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

Related GIS Pathway Articles

ArcMap Annotation Properties

Create ArcMap Annotation

Saving New ArcMap Symbol

Related Readings

ESRI Mapping Center: Adding columns to text boxes

What’s new in ArcGIS 9.3 – Mapping

ArcMap Selection Types

Selection is one of the most important features within ArcMap.  Understanding the various types of selection will not only increase your productivity but will enable you to find better techniques for your analysis.  Take a few minutes and watch the video below.  You will learn some tips to select by attribute, location, and graphic.

Here is a brief outline for each selection type:

• Select by Attribute
  • Selection Menu
    • Select by Attribute
      • Choose Selection Layer
      • Choose Selection Methods
      • Enter Query Statement
        • Field
        • Operator
        • Value
      • Select Apply

• Select by Location
  • Selection Menu
    • Select by Location
      • Choose what features to select
      • Choose Selection Layer
      • Choose Selection Method
      • Choose Relation Features
      • Select Apply

• Select by Graphic
  • Draw Graphic on Map
  • Selection Menu
    • Select by Graphic

Note: Videos are broadcast through youtube.com.  Some browsers may block this content.

Download the video to your computer: ArcMap Selection Methods

Related Books

GIS Tutorial Updated for ArcGIS 9.2: Workbook for Arc View 9, second edition

Getting to Know ArcGIS Desktop: Basics of ArcView, Arceditor, and Arcinfo

ArcMap Interface Tutorial

ArcMap can be very overwhelming to the new user.  Understanding what each feature does and how it applies is important.  Here are some of the areas that are covered in this tutorial video.

Data View

• Add Data
• Scale
• Toolbars
• Data Frame
• Layers
• Zoom
• Pan
• Selection
• Identify

Page Layout

• Data Frame
• Title
• North Arrow
• Scale Bar/Text

Note: Videos are broadcast through youtube.com.  Some browsers may block this content.

Download the video to your computer: ArcMap Interface

Related Books

Override Toolbar Docking in ArcGIS

Here is a quick tip that I ran across today. Have you ever wanted to arrange a toolbar or the Table of Contents in an area that forces you to dock it? Well, the override for this issue is to use the Ctrl key while dragging it.  This prevents the toolbar or Table of Contents from docking.  Go try it today!

Customize ArcMap Toolbars

One of the greatest benefits of ArcMap is the ability to customize the tool bars.  There are many tools that are not visible on the standard tool bars.  Some users do not even know the extra tools exist.  The process requires only a few steps.

1. Click on the Tools menu at the top of the map document.

2. Select Customize….

This will open the Customize dialog.  The Toolbars tab allow you to select which toolbars are visible.  The Commands tab will bring up tools organized by categories.  The Options tab will allow you change certain settings.  I recommend  browsing through the commands; you never know what you might find.

3.  Once you find the tool you want, click and drag it to a location on a toolbar.

Customization of ArcGIS is a great benefit once you learn how to do it.  It will allow you to add and remove tools.  Customizing the interface can go as far you your imagination will take you.  For additional tips on customiztion and the begining of using Visual Basic for Applications (VBA), I highly recommend the book: Getting to Know ArcObjects.  I got so hooked to this book that I read and worked through it in five days.  Get your copy today!

Edit Polygon Graphic Vertices

Graphics can be very useful.  They are a great way to show a representation in a quick but effective manor.  Even with ArcGIS 9.2 you can do a selection by graphic.  You can also determine length and area with graphics.  Although there are many uses, the polygon graphic can be frustrating during creation.  Creation entails clicking to place each vertex.  The problems arise when you make a wrong click.  Usually, you start over with the polygon; however, you can actually edit the vertices similar to editing a feature.

On the drawing tool bar click the graphic vertex button.  This will allow all vertices of the graphic to appear.  You can then move a vertex to the desired location and finish you graphic.

Although very simple, this tip proves to be a great time saver.

Rotate ArcMap Data Frame

From time to time, you might find a need to rotate your data frame.  Many people do not realize that it is even possible.  They find that their map would look better if they could just make the slight tweak.  Well this task can be done with just a few clicks.

1.  Open the data frame properties.  Notice the orientation of the United States.

2.  Under the general tab, enter the desired rotation angle for the data frame.

With this new rotation angle set, your data frame will reflect the change.

Also note that on the layout view, the north arrow will rotate with the data frame.

ADDITIONAL TIP…..

If you rotate your data frame often and would like a more interactive way to do it, then turn on the Data Frame Tools toolbar from the tools menu.

With this tool bar you can click the rotate button and rotate the data frame interactively.  There is also a reset button as well to bring the data frame back to true north.

Saving New ArcMap Symbol

Have you gotten to the point where you are tired of changing specific characteristics of a symbol over and over?  ArcMap enables you to save that symbology and save it in your own category.  Below you will find the steps to make life a little bit easier.

1.  After you have selected the specifics for your symbol, click the “Save…” button.

2.  Enter a value for the Symbol Name and Category.  The Category can be a previous one or you can create a new one.

3.  Once you have saved the file, change the Category drop box to the one you save the symbol under.  The newly saved symbol will be available.