ArcGIS Desktop: ArcMap Editing Tips and Tricks
ArcGIS Desktop: ArcMap Editing Tips and Tricks
Outline
• Editing Environment • Editing Data • Summary • Resources
Demonstration
Maximize Editing Real Estate
• Reduce Size of Table of Contents – Remove Unnecessary Layers – Move Layers to the Top of the Table of Contents
• Float Table of Contents • Remove Un-Needed Toolbars – Draw Toolbar – Layout Toolbar
Customize Toolbars
• Add Frequently used Commands to a Toolbar – Layout View – Data View – Refresh View – Pause Drawing
• Drag and Drop Command to a Toolbar
Customize Edit Tasks • Create New Group – Tasks Based Upon Workflow
• Editor Toolbar > Options > Edit Tasks
Overriding Map Units
Unit
• Use Unit Abbreviation After Distance Value • Distance Units Interpreted from Entered Value
Distance - Meters
Map Units - Feet
Abbrev.
Meter
m
Kilometer
km
Millimeter
mm
Foot
ft '
Mile
mi
Nautical mile
nm
Chain
ch
Yard
yd
Inch
in
Survey Foot
ftUS
Survey Chain
chUS
Survey Mile
miUS
Survey Yard
ydUS
Overriding Map Units Continued…
• Enter Coordinates in DD, DMS, or DDM when Map has a Projected Coordinate System Unit
• Absolute XY and Delta XY
Abbrev.
Decimal degrees
dd
Degrees minutes seconds
dms
Degrees decimal minutes
ddm
XY coordinates - DMS
Map Units - Meters
The Geodatabase is…
• Storage Container for spatial Information
• Business Rules
… data integrity for comprehensive GIS mapping and analysis workflows
Subtypes
• Property of a Feature Class in the Geodatabase • Places Features into Like Groups – Can have Different Default Values and Domains for each Subtype – Can Define Topology Rules Between Subtypes – Subtype Must be a Long or Short Integer Field
Domains
• List the Acceptable Values of a Field – Used to Ensure Attribute Integrity – Quicker Editing
• Defined at the Geodatabase Level • Types of Domains – Range • A Road can have Between One and Eight Lanes • A Sewer Main can have a Length Between 5 and 500 Feet
– Coded Value • A Tree can be of Type Oak, Redwood, or Palm • A Sewer Main can be Made of PVC, Cast Iron, or Concrete
Visualizing Snapping Environment While Editing
• Snapping Indicator in Status Bar Layer Name
Status bar Snap Type
• Snap Tips Snap Tip
• Snapping Distance (Tolerance) – View by Pressing the T Key
Geodatabase Annotation
• Annotation in the Geodatabase – ArcEditor/ArcInfo Licenses can Create Feature-Linked Annotation – Use the Annotation Toolbar for Editing Geodatabase Annotation
• Label Class Converts to an Annotation Class
Map Annotation
• Annotation in the Map – Annotation Stored in Annotation Groups in the Current Map Document – Use Draw Toolbar to Modify Existing Map Annotation
Demonstration Annotation
Sticky Move Tolerance
• Helps Avoid Accidental Movement • Prevents Feature Movement within Tolerance
100 pixels
Selecting from overlapping selectable features
• Use the “Select Next” Function • Click with Edit Tool to Select Feature, Then Press the N key • Must point to first feature within the selection tolerance
Box selected Selection tolerance
Press N
Press N
Polygon selected
Line selected
Zipper Task
• Popular ESRI Developer Sample • Snaps Existing Features within a Specified Tolerance to an Edit Sketch • Works Well with Trace Tool
Geodatabase Topology ArcEditor or ArcInfo License Required
• A Topology is Created Inside a Feature Dataset • Uses Rules to Validate Topology – 25+ Topology Rules
Subdivision ParcelCorner Parcel ParcelAnno LotLines
• A Topology is Used to – Describe how Features Share Geometry (Coincidence) – Establish and Maintain Topological Relationships Between Features
Parcel_Topo LotDimensions
Map Topology
• Map Topology – Temporary for the Edit Session – For Shapefiles or Feature Classes without a Topology and Outside of a Feature Dataset – Works with All License Levels – Enables Some of the Topology Editing Tools
Topology Editing
• Editing Tools that Directly Utilize Topology – Construct Features – Planarize Lines – Auto-Complete Polygon – Topology Edit tool – Modify Edge – Reshape Edge
25
Moving Coincident/Shared Geometry
• Topology Edit Tool
– Selects and Modifies Edges and Nodes – Press E to Select Only Edges, and N to Select Only Nodes
• Show Shared Features – To Pull Apart Coincident Geometries Uncheck layers so they are not modified with the coincident geometry
Demonstration Topology
Topology Workflow
1. Create Geodatabase 2. Create/Load Feature Classes 3. Create Topology in Feature Dataset 4. Validate Topology 5. Fix any Errors 6. Edit 7. Validate 8. Fix Edit, Validate, Fix…
Why Can’t I Start Editing?
• Permissions • Folder or Workspace is Set to Read–Only • Locked Files • Licensing – ArcView Cannot Edit Topology, Feature–Linked Annotation
• Field Calculator is not Enabled (Grayed Out) – Feature Classes that Participate in Topology or Network Cannot be Updated Outside of an Edit Session
Editing Attributes
• • • •
Editable Columns have White Headers Pencil Icon Indicates Table in Edit Mode Geodatabase Domains and Subtypes Respected Ctrl + Shift + E : Start Editing Editable Column (white) Edit Using Subtypes
Edit Mode
Summary To be More Productive
• Let the Tool do the Job – Topology – Zipper Tool
• Data Quality – Subtypes – Domains
• Less Clicks and Quicker Edits – Customize Editing Environment
Resources
• Help Documentation – Editing and Data Compilation: http://webhelp.esri.com/arcgisdesktop/9.3/index.cfm?TopicName=An_ overview_of_editing_and_data_compilation – Shortcut Keys for Editing in ArcMap: http://webhelp.esri.com/arcgisdesktop/9.3/index.cfm?TopicName=Shor tcut_keys_for_editing_in_ArcMap
• User Forums – ArcGIS Desktop – Data Editing: http://forums.esri.com/forums.asp?c=93&s=987#987
• Instructor Lead Training – ArcGIS Desktop III: GIS Workflows and Analysis
• Self Study – Editing in ArcGIS Tips and Tricks I, II, III
Outline
• Editing Environment • Editing Data • Summary • Resources
Demonstration
Maximize Editing Real Estate
• Reduce Size of Table of Contents – Remove Unnecessary Layers – Move Layers to the Top of the Table of Contents
• Float Table of Contents • Remove Un-Needed Toolbars – Draw Toolbar – Layout Toolbar
Customize Toolbars
• Add Frequently used Commands to a Toolbar – Layout View – Data View – Refresh View – Pause Drawing
• Drag and Drop Command to a Toolbar
Customize Edit Tasks • Create New Group – Tasks Based Upon Workflow
• Editor Toolbar > Options > Edit Tasks
Overriding Map Units
Unit
• Use Unit Abbreviation After Distance Value • Distance Units Interpreted from Entered Value
Distance - Meters
Map Units - Feet
Abbrev.
Meter
m
Kilometer
km
Millimeter
mm
Foot
ft '
Mile
mi
Nautical mile
nm
Chain
ch
Yard
yd
Inch
in
Survey Foot
ftUS
Survey Chain
chUS
Survey Mile
miUS
Survey Yard
ydUS
Overriding Map Units Continued…
• Enter Coordinates in DD, DMS, or DDM when Map has a Projected Coordinate System Unit
• Absolute XY and Delta XY
Abbrev.
Decimal degrees
dd
Degrees minutes seconds
dms
Degrees decimal minutes
ddm
XY coordinates - DMS
Map Units - Meters
The Geodatabase is…
• Storage Container for spatial Information
• Business Rules
… data integrity for comprehensive GIS mapping and analysis workflows
Subtypes
• Property of a Feature Class in the Geodatabase • Places Features into Like Groups – Can have Different Default Values and Domains for each Subtype – Can Define Topology Rules Between Subtypes – Subtype Must be a Long or Short Integer Field
Domains
• List the Acceptable Values of a Field – Used to Ensure Attribute Integrity – Quicker Editing
• Defined at the Geodatabase Level • Types of Domains – Range • A Road can have Between One and Eight Lanes • A Sewer Main can have a Length Between 5 and 500 Feet
– Coded Value • A Tree can be of Type Oak, Redwood, or Palm • A Sewer Main can be Made of PVC, Cast Iron, or Concrete
Visualizing Snapping Environment While Editing
• Snapping Indicator in Status Bar Layer Name
Status bar Snap Type
• Snap Tips Snap Tip
• Snapping Distance (Tolerance) – View by Pressing the T Key
Geodatabase Annotation
• Annotation in the Geodatabase – ArcEditor/ArcInfo Licenses can Create Feature-Linked Annotation – Use the Annotation Toolbar for Editing Geodatabase Annotation
• Label Class Converts to an Annotation Class
Map Annotation
• Annotation in the Map – Annotation Stored in Annotation Groups in the Current Map Document – Use Draw Toolbar to Modify Existing Map Annotation
Demonstration Annotation
Sticky Move Tolerance
• Helps Avoid Accidental Movement • Prevents Feature Movement within Tolerance
100 pixels
Selecting from overlapping selectable features
• Use the “Select Next” Function • Click with Edit Tool to Select Feature, Then Press the N key • Must point to first feature within the selection tolerance
Box selected Selection tolerance
Press N
Press N
Polygon selected
Line selected
Zipper Task
• Popular ESRI Developer Sample • Snaps Existing Features within a Specified Tolerance to an Edit Sketch • Works Well with Trace Tool
Geodatabase Topology ArcEditor or ArcInfo License Required
• A Topology is Created Inside a Feature Dataset • Uses Rules to Validate Topology – 25+ Topology Rules
Subdivision ParcelCorner Parcel ParcelAnno LotLines
• A Topology is Used to – Describe how Features Share Geometry (Coincidence) – Establish and Maintain Topological Relationships Between Features
Parcel_Topo LotDimensions
Map Topology
• Map Topology – Temporary for the Edit Session – For Shapefiles or Feature Classes without a Topology and Outside of a Feature Dataset – Works with All License Levels – Enables Some of the Topology Editing Tools
Topology Editing
• Editing Tools that Directly Utilize Topology – Construct Features – Planarize Lines – Auto-Complete Polygon – Topology Edit tool – Modify Edge – Reshape Edge
25
Moving Coincident/Shared Geometry
• Topology Edit Tool
– Selects and Modifies Edges and Nodes – Press E to Select Only Edges, and N to Select Only Nodes
• Show Shared Features – To Pull Apart Coincident Geometries Uncheck layers so they are not modified with the coincident geometry
Demonstration Topology
Topology Workflow
1. Create Geodatabase 2. Create/Load Feature Classes 3. Create Topology in Feature Dataset 4. Validate Topology 5. Fix any Errors 6. Edit 7. Validate 8. Fix Edit, Validate, Fix…
Why Can’t I Start Editing?
• Permissions • Folder or Workspace is Set to Read–Only • Locked Files • Licensing – ArcView Cannot Edit Topology, Feature–Linked Annotation
• Field Calculator is not Enabled (Grayed Out) – Feature Classes that Participate in Topology or Network Cannot be Updated Outside of an Edit Session
Editing Attributes
• • • •
Editable Columns have White Headers Pencil Icon Indicates Table in Edit Mode Geodatabase Domains and Subtypes Respected Ctrl + Shift + E : Start Editing Editable Column (white) Edit Using Subtypes
Edit Mode
Summary To be More Productive
• Let the Tool do the Job – Topology – Zipper Tool
• Data Quality – Subtypes – Domains
• Less Clicks and Quicker Edits – Customize Editing Environment
Resources
• Help Documentation – Editing and Data Compilation: http://webhelp.esri.com/arcgisdesktop/9.3/index.cfm?TopicName=An_ overview_of_editing_and_data_compilation – Shortcut Keys for Editing in ArcMap: http://webhelp.esri.com/arcgisdesktop/9.3/index.cfm?TopicName=Shor tcut_keys_for_editing_in_ArcMap
• User Forums – ArcGIS Desktop – Data Editing: http://forums.esri.com/forums.asp?c=93&s=987#987
• Instructor Lead Training – ArcGIS Desktop III: GIS Workflows and Analysis
• Self Study – Editing in ArcGIS Tips and Tricks I, II, III
