ArcGIS Desktop III: GIS Workflows and Analysis

2008 Schedule

Dec 16-17

2009 Schedule

Mar 17-18

Jun 16-17

Sep 15-16

Dec 15-16

Purpose of the Course

Understanding how and when to apply ArcGIS tools and functions is the key to creating an efficient GIS workflow. Building on the skills and knowledge taught in ArcGIS Desktop II: Tools and Functionality, this course shows how to apply ArcGIS tools in a workflow context with a focus on working with data stored in a geodatabase and performing geoprocessing and analysis. In the course exercises, you organize and edit data stored in a geodatabase, prepare data for analysis, create and edit geoprocessing models using ModelBuilder, and work through a challenging analysis project.

This course is designed for experienced ArcGIS users who want to learn more about the ArcGIS tools for creating and editing data and GIS analysis.

Topics Covered

Getting data into the geodatabase

Advantages of migrating data to the geodatabase; File and personal geodatabases; Loading and importing data; Data sources available for conversion; ArcToolbox conversion tools; Importing and exporting data in ArcCatalog; Importing and exporting data using XML; Copying and pasting data between geodatabases; Batch and single conversions; Loading data into existing feature classes using the Simple Data Loader; Displaying x,y coordinate data from a table; Accessing tabular data using an OLE DB connection; Adding data from a GIS server; Working with map projections and datums

Geodatabase behavior

What is behavior?; Advantages of using behaviors; Default values; Subtypes; Domains; Geodatabase topology

Editing GIS data

Creating new data (digitizing, copying and pasting features, Editor menu commands); Constructing an edit sketch using constraints (direction, length, parallel); Creating adjacent polygons using the Auto-Complete Polygon task; Modifying existing features; Reshaping existing features and boundaries; Exploding multipart features; Editing using domains, subtypes, and topology

Alligning spatial data

Common data alignment problems; Georeferencing CAD data; Matching layer boundaries; Transformation; Rubber sheeting; RMS error

Managing geoprocessing tools and settings

Types of toolboxes and how they are stored; Types of tools (system tools, models, scripts); Locating tools in ArcToolbox; Executing tools; Tool parameters; Parameter error detection; Environment settings; Tool layers; Geoprocessing results

Analyzing GIS data

Review of common analysis tools (Buffer, Clip, Intersect, Select, Union); Working with feature proximity tools (Near, Spatial Join, Multiple Ring Buffer, Create Thiessen Polygons); Analyzing tabular data; Creating a raster subset; Analysis options outside of core ArcGIS Desktop; Typical analysis workflow

Using ModelBuilder for analysis

Working with ModelBuilder; Creating and designing models; Model elements (tools and variables); Setting general model properties; Setting model parameters; Environment settings; Intermediate data; Running and troubleshooting a model; Creating model documentation

GIS analysis projects

Real-world GIS analysis projects (Find the best site for a new shelter, Find the mileage of flooded roads); The analytical process for each project.

Last modified 9/5/08