Using ArcGIS Desktop 28 Once selected, you can create a layer from the features or you can export the selected features to a new dataset. ArcMap also includes tools to summarize or get statistics on attribute values, such as the minimum and maximum parcel sizes. These tools are available on the layer’s attribute table. Edit geographic data ArcMap is where you create new features in a dataset, or modify the shape or location of existing features. Y ou also add and edit attributes in tables, and can create editable map text (annotation). Most of the time the data in the map document is essentially locked—you can change its appearance (via layers on a map) but not its shape or position. To delete feature s or move a feature’s coordinates, you start an edit session. You open the edit session, specify the layer to edit, create or modify features, save them, and close the edit session when you’re done. Even though you specify a layer on the map to edit, the edits are made to t he underlying data source. Editing is discussed in Chapter 3, ‘Data Compilation and Editing’. The parcels within 100 feet of a park have been selected and are highlighted in blue on the map. Use the Editor toolbar in ArcMap to start an edit session and interactively create or modify features.
Once selected, you can create a layer from the features or you can export the selected
features to a new dataset. ArcMap also includes tools to summarize or get statistics on
attribute values, such as the minimum and maximum parcel sizes. These tools are availableon the layer’s attribute table.
Edit geographic data
ArcMap is where you create new features in a dataset, or modify the shape or location of
existing features. You also add and edit attributes in tables, and can create editable map text
(annotation). Most of the time the data in the map document is essentially locked—you can
change its appearance (via layers on a map) but not its shape or position. To delete featuresor move a feature’s coordinates, you start an edit session. You open the edit session, specify
the layer to edit, create or modify features, save them, and close the edit session whenyou’re done. Even though you specify a layer on the map to edit, the edits are made to the
underlying data source. Editing is discussed in Chapter 3, ‘Data Compilation and Editing’.
The parcels within 100 feet of a park have been selected and are highlighted in
blue on the map.
Use the Editor toolbar in ArcMap to start an edit session and
ArcCatalog The ArcCatalog application helps you manage your GIS information—GIS datasets, map
documents, layer les, and much more. GIS data comes in a variety of data formats and le
types. There is also associated descriptive information about the geographic features (stored
in tables) and information about the datasets, such as when the data was collected, when
it was updated, and how accurate it is. Much of this data and information you’ll compilefrom various sources. ArcCatalog was designed to help you organize and manage yourgeographic data in all its various forms.
ArcCatalog has two main windows in which you work: the catalog tree view, and the
display window.
Viewing data in ArcCatalog
ArcCatalog displays folders, databases, and other items for which connections are currentlyestablished. When you open ArcCatalog, connections are automatically established to
folders on your local disk drives. You can add connections to subfolders to make them
easier to access. You can also add connections to databases on shared database servers or
on the internet.
Once a connection to a folder, GIS database, or GIS server is established, you can browse
through its contents with ArcCatalog. You can look for the map you want to print, draw adataset, examine the values in a table, and nd out which coordinate system a raster uses or
read its metadata document to learn about how it was created.When you close ArcCatalog, all the current connections are retained and are available the
next time you open ArcCatalog. The connections are also available when browsing for
data in ArcMap and ArcToolbox—even if ArcCatalog isn’t currently open. (You can alsoestablish new connections when browsing for data in ArcMap and ArcToolbox.)
The ArcCatalog interface
The Catalog tree view shows the current connections in ArcCatalog. Add and remove
connections using the Connect and Disconnect buttons. The tree view shows you how
your data is organized in folders and subfolders, and lets you reorganize it. Right-click a
top-layer folder, point to New, and click Folder to create a subfolder. The tree view is also
where you perform basic data management tasks, such as moving, copying, deleting, orrenaming datasets and les.
