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!
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
Simplify Your Workflow with the Spatial Join Tool
One of the benefits of GIS is the ability to summarize relationships between different types of data.
In this example, a relationship is determined between students and study sectors. Students being a point layer and study sectors being a polygon layer. Determining the number of students within each sector is easy to do by simply counting the visible points for each area. The is not always correct as some points can fall on top of each other. You can use the select by location tool to find the exact number of student within each sector, but this can become time consuming if you have a lot of areas to cover. The solution to this problem is the spatial join tool. This tool determines the spatial relationship between the polygons and points. A point count for each polygon is created and placed in the attribute table.
Here is a demonstration video:
Note: Videos are broadcast through youtube.com. Some browsers may block this content.
Download the video to your computer: ArcMap Spatial Join Tool
Easily Paste ArcGIS Maps into Documents
July 30, 2009 by Timothy
Filed under ArcGIS, Cartography, GIS Tips
Placing maps into documents such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Publisher, and PowerPoint can become a pain at times. The usual process involves exporting the map into some type of image file. The file is then inserted into your desired document. For some projects this is fine and may even be necessary; however for those quick put-together projects there is an easier way. ArcMap has a menu item that allows your current extent (data view) or page layout to be copied to the clipboard. The image can then be pasted into your desired documents. This goes beyond the Microsoft Suite and can even be imported into a graphics programs. The benefits that this tip provides includes a savings in time and storage space.
To copy the map to the clipboard:
1. Click Edit -> Copy Map to Clipboard
2. See map image on clipboard
3. Paste image into document. Click image on clipboard or press Ctrl-V.
Using the Layers Overview Window in ArcMap
A valuable tool in ArcMap that sometimes goes unnoticed is the Layers Overview Window. When working on a map while zoomed in it is very easy to loose perspective of the actual location as compared to the overall map. This can also be true when analyzing a feature class by zooming to selected records from the attribute table. You usually have to stop and zoom out a significant amount to determine the location. However, with the Layers Overview Window you can always know the area for which you are working.
This tool can be easily found and utilized with just a few simple steps.
1. Click Overview from Window Menu.
2. Next change the properties by right clicking on the Overview Window header to open the properties window. Then change the desired settings.
Here you can change your reference layer, extent symbol and background color.
Here is an example of the Layer Overview window in use. The Overview window can also be resized as well.
Create Thumbnails in ArcCatalog
May 18, 2009 by Timothy
Filed under ArcCatalog, ArcGIS, GIS Tips
ArcCatalog has so many features, it is difficult to keep up with them all. One that is very helpful is the Create Thumbnail button. This allows you to create a thumbnail image of a file so that it can be viewed from the Contents Tab instead of the default thumbnail. The below example shows its application for a shapefile, but this can be applied to a variety of file types. This quick snapshot can help the browsing process when you are looking for that certain file.
Follow these simple steps to create a thumbnail image for a file in ArcCatalog:
1. View the shapefile with the Preview Tab.
2. Zoom to desired view.
ArcCatalog gives you a few navigation tools. You can create a full extent view or zoom in on certain features.
3. Press the create thumbnail button from the toolbar.
4. View the newly created thumbnail under the Contents Tab.
Learn more about ArcGIS in these excellent books:
Adding Microsoft Virtual Earth to ArcGIS 9.3.1
With the new ArcGIS 9.3.1 update, I searched high and low to find out how to access Microsoft Virtual Earth in ArcGIS as this was a big component to the new update. It has not been as easy as I expected. I thought that it would be a simple click to add the data to my map. I found however, that it takes a few more extra steps to gain access. Here is some information directly from ESRI’s Resource Center:
With ArcGIS 9.3.1, Microsoft Virtual Earth maps are seamlessly integrated into ArcGIS products. ArcGIS users who are current on maintenance and have an Internet connection will have access to Virtual Earth for a variety of up-to-date mapping content.
See the appropriate section below and follow the instructions to get started using Microsoft Virtual Earth in your ArcGIS 9.3.1 application:
I followed the ArcGIS Desktop process to gain access to Microsoft Virtual Earth. This may vary from what you encounter, but it will give you a general idea for access.
Go to this website to request a new license file:
https://service.esri.com/index.cfm?fa=requestForms.requestLFileShowForm
1. Request a New License File
2. Select: Add newly purchased licenses to a new or existing license server
3. Enter Software Version
4. Enter Customer Information
5. Enter License Server Information
6. Enter number of licenses for Virtual Earth (bottom)
7. Submit Request
8. Agree to the additional terms
9. Submit Request
A new license file will be sent to you by email. (Mine came within 30 minutes although the site says it could take one business day.) Then update your license file.
On the Using premium Microsoft Virtual Earth Maps with ArcGIS 9.3.1 page there is an ArcMap document that can be downloaded that has the Virtual Earth service added. There are Layer files and a ArcGlobe document (3DD) file on this website as well. Open the downloaded map document and explore Microsoft Virtual Earth.
