3ds Max Particle Flow

The 3ds Max software, released by Autodesk, allows users to model, animate, and render objects and systems with a large degree of freedom and accuracy. The Particle Flow program is a simulation system built into 3ds Max. It allows for non-linear events to drive the parameters of the system. Complex phenomena such as water, air, […]

Working with Interchange Files (*.e00 files)

Many agencies provide GIS data as interchange files (*.e00). This is because all features and their related files can be compressed into one file. To use the data, you will need to convert the file to a coverage file. ArcCatalog > View > Toolbars > ArcView 8x Tools Conversion Tools > Import from Interchange File […]

Georectifying / Georeferencing

Georectifying is a tool that allows you to transform paper maps, CAD files or other images into an ArcGIS layer. This is handy especially for historic maps, aerial photos, data found on-line that is not digitally available, or print data. This can also be of use when you do not have the information you need […]

Commonly Used Analysis Tools

Coordinate Systems and Projections

One of the basic principles of GIS is that data layers must align spatially for them to be accurately analyzed. When 2 (or more) layers do not align, we must convert them to a common spatial reference system. This page discusses the concepts of coordinate systems and projections, and at the end, gives instructions on […]

Managing Data Using ArcCatalog

ArcCatalog allows users to access and manage data stored in folders on local disks or relational databases on the network. Data can be moved, copied, deleted and quickly viewed before added to the map. ArcGIS organizes data sources into folder hierarchies. It recognizes 4 different types of workspaces: Folders: folders may contain other folders, geodatabases, […]

GIS Data Available Over the Internet

General US Geological Survey (maps, imagery, national data) www.usgs.gov USGS National Center for Earth Resources Observation and Science http://edcsns17.cr.usgs.gov/EarthExplorer/ USGS Digital Elevation Models http://data.geocomm.com/ http://www.mapmart.com/ http://www.atdi-us.com/ NOAA Digital Coast http://www.csc.noaa.gov/digitalcoast/data/index.html GIS Data Depot http://data.geocomm.com/ Federal Geographic Data Committee http://registry.fgdc.gov/ The Geography Network (ESRI) http://www.geographynetwork.com/data/index.html Geospatial One Stop http://gos2.geodata.gov/wps/portal/gos National Historical Geographic Information System http://www.nhgis.org/ National […]

Intro to ArcMap 9.3

GIS Files When you look at a folder containing GIS data in a normal window, notice that there are multiple files with similar names, in sets of around 5-9. The similar names signify that all of these files are associated with a layer you can use in GIS software. The file types signify different types […]

Shortcut keys for editing in ArcMap

Shortcuts common to all editing tools Shortcut key Editing function Z key Zoom in X key Zoom out C key Pan B key Continuous Zoom/Pan V key Show vertices Esc Cancel Ctrl + Z Undo Ctrl + Y Redo Spacebar Suspend Snapping Sketch tool Shortcut key Editing function Ctrl + A Direction Ctrl + F […]

ArcMap 9.3 QuickStart

ArcMap 9.3 QuickStart Requirements: ArcGIS Spatial Data Loading Data Start Menu > Programs Folder > ArcGIS > ArcMap Select “A new empty map” > OK (or choose “An existing map”) File > Add data or click the Add Data Button Navigate to where data is stored > select file > Add Ordering Layers Column to […]