Technical Workshops

Esri UC2010 | Tech Workshops

The Role of Maps in GIS

Clint Brown

“Mapping” encompasses a lot

• Traditional media

– Paper maps

– Imagery

• New media

– Web maps

– Mobile maps

– Geographic information

People have learned to use and appreciate the value of “new media” maps,

and GIS can exploit this

People use maps for many activitiesTo communicate and convey large amounts of information

To find patterns

Median Age

Crime

To view information over time

To derive new information using analysis

Malaria Predictions Heat map of crime

Optimizing routes

To communicate ideas, concepts, designs, …

Sarah Ellingson

To get status reportsOperational dashboards

Water utility operational dashboard

Haiti Earthquake response

BP Oil Blowout

To compile geographic information

Most GIS organizations compile and maintain information inventories (e.g., Hydrology, Soils, Geology, Transportation, Boundaries, Parcels, etc.)

Maps are made from a series of layers

• Layers represent logical collections

(themes) of information – Roads,

Trails, Surface Elevation, Hydro, . . .

• The contents of each map are

organized as a series of layers

A map is a kind of geographic information model . . .

. . . GIS is founded on map layer concepts

There are many types of GIS map layers

Multi-scale Basemaps FeaturesImagery

Derived Layers (e.g., Model Results)

Also:

• 3D layers

• Surface layers

• Etc.

Multi-scale BasemapsBasemap layers provide a framework and context for working with other map layers

Topographic GeologyGeneral purpose city

Parcels ImageryUtilities

General Purpose City Map: Pasadena, California

Basemaps

Fused Base Map Basemap Sandwich

Reference Overlay

Theme

Terrain

Geology

Imagery Hybrid

Topographic Basemap

BasemapsUsing map sandwiches

• Terrain underlay

Basemaps Using map sandwiches

• Reference overlay– Names, transportation, hydro, . . .

Basemaps Using map sandwiches

• Slide your theme into the sandwich– Population, Hydrology, Geology, Soils, Land use, Ecoregions, . . .

Median Age

Basemaps Using map sandwiches

• Imagery Hybrid– Imagery plus Reference Overlay

Types of layers

Feature layers

Assign symbols to attribute values (e.g., street class) . . . . . . and labels (e.g., street name)

Portrayed using symbols,

colors, and labels — based

on attribute values

. . . Feature shapes plus attributes

Feature layers have information popups

Layers as interactive reports

Maps tell stories

Feature layers have attachments

Add photos and other documents to a feature

. . . how features communicate rich information

Feature layers

Are used to compile and edit data

• A Map Document has Layers

• Layers have symbology and labels

• Layers have Feature Templates for editing

Example:

• Geodatabase schema for parcels

• Parcel fabric uses specialized

topological rules for how

elements fit together to form the

parcel fabric

Some layers are derived

Geocoding layers

Feature layer created from an address table

Sensor layers

Feature layers can be created for sensor networks

Stream gauges Traffic cameras

Image layers (Raster)

• Individual image files

• Mosaics: Collections of imagery used as integrated map layers

Surface layers

DEM Rasters

Terrains (Multi-resolution Tins)

Contours and Elevation Points

Composite

Derived layersGeoprocessing Results

Derived layers for spatial analysis and to automate tasks (e.g., ETL)

Areas within 2-, 4-, and 6-hours by truck

Optimizing Travel Times

Polygon overlay of flood plains on parcelsSpatial statistics

Suitability map

Analytical Models

ArcMapTo create a map, you create layers and add them to your map

The Table of Contents helps you to organize the layers in your map

Layers encapsulate how you work with GIS datasets

• How datasets are classified, symbolized, and labeled

• How to view and work with feature attributes

• How features are edited

Feature editing templates

HTML popupsAttribute table

New in Version 10

Layer properties

• Subsets (Queries)

• Scale-dependent display properties

• Joins and relates

• Attribute field properties

– Alias names

– Visible fields

– Hidden fields

– Display expressions

• Time properties

• Group layers

Visible fields, expressions, captions, …

Time Slider

Editing templates

• Your map helps you to

– Compile and edit shared features

– Define the visible map scales

– Derive a new layer by analyzing information in other layers

Can be saved and shared as map packages and layer packages

ArcMapMap documents and layers encapsulate your knowledge

Users share maps and layersUsing ArcGIS Online

Share

Free Online Storage

Desktop Users

Groups

Search / UseMap packages and

Layer packages

ArcGIS 10

• ArcGIS is about making, using, and sharing GIS maps and apps for many purposes

Desktop Maps (MXD, MPK, MSD,

LYR, LPK)

Web Maps and Apps

Mobile Maps and Apps

ArcGIS is an online system for using geographic information everywhereA range of clients — GIS desktops, Web browsers, and mobile devices

• Connected to maps and geographic information services from thousands of

organizations worldwide.

– On local computers (and as files on disk)

– Published as GIS Web services for use within an enterprise

– Published and shared in the cloud

GIS web mapsA new kind of map that works on the web

• Shared with everyone

• Works everywhere

– In browsers

– Mobile devices

– In custom apps

– And in GIS desktops

Web MapsSharing GIS with everyone

• There is a new map media called a web map

• This is one of many map patterns for the web and is already widely used (e.g., by

Google, Microsoft Bing, ArcGIS Online, etc.)

• This pattern involves the use of multi-scale base maps plus operational overlays

(mashups)

• Each map is published as an open map service on the web

– Published with multiple APIs: REST, SOAP, WMS, WCS, KML

• A Web Map combines these in a common application

• Simple HTML and Mobile APIs are used to assemble web applications that

reference REST endpoints (URLs).

• Only a few dozen lines of code are needed to create great web map apps

• With ArcGIS Online, making a map is even easier (No web programming)

Make a Web Map

Web maps can be created and shared Web browser (ArcGIS.com)

Create your Web map at ArcGIS.com and in Explorer Online

Web maps can be shared ArcGIS Explorer Online

Web maps can be sharedAdd notes and build presentations with Explorer Online

Using maps to tell stories

Web maps can be sharediPhone, iOS, Android, . . .

Web maps can be shared Using Custom Apps

Web APIs for Javascript, Flex, Silverlight, SharePoint, iOS, and Android

Web maps can be sharedArcGIS Explorer Desktop

Adding tasks for modeling and analysis

Web maps can be sharedArcMap

Web maps can be sharedArcMap

Perform advanced work: Editing, Geoprocessing, Modeling, . . .

How to create great web maps and apps

Web Maps

• A web map is a set of web map layers.

• Each layer is based on a web map service.

• A web map service in ArcGIS is published using a map document.

• You author your web map layers as map documents in ArcMap and publish them as map services.

• You combine a set of web map layers from multiple services in your web map application.

There is a common pattern for web maps

Creating a GIS Web MapA commonly used pattern

1. Multi-scale Basemap(s)

2. Operational Overlay(s)

3. Tools for working with each layer

4. A GIS app to bring this to life

Building a multi-scale base mapA series of related maps for each map scale

Using ArcMap

1. Define map scales

2. Build a map for each map

scale

3. Put the set of layers for each map scale

in a group layer

4. Set scale-dependent drawing for each

group layer

5. Generate a cached map service

Optional:

• Define Interactive feature reports

• Locator

Community BasemapsYou don’t have to build it all yourself. Your map can be part of a community map.

• You need a set of multi-scale base maps to accomplish your work

• No user can assemble their complete map. You need contributions from other users as well

• ESRI wants to support your efforts to build and publish your collective information as a series of great base maps

A unified, harmonized series of basemaps authored and shared by the ArcGIS community

Operational LayersThe focused set of layers that users work with

• Editing and data access layers

• Observations, sensor feeds, incidents

• Query results

• Result layers that are derived from analytical models

Earthquakes Inundation Areas &Affected Buildings

Incidents, Customer Calls, Work Orders

Operational layers

• Put interesting data behind your maps. Use tools to reach into that data.

“What can you do with a single mouse-click?”

• Maps as interactive reports enable you to simplify the cartography (e.g., fewer and simpler labels)

Operational Layers are used for information accessLayers as interactive, georeferenced reports

Operational Overlay

Basemap Sandwich

Operational Overlay

Base Map

Simplest Report is Information PopupThe most common layer report method

• Avoid use of– Feature and Object IDs– Abbreviated / technical field names– Code values– Poorly formatted real numbers– Etc.

Operational LayersLayers as interactive reports

• Interactive reports are controlled by adding

information to specific results columns in

your geodatabase

– Add columns with meaningful values

to your feature tables

– Populate report attributes for each feature

Identify the audience. Focus on delivering information to help

them do their work

Operational LayersThe focused set of layers that users work with

• Include tools for rich operations– Examples

• Calculate population within 100 miles of an earthquake• Show current stream flow• Project Planning

Earthquakes Stream Flow Water Utility Plans

Operational LayersCartographic design is important

• Good symbology and labels

• Support for scale-dependent displayNot relevant at these map scales

Apps use basemaps plus operational overlaysOut-of-the-box apps and custom apps

• Operational layers require:

– Cartographic design (e.g., scale-dependencies)

– Popup Report Design

– Tools to work with the layer’s content

• Maps tell stories– Use Presentations in ArcGIS Explorer

• Associate specific tools with each operational layer

Map Tools

Network map Directions

Demographic map Information popup

Parcel Editing Map (MPK) Parcel editing tools and workflow

Animal Tracks (GPS) Time Slider

Observations and ImplicationsAnd random thoughts . . .

Better maps are needed

Key points

• The GIS community builds and maintains important information sets

• Maps – both 2D and 3D, are the way this geographic information is

brought to life

• However, most GIS professionals are not cartographers

• But, …

There is a GIS mapping “community”

– The mapping community can provide the designs and build map specifications

for the rest of us for web delivery (i.e., templates)

– The mapping community can share its designs and map templates

– Users can import their data into these templates and publish maps on the Web

Most GIS maps and apps are too complicatedSimplify and Streamline

• One-size-fits-all, general Übermaps

• Applications with (too) many options and toolbars and bells and whistles and the kitchen sink, etc.

Designing map and geodatabase together leads to simpler data models that are streamlined

• Individual organizations have their own maps

• Independently designed map documents and geodatabases

• Slow to deploy and adapt

• Focus is on data formats and dataset sharing

• Standards efforts are focused on this too. Clunky sharing and standards.

GIS for everyone means your GIS must be relevant and vitalOld ways of GIS are no longer sustainable

Current Focus Future• Focused interactive maps that are

mission-based• Transformation to shared web maps

for delivery

• Work together on common designs (Templates)

• Use of Web maps for information access

• Use of Web maps to communicate and tell stories

• Simplify and streamline

Maps and templates will play a critical role

The ArcGIS Community will create and share great GIS maps and apps (Content)

1. ESRI is building some core maps– Imagery, streets, locators

– Demographic and business maps

2. ESRI is engaging with our user communities on other strategic maps

(collaborative)– Topographic map, Image map, Street map, Others

3. Many of you will create and share maps– Hosted at ArcGIS Online

– User-managed

Great map and app designs shared as templates

Lessons learned

• Group layers do a lot for your design (e.g., scale-dependent display, organizing information by theme, . . .)

• Frequently, you’ll need maps to be more specific at larger map scales

Base maps become more specific at larger map scales

Base maps become more specific at larger map scales

Base maps become more specific at larger map scales

Lessons learned

• Important to design maps and geodatabases in unison

Leads to simpler data models that are streamlined

Lessons learned

• Leverage map content from other users

– Use “map sandwiches” for some base maps

Lessons learned

• Leverage map content from other users

– Use “map sandwiches” for some base maps

Lessons learned

• Leverage map content from other users

– Design your maps to fit with others’

Lessons learned

• Leverage map content from other users

– Design your maps to fit with others’

Lessons learned

• Building the content is the hard work.

• Creating the map is a fraction of the effort.

• We all have something valuable (extremely valuable) to contribute

Cambridge, MA and Harvard University

• 12 hours of data processing

• 90 minutes to cache

• Seven map scales 1:36,000 to 1:1,000

Lessons learnedGIS content is almost always better than consumer web maps

• Up-to-date

• Trusted & Understood

• Authoritative

• Known quality

. . . and consumer web maps can improve through the use of GIS content

Summary

GIS is evolving to emphasize the role of maps

How we communicate with GIS

• Maps portray logical collections of geographic information as map layers

• They are at the heart of how GIS is used

• They provide an effective metaphor for modeling and organizing

geographic information as a series of thematic layers

Maps encapsulate everything we do with GIS

The new Web GIS trend will require better maps and information

• Will drive a resurgence in the need for high quality, up-to-date information

• The traditional data compilation work of GIS professionals will be needed to meet this need

• Web GIS deployments will lead to increased professional GIS work and sharing for– Data automation– Editing– Mapping– Analysis– Automation– 3D GIS– Map use

A key goal in ArcGIS 10 is about meeting these needs

Key points

• Unified map designs are needed

– Harmonized map views that can be mashed up together

– Shared data schemas and maps across organizations

– This leads to shared apps across organizations

– Shared maps and apps are recognizable. Consumers can learn to use and apply familiar maps

SynergyCrowd sourcing by the GIS community

Base Maps plus Operational Overlays

There are many types of “base maps”

• Consumer maps provide imagery and streets. These are important but do

not provide the context for addressing all problems.

• Additional web maps are needed to provide the context or framework for

addressing a range of problems.

• The GIS community must provide these base maps.

• Very few web maps can be built by a single organization.

• A collaborative effort is needed to bring our content together in a series of unified, harmonized, continuous basemaps.

Thank You

Useful Links

• Download slides at: http://blogs.esri.com/Dev/blogs/arcgis – Look for BLOG article named “The role of maps in GIS” by Clint Brown

• Help topics– The role of maps:

http://help.arcgis.com/en/arcgisdesktop/10.0/help/index.html#/How_maps_are_used_in_GIS/00v200000016000000/

– ArcMap documents and Web maps: http://help.arcgis.com/en/arcgisdesktop/10.0/help/index.html#/ArcMap_documents_and_Web_maps/00v200000017000000/

– Web GIS concepts and implementation steps: http://help.arcgis.com/en/arcgisdesktop/10.0/help/index.html#/An_overview_of_Web_GIS/00530000008r000000/

– Map Templates Gallery: http://resources.arcgis.com/content/maptemplates/about – Community Basemaps: http://resources.arcgis.com/content/community-basemap/about