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Storing vector features

Vector data are stored as x-y pairs in the form of points, lines, or polygons

Each x-y pair is called a vertex (pl. vertices)

Endpoints of lines are called nodes

A multipart feature may contain several separate pieces

Hawaii is single state feature composed of multiple polygons for each island.

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Attribute tables

Source: Esri

Features are linked to tables containing data, or attributes, of the features

A unique integer is used to link the feature to its data record

Feature I D (F I D).
Object I D (O I D).

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Feature Classes

Source: Esri

A feature class is a collection of similar features stored together as a data set, like these states
A feature class includes the spatial features and the table
Feature classes may contain only one type of geometry (points or lines or polygons)
Feature classes may be stored in a variety of formats, like shapefiles, geodatabases, and so on

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Spaghetti models

Source: Esri

Simple vector data formats are called spaghetti models

Each state is stored as a separate object unrelated to the others.
Adjacent boundaries are stored twice.
It is a robust model because of its simplicity.
It is often used to transfer data from one G I S to another.

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Topological models

Source: Esri

Topological models also store information on how features are spatially related

Which states are adjacent.

They can test whether features are adjacent, connect, overlap, or intersect

They can find data errors, such as overlapping states, or a county boundary that falls outside the state

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G I S data are different

The files can be very large
They are often shared by multiple users
They come from many sources, in many file types
Sometimes they are on the local computer but they may also come from a file server or online source
They don’t always follow latest file conventions
The formats can be complicated

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Tips to manage your G I S Data

Source: Esri

Use well-organized folders

Do NOT use the Desktop or Documents folders

Be aware of where you are saving

the project geodatabase is the default but not always the best place.

Name files with descriptive names

Snail Habitat, not rastercalc1.

Separate permanent libraries from in-progress work to avoid accidental damage or deletion of valuable data

Put downloads in separate folders for easy archival or deletion later

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Best practices for naming folders

NEVER use spaces in folder names

Not ever. Anywhere. Nix. No. Nein. Nyet. Non.

Use letters, numbers, or underscore only

Keep folder names short: approximately 8 to 15 characters

Why?

These are recommended practices for many types of large, complicated software products.
Certain functions of the G I S may not work properly when these guidelines aren’t followed.
It is difficult to fix issues without affecting maps and projects.

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File extensions

Extensions are 3-4 letter codes that designates the type of a file

.doc, .docx, .xls, .xlsx, .mxd, .tif, .png.

Changing your computer settings to make extensions visible is very helpful when downloading and importing data sets

In the Windows File Explorer options, uncheck the box to Hide extensions for known file types.

Source: Microsoft

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Data access tips

GIS data are often shared by multiple users

Computer systems use file locks to track when files are being used by programs to avoid corrupting files with simultaneous changes.
Certain G I S functions, such as editing, will not be available if you or another user has an exclusive lock on a data set.

You cannot edit or modify data sets if you don’t have read-write access

These permissions are generally controlled by the computer operating system at the folder level.

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Zipping

Many downloaded data sets are zipped to reduce the number of files and the storage space
Zipped files must be extracted before ArcG I S can use them
Several zip utilities are available, such as 7zip, which is free

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Importing and exporting

Source: Esri

Importing or exporting makes a copy of a data set
It may include changing the format or the data model as part of the process
They are essentially the same function; the only difference is the direction of the copy (into or out of the database or folder)
Both are done using the Feature Class to Feature Class tool or similar tools

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Source scale

Source: Esri

When compiling data, pay attention to the source scale

The purple, orange and black lines represent source scales of 1:25 million, 1:5 million, and 1:50,000, respectively.

Use the metadata to help decide whether the source scale is suitable for the objective of your database

Small scale data are often easier to find, but may not be adequate for a project’s purpose

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Mapping x-y coordinates in a table

Source: Esri

A table with coordinates can have the locations displayed on a map as an event layer, or saved as a point feature class
These climate station latitude-longitude values are displayed on a map of Oregon
The coordinate system of the locations may be different from the map, but it must be specified in the X Y Table to Point tool

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Geocoding

Source: Esri

Geocoding displays addresses on a map by matching postal data fields to a street data set
It requires suitable street data and rules for coding, packaged as a locator
Fields in the address table must be matched to fields in the street data (highlighted fields)
Users with suitable data can build their own locators
ArcG I S Online has a World locator. Single addresses are free, but geocoding multiple addresses in a table uses service credits

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Extracting data

Source: Esri

Users may extract a subset of features when importing or exporting
Queries are used to extract data using an expression based on an attribute field
A clip extracts features within a bounding polygon from another feature class
An erase extracts the features outside of a bounding polygon from another feature class

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Merging

Merging combines all features from two or more data sets into a single new feature class
It is typically used to combine adjacent feature classes like these two geology maps
It works best when the attribute tables have the same fields.
If the tables don’t match, merge rules must be set up to combine the table data in a logical and useful way

Source: South Dakota Geological Survey

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Merge rules

Source: Esri

a) The Field Map function defines how attributes fields are combined. The Fm_Name field exists in both tables, but the Unit field has different names in the two tables, although they contain the same information.

b) The Unit field in the MtRushmoreGeology data is matched to the Formation_ field in the HillCityGeology table.

c) The other fields share no common information, so they are deleted from the field map, leaving only Fm_Name and Unit after the merge is complete.

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Appending

Append is similar to merge except that

The target data set already exists.
No field mapping is available.
Fields in the source that don’t match the target fields will have their data dropped during the append operation.

Source: South Dakota Geological Survey

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Generalizing

Source: Esri

Generalizing is used to remove vertices from a data set to simplify it
This green polygon has been simplified to the black outline by specifying a minimum distance between vertices
It is often used on large scale data to reduce its size and speed display at small scales
It affects both precision and accuracy of the data

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Dissolving

Source: Black Hills National Forest

Dissolving removes boundaries of features with the same value in the specified attribute field(s)

a) These forest stands contain the same tree species but the smaller polygons indicate different ages and sizes of trees

b) After dissolving on the species field, the age information is dropped and only the species information is retained

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Metadata

Metadata is data about a data set that helps the user assess its purpose and quality
It travels with the data as a separate file or as part of the feature class in ArcG I S
Minimal metadata should be created for each data set to record its source and citation and processing
Standards-based metadata is often required when publishing data for clients or organizations

Source: Esri

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Basic metadata sections

Tags: terms used to search for the data
Summary: brief information about the purpose of the data
Description: longer description of the data set contents, sources, and processing
Credits: citation of the data creator and source information
Use Limitation: restrictions on the use or re-distribution of the data; may include a disclaimer
Appropriate Scale Range: the source scale or scale at which the data are intended to be used
Bounding Box: coordinate extent of the data in degrees

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Types of data used in ArcG I S

File type	Description
Shapefiles	Shapefiles are vector feature classes developed for the early version of ArcView and have been carried over into ArcGIS.
Coverages	A coverage is the vector data format developed for Arc/Info and is the oldest of the data formats. Not read by ArcGIS Pro.
Geodatabases	Geodatabases are the recommended model for storing spatial information for ArcGIS.
Database connections	Database connections permit users to log in to and utilize data from an RDBMS geodatabase.
Layer files	A layer file references a feature class and stores information about its properties, such as how it should be displayed.
Tables	Tables can exist as separate data objects that are unassociated with a spatial data set.
TINs	TINs are Triangulated Irregular Networks that store 3D surface information, such as elevation, using a set of nodes and triangles.
CAD drawings	Data sets created by CAD programs can be read by ArcGIS, although they cannot be edited or analyzed unless they are converted to shapefiles or geodatabases.

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Geodatabase format

Source: Esri

Geodatabases are the native and recommended format for ArcG I S Pro
They contain many types of data including feature classes, rasters, tables, and more
A geodatabase is stored in a folder, which should contain only the geodatabase data sets created in ArcG I S

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Three types of geodatabases

Personal geodatabases (not recognized by Pro)

Stored in a Microsoft Access database format.
For single users or small workgroups.
2 G B size limitation on feature classes.

File geodatabases

Stored as files in a geodatabase folder.
For single users or small workgroups.
Platform independent.

Enterprise geodatabases

Stored in a commercial Relational Database Management System (D B M S) such as Oracle or SQLServer.
Designed for multiple users and large workgroups.
Supports multi-user editing, versioned editing, etc.
Requires R D B M S license.

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Shapefile format

Source: Esri

Shapefiles are stored in a spaghetti data format that has a simple structure

They can be read by many programs and are often used to transfer data

They appear as one file in the ArcG I S Catalog, but are actually composed of many files

Care must be taken when copying or renaming shapefiles outside of ArcG I S.

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Coverage format

Source: Esri

Coverages are an old vector format that is no longer recognized by ArcG I S Pro

They must be converted to a shapefile or geodatabase in ArcMap

They are composed of multiple feature classes

They include topology fields that are not needed in the output file

# fields, area/length/perimeter fields, and the I D fields.

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Other data types

Database connections

Pro can connect to R D B M S systems that contain non-spatial data.
Connections include public databases or those requiring a login.

C A D files

Pro can read and display C A D files, but cannot edit them.

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Sharing data

Source: Esri

G I S data are often shared
Data remain in place but are accessed by multiple users (or many times by the same user)
Access rights are often used to prevent accidental changes
Groups sharing data must develop procedures to prevent simultaneous editing

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Pathnames

Pathnames are used to locate the source of a data set in place
Absolute paths start at the drive letter and go down the folder tree

C:\gisclass\mgisdata\Oregon\oregondat\counties

Relative paths start at the project file and go up or down the folder tree

..\..\mgisdata\Oregon\oregondat\counties

In Pro, path types are assigned automatically

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Using pathnames

Pro assigns the pathname type automatically

relative paths for data on the local hard drive.
absolute paths for data on a network fileserver.
U N C paths for Internet data services.

This strategy usually works well

When copying projects, be sure to copy the entire project folder, not just the .aprx file or the geodatabase

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Preserving pathnames

If data are deleted, moved, or renamed, projects will lose track of the location

a red exclamation point appears by the map layer.
the path can be re-established if the data still exist and the location can be identified.

Never use spaces in folder names

correcting spaces will cause projects to lose track of the data.

Projects cannot be renamed because doing so would disrupt the pathnames of the internal components

Save As only creates a copy of the .aprx file, not the entire project.

Source: Esri

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Environment settings

Source: Esri

Environment settings affect the operation of tools such as

specifying an output location.
saving all output in a specified coordinate system.

Tools have an Environments tab that contains settings that affect the tool when it is run (that one time)

Settings on the Environments button of the Analysis ribbon affect all tools all the time

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Coordinate system reminders

Source: Esri

When compiling data, you should usually pick a suitable coordinate system and use it for all data in the project or geodatabase
Remember that the standard datum should usually be used unless someone has directed you to use a specialized one
The map properties window is a good place to check whether all data in a map have the same coordinate system

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No reproduction or further distribution permitted without the prior written consent of McGraw Hill, LLC.

Because learning changes everything.^®

www.mheducation.com

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Accessibility Content: Text Alternatives for Images

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Storing vector features - Text Alternative

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The graph representing the vector features shows horizontal direction on the x-axis by a right arrow and vertical direction on the y-axis by an upward arrow respectively. Three markings are present near the origin labeled points. An irregular line with vertices and two red nodes is present on both ends. An irregular structure made up of vertices on the boundaries is labeled as a polygon.

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Tips to manage your G I S Data - Text Alternative

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The subfolders are Austin, Black Hills, Map Documents, Metadata, Oregon, Rapid city, the USA, and the world.

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File extensions - Text Alternative

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In the View tab of the File Explorer Options window, the box next to 'Hide extensions for known file types' should be unchecked.

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Importing and exporting - Text Alternative

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The first line of the feature class to feature class dialogue box shows the tabs 'Parameters and environments.' Under parameters, the Input features box depicts the state, the output location box depicts New Jersey dot gdb, and the output feature class box depicts nj bound. Followed by the output feature class box the Expression option with a small image of SQL icon is located. STATE underscore NAME is Equal to New Jersey. Add Clause button. Small icons of a book, tick mark, folder, and save. A tick mark with SQL Expression is valid.

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Mapping x-y coordinates in a table - Text Alternative

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The spreadsheet has six rows. Row 1: header row, COOPID, LAT, LON, and station. Row 2: 350036, 42.183333, negative 119.900000, and ADEL. Row 3: 350118, 42.966667, negative 120.000000, and Alkali lake. Row 4: 350145, 44.400000, negative 123.750000, Alsea FH Fall. Row 5: 350197, 44.916667, negative 120.733333 and Antelope 1 NVV. Row 6: 350217, 42.250000, negative 123.166667, and Applegate.

Input table. Drop-down folder name climate stations 2005. Output Feature Class. Drop-down folder name n j climate stations. X Field. Drop-down – Long. Y Field. Drop-down L a t. Z Field. Drop-down empty form. Coordinate system GCS Drop-down-North_American_1983.

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Geocoding - Text Alternative

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The data are given in the screenshot are as follows: A tab with a note this tool consumes credits when used is given. Parameters, Environment: Input table: NJWalmarts. Input address locator: ArcGIS world geocoding service. Input address field: Multiple fields. Field name: Alias name. Address or place: STREETADDR. Address 2: <None>. Address 3: <None>. Neighborhood: <None>. City: STRCITY. Subregion: County. State: <None>. ZIP: ZIPCODE. ZIP4: <None>. Country: <None>. Output feature class: NJWalmartPts. Checkbox: Dynamic output feature class.

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Extracting data - Text Alternative

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The data given in the expression dialogue box are as follows: A SQL icon with a small image. POP2014 is Greater than 100000. Add Clause button. Small icons of a book, tick mark, folder, and save. A checkbox of invert where clause.

The illustration shows the following data: Clip: A square with two diagonal lines inside it combines with a circle having a smaller circle inside it to produce a circle with two diagonals inside it. Erase: A square with two diagonal lines inside it combines with a circle having a smaller circle inside it to produce a square with two diagonals inside it. The square also has a circular gap inside it.

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Merge rules - Text Alternative

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The data given in the first part are as follows: Output fields (Plus button), source, and properties. Formation underscore, Merge rule: First (Dropdown box). Formation 1, Mt Rushmore Go. Shape Length: Fm underscore Name (Dropdown box). Shape underscore area (2). Area underscore ac: Hillcity Geology. Fm underscore Name 2 (Marked in a box). Unit, Add new source (Dropdown box). Shape underscore Le underscore 1. The data given in the second part are as follows: Output fields (Plus button), source, and properties. Formation underscore, Merge rule: First (Dropdown box). Formation 1, Mt Rushmore Go. Shape Length: Fm underscore Name (Dropdown box). Shape underscore area (2). Area underscore ac: Hillcity Geology. Fm underscore Name (2).Unit 2 (Marked in a box). Add new source (Dropdown box). Shape underscore Le underscore 1. The data given in the third part are as follows: Output fields (Plus button). Fm underscore Name (2). Unit (2).

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Generalizing - Text Alternative

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In the map, the water is marked in blue and the land is marked in green. The coastline of the land from water is marked in black to remove the vertices and simplify it into a shape.

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Dissolving - Text Alternative

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The first map (b) shows the different regions inside the land which is before dissolving. The second map (c) shows the land after dissolving which removes the boundaries.

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Metadata - Text Alternative

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The map of the generalized states of the U.S. shows the following data: Type: File Geodatabase Feature Class. Tags: polygon, area, population, households, demographics, society, boundaries, farming, United States, U.S. States, States, 2002, 2010, 2012, 1992, 2011, 2013, 2014. Summary: U.S. States (Generalized) provides 2010 U.S. Census demographic information and generalized state boundaries to improve draw performance and be used effectively at a national level. Description: U.S. States (Generalized) represents the 50 states and the district of Columbia of the united states. Credits: ESRI Data and maps (ESRI, Inc., Redlands, CA).

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Geodatabase format - Text Alternative

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The data on the chart is as follows: Oregon data dot gdb: geodatabase, transportation: feature dataset, airport: point feature class, highways: line feature class, rail100k, water, cities, and counties: polygon feature class, and gtopo1km: raster.

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Shapefile format - Text Alternative

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Parcels.d b f, parcels.p r j shapefile in windows explorer, parces.s b n, parcels.s b x, parcels.s h p, parces.s h p.x m (notes hide the text), and parcels.s h x. parcels.s h p is shapefile in the catalog and r c_roads.s h p.

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Coverage format - Text Alternative

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Archive with city b n d and landuse with coverages store arc, label, polygon ant tic. The layer of files are Area (float), perimeter (float), landuse hash (long), landuse-I D (long), F node has (long), T node hash (long), L poly has (long), R poly hash (long), length (float), landuse hash (long) and landuse I D (long).

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Sharing data - Text Alternative

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The map of the counties' feature class is depicted in three types: Mike's map, Taylor's map, and Judy's map.

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Pathnames - Text Alternative

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Absolute path: C colon backward slash g i s class backward slash e n g i s data backward slash Oregon backward slash Oregon dat backward slash counties. g i s class Relative path: underscore, backward slash underscore backward slash underscore backward slash e n g i s data backward slash Oregon backward slash Oregon dat backward slash counties. The g i s class to m g I s data and class projects. The m g I s data to Oregon and followed by Oregan dat counties, rivers, and highways. The g i s class to the Oregon dat, counties rivers and highways. The class project transforms to the crater lake. The crater lake is for geology, faults, and vents. The crater lake is craterLake.a p r x.

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Environment settings - Text Alternative

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The first line of the copy features dialogue box shows the tabs 'Parameters and environments.' Under environments, the output coordinate system is empty, the geographic transformation is empty, and the output CONFIG keyword is empty (Dropdown box). The 'Extend is default' (Dropdown box). The Auto commit box is 1000. The Maintain attachments checkbox is selected. The output XY domain is the same as the input (Dropdown box). The output M domain is the same as the input (Dropdown box). The output Z domain is the same as the input (Dropdown box). The Maintain fully qualified field names checkbox is selected.

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Coordinate system reminders - Text Alternative

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NAD 1983 (CORS 96) (I n t l Feet). NAD 1983 (CORS 96) (Meters). NAD 1983 (CORS 96) (US Feet). NAD 1983 (I n t l Feet). NAD 1983 (Meters) selected. NAD 1983 (PA 1 1) (Meters). NAD 1983 (PA 1 1) (US Feet). NAD 1983 (US Feet). NAD 1983 HARN (I n t l Feet).

Layers selected. NAD 1983 State plane New Jersey FIPS 2900. n j quakes. n j cities. n j roads. n j golf. n j bound_d t l. n j c d 113. n j districts. n j counties. WGS 1984 Web Mercator Auxiliary Sphere Topographic.

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