gisc 6382 applied gis ut-dallas briggs1 arcgis workstation

GISC 6382 Applied GIS UT-Dallas Briggs 1

ArcGIS Workstation


Interface Options and POEC 6382Three Interfaces• ArcInfo 8 Windows-based GUI

– The latest – full MS Windows compatibility

• Classic ArcInfo– Command line based

• ArcTools– Primitive GUI (graphics user interface)– Built with Arc AMLs– Tedious menu system– Don’t confuse with ArcToolbox

We’ll use this mostly.

Won’t use this at all.

Will use just a little--introduce today


What is Arc/INFO Workstation?

• A very sophisticated and voluminous set of tools and commands for spatial data input, management, and analysis.

• Contains an internal database management system (INFO), but can be connected to external standard data base environments via SDE (Spatial Database Engine)

• Under UNIX, is command driven (over 2000 commands), with GUI/application development capability via AML (Arc Macro Language)

• Under XP/2000/NT, is supplanted by GUI-based product ArcInfo Desktop (ArcCatalog, ArcMap, ArcToolbox)

• Command line driven ArcInfo Workstation still has its uses


Why cover workstation GIS at all?• Only choice in a UNIX environment• Still available in NT• Legacy applications based on classic ArcInfo will be

with us for many years to come:– Many AMLs– Much data stored in coverages

• AML easier approach to automation than Visual Basic• ArcToolbox is a GUI interface only: runs classic

ArcInfo commands underneath• Step by step commands help understand what’s

happening• Some things still only available here.


Arc/INFO workstation subsystemsCore subsystems:

– ARC - Arc is the overall GIS manager; it is not a graphic module. Use Arc to:

• Generate and manage coverages in the database• Convert data from other digital formats• Perform spatial analysis in one or more coverages

– ARCPLOT - Arcplot is a graphical module for map display and query. Use Arcplot to:

• Display spatial and attribute data for one or more coverages• Query spatial and attribute characteristics• Create layouts and maps, and generate plot files

– ARCEDIT - Arcedit is an interactive graphics editor. Use Arcedit to:

• Digitize and edit one coverage at a time• Correct errors in spatial and attribute data

– INFO - INFO is the relational data base management system (RDBMS).

ArcMap in ArcGIS Desktop combines the functions of ArcPlot and ArcEdit, and includes many of the analysis capabilities of the Arc module.


Arc/INFO Workstation Subsystems, cont’d.Extensions:

– GRID - Grid provides a fully-integrated raster (cell-based) geoprocessing system for use with Arc/INFO. GRID supports a Map Algebra spatial language that allows sophisticated spatial modeling and analysis. Example of use: resampling

• New equivalent is Spatial Analyst extension

– NETWORK - Network performs address matching/geocoding, allocation, routing, and pathfinding across linear networks.

• New equivalent will be Network Analyst extension

– TIN - software used for 3D surface representation, modeling and display. A TIN (Triangulated Irregular Network) is a set of adjacent, non-overlapping triangles computed from irregularly spaced points with x, y coordinates and z values. The TIN model stores the topological relationship between triangles and their adjacent neighbors which allows for the efficient generation of surface models for the analysis and display of terrain and other types of surfaces.

• New equivalent is 3D Analyst extension and ArcScene

– COGO - Abbreviation of the term COordinate GeOmetry. Used by land surveyors and others who require accurate coordinate geometry to capture and edit survey data, to calculate precise locations and boundaries, and to define curves.

• New equivalent will be ArcSurvey

– ArcScan - Scan digitizing for raster to vector conversion– ArcStorm - Data storage facility and transaction manager for feature-oriented

georelational database management.• Superceded by ArcSDE


Arc/INFO Workstation Subsystems, cont’d.• ARC Macro Language (AML) - A high-level, algorithmic

language that provides full programming capabilities and a set of tools for building menus to tailor user interfaces for specific applications. It has an independent processor and allows you to:– Use AML directives and AML functions in any

subsystem, interactively or in programs.– Build programs that incorporate Arc/INFO commands– Create on-screen menus

• Being replaced by Visual Basic for Applications– More flexible– Information industry standard rather than GIS specialty– But generally more complex to learn and use


Arc/INFO Workstation Subsystems, cont’d.Other Subsystems:

– Tables - Tables is a tabular management system that uses INFO files to create, store, edit, and query tabular data

– Librarian - Librarian is a separate set of software tools to manage and access large geographical data sets in map libraries. A map library is a collection of spatial tiles used to spatially partition large data layers. Librarian commands create and define a map library, move data in and out of a library, query the data in a map library, and display the results of a query. Librarian requires exact attribute consistency.

– ArcTools - ArcTools consists of 5 AML-based productivity tools, implemented through a graphical user interface (GUI), for common Arc/INFO operations and functions.

• Crude predecessor to ArcMap GUI, but now obsolete

• Do not confuse with ArcToolbox—very different


Commands


Commands for Workspace and Coverage Management & Exploration

Workspace Management

Workspace (go to) w

Createworkspace cw

Renameworkspace rw

Copyworkspace cpw

Deleteworkspace dw

Listworkspace lw

dir info (lists “hidden” files)

Coverage ManagementListcoverages lc

Copy

Kill

Rename

Note: if a coverage folder is open in NT Explorer, KILL and RENAME will not work.

Coverage ExplorationDescribe <cover> (basic info)Items <cover>.pat (lists variable names)List <cover>.pat (lists actual data)


Commands for Feature Attribute Tables• Types of feature attribute tables:

– Points - Point attribute table - PAT– Arcs - Arc attribute table - AAT– Polygons - Polygon attribute table - PAT

Each contain both internally generated topological data plus user defined attributes

• For general information on coverage (projection, etc.)– Arc: describe <cover>

• To look at data variables (items) in a feature attribute table:– Arc: items <cover>.pat (for point or polygon)– Arc: items <cover>.aat (for arcs)

• To look at data stored in each item– Arc: list <cover>.pat– Arc: list <cover>.aat

Note: items and list require you to specify the extension .pat, .aat, etc.


Using Items command

• To look at the items (variables or attributes) available and their characteristics (but not the actual data)

Arc: items pub.patCOLUMN ITEM NAME WIDTH OUTPUT TYPE N.DEC 1 AREA 4 12 F 3 5 PERIMETER 4 12 F 3 9 PUB# 4 5 B - 13 PUB-ID 4 5 B - 17 ID 8 12 F 0 25 NAME 25 25 C - 50 ADDRESS 15 15 C - 65 CITY 12 12 C -


Using List Command

• To look at actual data stored

Arc: list lulcsp.pat

1AREA = ************PERIMETER = 26829452.50LULCSP# = 1LULCSP-ID = 0LULC_CODE = 0LEVEL_I =LEVEL_II = 2AREA =12154654112PERIMETER = 3137822.500LULCSP# = 2LULCSP-ID = 21LULC_CODE = 21LEVEL_I = AGRICULTURAL LANDLEVEL_II = CROPLAND/PASTURE

3AREA = 11278215.000PERIMETER = 17881.912LULCSP# = 3LULCSP-ID = 41LULC_CODE = 41Continue?LEVEL_I = FOREST LANDLEVEL_II = DECIDUOUS FOREST 4AREA = 2316684.250PERIMETER = 6632.658LULCSP# = 4LULCSP-ID = 11LULC_CODE = 11LEVEL_I = URBAN OR BUILT-UPLEVEL_II = RESIDENTIAL 5AREA = 7348584.000PERIMETER = 12674.189LULCSP# = 5LULCSP-ID = 41LULC_CODE = 41LEVEL_I = FOREST LANDLEVEL_II = DECIDUOUS FOREST


Command Syntax Rules• Command 1st_argument 2nd_argument nth_argument

Required arguments are in square brackets <cover>

Optional arguments are in curly brackets {option}

Upper case keywords are typed as shown COVER

Lower case words require substitution <cover>

Keyword choices are separated by verticalbars; first choice is the default value

<POLY|LINE|POINT>

Place holders for optional arguments #

Indicates coordinate input from mouse *Example: build <cover> {POLY|LINE|POINT|NODE|ANNO.<subclass>} build streets line


Getting Online Help– You can display the complete or partial listings of available commands on the screen

by asking for COMMANDS at any Arc prompt:• Arc: commands• Usage: commands {prefix}

For commands beginning with the letter B• Arc: commands B• BATCH BUFFER BUILD

– Usage lines summarize all arguments and options. To obtain, type in a command name without any of its arguments and then hit enter:• Arc: build• Usage: build <cover> {POLY|LINE|POINT|NODE|ANNO.<subclass>}

– The USAGE command is an alternative way of displaying a usage line.• Arc: usage build• Usage: build <cover> {POLY|LINE|POINT|NODE|ANNO.<subclass>}

– You can launch online documentation (ArcDoc) with the help command• Arc: help• Or ArcDoc can be launched directly from the StartMenu in MSWindows• ArcDoc is often better than the help in ArcGIS!!

gisc 6382 applied gis ut-dallas briggs1 arcgis workstation

Documents