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Create Thumbnails in ArcCatalog

Timothy — Mon, 18 May 2009 14:15:55 +0000

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

Timothy — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 05:26:20 +0000

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

Timothy — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 05:08:10 +0000

GIS in and of itself is a very technical system. Just think about the visual part of a map and then add in the data that lies behind the visualization. Then on top of everything, add the ability to do extensive analysis with the data. Each of these parts are held together with a Graphic User Interface such as ArcGIS, MapInfo, or GoogleEarth. While already being overwhelmed by the data alone, think about the programming that goes into these GUI’s. You may tell yourself that programming is an area that you plan to stay far away from; however. I believe that there are extremely great benefits to knowing a little bit about programming.

In order to get your feet wet in GIS programming, I would suggest learning a little bit about Visual Basic for Applications. VBA is an event driven form of Visual Basic. It usually relies on applications to serve as its host as it does not work independently. Microsoft Software is the main housing unit for VBA, but it does come with other software packages such as AutoCAD, WordPerfect, and ArcGIS. VBA allows the user to perform repetitive and/or extensive tasks in a simple to use format. These formats can include but are not limited to a Button, Tool, Form, and Macro.

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). The Project Explorer displays each project that is open. Normal is the master application template. Any changes to this project will apply to all documents. You may also see Project (Document_Name). Changes within this project will only apply to that project. Keeping this in mind will enable you to customize at the individual document level and also at the application template level. There are objects under each project. You can toggle between the object and the code with the buttons at the top of this window.

The next area to look at is the Properties Window (If you do not see this window, click View -> Properties Window). This is where you can name the various objects within the project as well as assign properties. These will vary by object.

The last area to bring attention to is the Coding Window (the large white space). This area is where code is placed to carry out your desired procedure. Each object will have its own separate coding area.

Now that you have a general overview of Microsoft VBA, I would recommend continuing to explore other areas that I may not have covered. If you are not sure what something is, use the help document (Help -> Microsoft Visual Basic Help or hit F1). There is a wealth of information located here.

Note: VBA is not the only programming language in GIS; however, it is an excellent language to begin learning GIS programming.

Related Books

Related Websites

Microsoft Developer Network: VBA
ESRI Training (Search Topic: VBA)

Related Blogs

VBA Code Resources

Timothy — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 04:01:38 +0000

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:

Spell Check

Add Text Elements to Layout

2. ESRI Support Center User Forums

The ESRI Support Center User Forums has some great coding resources. Users post their coding problems and other users respond to their problems. Usually, the final output is a completed block of code that anyone can use. This link takes you to the most recent posts for VBA. You can also search the forums for the code that you need. Including VBA will provide you with better returns.

3. Customizing ArcGIS Desktop with VBA

The ESRI Resource Center is great site to find a good bit of information for programming with VBA. Although it corresponds with the ArcGIS 9.3 release, there are some excellent benefits that apply to earlier versions.

4. Utah GIS Portal

The Utah GIS Partal is a hidden wealth of information. Although it does not provide the smae number of scripts the the ESRI website does, it does have some good samples. In addition to VBA, it also provides code for Python and C#. Search the other areas of this site to find more GIS resources.

If you know of any good sites, please let me know so that I can update this list.

ArcToolbox Batch Tool Process

Timothy — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 05:00:27 +0000

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

Timothy — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 12:00:23 +0000

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.

To unclutter the Catalog Tree, go into the Tools Menu -> Options.

Here you will find where you can select which Top Level Entities you would like shown. Check/uncheck the entities you would like shown or not shown and then click OK to view the Catalog Tree view.

Now you have a clean Catalog Tree that is even easier to manage.

Streamline Workflow with Model Builder

Timothy — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 12:00:43 +0000

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.

2. Create a new toolbox to store your new model (you can also store existing tools in your own favorites toolbox).
A. Right click in ArcToolbox window.
B. Select New Toolbox.

3. Add new model to toolbox (you can also add a toolset to organize your tools more efficiently).
A. Right click toolbox
B. Select New -> Model…

The Model Builder application will open up.

*Note: In ArcGIS 9.3 there is a Model Builder button located on the tool bar beside ArcCatalog and ArcToolbox. You can skip the first three steps.

4. Drag and drop tools from ArcToolbox to Model Builder window.

5. Set the parameters for each tool. (Each figure in black and white is not complete.)
A. Double click on the process (rectangle)
B. Fill in requested information
C. Click OK

*Note: Parameters can be static or setup to be entered each time the model is run. To require user input:

1. Right click on input that you would like to be variable (oval)
2. Click Model Parameter
This will create an input box when you open the model from ArcToolbox.

Once you have fullfilled all of the requested parameters, your model will be filled with colors. This shows that the model is ready to be run.

6. Test your model by clicking the Model Menu -> Run.

Now that you have created the new model you can edit it at any time by right clicking it from the toolbox and selecting edit. There are also options under the Model Menu that will allow you to rename and change several properties.

Once you have these fundamental steps down, you can make you model as complex as you would like. This is a big time saver and I hope that you can benefit from it. Enjoy!

90 Second File Geodatabase

Timothy — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 12:00:29 +0000

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.