1. Introduction to GIS
Review
CGIS-NURIntroduction to ArcGIS I

2. Lesson 1 overview GIS concepts ArcGIS structure ArcMap ArcCatalog
Introduction to GIS
Lesson 1 overview
GIS concepts
ArcGIS structure
ArcMap
ArcCatalog
ArcToolbox
CGIS-NURIntroduction to ArcGIS I

3. GIS functions Capture Store Query Analyze Display Output Customers
Introduction to GIS
GIS functions
Capture
Customers
Store
Buildings
Query
Analyze
Streets
Display
Any GIS should be capable of the following fundamental operations in order to be useful for finding solutions to real-world problems.
Capturing data
A GIS must provide methods for inputting geographic (coordinate) and tabular (attribute) data. The more input methods available, the more versatile the GIS.
Storing data
There are two basic data models for geographic data storage: vector and raster. A GIS should be able to store geographic data in both models.
Querying data
A GIS must provide utilities for finding specific features based on location or attribute value.
Analyzing data
A GIS must be able to answer questions regarding the interaction of spatial relationships between multiple datasets.
Displaying data
A GIS must have tools for visualizing geographic features using a variety of symbology.
Output
A GIS must be able to display results in a variety of formats, such as maps, reports, and graphs.
Reality
Output
CGIS-NURIntroduction to ArcGIS I

4. Storing data – Two ways to represent the world in GIS
Introduction to GIS
Storing data – Two ways to represent the world in GIS
Vector formats (feature class, shape file)
Discrete representations of reality
Raster formats (GRID, IMG)
Use square cells to model reality
X,Y
X,Y
X,Y
X,Y
X,Y
Rows
Columns
Reality (A highway)
You can represent geographic features in vector or raster format.
Vector data
The vector data model represents geographic features much the same way maps do—using points, lines, and areas. An x,y (Cartesian) coordinate system references real-world locations.
Raster data
Instead of representing features by their x,y coordinates, the raster data model assigns values to cells that cover coordinate locations. Raster format is well-suited to spatial analysis and is also appropriate for storing data collected in grid format. The amount of detail you can show for a particular feature depends on the size of the cells in the grid. This makes raster data inappropriate for applications where discrete boundaries must be known, such as parcel management.
CGIS-NURIntroduction to ArcGIS I

5. Sectors of Rwanda with population more than 30,000
Introduction to GIS
Query
Identifying specific features
Identifying features based on conditions
Identifying specific features
One common type of GIS query is to determine what exists at a particular location. In this type of query, the user understands where the features of interest are but wants to know what characteristics are associated with them. This can be accomplished with GIS because the spatial features are linked to the descriptive characteristics.
Identifying features based on conditions
Another type of GIS query is to determine the locations that satisfy certain conditions. In this case, the user knows what characteristics are important and wants to find out where the features are that have those characteristics.
Sectors of Rwanda with population more than 30,000
CGIS-NURIntroduction to ArcGIS I

6. Analysis Proximity Overlay Network
Introduction to GIS
Analysis
Which health centers are within 1000 m of a river?
HF Mucaca
Sector Gahunga
Land cover Open Broadleaved Deciduous Trees
Proximity
Overlay
Network
You can perform analysis to obtain the answers to a particular question or find solutions to a particular problem. Geographic analysis usually involves more than one geographic dataset and requires the analyst to proceed through a series of steps to reach a result. Three common types of geographic analysis are:
Proximity analysis
How many houses lie within 100 meters of this water main?
What is the total number of customers within 10 kilometers of this store?
What proportion of the alfalfa crop is within 500 meters of the well?
To answer such questions, GIS technology uses a process called buffering to determine the proximity between features.
Overlay analysis
An overlay process combines the features of two layers to create a new layer that contains the attributes of both. This resulting layer can be analyzed to determine which features overlap or to find out how much of a feature is in one or more areas. An overlay could be done to combine soil and vegetation layers to calculate the area of a certain vegetation type on a specific type of soil.
Network analysis
This type of analysis examines how linear features are connected and how easily resources can flow through them.
CGIS-NURIntroduction to ArcGIS I

7. Display Maps Graphs Reports Introduction to GIS
For many types of geographic operations, the end result is usually best visualized as a map or graph. Maps are efficient for storing and communicating geographic information. Cartographers have created maps for millennia, but GIS provides new and exciting tools to extend the art and science of cartography. Maps can be integrated with reports, three-dimensional (3D) views, photographic images, and other digital media. This topic is discussed in greater detail in Lesson 3.
Reports
CGIS-NURIntroduction to ArcGIS I

8. Output Internet Paper map Document Image GIS Data rwanda.mxd
Introduction to GIS
Output
Paper map
Internet
GIS Data
Document
Image
Sharing the results of your geographic labor is one of the primary justifications for investing resources in GIS. A powerful method for sharing displays created through a GIS is to output them into a distributable format. The more output options a GIS can offer, the greater the potential for reaching the right audience with the right information.
rwanda.mxd
rwanda.jpg
CGIS-NURIntroduction to ArcGIS I

9. Representing features in vector data
Introduction to GIS
Representing features in vector data
Real-world entities are abstracted into three basic shapes
Health Centers
Streets
Land cover
Abstracting real-world entities
It is impossible to capture everything from reality inside a computer. Instead, GIS users must somehow abstract real-world phenomena, or entities, into a geometric representation of those entities. There are three basic geometric shapes used for geographic features: points, lines, and areas. These shapes can be called geometric objects, geometric features, or feature types.
Note that there are different methods of making these entities digital, including scanning and digitizing.
Points
Lines
Areas/Polygons
CGIS-NURIntroduction to ArcGIS I

10. ArcGIS Desktop products
Introduction to GIS
ArcGIS Desktop products
Tools and database functionalities vary between ArcGIS products
ArcView
ArcEditor
ArcInfo
M o r e F u n c t i o n a l i t y
Additionally several extensions are available like Spatial Analyst, Geostatistical Analyst, 3D-Analyst…
The ArcGIS Desktop includes a suite of integrated applications: ArcMap, ArcCatalog, and ArcToolbox and Geoprocessor interfaces. Using these applications together, you can perform any GIS task, simple to advanced, including mapping, data management, geographic analysis, data editing, and geoprocessing. In addition, ArcGIS allows you to tap in to an abundance of spatial data and resources available through ArcIMS services on the Internet or stored in an ArcSDE® database. The ArcGIS Desktop is a comprehensive, integrated, scalable system designed to meet the needs of a wide range of GIS users.
The ArcGIS Desktop can be accessed using three software products, each providing a higher level of functionality. ArcView provides comprehensive mapping and analysis tools along with simple editing and geoprocessing tools. ArcEditor includes the full functionality of ArcView, plus advanced editing capabilities. ArcInfo extends the functionality of both to include advanced geoprocessing and also includes the applications for ArcInfo Workstation (Arc, ARCPLOT™, ARCEDIT™, and so on).
Because the ArcGIS products all share a common architecture, users working with any of these clients can share their work with other users. Maps, data, symbology, map layers, custom tools and interfaces, reports, metadata, and so on, can be accessed interchangeably in all three products.
Much more information about the entire ESRI product line can be found at
CGIS-NURIntroduction to ArcGIS I

11. ArcMap Primary display application Perform map-based tasks Displaying
Introduction to GIS
ArcMap
Primary display application
Perform map-based tasks
Displaying
Editing
Querying
Analyzing
Charting
Reporting
Mapping
ArcMap provides tools for creating visual displays of your data, querying, and creating presentation-quality maps. ArcMap makes it easy to lay out your maps for printing, embedding in other documents, or electronic publishing. It also includes analysis, charting, reporting functions, and a comprehensive suite of editing tools for creating and editing geographic data. When you save a map, all of your layout work, symbols, text, and graphics are automatically preserved.
ArcMap is the primary ArcGIS application for displaying, querying, editing, creating, and analyzing data.
CGIS-NURIntroduction to ArcGIS I

12. ArcCatalog A window into your database Browse your data
Introduction to GIS
ArcCatalog
A window into your database
Browse your data
Manage your data
Create and view data documentation (metadata)
The ArcCatalog application helps you organize and manage all your GIS data. It includes tools for browsing and finding geographic information, recording and viewing metadata, quickly viewing any dataset, and defining the schema structure for your geographic data layers.
CGIS-NURIntroduction to ArcGIS I

13. ArcToolbox window Available in ArcCatalog and ArcMap
Introduction to GIS
ArcToolbox window
Available in ArcCatalog and ArcMap
Geographic processing functions
Data management, analysis, and conversion
Tools vary between ArcGIS products
The ArcToolbox window provides you with tools for data conversion, managing coordinate systems, changing map projections, and more. ArcToolbox supports easy-to-use drag-and-drop operations from ArcCatalog; with ArcMap, you need to browse to or type in the variables. For ArcInfo users, ArcToolbox provides additional and more sophisticated data conversion and spatial analysis tools.
CGIS-NURIntroduction to ArcGIS I

14. Getting help Tabs Other help Contents Index Search Favorites
Introduction to GIS
Getting help
Tabs
Contents
Index
Search
Favorites
Other help
What’s this?
Tool tips
Online Support
The ArcGIS Desktop Help provides several methods for finding the help you need to use the software most productively. The Contents tab lets you search for information by topic. The Index tab lets you search for topics containing words from the Help index, such as Layer or Table. The Favorites tab lets you store your favorite help topics so you can easily access them when needed. The Search tab lets you search the Help document for a word you specify. Your word does not have to be in the index in order to search the document for it, but the search will take longer if it is not in the index.
In ArcCatalog, ArcMap, and ArcToolbox, button and tool names are displayed when you move the mouse over them (these are called ToolTips). You can also click the What’s This? tool in ArcMap or ArcCatalog and then click on a button or tool to access additional help about it (this is called context-sensitive help). For applications like ArcMap that have graphical user interfaces, context-sensitive help is useful for finding out what all the various buttons and tools do.
Selecting the ESRI Support Center link will connect you with a wealth of additional online resources. The Web site URL is
CGIS-NURIntroduction to ArcGIS I

15. Introduction to GIS
Lesson 1 review
The vector storage model uses a series of equal-sized cells. (T/F)
Vector data is always more accurate than raster data. (T/F)
Geographic objects in vector data can be abstracted into what three geometric shapes?
ArcCatalog is used for data analysis, viewing, querying, and editing data. (T/F)
What are the six functions that a GIS should perform?
1. F
2. F
3. point, line, polygon
5. F (ArcMap is used for these tasks)
6. Capturing data
Storing data
Querying data
Analyzing data
Displaying data
Output
CGIS-NURIntroduction to ArcGIS I