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”