Using ArcExplorer - Java

Copyright © 2000–2004 ESRIAll Rights Reserved.Printed in the United States of America.

The information contained in this document is the exclusive property of ESRI. This work is protected under United States copyright lawand other international copyright treaties and conventions. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or byany means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying or recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system, except asexpressly permitted in writing by ESRI. All requests should be sent to Attention: Contracts Manager, ESRI, 380 New York Street,Redlands, CA 92373-8100, USA.

The information contained in this document is subject to change without notice.

U. S. GOVERNMENT RESTRICTED/LIMITED RIGHTSAny software, documentation, and/or data delivered hereunder is subject to the terms of the License Agreement. In no event shall theU.S. Government acquire greater than RESTRICTED/LIMITED RIGHTS. At a minimum, use, duplication, or disclosure by the U.S.Government is subject to restrictions as set forth in FAR §52.227-14 Alternates I, II, and III (JUN 1987); FAR §52.227-19 (JUN 1987)and/or FAR §12.211/12.212 (Commercial Technical Data/Computer Software); and DFARS §252.227-7015 (NOV 1995) (TechnicalData) and/or DFARS §227.7202 (Computer Software), as applicable. Contractor/Manufacturer is ESRI, 380 New York Street,Redlands, CA 92373-8100, USA.

ArcExplorer, ArcIMS, ArcSDE, ESRI, Geography Network, the ArcExplorer logo, the ArcGIS logo, GIS by ESRI, the Geography Networklogo, www.esri.com, and www.geographynetwork.com are trademarks, registered trademarks, or service marks of ESRI in the UnitedStates, the European Community, or certain other jurisdictions.

Microsoft and the Windows logo are registered trademarks and the Microsoft Internet Explorer logo is a trademark of MicrosoftCorporation. Other companies and products mentioned herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective trademarkowners.

iii

Contents 1 Welcome to ArcExplorer—Java Edition 1What you can do with ArcExplorer 2Installing ArcExplorer 3How to get help 12

2 Adding data layers 13Adding shapefiles 14Adding images 15Working with images 16Adding ArcSDE layers 17Viewing data in an ArcIMS Service 18Viewing data on the Geography Network 19

3 Properties of the legend, overview map, and scalebar 21Using the legend 22Adding an overview map 24Working with the scalebar 25

4 Symbolizing layers 27Getting general information about a layer 28Setting a layer’s scale factors 29Drawing features with one symbol 30Drawing features with graduated symbols 31Drawing features with unique symbols 32Adding labels to a map 33Adding shields to line features 34

iv USING ARCEXPLORER—JAVA EDITION

125 Getting and using the attributes of features 35

Identifying features 36Finding features 37Searching for features 38Building a query expression 39Selecting features 40Buffering features 41Displaying Map Tips 42Measuring distances 43

6 Address matching 45Locating an address 46

7 Printing, copying, and saving 47Printing a map 48Copying a map to a file 49Saving a project 50

IN THIS CHAPTER

1

Welcome toArcExplorer—Java Edition

• What you can dowith ArcExplorer

• Installing ArcExplorer

• How to get help

Welcome to ArcExplorerTM—JavaTM Edition, a geographic data explorerdeveloped by ESRI. You can use ArcExplorer to view and query geographicdata stored on your computer or on the Web.

ArcExplorer offers tools for viewing and querying your spatial and attributedata; performing spatial analysis tasks, such as selecting and bufferingfeatures; creating a variety of maps, such as unique and graduated symbols;and much more. You’ll be amazed at the ease with which you can takeadvantage of these tools.

1

2 USING ARCEXPLORER—JAVA EDITION

What you can do with ArcExplorer

Using ArcExplorer, you can:

• Pan and zoom the map’s extent.

• Query spatial and attribute data.

• Create a buffer around selected features.

• Measure distances on your map.

• Create one symbol, unique symbols, and graduated symbols maps.

• Label map features with many options for effects.

• Locate an address.

• View data from the Geography NetworkSM.

ArcExplorer also features legends, overview maps, saving and retrieving projects, and map printing.

Scalebar

Overview Map

Legend

Toolbar

Menu Bar

WELCOME TO ARCEXPLORER—JAVA EDITION 3

What you need to install ArcExplorer

ArcExplorer can be installed on a Windows 2003, Windows® XP, Windows 2000, Windows NT®, or UNIX® operating system.

How to install ArcExplorer on a Windowsoperating system

Installing the software

To begin installation, navigate to AEJavaSetup.exe. This file islocated on the ArcIMS® installation CD or the directory whereyou downloaded it from the Web.

Double-click AEJavaSetup.exe and follow the onscreeninstructions.

Starting ArcExplorer

After installation, click Start > Programs > ArcGIS >ArcExplorer to open ArcExplorer.

Installing ArcExplorer

How to install ArcExplorer on a Solaris operatingsystem

Installing the software from the ArcIMS CD

SolarisTM includes Volume ManagementTM software, whichautomatically mounts and provides immediate access to yourCD–ROM. When using Volume Management software, place theArcIMS CD into your CD drive. At this point, the ArcIMS disk ismounted. Type the following command:

% cd /cdrom/cdrom0/ArcExplorer

Note: For security reasons, don’t install ArcExplorer as root.

Make sure that the user account that will install ArcExplorer haswrite permissions to the installation directory.

The “install” command has four options:

Usage: install <-help | -load | -remove | -verify>

Type “install -help” to read more about the installation procedure.

To start the ArcExplorer installation, type the following commandfrom anywhere on your system:

%/cdrom/cdrom0/ArcExplorer/install -load

This starts the dialog box for the menu-driven ArcExplorersoftware installation. Default selections are noted in brackets, [ ].To obtain a list of options or Help, type “?” at any prompt. Youcan quit the installation procedure at any time by typing “quit” or“q”. To return to a previous question, type the caret, “^”.

Installing the software from the Web download

After downloading the ArcExplorer.tar.Z file, move it to thedirectory where you wish to install ArcExplorer. Use theuncompress command:

%uncompress ArcExplorer.tar.Z


Then use the tar command:

%tar xvf ArcExplorer.tar




To start the ArcExplorer installation, type the following command in the directory where you downloaded the files on your system:

%./install -load

This starts the dialog box for the ArcExplorer software installation procedure, which is menu driven. Default selections are noted inbrackets [ ]. To obtain a list of options or Help, type “?” at any prompt. You can quit the installation procedure at any time by typing“quit” or “q”. To return to a previous question, type the caret, “^”.

Setting up your account

ESRI recommends that you execute ArcExplorer from a C shell. The following instructions are for a C shell environment setup.

To use ArcExplorer, add the following lines to your .login or .cshrc file:

setenv AEJHOME <ArcExplorer Installation Directory>/aej90exe

setenv LD_LIBRARY_PATH $AEJHOME/lib

Make sure that $AEJHOME/bin is in the PATH.

set path = ( $path $AEJHOME/bin )

To enable the changes, type:

% source <.login or .cshrc>

Editing the $HOME/aimsclient.properties file

Update the value of the WebBrowser key in the aimsclient.properties file to point to the location of your default browser.

Update the value of the AEJavaHelp key in the aimsclient.properties file to point to the location of the ArcExplorer online Help files.


With $AEJHOME/bin included in your PATH, start ArcExplorer by typing:

aejava


How to install ArcExplorer on a Linux operating system


Red Hat Linux automatically mounts and provides immediate access to your CD–ROM. Place the ArcIMS CD into your CD drive andtype the following command:

% cd /mnt/cdrom/ArcExplorer


Make sure that the user’s account that will install ArcExplorer has write permissions to the installation directory.




To start the ArcExplorer installation, type the following command from anywhere on your system:

%/mnt/cdrom/ArcExplorer/install -load

This starts the dialog box for the menu-driven ArcExplorer software installation. Default selections are noted in brackets, [ ]. To obtain alist of options or Help, type “?” at any prompt. You can quit the installation procedure at any time by typing “quit” or “q”. To return to aprevious question, type the caret, “^”.


After downloading the ArcExplorer.tar.Z file, move it to the directory where you wish to install ArcExplorer. Use the uncompresscommand:









%./install -load






setenv LD_LIBRARY_PATH $AEJHOME/lib










aejava


How to install ArcExplorer on IBM AIX operating system


To install ArcExplorer from the CD, become super user and put the ArcIMS CD into your CD–ROM drive; type:

% su

You will be prompted for your super user password. If you do not know this password, contact your system administrator. If a /cdromdirectory does not exist, create one:

# mkdir /cdrom

Now mount the ArcIMS CD:

# mount -v 'cdrfs' -r'' -p'' /dev/cd0/cdrom

where dev stands for the CD–ROM device. (or use smit).

At this point, the ArcIMS CD is mounted. Before installing ArcExplorer, exit super user mode:

# exit


Make sure that the user’s account that will install ArcExplorer has write permissions to the installation directory.





% /cdrom/ArcExplorer/install -load


After you’ve finished installing ArcExplorer, take the ArcIMS CD out of the CD–ROM drive by unmounting it.

As super user, type:

# umount /dev/cd0

where dev stands for the CD–ROM device.




% uncompress ArcExplorer.tar.Z


% tar xvf ArcExplorer.tar





% ./install -load






setenv LIBPATH $AEJHOME/lib









How to install ArcExplorer on an HP-UX operating system


To install ArcExplorer from the CD, become super user and put the ArcIMS CD into your CD–ROM drive; type:

% su

You are prompted for the super user password. If you do not know this password, contact your system administrator. If a /cdromdirectory doesn’t exist, create one:

# mkdir /cdrom

Now mount the ArcIMS CD:

# mount -F cdfs /<dev> /cdrom

Where <dev> stands for the CD–ROM device.

At this point, the ArcIMS CD is mounted. Before installing ArcExplorer, exit super user mode:

# exit


Make sure that the user account that will install ArcExplorer has write permissions to the installation directory.





%/cdrom/ArcExplorer/install -load




aejava







%cd ArcExplorer


Usage: install <-help | -load | -remove | -verify >



%./install -load






setenv SHLIB_PATH $AEJHOME/lib











aejava


How to get help

ArcExplorer provides several ways for you to get help. Inaddition to this book, you can use ArcExplorer Help and ESRI onthe Web to answer your questions.

Getting online help

If you need more information about a specific option orprocedure, use ArcExplorer Help.

Click the Help menu and click Help Contents to open ArcExplorerHelp.

Message Console messages

When ArcExplorer encounters an error with data or an operation,most often a message is posted in the status bar of the mainwindow.

All messages generated by ArcExplorer are posted to theArcExplorer Message Console. You can open the MessageConsole by clicking the Help menu and clicking ArcExplorerMessage Console.

The message level in the Message Console is set by clicking theView menu, clicking Message Level, and pointing to one of thechoices.

You can click the File menu and click Save As to save themessages to a text file.

Visit ESRI on the Web

ESRI home page

ESRI’s home page at www.esri.com has up-to-date information onESRI® software and services.

ArcExplorer home page

The ArcExplorer home page at www.esri.com/arcexplorer has

• The latest information about ArcExplorer

• Current frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Be sure to check this site often for all the latest information onArcExplorer.

IN THIS CHAPTER

13

Adding data layers

• Adding shapefiles

• Adding images

• Working with images

• Adding ArcSDE layers

• Viewing data in an ArcIMS Service

• Viewing data on the GeographyNetwork

2This chapter shows you how to add data layers to ArcExplorer.

The key functionality of ArcExplorer is the viewing of spatial data. Thischapter shows you how to view data that is stored on your computer orpublished as an ArcIMS service. You can also view data on the GeographyNetwork. An ArcIMS Service allows the content of a map configuration file tobe published on the Internet by registering it to the ArcIMS Spatial Server andWeb server.

Data from local sources or the Internet, an ArcSDE® server, or an ArcIMSService can be added to ArcExplorer.


AddingshapefilesYou can add shapefiles toArcExplorer with the Catalog.The Catalog is opened with theAdd Layers button.

1. Click the Add Layers buttonto open the Catalog.

2. Navigate to the folder thatcontains shapefiles.

3. Click a file to add.

4. Click the Add Layers button.

Repeat steps 3 and 4 to addmore shapefiles.

5. Click the Close button toclose the Catalog.

Add Layers

Tip

Refreshing the CatalogRight-click Local and click Refreshto see an updated listing of foldersand mapped drives. Right-click afolder and click Refresh to see anupdated listing of files.

Tip

Shapefiles with duplicatefield names are not allowedShapefiles that contain duplicatefield names cannot be drawn inArcExplorer and thus are not listedin the Catalog.

Adding FavoritesFavorites is a list of shortcuts tocommonly used folders. Right-clicka folder in the Catalog and clickAdd to Favorites.

Tip

3

5

4

2

1

ADDING DATA LAYERS 15

Adding imagesYou can work with images inArcExplorer by displaying themas a background layer in yourmap configuration file.

See the next pages for detailson working with images andsupported image formats.

You can set a transparencyvalue on an image using theLayer Properties dialog box. SeeChapter 4, ‘SymbolizingLayers’, for more details.

Adding a single image


2. Click the File Type dropdownlist and choose Image Files.

3. Navigate to the folder thatcontains an image.

4. Click an image to add.


Repeat steps 4 and 5 to addmore images.


Adding an ImageDirectory

In the Catalog:

1. Click the File Type dropdownand choose Image Files.

2. Navigate to the folder thatcontains more thanone image.

3. Click the *ImageDirectoryentry in the Catalog.


All the images in that folderare added.


3

5

2

Add Layers

4

2

4

1

3

5

6

1

Tip

Image DirectoryIf a folder contains more than oneimage, it is an Image Directory. Inthe Catalog, the top entry of anImage Directory will be*ImageDirectory. Selecting thisentry adds all of the images in thedirectory to ArcExplorer.

16 USING ARCEXPLORER—JAVA

You can work with images in ArcExplorer by displaying them as abackground layer in your map configuration file.

You can add JPEG, TIF, GIF, BMP, or PNG files to ArcExplorer.

World files are required

A world file contains parameters to transform raster rows andcolumns into real-world coordinates.

Many image formats require world files. ArcExplorer requires thatthe world file must use a three-letter extension, and it can’t havescientific notation.

Displaying an ArcIMS Image Directory

An ArcIMS Image Directory is simply a directory containingseveral image files. When you choose the Image Directory fromthe catalog window, all images are added to the map.

Setting image transparency

Making an image transparent allows you to view overlappingimages in a single map. You can set the transparency of an imageor ImageService with the Layer Properties dialog box. From theLayer Properties dialog box, click the General tab to set atransparency value.

Working with images


Adding ArcSDElayersArcExplorer allows you to useArcSDE and ArcSDE forCoverages layers once you’veadded an ArcSDE connection.

Type port:<port number> in theInstance input box. If necessary,your ArcSDE administrator willprovide you with the ArcSDEinstance information. Theinstance should be listed inyour system’s Services file.

Consult your ArcSDE adminis-trator if you are not sure if yoursystem is set up to connect toan ArcSDE database.

Connecting to ArcSDE


2. Double-click ArcSDE.

3. Double-click Add ArcSDEConnection.

4. Type the name of the Server.

5. Type port:<port number> forthe ArcSDE instance.

6. If necessary, type a Databasename.

7. Type your User name andPassword.

8. Click Test Connection(optional). If the connectionsucceeds, continue. If theconnection fails, use theerror message to correct thefailure.

9. Click OK to connect.

The ArcSDE database is nowlisted in the Catalog.

Adding ArcSDE layers

10.Click a layer to add.

11.Click the Add Layers button.

Repeat steps 10 and 11 toadd more layers.

12.Click the Close button toclose the Catalog.

9

Add Layers

2

W

E

3

Q

4

56

7

8

Tip

Disconnecting fromArcSDEDisconnect from an ArcSDEdatabase by right-clicking theArcSDE server in the left panel ofthe Catalog and clicking Discon-nect.

Tip

Connection errorsIf your connection to ArcSDEfailed, you can use the MessageConsole to see detailed errormessages. To open the ArcExplorerMessage Console, click the Helpmenu and click Message Console.

1


Viewing data inan ArcIMSServiceAn ArcIMS Spatial Server canserve a Feature Service or anImage Service. You can useArcExplorer to view an ArcIMSService.

A Feature Service uses theSpatial Server’s feature stream-ing capabilities. The serverbundles data and streams it tothe requesting client. Requestsare sent to the server only whenadditional data is needed.

Image Services use the SpatialServer image rendering capabili-ties. When a request is re-ceived, a map is generated onthe server, and the response issent back as an image. A newmap image is generated eachtime a client requests newinformation.

Typing a Service name on theWWW Connection dialog boxis optional. If you do notspecify a Service name, you willbe connected to all the Ser-vices.


2. Double-click the WWW icon.

3. Double-click Add Web Site toopen the WWW Connectiondialog box.

4. Type the hostname.

5. Click OK to connect.

The Web site’s ArcIMSServices appear in yourcatalog.

6. Click a Service.

7. Click a layer in the FeatureService or the Image Serviceto add.


Repeat steps 6 and 7 to addmore layers.


Add Layers

9

Tip

List of ServicesYou must disconnect and reconnectfrom the Spatial Server to see anupdated list of Services. Right-clickon the machine name, clickRemove, then connect again.

8

23

6

5

4

7

1


Viewing data onthe GeographyNetworkThe Geography Network is aglobal network of geographicinformation. It provides theinfrastructure needed tofacilitate the sharing of geo-graphic information betweendata providers, service provid-ers, and users around the world.You can use ArcExplorer toaccess the Geography Networkand discover a wide variety ofgeographic content.

You can click the GeographyNetwork button to open a Webbrowser to the GeographyNetwork. Once you have founddata, you can click Add toArcExplorer to add that data toArcExplorer. Saving the projectwill allow you to save areference to the data on theGeography Network.

Learn more about the Geogra-phy Network atwww.geographynetwork.com.

1. Click the Geography Networkbutton to open a Webbrowser to the GeographyNetwork.

2. Use the Geography NetworkExplorer to find data.

3. Click Add to ArcExplorer toadd that data to theArcExplorer map and legend.

4. Close the Web browser.

The data from the GeographyNetwork is now listed in thelegend.

Geography Network

2

4

3

See Also

See Chapter 4, ‘SymbolizingLayers’, for details on how to setthe transparency of an ImageService.

1

IN THIS CHAPTER

21

Properties of the legend,overview map, and scalebar

• Using the legend

• Adding an overview map

• Working with the scalebar

This chapter introduces the ArcExplorer interface. You will learn how to setup and use the legend, overview map, and scalebar.

Terms used throughout this book in referring to the interface are defined inthis chapter.

3


Using the legendAll layers in a map are listed tothe left of the map in the legend.The legend shows the layer nameand the symbol used to draweach layer. The check box next toeach layer indicates whether it iscurrently turned on or off in themap, that is, whether it iscurrently drawn on the map ornot.

The order in which the layers arelisted in the legend is alsoimportant. The layers at the topof the legend are drawn on top ofthose below it. Layers that formthe background of your map arelisted at the bottom of thelegend. To change the order alayer is drawn in, drag the layerup or down in the legend. TheMove Layer choice on a layer’sright-click menu gives optionsfor moving the layer.

You can change the width of thelegend by dragging the borderbetween the legend and the mapeither left or right. This is usefulif you want to increase the widthof the legend so that you can seelong layer names.

You can turn the legend off byclicking the View menu andunchecking the Legend choice.

Click the check box tothe left of each layer’sname to make the layerdraw in the map.Clicking again will turnthe layer off.

Make a layer active byclicking on its name in thelegend. Many operationswork only on active layers.When a layer is active, itappears raised in thelegend.

Use these arrowsto resize the widthof the legend.

PROPERTIES OF THE LEGEND, OVERVIEW MAP, AND SCALEBAR 23

Double-click a layer toopen the LayerProperties dialog box.

Right-click a layer toopen a menu of choicesfor the layer.


Adding anoverview mapThe overview map displays thefull or partial extent of a layerwith a red box outlining thecurrent extent of the map. A fullor partial extent is displayeddepending on how far you havezoomed in.

Opening an overviewmap

1. Click the View menu andcheck Overview Map to addan overview map panel.

Adding a layer to theoverview map

1. Right-click on a layer listed inthe legend and click Use inOverview Map.

To remove the layer, repeatstep 1 to uncheck Use inOverview Map.

1

1

Tip

Using the overview mapwhen zoomed inZooming in very close to a featurewill result in a zoomed in map thatmay not have a red outline.

PROPERTIES OF THE LEGEND, OVERVIEW MAP, AND SCALEBAR 25

Working with thescalebarEach time you zoom in, zoomout, or resize the map, the scalechanges. These changes arereported on the scalebar.

The scalebar consists of arepresentative fraction (RF)(1:24,000), a ruler with distancemarkers, and an equation (oneinch = 40 miles). The fraction(RF scale) is a common way topresent scale in cartographyand can be read as “one inch onthe screen is equal to24,000 inches on the ground.”The equation (sometimesreferred to as a “verbal scale”)presents the same informationbut translates the single unit(an inch in this example) into aunit you’d use when gettingaround in the real world (e.g.,miles).

Adding a scalebar

1. Click the View menu andclick Scale Bar.

Setting scalebarproperties

1. Click the View menu andclick Scale Bar Properties.

2. Point to Map Units, ScaleUnits, and Screen Units to setthe appropriate units.

1

2

1

Map units

Map units are the units in which geographicdata is stored (data source units). You can setthe map units as decimal degrees, feet, ormeters.

Scale units

Scale units display in the scalebar itself and inthe right side of the verbal scale equation(1 centimeter = 200 kilometers). You can setthe scale units as miles, feet, meters, orkilometers.

Screen units

Screen units correspond to the actual displayon your computer monitor and are presentedon the left side of the verbal scale equation—for example, 1 inch = 40 miles. You can set thescreen units as either inches or centimeters.

Tip

Right-click the scalebar toset propertiesYou can also right-click the scalebarto open the Scale Bar Propertiesmenu.

IN THIS CHAPTER

27

Symbolizing layers 4• Getting general information about

a layer

• Setting a layer’s scale factors

• Drawing features with one symbol

• Drawing features with graduatedsymbols

• Drawing features with uniquesymbols

• Adding labels to a map

• Adding shields to line features

You can communicate complex geographic information more effectively usingmaps than with tables or lists because maps take advantage of our naturalabilities to distinguish and interpret colors, patterns, and spatial relationships.When you display your data on a map, you’ll see distributions, relationships,and trends that you couldn’t see before.

Choosing how to represent your data on a map may well be your mostimportant mapmaking decision. Symbolizing your data involves choosing colorsand styles that will represent features. It also involves grouping or classifyingfeatures according to their attribute values.

This chapter shows you how to create attractive maps and use symbolizationas a powerful tool for exploring, understanding, and analyzing your data.


7

Getting generalinformation abouta layerHow a layer is displayed can bechanged using the LayerProperties dialog box.

The General tab allows you tochange the name of the layer asit appears in the legend andprovides information about thedatafile.

The General tab can also beused to set a scale factor for alayer.

For images and Image Services,use the General tab to set atransparency value. Setting thetransparency allows twooverlapping images or ImageServices to be viewed in onemap.

1. Click a layer in the legend tomake it active.

2. Click the Layer Propertiesbutton.

3. Click the General tab.

4. Type a new name in theLayer Name box to changethe layer’s name.

5. Click the Only show layer inthe following scale rangebutton to set scale factors.

6. Type a scale to never showthe layer above or below.

7. Click OK to close the dialogbox and see the changes.

4

Layer Properties

3

See Also

See the next section, ‘Setting alayer’s scale factors’, for moredetails on setting scale factors.

2

56

SYMBOLIZING LAYERS 29

Setting a layer’sscale factorsYou can control the scale atwhich a layer displays bysetting its scale threshold. Forexample, you could set a stateboundaries layer to turn offafter you zoom past a certainpoint and set the countyboundaries to turn on at thesame scale. Setting up scalefactors can help keep the mapdisplay clean and focused onrelevant data.

When a scale factor has beenset on a layer, the layer will notappear in the legend once yougo outside the specified scalerange.

Adding scale factors

1. Use the zoom tools to set anextent for your display.

2. Right-click the layer’s nameand click Scale Factors.

3. Click Set Minimum ScaleFactor if you want the layer toturn off if you zoom in anycloser.

4. Click Set Maximum ScaleFactor if you want the layer toturn off if you zoom furtherout.

Removing scale factors

1. Right-click the layer’s name,click Scale Factors, and pointto Remove Scale Factors.

The map will refresh to showthe layer.

2

1

Tip

Setting scale factors on theGeneral tabYou can also set scale factors onthe General tab of the LayerProperties dialog box.

43


6



3. Click the Style box to apply anew style to the layer.

4. Click the Color box to choosea color.

5. Click the Size box to apply anew size to the layer.

6. Click OK to close the dialogbox and see the changes.

Drawing featureswith one symbolThe One Symbol classificationdisplays all the features in alayer with the same color andstyle. When you add a layer toArcExplorer, it is displayed as aOne Symbol map.

Using the Layer Propertiesdialog box, you can change thecolor, size, or style of the OneSymbol map.

Layer Properties

345

2


W



3. Click Graduated Symbols.

4. Click a Field.

5. Click a number of Classes.

6. Click a Style.

7. Click a Start and End Color.

8. Click a Start and End Size.

9. Click an entry in the Symbolcolumn to change its color.

10.Double-click a value in theLabel column to select it.Enter a new value.

11.Click OK to close the dialogbox and see the changes.

Drawing featureswith graduatedsymbolsUsing the Graduated Symbolsclassification, the range ofattribute values is divided intoequal-sized subranges; thefeatures are then classified anddisplayed based on thosesubranges.

You can create a GraduatedSymbols map using the LayerProperties dialog box. You canalso change the color, size,style, and quantity ofsubranges associated with aGraduated Symbols map.

Tip

Changing the value’s labelFor a Graduated Symbols map,you can change the label of eachvalue by typing a new value in theLabel column. Be sure to pressEnter after adding each new value.

346

8

Layer Properties

Q

5

9

7

2


Q



3. Click Unique Symbols.

4. Click a Field.

5. Click a Color Scheme.

6. Click a Style.

7. Check Remove Outline toremove the outline onfeatures.

8. Click an entry in the Symbolcolumn to change its color.

9. Double-click an entry in theLabel column to select it.Enter a new label.


Tip

Changing the value’s labelFor a Unique Symbols map, youcan change the label of each valueby typing a new value in the Labelcolumn. Be sure to press Enterafter adding each new value.

Drawing featureswith uniquesymbolsYou can create a UniqueSymbols map using the LayerProperties dialog box.

The Unique Symbols classifica-tion displays features byapplying a different color toeach unique value for aspecified field.

Layer Properties

9

6543

7

8

2


E

Adding labels to amapAdd labels to features with theLabels tab of the Layer Proper-ties dialog box.

The example on this pageshows the label placementfunctionality for point features.Label placement for linesinclude above-, on-, or below-the-line options.

Adding labels



3. Click the Labels tab.

4. Click a field for labels.

5. Click a Font.

6. Click a Size.

7. Check the Bold or Italicboxes to change the text.

8. Click the Effects button formore options on changingthe appearance of labels.

9. Click a Color.

10.Click a label Placement.

11.Click an angle of rotation forthe labels.


Adding effects to labels

1. Check Shadow to add athree-dimensional effect.

2. Check Glow to add a coloraround the label.

3. Check Background to add acolored box under the label.

4. Check Allow Duplicates toallow all labels to display.

5. Check Use highest textquality to apply antialiasing.

6. Click OK.

Tip

Using highest text qualityThe check box for using the highesttext quality is also referred to asantialiasing.

When lines are drawn at an angle,they may appear jagged due to thenumber of pixels available todisplay them. Antialiasing allowsthe line to be smooth by coloringadjacent pixels in such a way as togive the edge of the line a moregradual fade to the backgroundcolor.

Clearing labelsYou can also clear labels by right-clicking on a layer in the legend,clicking Clear, and pointing toClear Labels.

Labeling in boldIf you want your labels in bold, useone of the following fonts for besttext quality: Dialog, Default, Serif,and Sans Serif.

7

12345

3

Layer Properties

WQ

89

4

65

Tip

Tip

6

2


Y

7

Adding shields toline featuresYou can add highway shields toline features using the Labelstab of the Layer Propertiesdialog box.

Adding shields

1. Click a line layer in thelegend to make it active.


3. Click the Labels tab.

4. Click a field for labels.

5. Click a Font.

6. Click a Size.

7. Click a Color.

8. Check the Use Shields box.

9. Click Shields to open theShield Properties dialog box.

Using the same shield for allfeatures

10. Click the Use the same shield for all features option.

11. Click a shield type from the dropdown list.

Skip to Step 15.

Using different shields

12. Click the Use different shields option.

13. Click a Field to specify each shield type.

14. Click each Symbol to set the shield type for each value.

15. Click OK.

16. Click OK to close the dialog box and see the changes.

6

Layer Properties

3

5

89

Q

W

R

T

E

U

2

4

IN THIS CHAPTER

35

Getting and using theattributes of features 5• Identifying features

• Finding features

• Searching for features

• Building a query expression

• Selecting features

• Buffering features

• Displaying Map Tips

• Measuring distances

This chapter describes how to use ArcExplorer to get information about thefeatures of your data. You can perform queries in ArcExplorer by pointing atfeatures on a map to identify them (spatial queries) or finding which featuresmeet certain criteria (attribute queries).


IdentifyingfeaturesSuppose you are looking at amap of the world and you wantto get information about aparticular city. To get informa-tion about one of the featureson your map, use the Identifytool. When you click a featurewith this tool, ArcExplorerdisplays the attributes of thefeature in a dialog box.


2. Click the Identify button.

3. Click a feature on the map.

4. The results of the Identify areshown in the Identify Resultsdialog box.

5. If more than one feature isfound, the features are listedin the Features panel. Clickeach feature to see itsIdentify results.

6. Close the dialog box whenfinished viewing results.

Identify

5

2

GETTING AND USING THE ATTRIBUTES OF FEATURES 37

Finding featuresYou can use the Find tool tolocate particular features fromthe layers in your map. Findworks by searching the layer orlayers you specify for featureswith the value you specified.Only fields that have beendefined as text strings, asopposed to numeric values, aresearched.

To search for features based ona numeric value, use the QueryBuilder tool described in the‘Building a query expression’section.

1. Click the Find button.

2. Type any part of a word youwant to find. Do not usequotes around the searchstring.

3. Click the layer or layers youwould like to search.

4. Click Find to execute thesearch.

5. Click one of the results in theright panel to make it active.

6. Click Pan To to pan the viewto the selected feature.

7. Click Zoom To to zoom theview to the selected feature.

8. Click Close when you arefinished finding features.

Tip

Image Service notationIn the Find dialog box shown onthis page, the Find is performed onan Image Service. The ImageService notation shows the name ofthe Image Service and the ImageService’s sublayer separated by aperiod. In this example, the ImageService is named World, and thesublayer used to find features isnamed country.

5

2

3

4

8 6 7

Find1


Searching forfeaturesThe Search tool is enabled ifyou open a project or ArcIMSService that has been createdwith stored queries.

Once a stored query has beencreated, the Search tool allowsyou to type only a value tosearch for rather than a fullquery expression.

1. Click a layer in the legendthat has stored queries tomake it active.

2. Click the Search button.

3. In the Search by list, click thestored query you would liketo use.

4. The Query Expression isupdated as you click a storedquery.

5. Type a search string.

6. Click Search.

7. Click a result in the lowerpanel.

The feature is highlighted onthe map.

8. Click Pan To or Zoom To tolocate the result on the map.

9. Click Close to change thedialog box.

7

8

Search

See Also

You can create stored queries usingthe Author component of ArcIMS.See ArcIMS Help for more details.

6

3

4

5

9

2


Building a queryexpressionA query expression is a precisedefinition of what you want toselect. Building a queryexpression is a powerful way toselect features because anexpression can include multipleattributes, operators, andcalculations.

Remember to include singlequotes around values in yourexpression that are text strings.If you choose a value from theValues box, the single quotesare added for you.

You can generate a simple set ofstatistics on a field by clickingStatistics. On the Select a fieldto get statistics dialog box, youcan click the Use Query Resultscheck box to only calculatestatistics on the selectedrecords.

The results of a query can besaved to a text file using theSave button. In the Save dialogbox, type the name of the filewith a .txt extension.

Tip

Working with query resultsThe results of a query can be savedto a comma-delimited text file. Thetext file can then be used in anotherprogram, such as Microsoft® Excel,to create a spreadsheet.


2. Click the Query Builderbutton.

3. Click a field to query.

4. Click an operator to be usedin the expression.

5. Click a sample value or typea value for the expression.

6. Verify that the query expres-sion is correct.

7. Click Execute to perform thequery.

8. Click a field in the DisplayField dropdown to only showone field in the panel.

The results appear in thelower panel.

9. Click to select a value orvalues from the query resultspanel.

10. Click Highlight to make theselected feature or featureshighlighted on the map.

11. Click Pan or Zoom to pan orzoom to the selectedfeatures.

12. Click Statistics.

13. Click a field to be used forstatistics and click OK.

The statistics are shown in aseparate dialog box.

14. Click the Save button tosave the query results to atext file.

3

67

9

Query Builder

4 5

W EQ T

R

8

2


SelectingfeaturesUse the Graphic Selectionbutton to select features, thenview their attribute values usingthe Attributes button.

The Clear Selection buttonclears the selected features inall layers. To clear the selectionof a particular layer, right-click itin the legend, click Clear, andpoint to Clear Selection.


2. Click the Graphic Selectionbutton and click eitherRectangle, Circle, Polygon,or Line.

3. Click and drag to create ashape for selecting features.

4. Click the Attributes button tosee the values for theselected feature or features.

If multiple features wereselected, they are listed inthe left panel.

5. Click each feature to see itsattributes.

AttributesGraphicSelection

Clear Selection

5

2 4


Buffering featuresYou can create a buffer aroundselected features. Once a bufferhas been applied, you can usethe buffer to select featuresfrom another layer. Selectingfeatures of one layer with thefeatures of another layer’sbuffer can be applied to solvemany problems. A project towiden roads may involvebuffering the road features andselecting features from a parcelslayer that overlaps the buffer.

The map units must be set inorder to create a buffer. Themap units are the units yourdata is stored in. You can setthe map units by clicking theView menu, clicking Scale Barproperties, and pointing to MapUnits.

Tip

Check map units if bufferseems incorrectIf the buffer is generating unex-pected results, verify that the mapunits are set appropriately. You canset the map units by clicking theView menu, clicking Scale BarProperties, pointing to Map Units,and clicking the appropriate unit.

1. Click the Buffer button.

2. Type a distance for bufferingthe feature.

3. Click miles, meters, kilome-ters, or feet for the BufferUnits.

4. Click Apply to see the buffer.

5. Check the box to selectfeatures from another layer.

6. Click a layer to selectfeatures from.

7. Click OK to see the selectionand close the dialog box.

Note: You can view attributes forany layer on your map,including the one you’veselected features from, with yourbuffer. To do this, make the layeractive in the legend.

Buffer1

47

2

3

56


Displaying MapTipsMap Tips are small popups thatdisplay data for a field youspecify.

You can only display one MapTip per layer.

Adding Map Tips

1. Click the Map Tips button toopen the Map Tips dialog box.

2. Click a layer for Map Tips.

3. Click the field you would liketo display in the Map Tips.

4. Click Set Map Tips.

5. The Map Tip Field will updatewith the field you choose.

Repeat the process for eachlayer you would like todisplay with Map Tips.

6. Click OK to close the dialogbox and begin using MapTips.

Removing Map Tips

Removing Map Tips fromthe selected layer

1. Click a layer to select it.

2. Click the Clear Selected MapTips Field button.

Removing all Map Tips

3. Click the Clear All Map TipsFields button.

4. Click OK to close the dialogbox.

4

3

2

Map Tips

Tip

Clearing Map TipsYou can clear a layer’s Map Tips byright-clicking on the layer in thelegend, clicking Clear, and pointingto Clear MapTips.

3

6

5

2

1

4

1


MeasuringdistancesUse the Measure button tomeasure distances on your map.You can measure distances onyour map in feet (ft), miles (mi),meters (m), or kilometers (km).

The map units must be setappropriately in order to getaccurate measure results. Themap units are the units yourdata is stored in. By default,ArcExplorer sets the map unitsto decimal degrees.

Measuring a distance

1. Click the Measure button.

2. Point to one of the measureunits.

3. Click and drag a line definingthe distance you would liketo measure.

The segment and totalmeasurements appear in theupper left corner of the map.

Clearing the measuretotals

1. Double-click the map to clearthe measure totals and endmeasuring.

See Also

See the ‘Working with the scalebar’section in Chapter 3 to learn moreabout setting the map units.

Measure

2

1

Tip

Check map units ifmeasure results seemincorrectIf the measure results seemincorrect, verify that the map unitsare set appropriately. You can setthe map units by clicking the Viewmenu, clicking Scale Bar Proper-ties, pointing to Map Units, andclicking the appropriate unit.

Tip

Clearing measure totalsYou can clear the measure totals byclicking the Measure button andclicking Clear Measure Totals.

IN THIS CHAPTER

45

Address matching 6• Locating an address

Addresses are probably the most commonly used form of geographic data.Geocoding is the process by which you add point locations defined by streetaddresses, or other address information, to your map. It’s the computerizedequivalent of pushing pins into a street map on your wall. Address matching isa type of geocoding. You can do single record address matching on Image orFeature Services using ArcExplorer.


Locating anaddressThe Locate Address buttonperforms an address match: thelocating of a point based on atext string of address values.

The Locate Address button isenabled on viewers that haveServices created with geocodingproperties set up.

As more than one layer in aservice could have geocodingproperties set, use the SelectLayer dropdown box to select thelayer you would like to use tolocate an address.

After locating an address, usethe Clear Selection button toclear the point and label from themap.

1. Add a layer from an Image orFeature Service that hasgeocoding properties set.

2. Click the Locate Addressbutton.

3. Click the layer that you wouldlike to locate an addressfrom.

4. Type the values of theaddress. The more informa-tion entered, the moreaccurate your results will be.

Fields that are required toperform the address matchappear in red.

5. Click Locate.

6. The results of the addressmatch appear in the lowerpanel. Also, a point and alabel are placed on the map.

7. Click Pan To or Zoom To tolocate the result on the map.

8. Click Close to close thedialog box.

See Also

You can set an ArcIMS Service’sgeocoding properties using theAuthor component of ArcIMS. SeeArcIMS Help for more details.

5

4

6

8

3

Locate Address

7

2

IN THIS CHAPTER

47

Printing, copying, andsaving 7• Printing a map

• Copying a map to a file

• Saving a project

You’ve displayed your data in a map. You’ve chosen the symbols you want touse. This chapter outlines how to print a map; copy your map to an image; andsave your work as a project (.axl file), also referred to as a map configurationfile.


Printing a mapUse the steps outlined inChapter 4, ‘Symbolizing layers’,of this book to symbolize yourdata. Then use the Pan andZoom tools so that the display inthe map looks the way you wantit to look on paper.

ArcExplorer provides a simple,8 1/2" x 11"-size map layout inlandscape (horizontal) format.

1. Click the Print button.

2. If necessary, change theprinter settings.

3. Click OK.

Print

See Also

See the ‘Copying a map to a file’section in this chapter for detailson how you can save your mapimage to a JPEG file. Once the mapis saved as an image, you can useit to design your own print layouts.

3

2

1

PRINTING, COPYING, AND SAVING 49

Copying a map toa fileUse the steps outlined inChapter 4, ‘Symbolizing layers’,of this book to symbolize yourdata. Then use the Pan andZoom tools so that the displayin the map looks the way youwant it to look on paper.

You may want to copy theimage of a map for use inanother application.ArcExplorer makes it easy tocreate a graphic image of yourmap.

1. Click the Copy Map Image toFile button.

2. Navigate to a folder.

3. Type a name for the image.

4. Click Save.

A JPEG of your map hasbeen saved to the selectedfolder.

2

Copy Map Image to File

3 4

1


Saving a projectArcExplorer saves projects infiles with a .axl extension. Thepaths to the data, whetherlayers are turned on or off, themap extent, any classification orlabels applied to layers, and anyscale factors you may have setare saved. When you create aproject or map configurationfile, you’re not changing oraltering the base data in anyway.

1. Click the Save Project button.

2. Navigate to a folder.

3. Type a name for the project.

4. Click Save.

Projects can be opened inArcExplorer by clicking theOpen Project button andusing the Open dialog box tonavigate to a project.

Save Project

2

43Tip

Moving dataWhen opening a project,ArcExplorer will not prompt youfor any data that may have movedsince you last saved the project.Instead, it will warn you with amessage that the data cannot befound.

1

Documents

Using ArcExplorer - Java