Introduction to ArcGIS 10.1: ArcMap, ArcCatalog, and GIS Tutorial

Cookbook 19 February 2013: Introduction to ArcGIS

GARP 0544 (Spring 2013) Page 1 Dr. Carsten Braun

Introduction to ArcGIS 10.1:

ArcMap, ArcCatalog, and GIS Tutorial Ch. 1

Overview

1. Introduction to ArcMap and ArcCatalog

2. File and Data Organization

3. About the GIS Tutorial

4. About Chapter 1

5. Let’s Make a GIS Map!

6. Introducing Maps, Map Layers, GIS Data Files, File

Geodatabases, and Feature Classes

7. Your Turn: Organize your USB flash drive.

8. Your Turn: Chapter 1. Please review the table of

content, the preface, and the introduction to Chapter 1

before starting!

9. Homework Assignment #2



1) Introduction to ArcMap and ArcCatalog

Parts of ArcGIS 10.1

ArcGlobe. Global GIS mapping program = the fancy

version of ArcGIS Explorer.

ArcScene. 3D GIS mapping program (used in GARP

0344).

ArcCatalog. GIS data organization program.

ArcMap. GIS analysis and mapping program.

We will be using ArcMap and ArcCatalog in GARP 0244.

Important!

ArcCatalog and ArcMap are designed to work together (this works

best on dual-monitors) – even though you can use each program

individually.

When you work on a GIS project, homework assignment, etc. –

always start ArcCatalog first, and then start ArcMap. You should

never use ArcMap without starting ArcCatalog first!

With ArcGIS 10.1 you can open the ArcCatalog window from

ArcMap and Auto Hide it as needed. See GIS Tutorial Page 8/9

for more information.

Figure1: ArcMap screen capture with ArcCatalog window ‘docked’ on the right side.



ArcMap

ArcMap is the actual program we use for GIS data analysis and GIS mapping.

ArcCatalog

ArcCatalog is a critical program to organize your GIS data. GIS data are messy and complicated – this

requires a dedicated program for effective data management and organization – hence ESRI created

ArcCatalog.

Why do we need a data organization program (ArcCatalog) for GIS?

Why can’t we just use Windows Explorer?

Well – you can use Windows Explorer to organize your GIS data.

But that is really tedious, complicated, and time-consuming due to the nature of GIS data.

ArcCatalog is designed to work with GIS data. It’s a bit like moving with your family

from Boston to Westfield. You can do that with your little Toyota Corolla…but it would

take dozens of trips and take forever. Or, you can rent a big moving truck and things

become much more convenient.

In addition, ArcCatalog provides a series of GIS tools and functions that we will learn

later on in the semester, for example for creating new GIS data.



2) File and Data Organization

This is critical for success – you have to be organized with your data and files…otherwise bad things will

happen…the reasons will become clear soon.

General Tips

1. You need a dedicated USB flash drive for this course.

2. Create a folder called \garp0544spring2013 for this course.

3. Create dedicated folders on your USB flash drive for every week of

the semester and every project.

4. Save all your maps, data, reports, assignments, etc. into the folder for

each corresponding week or project.

5. Do NOT use capital letters in your file names or folder names – keep

everything lower case.

6. Do NOT use blank spaces in your file names or folder names.

7. DO NOT use funky characters…letters and numbers only!

Important!

Data back-up. You need to back-up your USB flash drive in case you lose it or break it!

Copy the contents of your USB flash drive after each class to your home computer or to our GIS server!

Consider buying an external USB hard disk to back-up your home computer!

Figure 2: Screen Capture USB flash drive and folder organization required for this course.



Instructions

1. Insert your USB flash drive into a USB port.

2. Double-click on ‘My Computer’ – you should see your USB flash drive with a drive

letter assignment (this letter assignment may change from PC to PC).

3. Double-click on your USB flash drive to display its content.

4. Click on File – New – Folder and name the new folder \garp0544spring2013.

Everything associated with this course goes into this folder.

Note: in Windows 7 click on New Folder.

Or, right-click, select New – Folder.

5. Double-click on the new \garp0544spring2013 folder you just created to display its

contents (it is empty now).

6. Click on File – New – Folder and name the new folder \week1.

Everything associated with Week 1 of this course foes into this folder.

Note: in Windows 7 click on New Folder.

Or, right-click, select New – Folder.

7. Repeat Step 6 until you reach \week16.

8. Copy/move your files from last week into the newly created Week 3 folder. The Week 1

and Week 2 folders are empty.

9. Create 6 more folders:

\lyingproject For the Lying with Maps Project

\landuseproject For the Land Use Change Project

\zoningproject For the Zoning Project

\data For GIS Data

\materials For miscellaneous files (e.g. syllabus, etc.)

\scratch For temporary files

Important!

Data organization. This may seem a bit odd now, and yes, we will have to modify a few things later on.

But, this data organization will help you tremendously as we dive deeper into GIS and GIS data this

semester. It is very difficult and time-consuming to clean up a data mess…so start please start organized,

stay organized, and you will be much happier in a few weeks.



3) About The GIS Tutorial

Step 1: Read the Preface!

About the GIS Tutorial, its organization, and what you are supposed to do in

what order to complete each chapter.

Step 2: Browse the Table of Content!

The GIS Tutorial contains 11 chapters, covering the most important features of ArcGIS. It does not cover

everything. And it is also very much a ‘how-to-do’ things type of tutorial – it does not contain much

conceptual or theoretical information about GIS.

Tips and Suggestions

1. Go through each chapter step-by-step. Please do NOT skip steps – the sequence of steps

is important and often critical!

2. Go slowly, take your time, and work meticulously. Read the instructions carefully to

avoid confusion and mistakes.

3. Pay attention to and explore the ‘Your Turn’ task boxes in each chapter.

4. Take notes as you go along.

The GIS Tutorial Data

The data for the GIS Tutorial are installed on each lab PC in a folder named: C:\ESRIPress\GIST1.

The data are also included on the CD in the back of the GIS Tutorial. Each of the 11 chapters has one or

more associated tutorial maps. The folders include the GIS data used in the chapters and in the associated

homework assignments and exercises.

I suggest you install the exercise data (~365 MB) on your USB flash drive – the CD is

included in the back of your GIS Tutorial. Follow the instructions provided in Appendix

D. This makes you independent of the lab PCs in terms of the exercise data.

You can also install the exercise data on your home computer. Follow the instructions in

Appendix D.

Figure 3: Screen Capture C:\ESRIPress\GIST1 folder



Very Important!

Never save files, maps, data, etc. to the computer lab PCs (even though the GIS Tutorial

prompts you to do that) – all will be lost!

Always save files, maps, data, etc. to your own USB flash drive (into the dedicated

folders you created for each week or project).

For example on Page 4: The GIS Tutorial asks you to save the project map to the

C:\ESRIPress\GIST1\MyExercises\Chapter1 folder, using the name Tutorial1-1.mxd.

DO NOT DO THAT!

Instead, save the map to your USB flash drive, into the\garp0544spring2013\week4 folder you created

earlier, using the name tutorial1-2.mxd.

The ArcGIS 10.1 Software

Included in your GIS Tutorial is a 180-day for ArcGIS 10. Follow the instructions in Appendix D if you

want to install ArcGIS 10 on your home computer.

I also have additional free 365-day DVDs for ArcGIS 10.1 if you need to install the software on multiple

computers.

Great Installation Instructions

ArcGIS 10 Education Edition

http://gis.joewheaton.org/about/software/arcgis_install

Install ArcGIS 10.1

http://wp.bluezone.usu.edu/cts/esri-support/install-esri-arcgis-10-1/

http://www.tips.osmre.gov/Software/gis/install/ArcGIS10_1.pdf

ArcGIS 10.1 Service Pack 1

http://support.esri.com/en/downloads/patches-

servicepacks/view/productid/160/metaid/1913

Install ArcGIS 10.1 on Windows 8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZFej4nwu8M

http://gis.joewheaton.org/about/software/arcgis_install

http://wp.bluezone.usu.edu/cts/esri-support/install-esri-arcgis-10-1/

http://www.tips.osmre.gov/Software/gis/install/ArcGIS10_1.pdf

http://support.esri.com/en/downloads/patches-servicepacks/view/productid/160/metaid/1913

http://support.esri.com/en/downloads/patches-servicepacks/view/productid/160/metaid/1913

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZFej4nwu8M



4) About Chapter 1

The goal for this week is to work through Chapter 1 (Introduction) of the GIS Tutorial.

Chapter 1 (Page 1 to 42) takes you through a series of steps and tasks to familiarize yourself with the

theme of the chapter – namely to work with map layers and features. Take your time and work through all

of it step by step – don’t skip steps! You’ll notice several ‘Your Turn’ tasks, which are designed to

reinforce the skills learned in the step-based content and to provoke critical thinking.

Learning Objectives

Open and save a map.

Working with map layers.

Navigating a map document.

Measuring distances.

Working with feature attributes.

Selecting features.

Working with attribute tables.

Labeling features.

You will work with map layers and the underlying attribute data tables for U.S. states, counties, cities,

and streets. Each map layer represents a set of geographic features and their associated attributes, for

example:

US States

Polygon features, each polygon representing a state (the lower 48 plus D.C.)

Each of the 49 polygon features has a corresponding record in its attribute table,

containing demographic information from the U.S. census.

US Cities

Point features, each point representing a major city.

Each of the 56 point features has a corresponding record in its attribute table, containing

demographic information from the U.S. census.

CO Counties

Polygon features, each polygon representing a county in Colorado.

Each of the 64 polygon features has a corresponding record in its attribute table,

containing demographic information from the U.S. census.



5) Let’s Make A GIS Map!

Making a map is easy: all you need are some geospatial data files!

Try the following exercise: you should be able to complete this exercise without difficulties. The map you

create here is useful for this week’s homework assignment!

1. Start ArcMap, select New Maps, Blank Map.

2. Start ArcCatalog or open the ArcCatalog window in ArcMap.

3. Create a folder connection to C:\ESRIPress\GIST1.

4. Click the Add Data button or select File – Add Data… and browse to

C:\ESRIPress\GIST1\Data.

5. Double-click on the World.gdb file geodatabase, select Country, and click Add.

Excellent! The file geodatabase feature class Country is added to your map as a new map layer named

Country. You can change the name of the map layer and its color to whatever you want – the underlying

GIS data set remains the same.

6. Repeat Steps 4 and 5 and add the USStates feature class from the United States.gdb file

geodatabase. Ignore the Warning about coordinate systems by clicking Close.

Excellent! Now you have a second map layer called USStates that displays the file geodatabase feature

class USStates.

Now for the interesting part: explore the map, explore the attribute tables, and select features!

7. Right-click on the two map layers, select Open Attribute Table, and explore the rich

attribute data included in these two GIS data files.

8. Use the Select Features Tool and select features from the attribute tables and the map

window. Note that the selection occurs in both.

9. Select File – Map Document Properties… and check the radio button next to Store

relative pathnames to data sources.

10. Select File – Save As… and save your map to your USB flash drive, into the

garp0544spring2013\week4 folder.

11. Browse to this folder using first ArcCatalog, then Windows Explorer, and find your map.

Congratulations! You just created your first GIS map!



6.1) Introducing Maps, Map Layers, and GIS Data Files

Figure 4: ArcMap screen capture

Map Window

Displays the map

Map

Displays the map layers (here: two) overlain on each other.

Map Layer

Each map layer displays a single GIS data file.

Table of Content

Displays the order of the map layers shown on the map.

This distinction between the map and the map layers is critical!

A map may have dozens of map layers, but each map layer only displays one single GIS data file.

The Basic Process of Creating a GIS:

1. You create or download some GIS data set(s).

File Format: Shapefile or Geodatabase (Section 2).

2. You ‘map’ or ‘display’ this GIS data set as a map layer in your GIS map.

You control how the GIS data set is displayed as a map layer in your map without

changing the actual GIS data set.



Critical Concept!

You can use the same GIS data file in many different maps and map layers. Changing the way a GIS data

file is displayed in your map does NOT change the underlying geospatial GIS data file.

But!

If you change the underlying GIS data file…all maps using that particular GIS data file will change!

Fundamentally: This means that the way that geospatial data are displayed (i.e. mapped) in a GIS is

separate from the underlying geospatial data.

About Map Files in GIS

A map in ArcGIS contains two sets of information:

1. Where are the GIS data files stored that are shown on the map = links and addresses?

2. How should I (= the map) display these GIS data files = colors, selections, etc.?

That’s all – an ArcGIS map does NOT contain any data…only the directions to where the data are stored!

Your GIS map is independent of its underlying GIS data, but linked!

Same for MS Excel: The spreadsheet table is separate from the graphs you create, but linked!

Map Files in ArcGIS

A map file starts as a blank canvas to which you add content (i.e. map layers).

The map file tells ArcGIS how to display the map layers (colors, projections, dimensions,

etc.) and where the underlying GIS data files are located.

*.mxd = whatever name you want with an *.mxd extension.

Figure 5: Contents of C:\ESRIPress\GIST1\Maps



Figure 6: ArcMap screen capture

Example

Map Tutorial1-1.mxd

Map Layers US States

US Cities

Map Tutorial1-1.mxd displays 2 map layers and each map layer displays one underlying GIS data set.

A GIS map can display many map layers.

A map layer displays only one GIS data file.

Remember!

The map displays the map layers. The map layers display the GIS data files. The GIS data files are not

changed in the process and can be used over and over as many map layers in many maps!

Fun with a new language!



6.2) Introducing File Geodatabases and Feature Classes

There are currently two different file formats (or data models) for GIS data: shapefiles and geodatabases.

Shapefiles are the older file format (more later), but still very popular in the GIS world.

Geodatabase = The Kitchen-Sink Approach

Everything (spatial data, attribute data, pictures, raster data, etc.) is stored in a

single, very complicated database table = all your GIS data are located inside

one single file and all you need is a GIS software to read that file.

You can easily import shapefiles as feature classes into a geodatabase and vice-

versa. The same is true for raster data, networks, etc.

There are three types of geodatabases:

File geodatabases. Stored as folders in a file system. Each dataset is held as a file that can

scale up to 1 TB in size. The file geodatabase is recommended over personal

geodatabases.

Personal geodatabases. All datasets are stored within a Microsoft Access data file, which

is limited in size to 2 GB.

ArcSDE geodatabases. Stored in a relational database using Oracle, Microsoft SQL

Server, IBM DB2, IBM Informix, or PostgreSQL. These multiuser geodatabases require

the use of ArcSDE and can be unlimited in size and numbers of users.

Always use a file geodatabase!



Additional Information

http://www.esri.com/news/arcnews/winter0809articles/the-geodatabase.html

http://www.esri.com/software/arcgis/geodatabase/index.html

http://www.esri.com/news/arcnews/winter0809articles/the-geodatabase.html

http://www.esri.com/software/arcgis/geodatabase/index.html



Figure 7: Contents of C:\ESRIPress\GIST1\Data

The C:\ESRIPress\GIST1\Data folder contains a series of folder and file geodatabases, for example the

UnitedStates.gdb and the World.gdb (Figure 7)

You can think of a file geodatabase as a container holding all kinds of GIS data sets. For example, vector

data are stored inside geodatabases as so-called feature classes.

However, the structure of geodatabases is so complicated and complex that you need

ArcCatalog to look inside a geodatabase.

Try it in Windows Explorer for fun…all you see incomprehensible chaos!

Figure 8 shows the feature classes contained in the file geodatabase United States.gdb.

Each feature class is one vector data set (point, line, or polygon).

ArcCatalog allows you to preview the geography and attribute table of each feature class.

That’s quite useful so you can get an idea of what the feature class contains before adding

it to ArcMap.

Using Add Data…you can add each feature class to your map as a new map layer.

Fun with a new language!

GIS data = geospatial data, stored as feature classes inside geodatabases or as shapefiles.

Feature classes (or shapefiles) are organized in ArcCatalog.

Feature classes (or shapefiles) are added as map layers to a map in ArcMap.

The map you create in ArcMap does NOT contain the feature classes (or shapefiles) underlying each map

layer, but a link back to the location where the actual feature classes (or shapefiles).

GIS map and GIS data are independent, but linked!



Figure 8: Features Classes contained in the file geodatabase United States.gdb



7) Your Turn: Organize your USB flash drive

Create the folders on your USB flash drive as suggested in Section 2 and shown on the associated screen

capture.

8) Your Turn: Chapter 1

Now it’s your turn – start working through Chapter 1. Please take your time, follow the directions, and

read all the text which contains critical information. This should take about 2 hours to complete.

Please review the table of content, the preface, and the introduction to Chapter 1 before starting!

Specific Instructions

Page 4: Do NOT save the map to the computer, but instead to your own USB flash drive

into the \week3 folder.

Page 7: Relative pathnames are critical – always save your maps using relative

pathnames.

Page 32: The Your Turn box is critical!

Tutorial 1-7

This is perhaps the most critical concept: you can select features from the map or from the attribute table

and they will be selected in both!

Remember: the map and the attribute table are connected = the map displays visually the underlying

attribute table (the same way a graph in MS Excel displays the underlying data table).

You will need all these skills to complete this week’s assignment!

Important!

Chapter 1 shows you the most critical GIS capability: you can view and analyze geographic information

as a table and as a map = you can view the demographic data for all US states in table format, very similar

to MS Excel. But, the GIS software also allows you to create an intelligent map of all US states.

How is that possible? We will come back to that after you have worked with Chapter 1 for a while.



9) Homework Assignment #2

Housing Demographics of the USA

This assignment practices and expands the skills you have learned in Chapter 1 – everything you need to

know to complete this assignment is covered in Chapter 1 of your GIS Tutorial. This exercise is very

similar to Assignment 1.1 on Page 43 – albeit slightly modified and expanded.

Here you will create a real GIS map, perform data analysis, and interpret your results.

Data

Use the following feature class: C:\ESRIPress\GIST1\Data\UnitedStates.gdb\USStates

Mapping Task

Create a simple wire-frame map of USA, showing the 5 states with the highest number of

vacant housing units using a red outline.

Label only these 5 states with their state abbreviation.

Data Analysis Task

Complete the housing demographics table below using the feature attribute table.

Use the Statistics Tool and the Sort Ascending/Descending Tool in ArcMap to find your

answers from the feature attribute table.

Interpretation Task

1. Explain the differences between ArcCatalog and ArcMap and how they work together

within ArcGIS. Provide some specific examples.

2. What is a geodatabase and a feature class? Explain!

3. How is a feature class connected to a map layer and a map?

4. How about the ‘American Dream of Home Ownership’? Calculate the percentage of the

total housing units for (a) renter-occupied, (b) owner-occupied, and (c) vacant housing

units. Interpret and discuss your results.

5. In your map you highlighted the 5 states with the highest number of vacant housing units.

Why do these 5 states have the highest number of vacant housing units? Think in terms of

total population and total number of housing units.

6. What would be a better way show the spatial pattern of vacant housing units across the

U.S.?

Comments and Tips

Save your map as hw2.mxd to your USB flash drive, into your

\garp0544spring2013\week4 folder. Save using relative path names (see Chapter 1).



Table 1: Housing Demographics Table (all 49 states)

Attribute Total

(for all 49 States) Average

(of all 49 States) Minimum

(Value & State) Maximum

(Value & State)

POP2000

HSE_Units

Renter_Occ

Owner_Occ

Vacant

Total Find the total population, housing units, etc. for all 49 states

Average Find the average population, housing units, etc. for all 49 states

Minimum Provide the value and the state name

Maximum Provide the value and the state name

POP2000 Population in each state in 2000

HSE_Units Total number of housing units in each state

Renter_Occ Renter-occupied housing units in each state

Owner_Occ Owner-occupied housing units in each state

Vacant Vacant housing units in each state

Deliverables

Please submit professional, well-written report using proper English language and professional formatting

and layout. Think in terms of using this report as a sample of your work for a job interview. Include:

Part 1: A step-by-step documentation of what you did to create the map in ArcGIS and

how you performed the data analysis and interpretation. Think in terms of writing a cook

book recipe that a similarly-trained GIS user can follow along to repeat your mapping

and analysis. I need to be able to understand your methods to assess your work. Use a

numbered list to organize your recipe.

Part 2: The answers to the six questions.

Part 3: The completed housing demographics table. Create your table in MS Excel or MS

Word.

Part 4: Your printed map as the last page.

Include a cover page and page numbers in the page footer.

Your report will have about 7 pages (cover page, ~4 pages for documentation and the six

questions, page for the table, and map page).

Due Date: Next class on Tuesday 19 February 2013 at the beginning of class.

Please note: the map, the analysis table, the documentation, and the interpretation questions are all equally

important in terms of your assignment grade. This is a difficult assignment, so get started as soon as

possible!

Contact me for help or clarification of this assignment or my expectations as needed.

Documents

Introduction to ArcGIS 10.1: ArcMap, ArcCatalog, and GIS Tutorial