Generating Metadata Through ArcCatalog

Metadata Entry Tools There are many different metadata entry tools There are many different metadata entry tools Downloadable executables (standalone) Downloadable executables (standalone) On-line Forms (i.e. GOS) On-line Forms (i.e. GOS) Integrated with your GIS software Integrated with your GIS software -ArcView 3.x -ArcGIS (ArcCatalog)

ArcCatalog Metadata Tool ArcGIS has a metadata editor built into the ArcCatalog application ArcGIS has a metadata editor built into the ArcCatalog application This tool allow you to create metadata for various data files This tool allow you to create metadata for various data files ArcCatalog will automatically generate a metadata file for you when you click on the metadata tab ArcCatalog will automatically generate a metadata file for you when you click on the metadata tab

ArcCatalog ArcCatalog will create metadata for you before you've ever entered a word into a metadata editor. ArcCatalog will create metadata for you before you've ever entered a word into a metadata editor. Every time you view Every time you view metadata, ArcCatalog will update these elements for you.

Editing Metadata in ArcCatalog ArcCatalog uses dialogue boxes. Some boxes are “flagged” to help you comply with the FGDC standard. ArcCatalog uses dialogue boxes. Some boxes are “flagged” to help you comply with the FGDC standard.

Editing Metadata in ArcCatalog There is a system to the madness… These are the 7 main sections of the CSDGM! Data Quality Information Data Quality Information Spatial Data Organization Information Spatial Data Organization Information Spatial Reference Information Spatial Reference Information Entity and Attribute Information Entity and Attribute Information Distribution Information Distribution Information Identification Information Identification Information Metadata Reference Information Metadata Reference Information 7

Tips and Vocabulary… Elements that ArcCatalog updates automatically do not display in the metadata editors. Elements that ArcCatalog updates automatically do not display in the metadata editors. In ArcCatalog, elements that you can edit are called documentation, while elements that update automatically are called properties. In ArcCatalog, elements that you can edit are called documentation, while elements that update automatically are called properties.

Examples of Documentation and Property Elements Documentation Documentation-Title-Abstract -Contact info. Properties Properties -Bounding coords. -Projection -Name and type of attributes

Metadata Entry in ArcCatalog When you click on the “metadata When you click on the “metadata tab, the metadata toolbar becomes active Edit metadata Metadata Properties Create/Update Metadata Import Metadata Export Metadata

Metadata Entry in ArcCatalog Edit Metadata Edit Metadata This button brings up the MD interface. If this is the first time that you opened the editor with the associated data file, then the properties of that dta file, such as bounding coordinates, projection, etc., will be populated. Edit metadata Metadata Properties Create/Update Metadata Import Metadata Export Metadata

Metadata Entry in ArcCatalog Metadata Properties Metadata Properties This button brings up the “Metadata Properties” dialog box which has two tabs: Enclosures and Options. The Enclosure tab gives you the option of attaching files (word docs., jpegs) within the MD file. The options tab allows you to turn off automatic updates of the MD. Edit metadata Metadata Properties Create/Update Metadata Import Metadata Export Metadata

Metadata Entry in ArcCatalog Create/Update MD Create/Update MD This button allows you to create new metadata for a data file, or to update the metadata for a data file that has not been changed. Edit metadata Metadata Properties Create/Update Metadata Import Metadata Export Metadata

Metadata Entry in ArcCatalog Import Metadata Import Metadata You can import existing metadata into ArcCatalog. Edit metadata Metadata Properties Create/Update Metadata Import Metadata Export Metadata

Metadata Entry in ArcCatalog Export Metadata Export Metadata Once your record is complete you can export the metadata in various formats, including several varieties of the FGDC CSDGM as well as html and xml. These exported files can be uploaded to a metadata clearinghouse, or disseminated to other potential data users. Edit metadata Metadata Properties Create/Update Metadata Import Metadata Export Metadata

Metadata is stored as Xml. Metadata is stored as Xml. ArcCatalog provides various stylesheets for viewing and exporting in various formats… ArcCatalog provides various stylesheets for viewing and exporting in various formats… The VirginiaMeta Lite Stylesheet is provided on your Workshop CD The VirginiaMeta Lite Stylesheet is provided on your Workshop CD Just copy the file to: Just copy the file to:C:\ProgramFiles\ArcGIS\Metadata\Stylesheets

The Virginia Metadata Lite Stylesheet Only displays elements associated contained within the Virginia Metadata Lite “recommended standard” Only displays elements associated contained within the Virginia Metadata Lite “recommended standard”

Exercise Copy the Folder from your CD to the Desktop on your hard drive. Copy the Folder from your CD to the Desktop on your hard drive. Start ArcCatalog, and View a metadata file (any metadata file will do…) Start ArcCatalog, and View a metadata file (any metadata file will do…) Select different stylesheets Select different stylesheets -Which Stylesheet do you prefer? -Which Stylesheet do you prefer? Explore ArcCatalog’s Metadata Editor. Update the metadata record by entering some “bogus” information (the idea is to explore and become familiar with ArcCatalog’s metadata editor) Explore ArcCatalog’s Metadata Editor. Update the metadata record by entering some “bogus” information (the idea is to explore and become familiar with ArcCatalog’s metadata editor) -Refer to the CSDGM Workbook, or other FGDC reference material.

Synchronizing Metadata Creation and Updates You can control how ArcCatalog updates your metadata under You can control how ArcCatalog updates your metadata under The National Park Service has developed a much more sophisticated extension that lets you select specific elements that you want to have updated automatically (and it is very user-friendly!) The National Park Service has developed a much more sophisticated extension that lets you select specific elements that you want to have updated automatically (and it is very user-friendly!) s/metadata/metadata_tools.htm

Viewing MD in ArcCatalog The Legend: The Legend: -Asterisk*: automatically updated by ArcCatalog -Blue text: FGDC compliant elements -Blue text: FGDC compliant elements -Green text: additional ESRI elements FGDC Stylesheet

Importing Metadata in ArcCatalog ArcCatalog can import metadata in the following formats: ArcCatalog can import metadata in the following formats: -FGDC CSDGM TXT -FGDC CSDGM XML -FGDC CSDGM SGM

Importing and Exporting Metadata in ArcCatalog In this exercise, you will import a metadata file into ArcCatalog, make some basic edits / updates to the file, and then export this file. In this exercise, you will import a metadata file into ArcCatalog, make some basic edits / updates to the file, and then export this file. Refer to your handout for instructions! Refer to your handout for instructions! Exercise

Time to Write!

Surveys Metadata Metadata HR GIS: HR GIS: