Introduction to GIS and ArcGIS
How a GIS works
Introduction to ArcGIS
A GIS integrates five basic components
data
methodssoftware
people
hardware
Data
Types of datasetsVector formats(“feature classes”)
Points
Lines (”arcs”)
Polygons
Types of datasetsRaster formats
Matrices of square cells (grids, pixels)
Types of datasets
Attribute tables: tables of data describing spatial features
Methods
Basic GIS Functions
CaptureStoreQuery
AnalyzeDisplayOutput
Capturing data
Paper mapsDigital images
GPS output
Coordinate lists
GIS
Query
Identifying features based on conditionsFind all trees with DBH > 35 cm
Identifying specific featuresWhere is parcel No. 2945?
Analysis
Proximity: which roads are within a 100 ft from a stream
Overlay: combines the features of two or more layers to create a new layer (intersections, unions…)
Network: examines how linear features are connected
Analysis
Analysis
Display
MapsGraphs
Reports/Tables
Examples of GIS mapssurface drapes & 3-D modeling
Examples of GIS generated mapsdetailedtopographic maps
Output
Paper map InternetImage (cc.jpg, cc.pdf)Document (cc.mxd)Poster
How a GIS works
Introduction to ArcGIS
What is ArcGIS?
ArcGIS Clients
Application/Data Servers
Components
ArcGIS DesktopEXTENSIONS
ArcGIS Engine
ArcObjects
RDBMS
ArcSDE
ArcGIS Server ArcIMS
EXTENSIONS
Network
ArcReader ArcView
ArcInfo
ArcEditor
CustomApplication
ArcPad WebBrowser
ArcGIS Desktop Products
Increased Functionality
ArcView
ArcInfo
ArcEditor
The history of ESRI products
time
ArcInfo ArcView ArcGISArcView ArcEditor
ArcInfo
All ArcGIS products share common applications
ArcView
ArcInfo
ArcEditor
ArcCatalog-window to database
ArcMap-displaying
ArcToolbox-geographic processing functions
What is unique about ArcGIS GIS?
•GUI (Graphic User Interface)•Customization & Programming•Extensions to Increase Functionality•Scalability
GUI
Beware:The ArcGIS GUI is complicated and many-layered.There is no command-line control; all automation must be scripted.
Customization & Programming
• Many functions are not available from the GUI• Custom functions and operations can be
created with various programming languages• Repetitive tasks can be automated• New functions and operations can be added to
the GUI menus, buttons, and tools• Entire new applications can be developed• But:
Scripting is not easy to learn
Extensions -> Increase Functionality
Functionality not included in the core ArcGIS product can increase productivity
Some extensions are built-in, but just need to be enabled
Other extensions are available for free (web); some are available for sale
We will be using several extensions during the course
ScalabilityArcObjects
RDBMSArcSDE
ArcGIS Server
ArcIMS
Network
ArcReader ArcView
ArcInfo
ArcEditor
CustomApplication
ArcPad WebBrowser
ArcGIS Desktop
The ArcGIS suite containsDesktop application
(we will be using this quarter)Data server application (ArcSDE)Application servers (ArcGIS Server)Internet mapping servers (ArcIMS)
GIS
softw
are
Ecological Applications: Vol. 17, No. 3, pp. 791–805
ASSESSING THE RISK OF IGNITION IN THE RUSSIAN FAR
EAST WITHIN A MODELING FRAMEWORK OF FIRE THREAT
Tatiana V. Loboda and Ivan A. Csiszar
Homework•Read: “Introduction”
“Definitions”“Exploring the ArcGIS interface”“ArcGIS GUI”“ArcGIS modules”
•Do: Assignment 1 and submit with “Collect-it”