
- Internship Information
The website also has a really awesome interactive map of two-year college geospatial education programs.
The GeoTech Center is a valuable resource for anyone looking to find more about geospatial technology and the available education programs. Take some time and check it out!
GIS College List Update
If you have not visited the GIS Pathway colleges page, please take the time to look over it. There is a list of colleges with the types of degrees identified with some having links to specific articles describing the college program in detail.
Three new colleges have just been added to the GIS Pathway master list of colleges that teach GIS.
Harold Washington Community College
University of Maryland – College Park
Waubonsee Community College
If you know of a college that is not on the list that should be, please let me know. Send an email to contact [at] gispathway.com. Thanks!
Convert Polygons to Points in ArcGIS
October 12, 2009 by Timothy
Filed under ArcGIS, Data Management, GIS Tips
During analysis it is important to keep various techniques at hand as the data sometime requires creative thinking to carry out certain tasks in a feasible way. One of these techniques to have handy is the ability to convert polygons to points.
In ArcInfo there is a tool that allows this to be done.
ArcToolBox –>Data Management Tools –>Features –>Feature to Point
However, if you have a lower license, there is a simple workaround. (The headings are links to specific demonstrations of these steps.)
Calculate Lat/Long for Shapefile
1. Add X and Y fields to your polygon attribute table
2. Calculate the X and Y coordinates
3. Export the attribute table to a new *.dbf
Create Point File from XY Data
4. Add new table to map document
5. Add XY event layer
6. Export temporary XY event layer file to permanent file
Geospatial Technology Isn’t Dying Anytime Soon
With the ever changing of technology, there has been a lot that has come and gone with some technologies sticking around. I am reminded of the article put out by Computer World – The top 10 dead (or dying) computer skills. Most of these dying skills I have never had any part of. Technologies such as PowerBuilder, a strong competitor with Oracle was a client/server development tool. Networking has also expanded and left non-IP networks in the past. Also to think that non-relational databases existed and that now relational databases are vital to geospatial technology. Technology will always be evolving into something better, finding a career in technology is challenging enough when your degrees and certification have value today and can easily be without value tomorrow.
A new study by the ARC Advisory Group shows that the geospatial information systems market is projected to continue to grow. GIS is helping industries such as utilities and the federal government. The technology is vital and is helping about every industry grow and become more efficient. The study shows that the GIS market is expected to grow by 50% over the next five years. It even show the expansion to markets outside of the United States.
With the expansion of GIS technology, the GIS industry will continue to expand. Software is getting easier to use, the data is becoming expanded with higher quality, and the users are finding ways to better implement the technology. These signs are very good reasons why it is not going to die any time soon.
Check out the study: Geospatial Information Systems Market to Grow 50% Over Next Five Years
If you are not linked into GIS or Geospatial Technoloyg check out these resources to build a great career:
