Unit Five: Layer Files In this unit… ► Review ► Storing “Instructions”  In Map Document  In Layer Files ► Using Layer Files ► Intro to Data Storage Types

Unit Five – Layers 2 Review ArcMAP ArcMap as a Virtual Environment Instructions about the way the data looks or is re-defined (layer properties) are stored in the Map Document only We need a another means to retain decisions we made about the appearance of the data, 1.To re-use in separate map documents on our own PC 2.To give to others to use in their own map documents

Unit Five – Layers 3 Storing Instructions: Map Documents ► Save the work, and it’s…  Stored in the Map Document Sample.mxd as “instructions” about how to arrange the data  Stored in a proprietary, binary file format readable and editable with ArcGIS  NOT “backward compatible” with AV 3.x “projects”.

Unit Five – Layers 4 Storing Instructions: Map Documents ► New map documents showing the same feature data as Sample.mxd:  The symbology is chosen by ArcMap from defaults.  The viewing preferences set in Sample.mxd are unknown to Untitled.mxd

Unit Five – Layers 5 Storing Instructions: Layer Files ► ArcGIS has methods for sharing information between Map Documents. ► The Layer File:  Saves instructions (Layer Properties) contained in Sample.mxd into a separate file ► Legends ► Query Definitions ► Joins (?!)  Shows the file as “data” when added to new Map Documents (even though it really includes only a “pointer” to existing data)

Unit Five – Layers 6 Using Layer Files To save a Layer File 1. Layer file actions are in the Layer context menu. 2. Select the save option 3. Enter a new name for the layer. ALWAYS use default file extensions offered by ArcGIS - in this case, “.lyr”

Unit Five – Layers 7 Using Layer Files To Add a Layer File The Layer file may now be treated as if it were any other GIS data source… add a new layer and select the layer file Note the use of different icons to distinguish between the original data file and the new layer file “crashrate00” looks just like the other Map AND … Comes with all other property settings!

Unit Five – Layers 8 Using Layer Files To Import Layer File Symbology 1. Layer properties 2. Symbology Tab 3. Import button 4. Select Layer File and Value Field Includes ONLY symbology – no other properties

Unit Five – Layers 9 Data Storage Types Arc/InfoShapefilesLayers Line Polygon Point Raster Table Coverages Geodatabase

Unit Five – Layers 10 Layer Files Exercises: Complete the exercises for this unit.