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• Introduction to GISIntroduction to GIS• Convey basic mapping principles and GIS theory to beginning
ArcGIS users• Provide new GIS users with sufficient training to make maps in
ArcMap
What is a GIS?• Simply stated, GIS can be defined as an integration of people,
software, hardware, data, and procedures utilized to map and analyze our environment.
• The first commercial GIS software package was introduced in 1982 by the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI)– Current world market leader in GIS technology– Producers of ArcGIS software
• GIS technologies are an integral part of many organizations: – Local Governments– State Governments– Federal agencies– Department of Defense– Private research– Grade school through College
Essential Functions of a GIS
GIS Data Structures• Vector structure
– Vector structure defines each data point (either a single point or a point location along a line) as a single x,y coordinate.
• Raster structure – Raster structures differs from a vector structure. Instead of a point
being defined by a single set of x,y coordinates in the vector format, a raster location is defined as a single cell with the same width and height dimensions (i.e. 1’ by 1’ or 20” by 20”).
Example of vector data Example of raster data
GIS Data Structures
• Image files– The scanned aerial photograph shown below, has in
essence a raster format since the scanned image results in an array of rows and columns.
GIS Spatial Formats• Mapping features are stored together by the type of
geometry they represent. • In other words, a mapping features such as trees can
be stored together in the same GIS data file because they have a point geometry. Similarly, roadways or buildings are stored in their own separate files because of their unique geometry types (line and polygon).
• Mapping features that are stored together based on similar geometry type are referred to as a feature class. Within a given feature class an attribute table is used to describe its features.
• Two different types of GIS spatial formats that you may encounter using GIS data: the ArcGIS shapefile and the geodatabase format.
Shapefile Format
• The essential file extensions for a valid shapefile include:– .shp file containing the spatial coordinates of the data– .dbf data attribute table in dBASE format – .shx index file linking the spatial coordinates to the dBASE
table– .prj defined coordinate system
• It should be noted that several other file extensions may be created within ArcGIS due to certain GIS applications.
• Beginning ArcGIS users must remember that the .shp, .shx, and the .dbf file extensions must exist for the data layer to be valid.
• Shapefiles can only contain one feature class (i.e. point, line, or polygon).
GeoDatabase Format
• A geodatabase contains the 7 elements as shown below: Tables, Feature classes, Feature datasets, Relationship classes, Topologies, Networks, and Rasters.
Introduction to
Mapping Theory
Introduction• Now that you have been introduced to the basic concepts of
GIS, it is critical to understand some basic mapping theory. Therefore, an introduction to the theory of:
– map scale
– map projection
– map coordinates
– Ellipsoid
– datum
Map Scale
• A map scale is simply a means of defining the distance correlation between a hard copy (or digital map) and the real world.
• A map scale may be illustrated on a map in three different ways:– Word statement– Map fraction (also called the map ratio, representative fraction, or RF)– Graphic scale
Map Projection• Simply stated, a map projection is a mathematical method of
converting a three-dimensional curved surface to a two-dimensional flat surface.
• The need for a map projection is readily apparent since some method is needed to transform or warp the spherical surface of the Earth to a flat (two-dimensional) mapping surface as illustrated in the figure below.
Map Projection• Map Projections are usually chosen based on the spatial
property that the user wishes to preserve.
State Plane Coordinate System
• The State Plane Coordinate System was created to allow the United States to be completely covered with a flat grid network.
• The United States is broken into 120 zones and each zone has its own separate grid.
• The state of California has six distinct SPCS zones.
Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM)
• The UTM grid extends around the Earth from 84 degrees north to 80 degrees south. • Sixty north-south zones exist within this coordinate system. Each zone covers 6
degrees of longitude with an overlap of 30 minutes with the zones on each side.
Components of a Coordinate System
• Four components are necessary for a valid and usable coordinate system.
• Map Projection– i.e. Lambert Conformal, Albers Equal Area
• Map Units– i.e. Meters, Feet, Kilometers
• Ellipsoid– Used to represent the shape of the earth after a projection
has been applied• Datum– A point on the Earth’s surface (also referred to as a
reference point) utilized to allow accurate measurement between features on the Earth’s surface.
• Coordinate system = map projection + map units + ellipsoid + datum
Datum Discussion• Datums are common reasons for mapping errors• Datums have become more precise due
advancements in satellite and global position systems (GPS) technology.
• Commonly used Datums in the United States:– North American Datum of 1927 (NAD27)
• Reference point established at Meades Ranch, Kansas in 1927– North American Datum of 1983 (NAD83)
• Created in 1983 to improve upon the accuracy of NAD27 utilizing advanced satellite technology
– World Geodetic System 1984 (WGS84)• Subtle improvement to NAD83; default datum in GPS devices
• All three datums are widely used
Introduction to ArcGIS
What is ArcGIS?
• ArcGIS is the commercial GIS software package used by DWR
• ArcGIS is composed primarily of three modules: ArcMap, ArcCatalog, and ArcToolbox. – ArcMap is the primary data display module for ArcGIS
which permits data display & query, and map generation.
– ArcCatalog allows for the easy management of GIS data in various data formats, previewing spatial data, and creation of metdata (information about data)
– ArcToolbox primarily designed for geospatial analysis and data conversion
ArcGIS License Levels• There are currently three different ArcGIS license levels for Version 9.2 that can be
purchased through ESRI: ArcView, ArcEditor, and ArcInfo.
Introduction to ArcMap• ArcMap is the primary data display module for ArcGIS• ArcMap creates all cartographic output• Ability to view multiple datasets concurrently• Allows users to easily create and modify symbology
(colors and symbols) and map design/layout• ArcMap sessions are stored as .mxd files and are often
referred to as ArcMap projects• The .mxd file stores mapping project information via
data links to the original datasets• The .mxd file DOES NOT store datasets. Think of a .mxd
file as a gateway to the master data with user defined colors and symbology.
Introduction to ArcMap• The following is an example of a typical ArcMap session:
Introduction to ArcCatalog• ArcCatalog can be thought of as a data management
system, not unlike the way Windows Explorer manages files and directories on a PC.
• ArcCatalog is specifically designed to manage GIS data within a variety of data formats.
• Provides the ability to browse spatial datasets and tables.
• Ability to create and edit metadata.– Metadata can simply be defined as information about data
(i.e. data creation date, purpose, security level, accuracy, update policy, etc.)
• Ability to view spatial attribute information– Attributes define qualitative and quantitative information
about spatial data (i.e. height, area, length, age, narrative descriptions)
Introduction to ArcCatalog• The following is an example of a dataset displayed in
ArcCatalog:
Introduction to ArcCatalog• The following is an example of spatial attribute table viewed
in ArcCatalog:
Introduction to ArcToolbox
• The ArcToolbox module contains very sophisticated tools specifically designed for complex spatial.
• Most beginning ArcGIS users use the ArcToolbox module primarily for data format conversion and data projection.
• The following example shows the ArcToolbox tool groupings available with the ArcInfo license level:
Utilizing ArcMap
ArcMap Topics
• Overview Topics– Opening a ArcMap project– Displaying spatial data– Data View, Layout View, and Data Frame– Changing data symbology– Navigating the graphics window– Adding new data– Adding imagery data– Identifying data features– Viewing data attributes– Adjusting the display scale– Creating a data definition query– Renaming a data layer– Labeling a single feature– Labeling multiple features– Saving & renaming a ArcMap project
Displaying Spatial Data
• Within the Table of Contents the user can turn a data layer on or off simply by clicking the check box next to the data layer name (see graphic below).
• Un-check one of the data layers and the data layer remains in the Table of Contents, but vanishes from the data screen.
• Checking the same check box again will allow the data to reappear.
Data View vs Layout View
• There are two “Views” that ArcMap currently utilizes to display data and these are simply named “Data View” and “Layout View”. So far you have looked at your data in the data view. – Data View – view used to display, query, and edit spatial data.– Layout View – view used to create output map layout.
• The following graphic shows the visual difference between the two views:
Data Frames
• Layers within the Table of Contents can be broken out into one or more data frames (the sample.mxd contains one data frame). – A data frame is simply a container for data layers that you wish to
display together. • Data frames can be renamed simply by right clicking on the
data frame and opening the Data Frame Properties window. • You can theoretically create as many data frames as you
want, but users should note that if these data frames contain enormous raster images errors may be encountered ranging from display anomalies to a failure to plot your graphic.
• Data layers can be dragged from one data frame to another. If you’re using only one data frame then it will always be active within your Table of Contents.
Data Frames
• If you’re using multiple data frames as illustrated in the following graphic, you can activate the desired data frame by right clicking the data frame and selecting Activate. Once activated the data frame name will be boldly highlighted.
• As in the following example shows an ArcMap project containing two data frames, one named Population Distribution and the other named Service Providers.
Data Symbology
• ArcMap easily allows the user to change the color or symbol used to display spatial data. Try changing the color and symbology of the first map layer in the table of contents by following these steps.– click the red symbol underneath the “launch_facility_point” layer in the table of contents. The symbol
selector box will appear as shown below.
From this box the user can easily select the symbol, color, and size regarding points, lines, or polygons (depending on the feature type of the layer you clicked on).
Once the desired parameters have been set, simply click OK and the graphics screen will automatically be redrawn with the new symbol, size, and color.
Navigating the Graphics Window
• Navigating inside the Data View window is accomplished by utilizing built in tools that exist within ArcMap as illustrated below.
The above toolbar contains the graphic manipulation tools (i.e. zoom in, zoom out, pan, full extent, previous extent, etc.)
Adding Data in ArcMap
• If you wanted to add new data to a new ArcMap project, or an existing project like the sample.mxd you now have open, simply click the “add data” button from the toolbar (the black plus sign with a yellow background) shown on the following graphic.
Adding Data in ArcMap
• Once the add data button is clicked, the add data window will open up and allow you to navigate to the source of the data you wish to add. Click the add data button and navigate to: – database connections– double click on GIS_Common.sde. The following window will appear.
Double click on the folder named “CIP.cadastre” and then double click on “CIP.installation_area” (or simply single click and then click the “add” button). You will now see a new data layer added to your graphics window as well as the table of contents.
Adding Imagery Data• Adding imagery, such as geo-referenced aerial photography,
to an ArcMap project is exactly the same procedure as adding other digital data.
• Click the Add Data button from the ArcMap toolbar and navigate to database connections and double click “imagery.sde” and single click the file named “ORTHO2004.WIDE”.
• Click the Add button (Note: do not use the double-click feature) and this image will automatically be placed on the bottom of the Table of Contents. – Note: double clicking on an image file (instead of single clicking)
will result in the listing of the individual red, green, and blue color bands of the image instead of the final color composite image itself. If this occurs, simply go up one level and re-add the image by single clicking on the filename and clicking the add button.
Identifying Data Features
• To identify any feature within the graphics window, click the Identify tool, move the pointer over the feature in question, and left click.
• An identify window will pop up revealing all the data pertaining to the map feature you selected. Notice that the Identify Results window allows the user to select the desired data layer to query, or allows all the layers to be selected by using the pull-down arrow.
Viewing Data Attributes
• To view a data layer’s attributes simply right click the layer name in the Table of Contents and click on Open Attribute Table.
Scroll through the data to see what the fields represent. You may also click on the column header and perform a variety of
statistics on that specific attribute.
Adjusting the Display Scale
• ArcMap allows the user to set a fixed display scale range for each data layer in the Table of Contents.
• Once again open the Layer Properties window and click on the General tab as shown in the following illustration. – Set your desired scale range in the Scale Range portion of the window
(see below) and click OK.
Creating a Data Definition Query
• Data definitions are referred to as data queries or definition queries and are easy to create in ArcMap.– Data definition queries are useful when you wish to select a
feature that meets a given criteria. • To create a simple data query in the “CIP.building” data
connection and double click on “CIP.structure_existing_area” layer, open the Layer Properties window for this layer and click the Query Builder tab.
Creating a Data Definition Query
• Let us select only those building that have a “FACIL_ID” value between 1200 and 1500. Use the Query Builder window to build this simple query. This query should like identical to that in the following graphic.
Once the query has been created you can inspect to ensure the query is accurate by clicking the Verify tab.
This layer now contains only the 9 existing structures that met the query definition (out of a master file that contained 3,285 structures). Because the data layer name in the Table of Contents remains the same, the user may forget that a data query was actually performed on a specific data layer.
Renaming a Data Layer
• To rename a data layer, bring up the Layer Properties window and click on the General tab. Now you can simply type the new name of the file within the Layer Name box and click OK (see graphic above). You will immediately see that the new file name is listed in the Table of Contents. – It is important to note that changing the name in the ArcMap
Table of Contents only changes the data layer name in your ArcMap .mxd file. The master GIS layer name within the Vandenberg GIS remains the same.
Labeling a Single Feature• In the Table of Contents, right click on the “existing_structures” layer and click
properties.
• Perform the following steps to label the “FACIL_ID” attribute within this data layer. – Click the labels tab,– Click the Label Field dropdown arrow to select the feature you wish to label (in this
example select the “FACIL_ID” field),– Click OK,– Click the “Label features in this layer” box,– Click OK to exit this window.
Labeling Multiple Features• ArcMap allows the user to easily label multiple features by opening the Layer
Properties window, click the Labels tab, and then click the Expression tab. • Use the “Append” tab to select the fields you wish to label. In the example below,
the “SUBTYPEID” and “FACIL_ID” fields have been selected for labeling. Click on Verify to view an example of your text string.
Saving and Renaming an ArcMap Project
• To save your work, simply click File and then Save from the main ArcMap taskbar.
• You may also use the Save As option to rename the .mxd file.
• If you plan on having ArcMap open for several hours at a time, it is a good idea to save your work often to ensure your efforts are not lost or corrupted due to interruptions in power or network communication failure.
Adding/Saving Layers
• Layers - In ArcGIS, a file with a .lyr extension that stores the path to a source dataset and other layer properties, including symbology
• Easier method for storing and retrieving feature classes and their symbology
• A layer file is a flat file that can be stored on a computer that contains feature class information, layer names, and symbology
Adding/Saving Layers
• Save to a layer file can be accessed by right clicking on the feature class and clicking “Save to a layer file…”
Utilizing ArcCatalog
Metadata
• Metadata can simply be defined as information about data.• Geospatial data can now be viewed as having three crucial
components: spatial data, attributes, and metadata. The benefits of metadata include: – Providing a temporal overview of how the data was captured and
at what tolerances– Who captured the data and when– Increased communication and ease of use if the data is shared
between individuals or agencies. • Perhaps more importantly, metadata can be utilized to
establish standards regarding how data is captured, attributed, and distributed. Such standards only increase the efficiency of GIS offices and staff.
Metadata
• If metadata is thoroughly documented, it should answer the questions illustrated on the following graphic.
Basic Functionality of ArcCatalog
• ArcCatalog allows the user to browse for maps and data, explore the data by viewing thumbnails and attribute tables, search for maps and data, manage data sources, and view and create metadata.
• Open ArcCatalog by clicking on: – Start – Programs – ArcGIS - ArcCatalog
• The following ArcCatalog window will open.
Browsing Data in ArcCatalog
• ArcCatalog contains three different tabs within the graphics window: – The Contents tab– The Preview tab– The Metadata tab
• In the left side of the ArcCatalog window, scroll down near the bottom and double click database connections.
• Double click on the “GIS Common.sde ” connection and on the right hand side of the window you will see the 57 datasets available based on this connection.
Metadata in ArcCatalog
• Next, click on the Metadata tab in ArcCatalog. • The data layer name will appear along with three column
headings named Description, Spatial, and Attributes. • Click on Description tab and scroll down to inspect some
of the information provided here. This will provide users with a basic background of the origin of the data layer.
• Next, click the Spatial tab and examine the coordinate system information provided. Scroll through this information to identify coordinate system information and other key facts about the file.
• Lastly, click on Attributes to inspect the complete list of layer attributes.
Metadata in ArcCatalog• The following is an example of the Metadata
tab:
Searching for Data in ArcCatalog
• ArcCatalog can be used to search for datasets. • Click the search tool on the ArcCatalog toolbar to
search for data. For the following example, assume that you can only remember the name “grid”, but cannot remember the entire filename. Click on the search tool to bring up the following screen:
Searching for Data in ArcCatalog
• Make sure the Name & Location tab is selected (this is the default when the window opens). Do the following steps:– type the word “*structure*” in the Name box– select Catalog in the Search box– browse to “Data Connections” and “GIS Common.sde” in the
Look In box– click the Find Now button
• The search is completed when the lower right graphic has no motion (the magnifying lens will stop moving over the globe).
• If the search is successful, the main ArcCatalog window will list the names and locations of all files that met the search criteria.
Searching for Data in ArcCatalog
Make sure the Name & Location tab is selected (this is the default when the window opens). Do the following steps: type the word “*structure*” in the Name box select Catalog in the Search box browse to “Data Connections” and “GIS Common.sde” in the Look In box click the Find Now button
The search is completed when the lower right graphic has no motion (the magnifying lens will stop moving over the globe).
If the search is successful, the main ArcCatalog window will list the names and locations of all files that met the search criteria.
Cartographic Design in ArcMap
Inserting Graphics and labels
Inserting graphic shapes and labels can be done in both data view and layout view.
Unlike spatial data, graphics/labels inserted by the user are embedded within the mxd project.
The behavior of the graphic/label will differ based on the view.
Data View - Graphics/labels are spatially enabled. When the scale is changed/moved, the graphics will move with the extent.
Layout View – Graphics/labels are NOT spatially enabled and are in a fixed position (does not move when the extent is changed)
Inserting Graphics and labels• Graphic changes can only occur in the view that they
were created. – You cannot change a graphic in layout view if it was created
in data view.
• You can insert graphic shapes and labels in both data view and layout view using the Draw Toolbar normally located near the bottom in ArcMap:
Inserting Graphics and labels
To change the default values for shapes/labels, access the “default symbol properties…” under the Draw pull down menu:
Inserting Graphic Shapes• To insert a graphic shape (polygon/line/point), click on
the pull down menu for shapes and select one.– In you are inserting graphic shapes to depict spatial features
graphic shapes, it is HIGHLY recommended that you do this only in data view.
• Changes to the symbology of a graphic feature can still be made after the graphic is created.– However, transparency will not work with graphics– To change the graphic, right click the selected graphic and go
to it’s properties.
Inserting Labels
• To insert a graphic label, click on the pull down menu for labels and select a style.
• Labels can be easily added to both data and layout views, but only labels in data view will move when the map extents are changed.
The Layout View• Open up the ArcMap project named “sample.mxd”:
• Two types of views in ArcMap:– Data View – view used to display, query, and edit spatial data.– Layout View – view used to create output map layout (the mapping page).
• In order to produce a hardcopy output map, you will need to use the Layout view. • On the ArcMap toolbar, click View – Layout View.
The Layout View
• You will see rulers appear on the left and top of the graphics page, and you will notice that the data now has a box around it. This box can be thought of as the mapping page itself.
Map Page and Map Scale Setup
• Three key items you should consider when making any make map are: – what will the overall page size– what mapping scale should it be…what makes sense for the project– who is the end user & what do they want or expect to see on the map
• On the top of the ArcMap toolbar click File – Page and Print Setup. As shown below, this window will allow the user to set some map paging parameters.
Map Page and Map Scale Setup
• It is recommended that you uncheck the “Same as Printer” box unless you are always going to print to the same 8.5” x 11” printer, and you are certain no one else will be using your .mxd file at a later date. The reference to “Same as Printer” refers to the printer name and size.
• Make sure the width is set to 8.5 inches and the height is set to 11 inches. Don’t worry about the other settings at this time. Assume for the sake of argument that your superior also told you he or she wanted the map scale to be at 1:200,000.
Question: At a map scale of 1:200,000 how may feet would there be in one map inch? How many miles would there be in one map inch?
Hint: How many inches are there in a foot? How many feet in a mile? • A quick way to set the scale (and lock it if you wish) is to
highlight Layers at the top of the Table of Contents, right click, and then click on Properties.
Map Page and Map Scale Setup
• Once the Data Frame Properties window opens, click on the Data Frame tab as shown on the following graphic.
• To set and lock the map scale at 1:200,000, click on Fixed Scale and type in “200000” for the right-hand value and click OK.
• You will now notice that the scale indicator is set to 1:200,000 on the main ArcMap window. The fact that this scale box is now grayed out indicates that you have fixed the mapping scale, and cannot change it unless you reopen the Data Frame Properties window and uncheck the Fixed Scale option.
Creating a Data Frame/Map Border
• If you click on the Frame tab in the Data Frame Properties window you can change the mapping border.
• Border – changes the border style/color around the data frame• Background – changes the background color in the data frame• Drop Shadow – creates a drop shadow around the data frame
Adjusting the Layout View• You can grab and drag the graphics window to fit the edge of
the page size by dragging all 4 corners of the blue dashed line to the edge of the map page (the thin dashed gray line) as shown in the following graphic. Be sure to stay inside the gray line because everything outside the grey line will be clipped and therefore, not printed.
Inserting a Map Legend• For the purpose of mapping, you will be expected to add the
following non-spatial cartographic elements to a map: legend, scale bar, scale text, title, north arrow, text block, and a map border.
• To add any of these elements, click on the Insert option on the top of the ArcMap toolbar and select Legend from the 10 choices. The Legend Wizard window will open as shown below:
Inserting a Map Legend• The Legend Wizard will allow you to choose the data
layers you wish to illustrate in your map legend. This allows the user choose the data layers that appear in the legend.
• For this example we will include all the data layers except the “CIP.road_centerline” layer. To remove this layer from the legend simply highlight it in the Legend Wizard window and click the left direction arrow. You will see that this data layer has now been removed from the Legend Items frame.
• The up and down arrows can be utilized to rank your legend from top to bottom (legend protocols discussed later). If you click the Preview tab you will see the legend appear on your map page. Click Finish to drop the legend on the map page.
Inserting a Map Legend• If you want to have a better look at the legend,
simply use the following tools to zoom in or out or pan. These tools are shown below and are not available when in Data View.
• From left to right, the tools on the following graphic are: zoom in, zoom out, pan, fixed zoom in, fixed zoom out, zoom whole page, zoom to 100%, go back to extent, go forward to extent, and the zoom control dropdown arrow selector.
Inserting a Map Legend• Use the zoom in tool to enlarge the legend portion of the map page. Your legend should
resemble the graphic shown below. Once satisfied with the zoom, be sure to click on the Select Elements (bold black arrow on the top of the tool bar).
• The dashed blue box around the legend shows the extent of the legend frame. • Place your cursor over the legend and drag it to the lower left hand corner of the map page.
Although this legend fits and would work well for this map, what if you had no white space on the map page to insert your legend and/or wanted a border around your legend frame?
• Right click anywhere inside the legend, click on Properties, and then click on the Frame tab in the Legend Properties window. Choose a line weight of 1.0 from the Border dropdown arrow, and set the background color to white under the Background dropdown arrow. Also, set the Border and the Background X and Y cap to 10.
Modifying the Map Legend• The easiest way to change a name of a data layer in the
legend is simply to change the name within the Table of Contents. Doing this will automatically change the name within the legend box.
• Right click on any of the data layers in the Table of Contents and click Properties.
• In the Layer Properties window click the General tab and type in the new name you wish to call this data layer.
• To finish, click Apply and OK and examine your legend. You will notice the name has been automatically updated for you.
• Remember changing a Layer name in the Table of Contents will modify the master file name.
• If for some reason you don’t like your legend and want to start from scratch, click on the legend to highlight it and then simply hit the delete button.
Inserting a Bar Scale• The bar scale is another crucial element to the finished map since without it the map
reader could not measure distances between objects. • Click the Insert option from the toolbar and click on Scale Bar to reveal the Scale Bar
Selector window.
• Click on the first bar scale option and click OK. • You will notice the scale bar has been dropped in the center of your graphics window.
• Notice that the bar scale is in meters. This is because the map units are in meters for
these GIS layers.
Inserting Scale Text• Click the Insert option from the toolbar and select Scale Text. If you wanted your scale text
to read x inches = x feet, you would choose the fourth option from the top.
• Zoom into the graphics page (if necessary) and position the scale text above the bar scale. • You can eliminate the decimal places by right clicking on the scale text and select properties.
If you click on the Number Format tab (lower left of the Scale Text Properties window) you will be able to define the number of decimal places and mapping units
Inserting a North Arrow• Click the Insert option from the toolbar and select
North Arrow. Select a North Arrow style. You can create a north arrow in a variety of colors, make a border and background shade.
Inserting A Map Title Or Additional Text
• Click the Insert option from the toolbar and select “Title” or “Text”.
• The default places the element in the center of the map. You will need to drag it to its proper location.
• To change the size, symbol, and color, right click the selected element and go to properties.
• To change the background color:– Click the “Change Symbol” in the properties window– Click “Properties” in the symbol selector window– Click the “Advanced Text” tab in the Editor window– Check the “Text Background” checkbox
• If you wish to change the background color, click the “Properties..” under “Text Background”
• Click “Symbol” and change colo– To save changes, click OK on every window.
Selecting Graphic Elements (Layout View)
• Once your Layout View is completed to your satisfaction, you may wish to move or modify a specific element. To perform this task within Layout View the graphic element must first be selected.
• Use the Select Elements (thick black arrow on the toolbar - ) to click on various elements in your Layout View.
• You will know when a mapping element is selected because it will be outlined with a dashed blue line. – Note that when a graphic element is selected in this fashion,
a single touch of the Delete key will remove the element. – Should you ever accidentally delete something, or wish to
undo anything during the ArcMap session, remember there is an “undo” tool on the toolbar that will undo your mistake. Once a graphic element is selected, you can also make certain edits to it.
Printing/Plotting a .mxd File• ALWAYS save your work before printing.• If your project has been saved you can print it out by clicking
on File – Print, or by clicking the printer button on the ArcMap toolbar. Since our example was a simple 8.5” by 11” map, the print command would simply send the map to your local desktop printer or a network printer you may be using as your default printer (hopefully color!!!).
• However, if you are creating a large format graphic that must be plotted on a sophisticated and expensive plotter, you will have to consult with your Workgroup Manager to ensure you have access and the proper printer drivers to perform this task.
• WARNING: If you decide to change printers, be aware that it may change the printable area (grey lines) even if it is the same size paper.
