Exercise 1 - Exploring Spatial Data

This exercise will introduce you to using ArcGIS for spatial data. You will examine vector and
raster data sets in ArcMap and identify some of the features of the data sets.

1.1 Start ArcMap

- If ArcMap is not already running, Click on
ArcMap.

Programs

ArcGIS

1.2 Open Example 1

- In ArcMap click on File

Open.

- Click on the arrow for the drop down menu next to Look In at the top of the open
window and select c.
- Double click on the temp folder.
- Double click on the workshop folder.
- Double click on example1.mxd.
- ArcMap opens with the Massachusetts counties in the display window.

1.3 View Contents of Project

The left hand portion of the ArcMap window is the table of contents. Here you will
see the layers associated with this project. The four layers are: EPA TRI (point), roads
(line), counties (polygon) and airphoto which is a raster data set.

1.4 Turn On/Off Layers

- Click in the open square next to the roads layer in the ArcMap Table of Contents. A check
mark should appear in the box and the road lines should appear over the counties.
- Repeat to turn on the EPA TRI layer.

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1.5 Change Color Scheme of Layers

The display colors selected for the features in the map are not very visually pleasing.
In this step you will adjust the symbol properties to make a better looking map. There
are different ways to change the appearance of the layers in the display window. Here
you will try two of them.
- Turn on the three vector layers (counties, roads & EPA TRI).
- Click on the point symbol for the EPA TRI theme in the table of contents. This will
open the Symbol Selector window.

- From the Symbol Selector window you can change the shape, size and color of the EPA
TRI symbols. Try changing the symbol to one more pleasing to your tastes.
- Click on OK in the Symbol Selector window to see your changes.
- Repeat this process for the roads layer.
A second way to change the visual scene of the layer is to adjust the properties of the
layer. You will use this method to display each county in a different color.
- Right click on the counties layer name in the ArcMap Table of Contents. This should
open a pop-up window.
- In the pop-up window, click on properties. This opens the Layer Properties window.
- Click on the Symbology tab along the top of the Layer Properties window.
- Click on Categories Unique values in the window on the left under Show:
- Use the down arrow to select COUNTY in the Value Field drop down menu.
- Click on Add all Values. You should now see the counties listed along with a color
box to the left of each county name.
- Use the drop Color scheme down menu to change the display colors of the counties.
- Once you have found a color scheme you like, click OK to apply your changes.
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1.6 Examine Raster Image

Along with the three vector data sets you have been working with so far, there is one
raster data set or image in this example. Here you will take a closer look at this
image.
- Check the box next to airphoto in the ArcMap Table of Contents to make the image
visible.
- Right click on airphoto in the ArcMap Table of Contents and select Zoom To Layer.
You should now see the airphoto in the display window.
- Click on the zoom tool

- To zoom in to a specific area, click and hold the left mouse button on the upper left
corner of the area. Drag the mouse to create a zoom window and release the mouse
button. Try this to zoom into the airphoto. Can you identify any features?
- Make sure the roads layer is on. Do they align with the roads in the airphoto?
- Continue to zoom in until you can see individual pixels in the air photo.
- Click on the Full Extent button

to display the entire extent of the layers.

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