Create Thumbnails in ArcCatalog

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:

GIS Tutorial

Getting to Know ArcGIS

Geocoding – Guide to Address Locating in ArcMap

Geocoding is a process that enables you to match database records to a real world location based upon attribute fields such as addresses, PINs, Cities, etc.  Carrying out this process in ArcMap is very simple and can be completed in just a few steps.

Note: This example uses addresses, but other attributes can be used.

1. Compile Address Table – This can be done in excel, access, or other compatible file format .

Read more on: Excel in ArcGIS Desktop

2. Create Address Locator – The address locator will be based upon the data that needs to be located and the reference data.

• Open ArcCatalog
• Open desired folder for Locator to be saved in
• Right click in contents area
• Click New -> Address Locator…

3. Choose Locator Style – This will depend upon the source data and reference data.  These data types need to correlate.

4. Set Address Locator Options

• Name and Description
• Reference data – The data you will match to such as address points, streets, or city points.
• Match corresponding fields – This will vary by locator style.  US Streets is shown here.
• Set Matching Options – You will find which configuration works best through trial and error.
• Click Ok

Your locator has now been create and is shown in ArcCatalog via the “House” icon.

5. Add Address Table to Map – You can add Excel tables directly into ArcMap (9.2 or later) or create a .dbf table to be added in.

6. Right Click Table -> Geocode Addresses…

7. Add  Locator to Map and Select it to be Used – You will need to browse to the folder (via the “Add..” button) that contains the created locator.

8. Complete Locator/Geocoding  Options

• Select Corresponding Input Fields
• Choose Output Location
• Click Ok

Status is updated during geocoding process and results are shown on map.

10. You can Review or Rematch Any Address

• Right Click on geocoded point file in Table of Contents
• Data -> Review/Rematch ddresses…
• Follow options in Interactive Rematch Dialog

Start Programming in GIS

To Begin, find where the Visual Basic for Applications program is located. In ArcMap or ArcCatalog click Tools -> Marcos -> Visual Basic Editor… (This is basic for all applications with VBA). The shortcut is Atl+F11. This will open Microsoft Visual Basic in a new window.

Start by exploring the various areas presented. Familiarize yourself with the Menu bar. Many of the options will be completely foreign, but you will learn how to apply them to programming eventually.

Next, you should see a Project Explorer Window (If you do not see this window, click View -> Project Explorer). Read more

VBA Code Resources

Finding resources for programming with VBA in GIS is a challenging task.  I have search high and low, and still I have found very little resources.  Here is what I have found so far:

1. ArcScripts

This the best place to find code.  Since it is maintained by ESRI, there is no larger collected anywhere online.  The GIS community uplaods various scripts and the site puts them in an easy to search format.  Many programming languages are available.

Here are a few of my favorite:

Read more

ArcToolbox Batch Tool Process

Have you ever needed to run an ArcToolbox tool multiple times?  Here is an illustration for adding multiple fields to multiple shapefiles within one simple process.  The demonstration uses the ArcCatalog interface and uses the batch process to carry out the desired task.

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

Clean Up the ArcCatalog Tree

If you have been using ArcGIS for any amount of time, you have probably found how useful ArcCatalog can be.  The ability to organize your files in an easy manor is just one benefit.  ArcCatalog gives the option to add folder connections.  As you add connections, the Catalog Tree begins to clutter up.  You will find that there are a lot of connections in view.  This can be frustrating unless however you know that there in an option to help clean up this view. Read more

Streamline Workflow with Model Builder

There are many tasks that we preform over and over each day in ArcMap.  We go through the same routine without thought of there actually being an easier way.  These repetitious actions can actually be modeled to make like easier and more productive.  ArcGIS provides a excellent tool called Model Builder.  Model Builder is based out of ArcToolbox.  By following just a few simple steps, you can be on your way to an easier, more productive work flow.

To create a model:

1. Open ArcToolbox by clicking on the red toolbox at the top of ArcMap or ArcCatalog.

Read more

90 Second File Geodatabase

Recently my professor challenged our class to create File Geodatabase in under 90 seconds.  For those who are new to ArcGIS, this can seem like a steep challenge.  Once you get the key steps down, it will come second nature.  These steps are important in beginning to understand how to use a geodatabase. 

Here is the test:

Setup:  Create working folder; Find Spatial Reference to Import; Find Feature Class to Import
(Clock Starts Now)
1. Create New File Geodatabase
2. Create New  Feature Dataset
3. Import Feature Class
(Clock Stops When Import Ends)

Solution:
1. Right Click Working Folder and Select New -> File Geodatabase (give logical name)
2. Right Click the Geodatabase and Select New -> Feature Dataset… (give logical name)
A. Give Logical Name
B. Import Spatial Reference Information
3. Right Click the Dataset and Select Import -> Feature Class…
A. Select Feature to Import
B. Name New Feature Class

So, I challenge you to see how fast you can complete this test.  Can you do it in under 90 seconds?  Post your results in the comments of this post.

The creative part of me decided that I should see if I could create a model to implement these steps.  Below is the model that I created.  This model takes about 5 seconds to create a File Geodatabase, Feature Dataset, and Import a Feature Class.