Helpful Hints

Go back to the first lab and first two pages for dealing with frustration

Purpose:

Everything is dependent upon purpose. For pre-existing data sets, I will always check the metadata, supporting readme files, and if I have to, I’ll check other links and resources that are referenced.

Building and Managing the Database:

After you download data, unzip it, and connect the folder in ArcCatalog, IMPORT the metadata. But, double check between the weblink metadata and the spatial metadata tab in ArcCatalog. Remember that “Assumed GCS” problem? If you can’t import metadata easily at least do a save as on the metadata and save the html into your working folder.

Naming Stuff:

ArcGIS HATES spaces in filenames or folders. Don’t do it. If you want a space use an underscore.

Software Stuff:

ArcCatalog is the Windows Explorer for ArcGIS use it that way to move or copy datasets. Generally, GIS datasets must stay together or they get screwed up. If you have trouble with ArcCatalog copy and paste functions (and I have), you can use Windows Explorer to move stuff, but move ONLY the folder that contains all of the GIS data you want.

Hopefully, you’re removing the stuff you want from the computers in the labs. Make sure you are always reading the paths (e.g. C:\lastname\stuff) to see where your stuff is going. If you want that data you will HAVE to move it to your jump drive when your done with the session. The computers in Baker are cleaned up once a week and datasets left on the C drive will go bye-bye.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE (even if you’re at your wits end) check to make sure you saved all of the data you need to your jump drive before leaving the labs. Open up ArcCatalog and check if you have to…remember that the ArcMap project file (.mxd) is not enough (See below).

ArcMap files are only text files. They do NOT store the data. They store the path to the data, i.e. C:\lastname\EX_3….so if you change machines or drives you will have to reconnect the appropriate folders in ArcCatalog, and you may have to fix the data source. If it’s disconnected from its sources you’ll see the ! symbol next to the layers in the left tile when you open up your .mxd (ArcMap project). If that happens go to layer properties (right click on the layer and get properties), and set the data source to where it is now.

ArcGIS 9.0 is buggy to say the least. You may crash. I’ve been crashing too, so what I do is first close the application and try to restart it. If that doesn’t work, I shut down the machine…wait like 30 seconds and then turn it back on.

The building and managing database part is evil isn’t it? This is where you will spend the bulk of your work when starting a GIS project, because you’ll have to get everything “just so” before doing analysis or output. That’s also why this class is about 60 to 75% focused on this stuff, because if you start with garbage, you’ll end up with garbage.

Analysis:

Lots of tools everywhere!!! I’ll be adding more to this step in the next couple of weeks, but if you want to know more about clip, overlay, interpolation, reclass or anything always look in Help. I like to use the Index and then just type in a keyword.

Output:

This one you’ll get better at as you play more with the software.. Make sure your layout view (with the piece of paper) shows what is asked of you. As soon as you get what you want export it! Then you can insert picture in the word document later.