Creating and Editing Spatial Data

​

Jeff Jenness

jeffj@jennessent.com (928) 607-4638

https://xkcd.com/2029/

Main Topics

Main Topics

• Creating Spatial Data

Main Topics

• Creating Spatial Data
• Using the Editor tools

Main Topics

• Creating Spatial Data
• Using the Editor tools
• The “Sketch”

Main Topics

• Creating Spatial Data
• Using the Editor tools
• The “Sketch”
• Templates

Main Topics

• Creating Spatial Data
• Using the Editor tools
• The “Sketch”
• Templates
• Snapping

Main Topics

• Creating Spatial Data
• Using the Editor tools
• The “Sketch”
• Templates
• Snapping

​

• Turning a table of X,Y coordinates into points

Main Topics

• Creating Spatial Data
• Using the Editor tools
• The “Sketch”
• Templates
• Snapping

​

• Turning a table of X,Y coordinates into points
• Turning points into lines

Main Topics

• Creating Spatial Data
• Using the Editor tools
• The “Sketch”
• Templates
• Snapping

​

• Turning a table of X,Y coordinates into points
• Turning points into lines

​

• Georectifying an existing image

The “Sketch”

• ArcGIS Pro’s primary method to create vector spatial data.

The “Sketch”

• ArcGIS Pro’s primary method to create vector spatial data.
• Simply draw features using the “Editor” toolbar.

​

General Steps

General Steps

• Use the Catalog view to create a new empty feature class.

General Steps

• Use the Catalog view to create a new empty feature class.
• Add that new empty feature class to your map.

General Steps

• Use the Catalog view to create a new empty feature class.
• Add that new empty feature class to your map.
• Set that new feature layer to be the only Editable and Selectable layer.

General Steps

• Use the Catalog view to create a new empty feature class.
• Add that new empty feature class to your map.
• Set that new feature layer to be the only Editable and Selectable layer.
• Use the Create tool to add features to the new empty feature class.

General Steps

• Use the Catalog view to create a new empty feature class.
• Add that new empty feature class to your map.
• Set that new feature layer to be the only Editable and Selectable layer.
• Use the Create tool to add features to the new empty feature class.
• Use “Snapping” if you want your new features to align with existing features.

General Steps

• Use the Catalog view to create a new empty feature class.
• Add that new empty feature class to your map.
• Set that new feature layer to be the only Editable and Selectable layer.
• Use the Create tool to add features to the new empty feature class.
• Use “Snapping” if you want your new features to align with existing features.
• Snap to edges, vertices, endpoints, centerpoints, intersections

General Steps

• Use the Catalog view to create a new empty feature class.
• Add that new empty feature class to your map.
• Set that new feature layer to be the only Editable and Selectable layer.
• Use the Create tool to add features to the new empty feature class.
• Use “Snapping” if you want your new features to align with existing features.
• Snap to edges, vertices, endpoints, centerpoints, intersections
• You can pick the layers you want to snap to.

General Steps, Part 2

• Pick a Template of your layer to edit.

General Steps, Part 2

• Pick a Template of your layer to edit.
• Templates just make it quicker and easier to create features.

General Steps, Part 2

• Pick a Template of your layer to edit.
• Templates just make it quicker and easier to create features.
• You can set default values, so the feature gets automatically populated with certain attributes when you create it.

General Steps, Part 2

• Pick a Template of your layer to edit.
• Templates just make it quicker and easier to create features.
• You can set default values, so the feature gets automatically populated with certain attributes when you create it.
• There is usually one already available for your dataset, based on the current layer properties of that dataset. If not, you will need to make a new template. This is easy to do.

​

General Steps, Part 2.b

• Pick a Template of your layer to edit.
• For example: You want to create a point feature class of animal locations, where some are Nocturnal and some are Diurnal. Both Nocturnal and Diurnal features always have certain attribute values (such as the designations “nocturnal” and “diurnal”).

General Steps, Part 2.b

• Pick a Template of your layer to edit.
• For example: You want to create a point feature class of animal locations, where some are Nocturnal and some are Diurnal. Both Nocturnal and Diurnal features always have certain attribute values (such as the designations “nocturnal” and “diurnal”).
• Just click the Nocturnal template and start clicking on the screen. Every point you make is marked as “Nocturnal” in the attribute table.

General Steps, Part 2.b

• Pick a Template of your layer to edit.
• For example: Nocturnal and Diurnal:

General Steps, Part 2.b

• Pick a Template of your layer to edit.
• For example: You want to create a point feature class of animal locations, where some are Nocturnal and some are Diurnal. Both Nocturnal and Diurnal features always have certain attribute values (such as the designations “nocturnal” and “diurnal”).
• Just click the Nocturnal template and start clicking on the screen. Every point you make is marked as “Nocturnal” in the attribute table.
• Then click the Diurnal template, and all the points you make have “Diurnal” automatically saved to the table.

General Steps, Part 2.b

• Pick a Template of your layer to edit.
• For example: Nocturnal and Diurnal:

General Steps, Part 3

• If creating a new feature, choose the appropriate “Construction Tool” and then sketch it.

General Steps, Part 3

• If creating a new feature, choose the appropriate “Construction Tool” and then sketch it.

General Steps, Part 3

• If creating a new feature, choose the appropriate “Construction Tool” and then sketch it.

General Steps, Part 3

• If creating a new feature, choose the appropriate “Construction Tool” and then sketch it.

General Steps, Part 3

• If creating a new feature, choose the appropriate “Construction Tool” and then sketch it.

​

​

• If editing an existing feature, select it and then use the appropriate Shape Modification tool to modify it.

General Steps, Part 3

• If creating a new feature, choose the appropriate “Construction Tool” and then sketch it.

​

​

• If editing an existing feature, select it and then use the appropriate Shape Modification tool to modify it.
• To edit specific vertices or add new ones, use the Edit Vertices tool.

​

General Steps, Part 3

• If creating a new feature, choose the appropriate “Construction Tool” and then sketch it.

​

​

• If editing an existing feature, select it and then use the appropriate Shape Modification tool to modify it.
• To edit specific vertices or add new ones, use the Edit Vertices tool.
• Select individual vertices to move them, right-click to delete them or add new vertices.

​

General Steps, Part 4

• Use the F2 key to “Finish” the sketch. Do this whenever you want to temporarily save what you’ve done, or if you want to move on to a new feature.

General Steps, Part 4

• Use the F2 key to “Finish” the sketch. Do this whenever you want to temporarily save what you’ve done, or if you want to move on to a new feature.
• If F2 doesn’t work on your computer, then right-click on the feature and choose “Finish Sketch”.

General Steps, Part 4

• Use the F2 key to “Finish” the sketch. Do this whenever you want to temporarily save what you’ve done, or if you want to move on to a new feature.
• If F2 doesn’t work on your computer, then right-click on the feature and choose “Finish Sketch”.
• Upon completion, click the “Save Edits” command in the “Edit” ribbon.

General Steps, Part 4

• Use the F2 key to “Finish” the sketch. Do this whenever you want to temporarily save what you’ve done, or if you want to move on to a new feature.
• If F2 doesn’t work on your computer, then right-click on the feature and choose “Finish Sketch”.
• Upon completion, click the “Save Edits” command in the “Edit” ribbon.

General Steps, Part 4

• Use the F2 key to “Finish” the sketch. Do this whenever you want to temporarily save what you’ve done, or if you want to move on to a new feature.
• If F2 doesn’t work on your computer, then right-click on the feature and choose “Finish Sketch”.
• Upon completion, click the “Save Edits” command in the “Edit” ribbon.
• You can use [Control]-Z to undo any or all of your editing actions, up to the point where you last saved them.

General Steps, Part 4

• Use the F2 key to “Finish” the sketch. Do this whenever you want to temporarily save what you’ve done, or if you want to move on to a new feature.
• If F2 doesn’t work on your computer, then right-click on the feature and choose “Finish Sketch”.
• Upon completion, click the “Save Edits” command in the “Editor” ribbon.
• You can use [Control]-Z to undo any or all of your editing actions, up to the point where you last saved them.
• Save Often!

The Template

• A set of guidelines and a model for creating new features.

The Template

• A set of guidelines and a model for creating new features.

• The Template is usually based on your Layer symbology.

The Template

• A set of guidelines and a model for creating new features.

• The Template is usually based on your Layer symbology.
• In this example, new features will be added to the layer “Coconino_NF_MVUM_Roads” and symbolized with an orange line.

The Template

• A set of guidelines and a model for creating new features.

• The Template is usually based on your Layer symbology.
• In this example, new features will be added to the layer “Coconino_NF_MVUM_Roads” and symbolized with an orange line.
• Templates also allow you to set default attribute values for new features, or quickly create different classes of features (local roads vs. freeways, for example).

The Template

• To open this window, click Create in the Edit ribbon.

The Template Properties

• Click on the Template Manager command to open the Template Manager pane.

The Template Properties

• Click on the Template Manager command to open the Template Manager pane.

• Here you set various defaults

The Template Properties

• Click on the Template Manager command to open the Template Manager pane.

• Here you set various defaults
• Default Attribute Values for new features

The Template Properties

• Double-Click on the template to open the Template Properties window.

• Here you set various defaults
• Default Attribute Values for new features
• Default construction tools

The Template

• If your layer is symbolized according to some attribute, then the template lets you set template properties for all unique categories.

• This template system makes it easy to create new roads automatically labeled as “HIGH CLEARANCE VEHICLES”, for example, or any other class of roads in the template.

Snapping

• A simple way to make sure your new features correctly touch or intersect other features in the map.

A Common Problem

• Make sure the layer you are editing is above any background or basemap images!

Converting Coordinates to Points

• A very common method for turning a table of coordinates into a Point feature class.

Converting Coordinates to Points

• A very common method for turning a table of coordinates into a Point feature class.
• You need to specify the coordinate system!

​

Turning Images into Spatial Data

Avery, T. E. 1966. Forester’s guide to aerial photo interpretation. 308, US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service.

Turning Images into Spatial Data

• Georeferencing

Turning Images into Spatial Data

• Georeferencing
• Just locates the image on the map, such as with a world file

Turning Images into Spatial Data

• Georeferencing
• Just locates the image on the map, such as with a world file
• Georectifying

Turning Images into Spatial Data

• Georeferencing
• Just locates the image on the map, such as with a world file
• Georectifying
• Bends and warps the image to fit the landscape

Turning Images into Spatial Data

• Georeferencing
• Just locates the image on the map, such as with a world file
• Georectifying
• Bends and warps the image to fit the landscape
• Use the “Georeference” toolbar

Turning Images into Spatial Data

• Georeferencing
• Just locates the image on the map, such as with a world file
• Georectifying
• Bends and warps the image to fit the landscape
• Use the “Georeference” toolbar
• Orthorectifying

Turning Images into Spatial Data

• Georeferencing
• Just locates the image on the map, such as with a world file
• Georectifying
• Bends and warps the image to fit the landscape
• Use the “Georeference” toolbar
• Orthorectifying
• Bends and warps, plus adjusts for camera lens and elevation

Turning Images into Spatial Data

• Georeferencing
• Just locates the image on the map, such as with a world file
• Georectifying
• Bends and warps the image to fit the landscape
• Use the “Georeference” toolbar
• Orthorectifying
• Bends and warps, plus adjusts for camera lens and elevation
• You need the right data, then use the “ArcGIS Pro Ortho Mapping Suite”

Turning Images into Spatial Data

• We won’t be doing this in class…

Turning Images into Spatial Data

• Georectifying

Turning Images into Spatial Data

• Georectifying
• Aka Warping, Rubbersheeting

Turning Images into Spatial Data

• Georectifying
• Aka Warping, Rubbersheeting
• Warps image based on a set of Control Points

Turning Images into Spatial Data

• Georectifying
• Aka Warping, Rubbersheeting
• Warps image based on a set of Control Points
• More control points means more complex warp

Turning Images into Spatial Data

• Georectifying: Common warp transformations:

Turning Images into Spatial Data

• Georectifying: Common warp transformations:
• Zero-Order polynomial (just shifts the image)
• Requires ≥ 1 control point

Turning Images into Spatial Data

• Georectifying: Common warp transformations:
• Zero-Order polynomial (just shifts the image)
• Requires ≥ 1 control point
• First Order (Affine) transformation
• Requires ≥ 3 control points

Turning Images into Spatial Data

• Georectifying: Common warp transformations:
• Zero-Order polynomial (just shifts the image)
• Requires ≥ 1 control point
• First Order (Affine) transformation
• Requires ≥ 3 control points
• Second Order polynomial transformation
• Requires ≥ 6 control points

Turning Images into Spatial Data

• Georectifying: Common warp transformations:
• Zero-Order polynomial (just shifts the image)
• Requires ≥ 1 control point
• First Order (Affine) transformation
• Requires ≥ 3 control points
• Second Order polynomial transformation
• Requires ≥ 6 control points
• Third Order polynomial transformation
• Requires ≥ 10 control points

Turning Images into Spatial Data

• Georectifying: First Order (Affine) transformation
• Straight lines in image will still be straight
• Requires ≥ 3 control points

Turning Images into Spatial Data

• Georectifying: Second Order Polynomial transformation
• Lets image be bent in one direction.
• Requires ≥ 6 control points

Turning Images into Spatial Data

• Georectifying: Third Order Polynomial transformation
• Lets image be bent in two directions.
• Requires ≥ 10 control points

Turning Images into Spatial Data

• Georectifying: Common warp transformations:
• Spline
• No single general polynomial transformation
• Warps each part of image closest to control point, to force a match with that control point.
• Requires ≥ 10 control points

Turning Images into Spatial Data

• Georectifying: Spline
• Lets image be bent in many irregular directions.
• Requires ≥ 10 control points

Another Example of Turning Images into Spatial Data

• Stereoscopic interpretation of images taken from different angles or locations:
• One of many types of Photogrammetric Modeling

Another Example of Turning Images into Spatial Data

• Turns into this…

Another Example of Turning Images into Spatial Data

• Or this…

Another Example of Turning Images into Spatial Data

• Turns into this…

Another Example of Turning Images into Spatial Data

• We used to do something similar, manually and slowly, measuring elevation from stereoscopic pairs of photos…

https://www.usgs.gov/media/images/stereoscope

• There is actually an entire global 30m DEM available that was created this way. And it’s free!
• ASTER: Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer
• Similar to LANDSAT. Has 14 bands (see https://asterweb.jpl.nasa.gov/characteristics.asp).

​

The downside of this method is that it tends to capture canopy surface rather than ground surface.

​