In this activity of ArcGIS
importing tabular data was the main objective. Importing data in AcrGIS
involves inputting X and Y coordinate data from spreadsheet or access database
into ArcGIS. The information provided for this activity were: aparcels shapefile,
a claimant_xy.csv table, a sample_location.csv table and a parcel_value.csb table.
Using this data we had to make a map on a lawsuit based on contaminants and property
values for Bayou Texar. To initiate this activity the shape-files need to be
added to ArcGIS but they only show properties and not values. To get the data
need we need to merge the tabular data to the shape-files to get the property
values. To do this we use the join function and select the Parcel_ID for both
shapefiles on the attribute table. Now parcel shapefile need to be added
and the claimant needs to be imported. This can be done by going to the File tab,
under Add data selecting Add XY and select the claimant_xy.csv table.
Thereafter the Coordinate System needs to be changed to WGS1984 in
the geographic coordinate systems. This process is repeated for the
sample_location_,csv to show the different pointd for each table. Then the
parcel_value.csb can be joined with the parcel shapefile and by right clicking
on the parcel shapefile and selecting parcel_value. A color ramp was then added
by accessing the symbology of the parcel shapefile and selecting market_value
and graduated color ramp. The final map should display different colored
parcels depending on market value, points that representing Plaintiffs'
properties and also the sample location of the contaminants. Basic map elements
were then added to finalize the map.
Fidel's GIS Explorations
Friday 27 November 2015
Sunday 1 November 2015
Georeferencing
GIS datasets are usually created specifically
for a GIS system complete with geographically referenced coordinate data built
in to the file. This is important because these kind of data sets are lined up
properly automatically. However there will be times when the data sets do not
have coordinate information readily usable by the GIS program. These kinds of
datasets usually include digital scanned copies of paper maps and aerial photographs
before GIS was used. In this session we will cover the different methods used
to input the geographic referencing to an unreferenced dataset and to create
geographic data from non GIS ready maps and photos. Georeferencing is the process
of making a raster dataset of an aerial photography or digital scan of a paper
map to be lined up with a referenced area. To initiate this process we firstly
start by adding the unreferenced raster and the referenced raster to the data
frame. Then use the fit to display option on the same georeferencing tool to
bring the layer you want to reference into the current area that you are viewing and manipulate your display so you can
clearly see features on both the known and unknown layers. Secondly you must
identify common points from both the referenced and unreferenced rasters and
add points to line up both datasets; this is done with the add control points
function. First click on the feature on the known area and then click on the same
feature on the unknown area. This is process is made easy by adjusting the transparency
of a layer; this option is accessed in the layer’s properties. The map is lined up better when the points are evenly scattered.
The residual option allows you to view each point added and the total RMS errors.
After sufficient points are added the georeferncing needs to be updated so that
the data is saved. Secondly the same steps are followed to align the second
part of the unreferenced dataset to the referenced dataset and the georeferencing
is updated. Both unreferenced datasets must be properly aligned and must be in
the 1st order transformation. The third step is to update the referenced
datasets with new feature that were not displayed; these features are a road, a
new building and athletic fields. To display these features we used knowledge
learnt from the previous sessions to start an editing session to add the new
road and the new building with the use of a circle in the middle
of the building. For the athletic fields a new shapefile was created to display
the four athletic buildings. To finalize the map basic map elements need to be
added which are title, scale, legend, north arrow, for this map we also
displayed our RMS errors.
Projections
In our previous class we used ArcGIS to manipulate how data is
displayed and presented in ArcMap. Now we will start making actual changes to
datasets in ArcMap. It’s very important to know that although data sets are in
different coordinate systems they can still be displayed together. To re-project
a dataset you must first access the data management toolbox and go to
projections and transformations toolsets and click on the project subset tool
since you are using a vector shapefile. The input and output information is
then filled and saved in the specific activity folder. The coordinate system is
then renamed UTM and added in a separate data frame. Both data frames needs to
be activated before they are displayed, slight difference in size are noted from
both projections. The second step that needs to be done is to add another field
to the attribute table to add area in each specific state. To get the specific
area of selected states (Alachua, Escambia, Polk and Miamia-Dade) use the calculate geometry function. A color ramp was
also used to identify and label both projections, this was done with an SQL
query. To finalize this map both projections needs to be displayed; the major difference
will be the size of the states. The maps also need labeling for Alachua,
Escambia, Polk and Miamia-Dade as well as labeling for the separate maps which
are UTM and Albers. Basic map elements are then added (title, scale, legend and
north arrow).
Friday 16 October 2015
Blog 5- University of Belize GPS Collection
In this session of GIS
our lecturer divided the class into groups of four to collect the GPS coordinates
of three trees, a road and a building within the University of Belize, Belmopan
Campus. The three trees are: Bamboo Palm, Neem Tree and Hug Plum. The road is
the one at the southern entrance of the university and the building is the
security booth located in that entrance. The GPS coordinates were saved and given
to the lecturer, MR. Cano, for him to convert them to into a shape file for us
to use in arc map. To begin this map shape files were needs to be created
specifically for the trees, the road and building as point, polyline and
polygon respectively. Additionally each shape file (Trees, Road, and Building)
had additional data; the trees had height and species, road had condition and building
had area. This was done by accessing the properties for each shape file. Thereafter
an editing session was started to display the information; since each shape
file had specific input information (Points, Polyline and Polygon) it can be
easily done. The trees shape file was selected and points were then chosen from
the editing tab to add three specific points for the trees. The same was done
for the road but using polyline to connect the tree different GPS point to
display the road with lines. Then the building was done with polygon by
connecting the four GPS points of the building to form a polygon. The editing
session was then ended. A topographic map was added with the “add data” option.
To finalize the map a title, north arrow, scale, legend and an extent map was
added.
Friday 9 October 2015
Activity 6: Data search and collection
In this exercise we created a map by applying all the
knowledge gained from the previous maps that were created. All the basic but
essential parts of a map were added such as: Title, North Arrow, Scale and
Author. In addition a reference box was added to give credit to the
organizations from where the datasets were obtained. An essential part of map cartography is acquiring GIS data; the theme and scale of a dataset has to be
considered when locating GIS data. For this map the dataset was obtained from
the Biodiversity and Environment Resource Data System of Belize. The datasets
where Rivers, Roads, Settlements and protected Areas of Belize. Another
important aspect of Arc map is that datasets available are often found in a
larger spatial extent than desired. All the features obtained from BERDS are of
the entire country of Belize; the clip function in arc map is a helpful tool
that project specific features in polygons required (Cayo District). The clip
tool creates a new shapefile file for the output, which needs to be saved. The
inputs are Settlements, Roads, Rivers, Protected areas and the output is the
Cayo District. After all the features are clipped individually to Cayo District
Arc map will display only Cayo District with all the features that are found
with in Cayo. To finalize the map a personal touch was added to the title,
north arrow and color of the map. A color ramp for the different protected
areas was also added so that the legend can clearly show the identity of each of the
specific protected areas.
Friday 25 September 2015
Map of Mexico
As we go more in depth into ArcGIS, the step by step
process in cartographic output starts to become more and more informative with
many features. To be able to add more features more layers are needed to be
added to the table of content of ArcGIS; so Arc Catalog is a geobased
administration used to organize and manage the various datasets and documents
into ArcGIS.
The first map illustrates the boundaries of the
Mexican states. To be able to focus only on the Mexican states a SQL query was
created by using “select by attribute” option and then exported to the table of
content. As you can see in the map all the individual states are labeled with
their specific name. Furthermore, the map also depicts the population of the
states with the use of a color ramp of six classes which is also shown in the
legend. The legend was integrated with the “legend wizard” option. The north
arrow, scale bar and scale text is also shown in the map; the map title was
added by a dynamic text. The dynamic text feature also inserts summary,
description, author, credits and date of the map.
In this second map different features of Mexico was
shown; these features are the rails, rivers, roads and urban areas. In order
for ArcGIS to clearly display these features they must be rearranged in the
table of content and the mex_states needs to be turned off. Additionally these
layers include too many features which makes the map look clustered and hard to
understand. With the “Symbology Property” options the features were made
specific to Federal Roads, Major and Primary Rivers, and Single Track Rails
which is also shown in the legend. The advance labeling option allows you to
create a SQL query to depict states with a population of more than a million
people. The Mexican States with a population of more than a million are
Guadalajara, Leon De Los Aldama, Puebla and Mexico City. Lastly an insert map
was added to show where the map is located in a broader geographic context.
This last map shows the different elevations of
Mexico’s central region. This map is a continuation of the first and second map
(this is easily done by turning on and off the different layer) so the title,
author, date, legend and scale is already on the map. In order to get the
elevations the layer of mex_elv needs to be added and the world_countries layer
needs to be removed. Then a stretched symbology and a color ramp is applied so
that the elevations are visible.
Friday 11 September 2015
Arc map
Arc map provides many features for map designing. In our previous GIS session, we had a glimps on those features that allows us to identify and locate the different countries and cities of the world. This is done by adding the City and Country layers. Once the city and country layer is added the world map will appear and then the map can be manipulated in the attribute table. With arce map we are also able to add scale, title and cardinal direction. This map was designed to display the country's population based on their color. Also sombols were given city so that they are easily identified. to eachArc map is a powerful tool with many features which is essencial in the field of NRM.
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