Introduction to GIS

and ArcGIS

How a GIS works

Introduction to ArcGIS

A GIS integrates five basic

components

data

method

s software

people

hardware

Data

Types of datasets

Vector formats

(“feature classes”)

Points

Lines (”arcs”)

Polygons

Types of datasets

Raster formats

Matrices of square

cells (grids, pixels)

Types of datasets

Attribute tables:

tables of data describing

spatial features

Methods

Basic GIS Functions

Capture

Store

Query

Analyze

Display

Output

Capturing data

Paper maps Digital images

GPS output

Coordinate lists

GIS

Query

Identifying

features based

on conditions

Find all trees with DBH > 35 cm

Identifying specific features Where 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

Maps

Graphs

Reports/Tables

Examples of GIS maps surface drapes & 3-D modeling

Examples of GIS generated maps

detailed

topographic maps

Output

Paper map

Internet

Image (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 Desktop E

X

T

E

N

S

I

O

N

S

ArcGIS Engine

ArcObjects

RDBMS

ArcSDE

ArcGIS Server ArcIMS

E

X

T

E

N

S

I

O

N

S

Network

ArcReader ArcView

ArcInfo

ArcEditor

Custom

Application

ArcPad Web

Browser

ArcGIS Desktop Products

Increased Functionality

ArcView

ArcInfo

ArcEditor

The history of ESRI products

time

ArcInfo ArcView ArcGIS

ArcView 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

Scalability

ArcObjects

RDBMS

ArcSDE

ArcGIS

Server

ArcIMS

Network

ArcReader ArcView

ArcInfo

ArcEditor

Custom

Application

ArcPad Web

Browser

ArcGIS

Desktop

The ArcGIS suite contains

Desktop application

(we will be using this quarter)

Data server application (ArcSDE)

Application servers (ArcGIS Server)

Internet mapping servers (ArcIMS)

GIS

so

ftw

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: “What is ArcGIS9”

“Exploring the ArcGIS interface”

“ArcGIS GUI”

“ArcGIS modules”

•Do: Assignment 1 and submit with “Collect-it”