GIS Training manual

GIS I and GIS II

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 PART I

Basics of ArcGIS Functionalities

1. ArcCatalog..................................................................................................................5
1.1 Arc Catalog..................................................................................................................................6
1.2 Starting Arc Catalogue:..............................................................................................................6
1.3 Components of Arc Catalogue..................................................................................................6
1.4 Look in a folder connection.......................................................................................................8
1.5 Exploring and Recognizing Different Types of GIS data base in Arc Catalogue.....................8
1.6 Identifying the Appearance of Different Types of data bases.................................................9
2. Arc Map......................................................................................................................11
2.1 Uses of ArcMap..........................................................................................................................11
2.2 Starting ArcMap:........................................................................................................................11
2.3 Customizing the Interface.........................................................................................................11
2.4 Working with the Table of Contents:.......................................................................................12
2.5 Exploring the Data Set:.............................................................................................................13
2.6 Working with Attribute Table..................................................................................................14
2.7 Selecting Features:...................................................................................................................16
2.8 Data Symbolization...................................................................................................................17
3. Spatial referencing...................................................................................................19
3.1 Introduction..............................................................................................................................19
3.2 Doing With the Data Frame Projection and Coordinate System selection..........................19
3.3 Define Projection For a data set..............................................................................................21
3.4 Projection change....................................................................................................................24
4. Georeferencing........................................................................................................26
4.1. Introduction..............................................................................................................................26

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 4.2 Start up.....................................................................................................................................26
4.4 Georeferencing:.......................................................................................................................28
4.5 Checking Accuracy...................................................................................................................29
4.6 Rectification of the raster image (geocoding).......................................................................29
5 Data Entry..................................................................................................................31
5.1 Introduction..................................................................................................................................31
5.2Creating A data Structure in Arc Catalogue..................................................................................31
5.4Add Attribute Data.........................................................................................................................39
6. Spatial Analysis with Vector Data...........................................................................41
6.1 Creating Layers by Selection....................................................................................................41
6.2 Clipping.....................................................................................................................................43
6.3 Buffering...................................................................................................................................44
7 GPS data Collection and Management...................................................................46
7.1 Introduction..............................................................................................................................46
7.2 GPS data Collection..................................................................................................................46
7.3 LoadingP GPS data in to a computer......................................................................................46
7.4 Exploring the Collected GPS data............................................................................................49
8. Working with Layouts:...............................................................................................50
8.1 The Layout Toolbar..................................................................................................................50
8.3 Managing the Layout Page:......................................................................................................51
8.4 Inserting Different Map Elements:...........................................................................................51

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Introduction to Arc GIS

ArcGIS 9.3 is a desktop Geographic Information System from ESRI (Environmental System
Research Institute). There are three licensing levels offered for ARCGIS, each with increasing
capabilities: ArcView, ArcEditor, and ArcInfo. ArcMap is the major mapping component in ARCGIS.
The other components of ARCGIS are ArcCatalog, ArcScene and ArcGlobe. During this introduction
you will be familiarizing yourself with ArcMap and ArcCatalog (ArcScene and ArcGlobe are 3D
visualization components which will not be covered here).

ArcMap – this component allows you to display, analyze and edit spatial data and data tables.
ArcMap is most often used to make maps. ArcMap is the component we will mainly work with,
during this introduction to GIS
ArcCatalog – this component allows you to browse and manage spatial data files. It works in a way
similar to Windows Explorer but specialized for GIS data. ArcCatalog can be run as a standalone
application or as ArcCatalog window in ArcMap

1. Arc GIS software. In this case, it will be you after finishing the training.

2. Looking for the best GIS software. Thousands of GIS software is in the world, some of which
are commercial and the others free. You should have to be chose one of the software which
you or other persons can manipulate. Arc GIS 10 is one of the software which we can do such
things. So to accomplish your task, you should have to find the way of getting Arc GIS
software, which can be purchased from ESRI through your organization

The above things are few of the major requirements through which you can achieve your
objectives.

1. ArcCatalog

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 1.1 Arc Catalog

Arc Catalog lets you explore and manage your data. After connecting to your data, use the Catalog
to explore its contents. When you find the data you want to use, you can add it to a map. Often,
when you get data for a project, you can’t use it right away; you may need to change its projection
or format, modify its attributes, or link geographic features to attributes stored in another table.
When the data is finally ready, you should document its contents and the changes you have made.
These data management tasks can all be accomplished using tools that are available in the Catalog.

The ArcCatalog application provides a catalog window that is used to organize and manage various
types of geographic information for ArcGIS for Desktop.

ArcCatalog organizes these contents into a tree view that you can work with to organize your GIS
datasets and ArcGIS documents, search and find information items, and to manage them.
ArcCatalog presents this information in a tree view and allows you to select a GIS item, view its
properties, and to access tools to operate on the selected item

ArcCatalog is used to:

 Organize your GIS contents

 Manage geodatabase schemas
 Search for and add content to ArcGIS applications
 Document your contents
 Manage GIS servers
 Manage standards-based metadata

1.2 Starting Arc Catalogue:

1. Click the Start button on the Windows taskbar.

2. Point to Programs.
3. Point to ArcGIS.
4. Click ArcCatalog. The ArcCatalog window appears.

1.3 Components of Arc Catalogue

When ArcCatalog starts, the main menu and the standard Toolbar appear by default. Toolbars are
areas in the interface of ArcGIS with buttons that activate various features and functions.

Study the following screenshot and relate it with the ArcCatalog you have opened

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 Menus
Metadata Geographic toolbar
toolbar

Standard
toolbar

Location
toolbar

Contents,
Preview and
Metadata tabs

Catalog Tree

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 1.4 Look in a folder connection

When you select a folder connection in the Catalog tree, the Contents tab lists the items it
contains. Unlike Windows Explorer, the Catalog doesn’t list all files stored on disk; a folder might
appear empty even though it contains several files. Folders containing geographic data sources
have a different icon to make your data easier to find.
Look in a folder connection and locating the training folder in your catalog.
1. Click a folder connection in the Catalog tree. The items it contains appear in the
Contents tab.
2. Expand the sign of the C drive in the Catalog tree

3. Look for and “GISTOT” folder and click on it

4. Click ok

Result: Now you should look the folder containing the training data listed in the catalog tree as

follows

1.5 Exploring and Recognizing Different Types of GIS data base in Arc
Catalogue

In this portion you are going to practice how to explore different types of GIS data base in
ArcCatalog. In doing so you are also expected to recognize the different types of GIS data base
compatible with ArcGIS software.

Exploring GIS data basses in ArcCatalog:

Here you will see the contents of the ArcCatalog folder contained in the “GISTOT” folder
1. Expand the plus sign behind the C:\GISTOT
2. Expand the folder “ArcCatalog”
Result= you can look at the contents of the folder “ArcCatalog” in the preview window of
ArcCatalog

Exploring Data set using the Contents tab

When you select items, such as folders or Geodatabase in the Catalog tree, the Contents tab lists
the items they contain. To change the appearance of the Contents list, use the appropriate
buttons on the Standard toolbar.

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Explore the contents of the ArcCatalog folder:

Each type of geographic data has its own set of icons in the Catalog. The ArcCatalog folder
contains a file geodatabase, shapefile, raster datasets, and dataset. These are some of the
methods in which geographic data is stored in the ArcGIS environment.

A. Double-click the GISTOT Road Analysis connection in the Catalog tree.

B. Click the Arc Catalogue folder in the Catalog tree.

C. Click the Large Icons button. and look at the different types of Geographic data bases in
the preview window
D. Click the List button.
E. Click the detail button

In doing all of these steps; you can observe the change in the appearance of the selected data in
the preview window of Arc catalog.

1.6 Identifying the Appearance of Different Types of data bases

Shapefiles: are vector systems of storing geographic datasets in the Arc GIS software: to see the
appearance of sahpefiles follow the following procedures
A. Connect to C:\GISTOT\1.ArcCatalog
B. Click on the ArcCatalog folder- the green icons ordered inside the arc Catalog folder are
Shapefiles

Personal Geodatabase: Personal Geodatabase is a database that stores geographic information.

The concept “Geodatabase” can be simply explained as a container (database) that stores data.
You can see two feature classes in the Geodatabase (roads and buildings). To see what it looks
like a geodatabase, go through the following steps
A. Connect to C:\GISTOT\1.ArcCatalog
B. The Amhara_Features file format and its featurs is a Geodatabase

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Featuredataset: the feature classes that share the same geographic extent and coordinate
system will be grouped together in a Feature Data Set.
Feature classes are collections of geographic features that share the same geometry type (point,
line or polygon), attributes and spatial reference.

Follow the following exercises to better know about Personal Geodatbases, feature data set and
Feature Classes
A. Click on Basic Features in Tigray.gdb file in the catalogue tree
B. Explore all the contents of Basic Features in Tigray.gdb by click on the plus sign in front of it
C. Expand each of the contents of the data base and look at the feature classes in each of the
feature data sets

Geodatabase

Datasets

Feature Classes

Shapefiles

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 2. Arc Map
The Arc Map environment and functionalities will be practiced in this part of the training
document. You will get the data for respective activities in the directories guided by the manual.

2.1 Uses of ArcMap

ArcMap is where you create maps and access most of the ArcGIS functionality. You can access
some of the same functions through ArcCatalog and will need to decide for yourself which
approach you find works best for you. It helps to display data, make selections, analyze data,
manipulate data, create data, assign symbols and produce map.

2.2 Starting ArcMap:

You can launch ArcMap in several ways. If you are in ArcCatalog, click on the “Launch ArcMap”
button. Alternatively, go to the start menu, ArcGIS, and ArcMap or double-click on a desktop icon
(if you created one).

2.3Adding Data
Following this you are going to practice how to add geographic data in the ArcMap environment
A. Click the add icon in the standard button
B. In the add data dialogue box Click the dropdown arrow and select C
C. Double Click GISTOT folder
D. Double click on the 2.ArcMap Folder
E. Double Click on the Amhara_basic_featuresGeodatabase
F. Click on the Admin feature dataset
G. Click on the add button.
Result: In the Arc Map environment you get the major administrative boundaries of
AmharaRegional State
Using similar procedures; proceed to C:\GISTOT\1.ArcMap\Amhara_Features.gdb and add the
Geohydrological and Hydrological Datasets

2.3 Customizing the Interface

ArcMap is made up of many different windows and (dock-able) toolbars that you can resize and
move around so don’t be surprised if ArcMap looks slightly different each time you open it.

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 2.3.1 Adding Tools and Toolbars

Different ArcMap applications may have application-specific toolbars. A toolbar can be made
visible (activated) or hidden (de-activated). The position of the toolbars within the interface is
flexible; they can float on the desktop and you can reposition them at any time. Alternatively
the toolbars can be docked to any side of the ArcCatalog window. In order to activate other
toolbars go to View, then toolbars and you will get many toolbars for your specific use.

A. Left-click anywhere outside of the table of contents, map display, Anything with a check
mark next to it will be displayed
B. You can choose any of the toolbars you want to add

2.3.2 Opening ArcToolbox

Arc Toolbox contains The ArcGIS Spatial Analyst extension makes nearly 170 geoprocessing tools
available to you, grouped into toolsets of related functionality for ease of access.
In any ArcGIS for Desktop application, you can open the ArcToolboxwindow with the Show/Hide
ArcToolbox Window button found on the standard toolbar or by clicking
Geoprocessing>ArcToolbox

2.4 Working with the Table of Contents:

The table of contents lists all the layers on the map and shows what the features in each layer
represent. The map's table of contents helps you manage the display order of map layers and
symbol assignment, as well as set the display and other properties of each map layer

2.3.1 Making the Logical Arrangement of Data in the Table of Contents

The arrangement of the layers in table of contents must be logical (the smallest features at the
top and the largest at the top, so that the largest feature may not cover the smallest feature).
To do that,
A. Click on the Towns layer
B. Drag them at the bottom of all other layers
Now, because towns are point features, they are covered by the largest Woreda and Zone layer,
they are invisible in the display window, so you should have to return them to their original
location as follows
A. Click on Towns layer
B. Drag and drop at the top of other layer

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Now you can look the town’s layer visible in the display window. Try to practice rearranging the
other layers in the same way

2.4.5 Turning on and on of layers

With List by Visibility, you have visual cues to indicate the layer's visibility. Each type of layer has
its own icon, and the symbol is either colored to indicate the layer is on or gray when it is not, so
you can quickly look at the icon to determine whether a layer is visible.

Visible—The layer is turned on:

Not Visible—The layer is turned off
Try to practice changing the visibility of the layers by clicking on the visibility icon

2.5.6 Removing Layers

If you don’t want the layer to be found in Arc Map you can remove it by right click on the layer to
be removed and click on the remove option

2.5 Exploring the Data Set:

You can explore the data sets in Arc Map using the Tools toolbar

2.5.1 Interactive Zoom in/out

A. Click on the zoom in/out button

B. Then left click on your map and hold down the mouse button, and
C. Move your mouse away from you to zoom in and towards you to zoom out

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The fixed zoom in/fixed zoom out tools work like the zoom tools when you click them rather
than draw a box. Each time you click, you will zoom in or out a fixed amount.

2.5.2 Panning
This helps to explore the map in zoomed level

A. Click on the pan button

B. Left-click on your map display and hold the mouse button down
C. Shift your map, your extent (amount zoomed in or out) stays the same while your map
moves.

2.5.3 Full extent:

The full extent button will zoom in or out so that all of your active (checked) map layers can be
viewed. You can also zoom in to a single layer by right clicking on the layer in the table of
contents and choosing “zoom to layer.”
2.5.4 Identify features
This helps to identify about the feature. It tells all the existing information about the feature
A. Click the Identify button on the Tools toolbar.
B. The Identify window pops up with no information on the information table.
C. In the map display window, click on a feature (e.g. in one of the
D. Woredas) to view information about it.
E. After identifying features, close the Results window.

2.6 Working withAttribute Table

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GIS data basses often contain two types of databases, such as Attribute data and spatial data.
Spatial data is a data type containing the location of Geographic features. Attribute tables
provide descriptive information for the respective spatial features, which are often attached with
the spatial databases.
2.6.1 Opening and viewing Attribute Table

Follow the following steps to know and practice more about attribute tables
A. In the table of contents, right-click on Amhara_Woreda Layer to see the options menu
B. Click Open Attribute Table.
C. The attribute table opens, and you see attributes of the Woredas in the columns.
D. Look for the each of the colomns and observe what type of information is contained in
each of the columns
E. Close the attribute table of Amhara_woreda layer and open attribute tables of some
other
2.6.2 Exploring Field Properties
ArcMap has functionalities to enable you extracting useful information from the attribute tables
of GIS data basses. Go through the following procedures
A. Open the attribute tables of Amhara_Woreda Layer
B. Right Click on the Top raw of the field AREAKM2
C. Click on Statistics
D. You can look at the different properties of the Statistical data of Amhra region
woredas from the incoming window

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 2.7 Selecting Features:

GIS datasets often contain much more data than you need. There are several methods available
to reduce or extract data from larger, more complex datasets. You can use the following options
to select features

2.7.1 Selecting features using attribute table:

A. Open the attribute table of Amhara_Woreda layer
B. Look under the “Woreda” Field and find “DessieZuria”

C. Click on the first column of the raw containing “DessieZuria”

D. Now you see “DessieZuria” highlighted in the ArcMap display window
E. Practice selecting other Woredas using the same technique

2.7.2 Selecting Features Using the Selection Tool:

The Selection tool allows you to select a certain geographical features without
opening the table of contents
A. If there is anything you have selected, clear it using the Clear Selected button from the

Tools menu

B. Click on the select icon in the Tools tool

C. Click in one of the features displayed in ArcMap to be selected

D. If you want to Deselect the selected features; click the clear selected button
E. Practice selecting and deselecting features using Selection and Clear selected
Features tool.

2.7.3 Selecting by querying

It is also possible to select features by searching them with expressions
A. If there is anything you have selected Clear it using the Clear Selected features tool
B. From the main menu, point to Selections and click Select by attributes.

C. Click the layer dropdown arrow to select the layer “Amhara_Towns”

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 D. Click the method drop down arrow and click Create a new selection
E. Scroll down through the attribute options and search the field entitled “TOWN_NAME”

F. Double-click the field: “TOWN_NAME”,

G. From the Dialog box containing Mathematical Signs clicks the sign,
H. Click the “get unique values” button
I. Look for the list of towns displayed in the Unique Values dialog box.

J. Scroll down and find Kombolcha from the list of the towns
K. When you find, double click on the name Kombolcha
L. Make sure that your selection query looks like the snap shoot below

M. If so, Click apply and OK

N. The selected city will be shown in the map display
O. Close the Select by attributes window, close the attribute table and deselect the selected
feature.

2.8 Data Symbolization

ArcMap a number of functionalities which allows you to display your layers in the Map display
window

2.8.1 Symbolizing polygon Features

A. Open a new empty map and add Amhra_Woreda, Amhra roads and Amhra Towns from
C:\GISTOT\2.ArcMap

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 B. In the table of contents, double-click the layer Amhra_Woreda
C. In the Layer properties window, click the symbology tab
D. In the options below the Show icon, select categories, then Unique values
E. In the value field Icon select WOREDA
F. Click on Add all Values
G. Select appropriate color for your symbology using the Color Ramp drop down arrow
H. Click Apply and OK

Result: this exercise enables you to represent each of the Woredas of Amhra regional state with
a unique color values.

2.8.1 Resizing the Symbol of Line and Point Features:

In this exercise you will practice how to increase and decrease the symbology size of layers
displayed in ArcMap

Symbolizing Roads Layer

A. Click on the Line icon below the roads layer in the table of contents
B. Go to the options dialog and click on Color
C. Select Black color
D. Increase the symbology Size to 2
E. Click Ok and observe the change in Arc Map
Symbolizing Towns Layer
A. Click on the point icon below the Amhara_Towns layer in the table of contents
B. From the incoming dialog box, select one of the symbols and click OK

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 3. Spatial referencing
3.1 Introduction
Spatial references include a coordinate system for x-, y-, and z-values. The spatial reference of a
feature class is made up of the following: coordinate system, tolerance, resolution, and domain.
What follows is an explanation of how the spatial reference is set when processing and creating
new and how to control these properties.

3.2Doing With the Data Frame Projection and Coordinate System selection
Note: When ArcMap is started with a new, empty map, the coordinate system for the default
data frame is not defined. When you add data with a defined coordinate system, ArcMap will
automatically set the data frame’s projection to be the same as that of the data. .
In this exercise you will change the coordinate system of the map document and observe the
effect of changing the coordinate system in the map document.
I. Setting Up
A. Open a new empty map (Start > All Programs >ArcGIS >Arc map)
B. Add the World dataset
C:\GISTOT\3.Spatial_Referencing\WorldData.gdb
C. After adding the world data set your map documents table of contents should
contains such 5 layers

II. Looking the Coordinate System of the data frame

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 Now you will identify the type of coordinate system being used in ArcMap
A. From the main menu, click on View → Data Frame Properties
B. In the data frame Properties dialog box Click on the Coordinate Systems tab

C. In the Current Coordinate System dialog box, you can see the Coordinate system being
used in the ArcMap environment, which looks like the snap shoot shown below

D. After observing, Click the Cancel and close the Coordinate System dialog box

III. Change the Data frame’s coordinate System

A. From the main menu go to View >Data Frame Properties
B. From the data frame properties dialogue box, hit on the coordinate system tab
C. From the data frames properties coordinate system dialogue box, go to the select
coordinate systems option
D. Expand the Predefined folder by clicking on the plus sign
E. Expand the projected coordinate system folder by clicking on the plus sign.
F. Expand the Wold folder
G. Select the Aitoff(world) coordinate system
H. Click Apply and observe the changes happened on the map
I. Again select the Bonne (world) coordinate system and observe the change in the
shape of the world shape file.

Expand the Projected Coordinate system here

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Expand the World folder and select the Aitoff( world) coordinate system
After you click on apply in the coordinate systems dialogue box, the content of the map will be
completely reshaped as follows. Please try the other coordinate system and look at the change
in the map content.

III.3 Define Projection For a data set

In the above exercise you have learnt how to change the map document without changing the
coordinate system of the data which are added in the map document. In this case, the
coordinate system that you have modified will be lost when you close arc map. By now you are
going to learn how to change and project the coordinate system of a data set.Defining a
projection refers to assigning a projection (a coordinate system) for a data set which does not
have a spatial reference system. When you added a data set which misses a spatial reference
system, the following dialogue box warns you as the data set you are adding do not have a
coordinate system

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By following the procedures listed below, you will assign the appropriate spatial reference
system for Amhara Region Shape file which doesn’t have a coordinate system.
A. Open a new empty map
B. Add the Amhara_Zones shape file located in C:\GISTOT\3.Spatial_Referencing
C. When the warring about the missing of coordinate system come, press ok
D. Open Arctoolbox if it is not present in the ArcMap environment
E. From the arc toolbox window, expand the Data management toolbox
F. Expand the Projection and Transformation Toolset
G. Double click on the Define Projection toolset
H. In the define projection dialogue box, use the drop down arrow to select the

Amhara_Zones input shape file. Click on the select coordinate system arrow
I. In the coming Spatial refernce properties doalogue box, click on the select tab
J. In the Browse for coordinate system doalogu box, double clik click on: projected
Cooordinate System, UTM, WGS 1984,
K. From the list of WGS 1984 zones, select WGS 1984 UTM Zone 37. ( because Ethiopia is
located on this Zone)
L. Clik on add, on the Brows for coordinate system dialogu box
M. Press ok on the spaatial refernce properties and on the Define projection dialogue boxes

The Projection and transformation toolset tool box

Double click on the define Projection tool

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 Click on the dropdown arrow
and select Amra_zones as
input feature class

Click on this to select

Coordinate system

Select WGS 1984 UTM Zone 37N

 

Click on the select button

 

The above procidures that you have go through has made the Tigray Region shape file to be
projected in to WGS 1984, Zone 37 N coordinates sytem. This spatial refernce propoerty will be
stored as the coordinate system of the Amhara_zone Shape file. From now onwards, when you
add the Amhara_Zone shape file in to the Arc map, the missing of spatial refernce system
warning dialogu box will not come again.

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 III.4 Projection change
While the define projection toolset allows you to assign a coordinate system for a data set which
does not have any spatial refernce system, the project tool allows you to change the coordinate
system of a data set form one type of coordinate system to another. For example, tehre are two
basic types of coordinate system which will be applied in the spatial data of Ethiopia such as the
WGS 1984 and the Adindan spatial refernce ststem. Then, two work with spatial data which have
a different coordinate system , we must first have to similarize the coordinate system of the data
sets, which will be done by the project tool.

III.4.1 Observe the Effetc of different spatial refernce systm on the properties of the
Map document
In this exercise you will observe the effect of the using two different coordinate systm for
spatial data having a similar location. In the exercise you are provided with the Tigray region
shape file, which has a spatial refernce systme of WGS 1984 UTM Zone 37, and the Shape file
of Ethio Regions which uses Adindan as a spatial refernce system.
A. Open a new empty map
B. Add the Amhara_Zones shape file located C:\GISTOT\3.Spatial_Referencing
C. Add the Ethio_ region shape file located on C:\GISTOT\3.Spatial_Referencing
D. Click on the Zoom too extent button on the tools menu

When you do, so you must see the Amhara_Zonesshape overlaying its place on the shape file
of Ethio_regions. But, because the two maps use a different coordinate system, one can not
overlay the other.
Looking the Coordinate System of the Data set
A. Right Click on Amhara_Zones layer in the table of Contents
B. Click on the Source tab in the Layer properties dialoge box, and look at the type of
Coordnate System attached to the layer
C. In the same way, Identify the type of Coordinate sytem that the Ethio_regions layer is
using

In this situation, you can not do any spatial analyisis on the two maps, since thy use a
different coordinate system. So you must similarize the coordinate system of the two maps
by using the Project tool set of the arc tool box tool elemnt. For this exercise you will change
the coordinate system of Ethio regions from Adindan to WGS 1984 UTM Zone 37.

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 A. On the Arc too box window, expand the data management toolbox, and the projection
and Transformation tool box
B. From the projection and transformation tool set, expand the future toolsets
C. From the future toolset expand the Project tool element
D. Double click on the project tool element
E. Fill out the incoming dialog box with the following information

Use the drop down arrow and

select Ethio_regions

Put your out putfile on C:\TOT\3.Spatial

Reference give Ethio_regions_project as a
name

Select
WGS_1984_UTM_Zone_37N
As a new coordinate system

Press Ok when you finish

Now you have chnaged the coordinate system of Ethio_regions shape file file from Adindan to
UTM Zone WGS1984 Zone 37. Now if you add the Amhara_Zones and the Ethio
Regions_Projected shap file in one arc map document, you can see as the Amhara_Zoneshape
file overlays its posiotion in the Ethio reSgiosn shape file.

To sum up the above excersices have shown the essentiality of managing approporate
coordinate systmes for our data set. So, for any GIS projects, you should have to assign the
approprate spatial refernce system for you data set. Then if there is a need to change the
coordinate system of the data set, you should have to project the coordinate system from one to
another coordinate system.

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 4.Georeferencing
4.1. Introduction
The previous exercise was all about projection. It presented how a user can select the
appropriate coordinate system for the data in use. This part explains the procedure to passing
coordinates to a raster image (e.g., an aerial photograph, a satellite image or a scanned map) by
means of a number of control points, followed by the rectification of the raster image.
When you georeference your raster dataset, you define its location using map coordinates and
assign the coordinate system of the data frame. Georeferencing raster data allows it to be
viewed, queried, and analysed with other geographic data.

Georeferencing will be made on: Satellite images, Scanned maps and aerial photographs.After
having the raster dataset, in order to georeference an image, we should have sample ground
control points of the features which are depicted on the map. In other words, we should have to
know the absolute location of some representative features which are shown on the raster data
set to be georeferenced. This is usually achieved by using ground GPS collection if the image to
be georeferenced is a satellite image or aerial photographs. Scanned maps usually have absolute
locations depicted with grids, which could be used as GCPs in the georeferencing process.

In the coming tow exercises, you will learn how to Georeference a TopomapGo to C:\GISTOT\
4.Georeferencing folder and observe the JPJ image of Topomap of Dessie area . It is the scanned
Topographic Map of the Surroundings of Dessie Town. However, since it is an image it is not a
GIS data base, you cannot do any spatial analysis rather than observing its attribute. Because it is
an image, you cannot measure distances, calculate areas, asses the connectivity of the roads etc..
To do such spatial tasks, at first, the image must be converted in to A GIS data base by
Georeferencing it. So, in the following exercise we will look at how to georeference the image.

4.2 Start up
A. Create a new empty map
B. Add the Dessie_Topomap map. jpg file from C:\GISTOT\4.Georeferencing
C. When it asks you to build pyramids Click Yes

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 D. When it warns as your data misses a coordinate system , press ok

4.3 Define a spatial Reference system for the source image

The first step of any GIS project is to select the appropriate coordinate system for our GIS data
set. As a result the first move of your project is to define the coordinate system of your input
image in to Adindan_UTM_Zone_37N . This is because; the Dessie_Topomap (your input image)
has been produced using a coordinate system of Adindan_UTM_Zone_37N. Then you, first will
define the coordinate system of your input image as follows.

1. Activate the Arc Toolbox window if it is not activated( go to Windows and click on Arc
tool box)
2. From the Arc Toolbox window, expand the Data management toolbox, and the projection
and transformation toolset.
3. double click on the define projection tool box
4. In the incoming dialogue box, use the drop down arrow and select Dessie_Topomap as
the input data set
5. Click on the select coordinate system arrow
6. From the spatial reference properties dialogue box click on the select tab
7. In the incoming browse for coordinate system dialogue box, double click projected
coordinate system>UTM> others
8. GCS Select the Adindan UTM Zone 37 N from the list of coordinate system.
9. Click on Add in the browse for coordinate system dialogue box
10. Click ok on the Spatial reference properties and on the define projection dialogue boxes.

The above step enables you to assign the appropriate spatial reference system for your image.
Following this, we will go to the actual Georeferencing procedure. In the Georeferencing
process, we will use the XY points written at the edge of the map and the respective grids as
Sample GCPS

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 4.4 Georeferencing:
As noted previously, the first requirement to Georeferencing images is to have control points.
So before proceeding in to the actual Georeferencing process, you must collect control
points from the input topomapand record them. To do so, open the input topomap in the
windows explorer and record the coordinates of the four corners of the map by zomming
into them. The table below shows the four corners coordinates of the given map. In the same
way, try to collect more control points from the given image.

Easting(X) Northing (Y)

555000 1243000 Left Top

581000 1243000 Right Top

555000 1217000 Left Bottom

581000 1217000 Right Bottom

A. Activate the Georeferencing tool bar (click on the top of the map document, around the
main menu and thick mark the Georeferencing tool bar.
B. Zoom in on the Top Left Corner of the image to the extent that you can see the X and Y
numbers written at the edge of the image(look on the screen shoot below)

C. Zoom in specific to the vertex represented by the X and Y points you have written ( you
have to zoom in to the extent that you can identify the center of the vertex)
D. Click on the added control points icon from the Georeferencing tool box
E. Place the incoming cross at the center of the vertex you have zoomed in

F. Right click and press in put X and Y points

G. In the incoming small dialog box, enter the X and Y points that you have recorded

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 H. When you finish, press ok, then the image may disappear from the data frame
I. Click on the zoom to full extent button to repair the appearance of the image
J. Follow the above procedure and take 7 extra GCPs from the map document
K. First, take coordinates from the rest three corners of the map( Top right, top left and
bottom left corners of the map) It is advisable to take the first four coordinates from the
corner of the map so as to make the distribution of sample GCPs fair
L. Try to take 4extra fairly distribute GCPs from other vertexes of the grids
M. You can take GCPs from any grid junctions. But your GCPs must be fairly distribute
through the map

4.5 Checking Accuracy

A. See the attributes of your sample GCPs by clicking on the View link table in the
georeferencing tool
B. Check the total RMS accuracy is less than 1 on the link table dialogue box
C. If it is the total accuracy is greater than 1 m you should have to redo the georeferencing
process

Total RMS Error

4.6 Rectification of the raster image (geocoding)

This process is required if you like to reorient or resize the image towards the map coordinate
system of the control points. A rectified image, with a new position and a new value for each
pixel is generated.Rectification in a very simplified sense is the process of saving the
georefernced image. It will attach permanently the absolute location of every pixel on the
georefernced image.

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 A. Click ‘Georeferencing’ tool > Rectify
B. Edit the Save as dialogue box as shown in the screen shoot below

Locate the destination of your output fi

Rename the output file to

Rectified_topomap.img
Warning: don’t delet the .img text
Click on save

You can added the base map_rectified.img image and explore its properties

So far you have finished the process of importing your given scanned map in to the GIS data
base. By now, you can make correct measurements of lines and areas as well as integrate the
data with the other GIS data abases.

4.7 Exploring the Properties of the Georefernced Image

The following practice will help you to better understand how Georeferencing is a necessary
condition of any GIS project

A. Close the existing Arc map and open a new empty map
B. Added the layer Kombolcha_Campus Image from C:\GISTOT\4.Georeferencing
C. This is a georefernced satellite image of KombolchaUnversity area
D. Add the rectified base map of Desse_topomap
E. In the map window, you have seen the KombolchaUnversity image overlaid by Rectified
topomap .img layer. Because both of them were at the same area, have similar coordinate
system and georeferenced, thy can be overlaid as you have seen .

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5 Data Entry
5.1 Introduction
Data entry is a task that complements all GIS work. Data has to be entered and stored in a proper
digital format (in the computer) to apply any GIS analysis. Different methods are used for data
input. Data can be recorded directly from the field in a digital format by using devices as Global
Positioning Systems (GPS) and Satellite Imagery. Data also can be input from analogue format
(hard copy) by mean of digitizing or scanning. Spatial data and its attributed data are stored in
the computer in different ways depending on the GIS software in which it was created. However
most commonly it is arranged in the form of tables.

You are going to practice how to enter spatial and attribute data into a GIS. You will add spatial
and attribute data to the empty feature classes of the Data_entryPersonal Geodatabase. You will
learn how to edit spatial data by using simple editing tools and tools to analyse the topological
integrity of the data.
In the following exercise you will practice data entry by digitizing though which you will produce
base maps of the surroundings of Wollo University Kompbolca Campus. The base map will
include three basic elements; such includes Land use features, Roads and Rural settlements of
the area. In the following exercise you will extract information about this features from high
resolution satellite imagery.

5.2 Creating A data Structure in Arc Catalogue

The aim of this exercise is to produce Base map of the surroundings of Wollo University
Kompbolca Campus from high resolution satellite image. To do so, first you should have to
create a data structure which will hold (contain) the necessary. This process is done in Arc
Catalogue, where you will create a PersonalGeodatabase, a Feature data set and a feature Class.

5.2.1 Creating Personal Geodatabase

A. Open Arc Catalogue
B. Connect to C:\GISTOT\5.Data_Entry
C. In the Catalogue tree right click on the 5.Data_EntryFolder
D. Click on New and then Personal Geodatabase

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 E. Rename the New Personalgeodatabase to Kombolcha_area
F. By now you can see the new Kombolcha_areaGeodata base listed under

5.Data_Entryfolder
5.2.2 Creating Feature Dataset
A. Right Click on the Kombolcha_areageodatabase
B. Click on new and then Feature Dataset

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 C. In the coming new feature data set dialogue box, write, Basic_features as a name of your
new feature dataset
D. Click on next
a. In the coming dialogue box, expand the projected coordinate system folder and go to
Projected Coordinate System >UTM>WGS 1984>WGS 1984 UTM Zone 37N.Prj
E. ( this is the appropriate coordinate system of your proposed GIS dataset, because your
source image uses this spatial reference system)
F. Click on Next > Next and Finish
G. You can see your new feature data set under the Kombolcha_area personal geodatabase
H. Persist in the Arc Catalogue as you are connected to your working directory

5.2.3 Creating Feature Classes

Until now you have built a feature data set which will hold all geometries to be created in the
feature. Following this, you are going to create feature classes in which the land uses, the roads
and rural villages will be stored
I. Creating Polygon Feature Class
A. In the catalogue tree, Rigt click on the Basic_features data set that you have created
B. Click on New > click on Feature Class

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C. On the New feature class dialogue box, write Land_use as a name of the new feature class on
the space in front of the Name tab
D. Select the type of feature to be stored in the feature class to be Polygon using the drop down
arrow located in front of the type radio button
E. Click Next
F. In the incoming dialoge box, you will add attribute fields to the new polygon features
G. Write Landuse_type as the name of the new attribute field
H. In the data type dialog box, select Text
I. Click on Finish

I. Create a point Feature Class

In the above exercise you have created a polygon feature class which will hold land uses found
in Kombolcha_area. In the point features you will store rural sentiment areas (villgaes) which are
visible in on the Satellite image
1. In the catalogue tree, Right click on the Basic_features data set that you have created
2. Click on New > click on Feature Class
3. On the New feature class dialogue Box, write Villages as a name of the new feature class
on the space in front of the Name tab

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 4. Select the type of feature to be stored in the feature class to be Point using the drop
down arrow located in front of the Type radio button
5. Click on Finish

II. Create Line Feature Class

The input image also displays the roads of the area. So you will construct the road data of the
area
1. In the catalogue tree, right click on the Basic_featuresdata set that you have created
2. Click on New > Feature Class
3. On the New feature class dialogue box, write Roads as a name of the new feature class
on the space in front of the Name tab
4. Select the type of feature to be stored in the feature class to be Line using the drop
down arrow located in front of the Type radio button
5. Click on Finish
6. Observe your data structure in Arc catalogue ; which should looks like the following
screen shoot

5.3 Digitizing in Arc Map

So far you have created the data structure which will hold the features classes to be created. The
feature classes you have created are however empty, which does not contain any spatial data.
You will store the spatial data presented on given satellite image.
5.3.1 Start up
A. Open a new empty map
B. Add the empty datsets you have created in the above exercise (C:\GISTOT\5.Data_Entry\
Kombolcha_area.gdb\Kombolcha_features
C. Look at the feature classes as they are empty data sets
D. Add the Kom_campus.img (the source image you will digitize ) , located on C:\GISTOT\
5.Data_Entry

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 5.3.2 Identifying Features from the input image
Because you are going to identify features from the source satellite image, you should have to
better explore the features visible on the image. This can be done by using the tools menu. In
doing so one of the main tasks is identification of the land cover types visible on the image. Five
basic land cover types can be identified from the image. These include Built up areas(B), Farm
Lands(F), Bare Lands(BR), Grass Lands(GR), and Vegetation Lands(VG). Note at the capital latters
of the given land use types, they are abbreviations of the land uses which will be entered as
attribute names for each of the land cover classes in the data entry part.

5.3.3. Digitizing Polygon Features

By now you are going to digitize the Land uses which are shown on a map.

A. Opening the Editor Tool Bar

a. (Right-Click on the upper top part of the page.
b. You will get a menu of toolbars. Select Editor.
c. The Editor Toolbar will appear on the window.)

In digitizing land uses, you should have to store the type of land uses that each polygon will
contain. To do so, do the following arrangements in the editor menu

A. Click on the Dropdown arrow of the Editor menu

B. Click on Options
C. Hit on the attribute tab
D. Check on Display the Attribute Data before Storing the Features
E. Check on For the following layers
F. Turn on Land use layer and leave the remaining ones as they are.
Start Editing
A. Click on Start editing from the Dropdown arrow of the Editor menu

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 B. From the editor menu, select Land use classes as the target features( it is on this features

that the feature you will create will be stored)

C. Zoom in to the center of Kombolcha campus building at the center of the image

D. On the Editor Toolbar, click the Sketch Tool button and start digitizing the surroundings
of the buildings.

E. Start to digitize the surroundings of the buildings

F. Double click when you finish digitizing the surroundings of the campus

G. In the coming Attribute Editor dialog box write B as the name of the land use type

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 H. Continue to digitize some more specific land uses by exploring the input image
I. Save your edits = click on the editor tool bar then click on save
J. Try to digitize more polygon features as much as you can

Auto Complete Polygons:

Editing features that participate in a topology is similar to editing simple features—in fact, you
can use the same sketch tools to create new features that participate in a topology that you
would use for features that do not. When you want to modify a feature that shares edges or
nodes with other features in the topology, you can use the autocomplete polygon tool. In this
case, the surroundings of Kombolcha campus are surrounded by farmlands. You can make the
kombolcha campus polygon to share a boundary with the surrounding land uses.
Do the following arrangements

A. In the editor menu, use the task button and select Auto Complete polygon

B. Use the Sketch tool and start to digitize the surrounding land uses of kombolchacampu.
Make your start and ending point the already prepared Kombolcha campus polygon.
When you finish Double click on the edge of Kombolcha campus polygon. Here the sketch
task must be ended by recognizing the already produced edge of Kombolcha campus
boundary as the other part of the new polygon
C. Continue to digitize the remaining land uses viable on the image. Don’t forget to use
abbreviation of the land uses for each of the land use types as a land use name in the
attribute fields.

5.3.4 Digitizing Line Features

Roads are linear features visible on the images, so you will store the roads visible on the
image in the line features you have created.
A. In the Editor tool bar Select the Road layer as a target feature from the target tab( this
allows you the features you are going to digitize are going to be stores in the road feature
class)

37 | Department of GeES, Wollo University

 B. Zoom in to the source image to the extent that you can clearly identify certain road
C. Click on the Sketch tool from the editor tool bar and start digitizing at certain point from
the map. Continue to trace the roads by following the roads shown on the source image

D. Continue digitizing the streets

E. Save the new lines: Editor > Save edits
F. Now you can see the roads that you have digitized as independent data
5.3.5 Digitizing Point Features
Small hamlets found in the surroundings of the campus will be digitized here. You will digitize
these features as follows.

A. Make sure that the task displayed on Task drop down menu is Create New Feature and

the Target layer to Villages

B. Zoom in to some villages on the input image
C. Click on the sketch tool
D. Put the sketch tool on the center of each villages
E. Try to digitize more point features as much as you can by doing so
F. When you Stop editing in the editor tool bar by saving your edits

5.4Add Attribute Data

In the above exercise you have created feature classes. In this exercise you will add soe attribute
fields for the land use and road layers

5.4.1 Add new fields.

A. If you are in the editing season close your edits by clicking on the stop editing tool on the
editor tool bar
B. Right click on the road layer in the table of contents
C. Open attribute
D. Drag the options tab drop down arrow and click on added fields
E. Write “Length”
F. Select “Double” as the field type
G. Click Ok

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 H. Using the same procedure create a new text field for land uses and rename the field of
the land uses to ‘Area’; make it to be in Double type.

Write the name of the field

Select the field type

The options tab drop down arrow

5.4.2 Calculating Areas and Lengths

Here you will calculate the area coverage of each of the land use types you have digitized using
the field Geometry Calculator option.
A. Open the attribute tables of Land use layer
B. On the attribute table Right click at the top of Area field
C. Click on Calculate Geometry Option
D. Click OK on the coming warning Box
E. Look at the calculate geometry and you can customize parameters here( for this exercise
leave the default as it is
F. Click Ok
G. On the attribute table you must look the area coverage of each of the land use types you
have digitized.
H. In the same way, calculate the length of roads you have digitized.

39 | Department of GeES, Wollo University

 6. Spatial Analysis with Vector Data

Analysis is a key function of a GIS that separates it from a typical visualization software package.
The ability to dig deeper into the data and locate things you cannot see during visualization is
vital to understanding relationships in your data and can play an important role in decision
making.

6.1 Creating Layers by Selection

In this exercise you will learn how to clip your area of interest from large data set using the clip
analysis toolset
A. Open an new empty map
B. Add Amhra_Zonesshapefile from C:\GISTOT\6.Analyisis
C. Select “DEBUB WOLLO” zone using one of the selection method you have practiced
D. Write Click on the “Amhra_Zones” layer
E. Go to Selection→ Create Layer from Selected Features

F. You should see “Amhra_Zones Selection” added as a new layer in the table of contents

G. Turn off all the layers other than “Amhra_Zones Selection” and explore the new selected
layer

Saving the Selected Layer:

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Because “Amhra_Zones Selection” layer is a temporary file, it will e lost when you close ArcMap.
So you should save it permanently in your working directory.
A. Right Click on “Amhra_Zones Selection” layer
B. Click on Export Data
C. In the export data dialog box, click on the Browse folder icon

D. In the coming dialog box, navigate to C:\GISTOT\6.Analyisis folder

E. Write South_Wollo as a file

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 F. Click on Save
G. Click ok in the Export Data dialog box
H. Click Yes when it asks you to add the new layer in your ArcMap Environment
I. Now you can see the new layer “South_Wollo” displayed in ArcMap
J. Remove the layer “Amhra_Zones_Selction ”

6.2Clipping

Clipping allows you to turn one shapefile into a cookie-cutter in order to cut out part of a larger
Shapefile. In the following exercise you extract the towns found in South Wollo Zone from the
Ethio_Townsshapefile

A. Add Ethio_Towns Layer From C:\GISTOT\6.Analyisis

B. From the ArcToolbox Window, Expand the “Analysis” tools
C. Expand the Extract toolset
D. Double Click on the “Clip” tool element

E. In the input Clip dialog box do the following arrangements

a. In the input Features, use the dropdown arrow and select Ethio_Towns( this is the
layer which contains the dataset to be clipped)
b. In the Clip Features box, use the dropdown arrow and select South_Wollo
layer( this is the layer used to identify towns found within South Wollo area
c. In the output feature class option, click on the browse folder and save the data on
C:\GISTOT\6.Analyisis\ using the file name South_wollo_Towns
d. Click OK when you finish

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 F. Click on Close on the anaalyisis box when it finishes
G. Turn off all the layers excet Soiut_Wollo and Siouth_Wollo_Towns
H. Explore your cliped layers, which must look the following snapshoot

6.3Buffering

Buffer is a zone around a map feature measured in units of distance or time. A buffer is useful for
proximity analysis.In the coming exercise you will identify the areas of south Wollo zone found
within 5000metter in the surroundings of Towns

A. From the Analysis tools of Arctoolbox Expand the Proximity toolset,

B. Double Click on the Buffer tool element from the proximity toolset
C. Do the following arrangements in the coming dialog box
a. Select South Wollo_Towns as input layers
b. In the Output feature class options save the output data on C:\GISTOT\6.Analyisis\
using the file name “Towns_Buffer”
c. In the distance value field write 5000( hence you are interested to identify the areas
found within the 5000metter buffer zone of the towns)
d. Click OK when you finish
D. Look out the output files displayed in Arc Map

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7 GPS data Collection and Management

7.1 Introduction

A global positioning system (GPS) device allows you to quickly find your position within several
meters. To display and save positions reported by a GPS device in ArcMap using ArcMap GPS
Support, the GPS device must have an input/output (I/O) interface and be National Marine and
Electronics Association ( NMEA) compliant. You also need a GPS compatible cable that connects
to a computer. Refer to the GPS device documentation or contact the GPS manufacturer if you're
uncertain whether your device meets these requirements. The easiest way to import GPS data in
the Arc GIS software is to send the GPS data in the Microsoft Excel Software and to import the
collected features from the Excel data in to the Arc GIS data base.

Here is the list of basic steps you should have to know to construct GIS data base from GPS data
1. Collecting the data using GPS
2. Loading the collected data in to a computer
3. Importing and organizing the GPS data in XL file
4. Changing the XL file in to point features
5. Constructing line features from the point features

7.2GPS data Collection

This is a filed task to be done around the area where the training is conducted guided by the
trainer. In the field, collect the XY points on the starting and end points of the roads you are
working with. Also, try to detect the XY coordinates of the roads turning points (in points when
you encounter directional change on the road). Don’t forget to record the XY location and the
name of the respective points on your notebook.

7.3 Loading GPS data in to a computer

The XYcoordinate data collected by you and recorded in the GPS must be entered in to a
computer so as to construct the needed road network data. This can be done in to tow ways”
I. Manually
II. Automatically

I. Loading GPS data in to a computer Manually

If the number of coordinates you have collected is not very large, you can read and write the
data in to Microsoft XL software using the following way.

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 A. Open Microsoft Xl file
B. Save it in somewhere
C. Write X in the A1 cell, through which you can store the X coordinates of the collected data
D. Write Y in the B1 cell, which can held the Y cordite data
E. Write “Name” in the C1 cell, which can contain the name of respective coordinates
F. Type the collected GPS data in the prepared cells of the XL file using your computers key
board.
G. Save and close the XL file when you finish

ii. Loading GPS data in to a computer Automatically

If the number of XY points you have collected are very large, it may be time consuming and
tedious to enter the data manually in to a computer. In that case you should have to connect the
GPS in to a computer and load the data on it automatically. To automatically load the GPS data in
to a computer, the first requirement is to have the software for the GPS in which the data has
been collected. Therefore, before trying to load the GPS data in to a computer system, first you
should have to have the application software of the GPS you are using. Each of the different
brands of GPS software has their own application software. Thus the procedure employed to
load GPS data in the computer system will depends up on the type of GPS and the Brand that
manufactures the GPS. So the best way to practice loading GPS data in to a computer system is
to read the User manual of the GPS you are using.

7.3.1 Preparing the Excel Data to be imported in the ArcGIS software

It is assumed that you have the basic skill of manipulating Microsoft Excel Software. Try to
manage the excel file containing the GPS data in the following ways.
A. Save the Excel data in to the following folder C:\GISTOT\7.GPSusing a file name
“GPS_data”
B. Put the X and Y columns in a separate column if they are in a single column
C. Use “Easting” as the name of the column containing the X field, “Northing” for the
column containing the Y field and “Elevation” for the Column containing the Z field.

D. Delete the columns other than the Name, X and Y and Z columns. There might be other
columns in your excel data which were imported from the GPS application software you
are using. The information contained in these columns is however invaluable, so delete
these columns,
E. Make the X column in the first column place followed by the Y and Z columns. Put the
column containing the name of the respective X and Y points at last.
F. Save and close the Excel document

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 The arrangement of your fields must looks like this

7.3.2 Constructing Point Feature Class from the Excel Data in the Arc GIS
software

So far you have been able to Import the GPS data you have collected in the field in to Excel file.
By now you are going to convert each of the spates X and Y points rows in to individual Point
features.
A. Open ArcCatalog
B. By clicking on the Connect icon in the catalogue tree, Connect to the folder you have
stored your Excel file C:\GISTOT\7.GPS
C. Expand the GPS folder, where you will get the GPS_data excel file that you have stored
previously
D. Expand the Sheets of GPS_data File.
E. Right Click on Sheet 1 ( which is the sheet that contains your data of interest)
F. From the coming dialog box, proceed to Create Feature Class- From XY table

G. In the coming Create Features from XY table; do the following adjustments

a. In the input fields option, use the drop down arrow and select Easting column as the
X field
b. Select Northing column as the Y field in the Y field option
c. Leave the Z field as it is
d. In the Browse for Coordinate system dialogue box, select WGS 1984 UTM Zone
37N.Prj
e. Click Apply and Ok in the Spatial Reference Properties dialog box

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 f. In the output option, click on the browse folder icon and navigate to C:\GISTOT\
7.GPSin which you can store the output shape file
g. Use GPS_data as a name of your new shape file.
h. Click on Save in the Saving data Dialog box
i. Click Ok in the Create Shape file from XL data dialog box.
j. Look at the catalog tree weather you have created new feature class or not

7.4Exploring the Collected GPS data

A. Open an new empty map

B. Add the GPS_data shape files you have created from C:\GISTOT\7.GPS
C. Add the kombolcha_camus satellite image from C:\GISTOT\5.Data_Entry
D. You can see the location of the point features you have collected from the field on
the satellite image

47 | Department of GeES, Wollo University

8. Working with Layouts:
So far you have been working in ArcMap’s Data View, which is best for when you are working
with the data itself — performing analysis or editing. But you can also work in Layout View,
which shows the map as it would look printed out. In Layout View, you can add a title, legend,
north arrow etc.

8.1 Setting Up
A. Open a new empty Map
B. Add all the data located in CC:\GISTOT\8.LayoutSwitch to Layout View
C. Click the small paper icon at the bottom of the screen to switch to LAYOUT VIEW.
D. Notice that the page margins are now visible, and there is a box around the data
frame.

8.1 The Layout Toolbar

If it is not already there, dock the LAYOUT toolbar by dragging it up to the STANDARD toolbar at
the top of the screen. When you are working in the layout, you may want to use both the
LAYOUT toolbar and the TOOLS toolbar. Notice that many of the tools look similar on these two
toolbars; they both have zoom in and zoom out tools, and a pan tool, for example.

The zoom and pan tools from the LAYOUT toolbar will change your position on the layout itself --
they will zoom in to the piece of paper, or move the paper to the right or left. They will not
change the position of the data in the map. The zoom and pan tools from the TOOLS toolbar will
zoom in or out of the data itself, or pan the data around, just like they did in data view.

8.2Practice using the LAYOUT toolbar.

A. Pick up the ZOOM tool, and draw a box to zoom in to the layout.
B. Pan around the map with the PAN tool.
C. Zoom back out by clicking the ZOOM TO FULL PAGE button.
D. Now compare what happens when you use the TOOLS toolbar.
E. Pick up the ZOOM tool from the TOOLS toolbar, and draw a box to zoom in to the

48 | Department of GeES, Wollo University

 data.
F. Pan around the data with the PAN tool from the TOOLS toolbar.
G. Zoom back out by clicking the ZOOM TO FULL EXTENT button.
8.3Managing the Layout Page:

The page setup you will do your maps has an important role in making your maps more visible.
So try to choose the appropriate page setups either from portrait and Landscape. The choose
will depends up on the shape of your data to be mapped 1.
A. Right click in the Arc map environment outside of the Layout view
B. Proceed to Page and Print Setup; and do the following arrangements:
C. In the orientation option click on Landscape (since it best visualizes the map of Amara)
Region
D. Click OK
E. Select the map frame by clicking on it
F. By using the arrows of the frame, arrange the edge of the layout view to be within the
limited boundary
8.4 Inserting Different Map Elements:
You can add different types of map elements to the layout map using the Insert menu from the
main menu bar.
8.5.1 Add a Title to a Map
A. Go to insert in the main menu
B. Click on Title
C. In the coming box writes the title as “Basic Features of Amara Region ”
D. Drag and put the title box on the top of the layout frame

8.5.2 Add a Legend to a Map

A. From the INSERT menu, select LEGEND.

B. Click NEXT, and work your way through the wizard.
C. You can change any of these properties later, if you wish.
D. Drag and drop the Legend box at the bottom left corner of the map frame
E. You can resize the legend by using the resize icons found in the corners of the legend box

8.5.3 Add a North Arrow

1. From the INSERT menu, select NORTH ARROW.

6. Choose a style you like, and click OK.
7. Move the north arrow by dragging with the mouse when the pointer changes to a 4-way

49 | Department of GeES, Wollo University

 arrow.

5.4.4 Add Scale Bar

1. From the INSERT menu, select Scale bar.
2. Choose a style you like, click PROPERITIES and put the division unit in Kilometers.
3. Click APPLY and click OK.
4. Check your map is look like the figure below. Do not worry about the color, but look
carefully about the content of your map and the figure.

Note: If the division is odd, drag the scale bar until you get the even number or any division that
suit for you

50 | Department of GeES, Wollo University