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Is GIS Really for Dummies?

Timothy — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 14:00:54 +0000

A new book has just recently been published called GIS For Dummies by Dr. Michael N. DeMers. Dr. DeMers is an associate professor in the Department of Geography at the New Mexico State University. This book helps introduce the Geospatial industry to those who may not be familiar with Geographic Information Systems. If you are not sure what GIS is, then I would suggest that you check it out! It seems to cover a little bit of everything.

For those of you have been in the GIS industry for a while, I question the actual need for this book. I understand that a lot of people think they are GIS professional, but are far from it. They would definitely benefit. I find it interesting that the authors describe its readers with this statement:

Whether you’re in charge of creating GIS applications for your business or you simply love maps, you’ll find GIS For Dummies is packed with information.

Do application developers really compare to map lovers? There is a big gap there. I do not think that one book can really cover adequately this entire spectrum. As a GIS professional, I would think that if there is a particular topic we want to learn then we will find a more specific GIS book.

Although I have yet to read this book, I would be very curious to see what this books holds. As stated on the back of the book, the following can be found within the pages:

How to get paper maps into your computer

How to create animated GIS output

Different ways to measure distance

How to organize your spatial data

What raster and vector mean to a cartographer

How to choose a GIS software vendor

How GIS can help you determine appropriate land use

Dozens of applications for GIS queries and analyses

All I can say is that you should form your own opinion. As an individual, you will find your own personal benefits that others will not. You will only get out of this book what you expect. Expect nothing, get nothing.

GIS For Dummies (For Dummies (Computer/Tech))

Other Books by Dr. Michael DeMeres

Fundamentals of Geographical Information Systems

GIS Modeling in Raster

Basics of Geographical Information Systems

Utilizing the ArcMap Draw Toolbar

Timothy — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 15:00:59 +0000

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

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

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

ArcMap Selection Types

Timothy — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 05:02:31 +0000

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
Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

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

ArcMap Definition Query

Timothy — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 05:54:59 +0000

The ArcMap Definition Query is a tool that not many people know about. The tool takes the simple query interface and applies it to the visible extent of a data layer. The example shown isolates New Zealand from a layer of countries. Check it out and tell me what you think.

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

Organizing CAD Data In ArcGIS: Part 5/7 Definition Query

Quick rant on joins in ArcMap

Related Books

ArcMap Interface Tutorial

Timothy — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 03:57:51 +0000

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

Watch it now! If you have questions, leave a comment and I will answer your question.

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

Download the video to your computer: ArcMap Interface

Related Books

Create Point File from XY Data

Timothy — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 04:26:32 +0000

Collecting X and Y coordinates are becoming easier and easier with all of the new GPS technology. Getting the collected data into GIS can be done without adding each point by hand. Here is a simple tutorial on creating a point shapefile from a table with XY coordinates.

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

Customize ArcMap Toolbars

Timothy — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 12:15:03 +0000

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!

GIS Pathway... » GIS Tutorial

Is GIS Really for Dummies?

Other Books by Dr. Michael DeMeres

Utilizing the ArcMap Draw Toolbar

Related GIS Pathway Articles

Related Readings

Geocoding – Guide to Address Locating in ArcMap

ArcMap Selection Types

Related Books

ArcMap Definition Query

Related Posts

Related Books

ArcMap Interface Tutorial

Related Books

Create Point File from XY Data

Customize ArcMap Toolbars