GEOL 340

ArcGIS Pro Learning Journal

Brendan Nelson

Created 5/26/2021

Last Updated 5/26/2021

Contents
 Professional Training Memos
 Learning How To’s
 GIS Data Sources
 Professional Training Memos
Contents

 Week 1
 Week 2
 Week 3

Week 1

To: Professor Kade Smith

From: Brendan Nelson

Date: April 24, 2021

RE: Week 1 Professional Training

Link(s): https://learn.arcgis.com/en/projects/get-started-with-arcgis-pro/

https://learn.arcgis.com/en/projects/map-venice-in-2d-and-3d/

Time: Approx.: 6 hours

Insights: The first part of this training involved learning the basics of ArcGIS Pro. That includes learning
how to create a project, add and edit data to it, navigate around the map, etc. The second portion
involved exploring 3D data and what it can do. The example this training used was visualizing flood
zones in Venice, Italy. While working with the city’s 3D models, I couldn’t help but be reminded of city
building simulators like Cities Skylines. It makes me wonder if someone could create a GIS that uses a
similar software engine as those simulators to make an ultra-realistic city model.

Issues: The first night I worked on this training I seemed to have wi-fi connection problems, but I fixed
that on my second session. The wi-fi problems contributed to me missing the training deadline.

New Processes Learned:

 Editing symbols
 Creating layouts
 Download data from ArcGIS Online
 Create navigation bookmarks
 Edit layers and features
 Edit attribute data
 Convert maps to scenes
 Add elevation to the map
 Convert layers into 3D models
 Display layers’ height attributes
 Calculate and represent the height and area of a raster layer
 Upload realistic features to layers
  Add and delete features/objects within layers

Screenshots:

Week 2

To: Professor Kade Smith

From: Brendan Nelson

Date: April 28, 2021

RE: Week 2 Professional Training

Link(s): https://pro.arcgis.com/en/pro-app/latest/help/data/feature-datasets/feature-datasets-in-
arcgis-pro.htm

https://www.esri.com/training/catalog/57630436851d31e02a43f19e/getting-started-with-the-
geodatabase/

Time: Approx. 2 hours

Insights: In this assignment I learned how to work with geodatabases and their various components.
One thing that was present in my mind is how important this information will be for me in the future.
Knowing how to work with geodatabases will be essential to doing anything with a GIS. Luckily, the
concepts are not too complex. It is mostly just vocabulary memorization to remember how the different
parts fit together.

Issues: There were no significant issues for me this time around.

New Processes Learned:

 To use a file geodatabase most of the time myself

 To make sure my schemas are organized properly when creating a geodatabase
 To make sure all the data in my geodatabase uses the same coordinate system
 Learned difference between feature classes and feature datasets

Screenshots:

Week 3

To: Professor Kade Smith

From: Brendan Nelson

Date: May 5, 2021

RE: Week 3 Professional Training

Link(s): https://pro.arcgis.com/en/pro-app/latest/get-started/symbolize-your-data.htm

https://pro.arcgis.com/en/pro-app/latest/get-started/label-your-map.htm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-a4Qowfi0o

https://pro.arcgis.com/en/pro-app/latest/get-started/add-maps-to-a-layout.htm

Time: Approx. 3 hours

Insights: This week I learned to do some more essentials of any GIS: making symbols, labeling the map,
and creating a print-ready layout of the map with legend and compass and everything. Symbolizing and
labeling the map are relatively simple. I also find them rather satisfying. It is fun to play around with
different ways to represent the data. But creating the layout is more difficult. There are a lot of moving
parts and the process gets tedious. But on the upside, you end up with an attractive finished product.

Issues: I had no issues on this project.

New Processes Learned:

 How to symbolize specific geographic areas

 How to symbolize specific points
 How to edit the symbols themselves
 How label a map
 How to edit the label to look nice
 How to set rules for the map’s symbols and labels so that they only appear at certain extents
 How to change where labels are placed
 How to create a print-ready map layout
 How to put compasses, legends, etc. on a layout
 How to put multiple maps on a layout
 How to put titles and text on a layout
 How to precisely align items on a layout

Screenshots:

Symbology
Label

Layout
 How Tos
Table of Contents
 How Import Stand-Alone Raster Data into A Geodatabase
 How to Work with Geodatabases and Folders
 How to Prepare a Table for Use in ArcGIS Pro
 How to Isolate “year” into Its Own Column if It Is in a Column with Month, Day and Time
 How to enable continuous east-west panning across a map
 How to create a feature class from a layer
 Ken’s geospatial workflow
 Table of Vector Geoprocessing Essential Tools
How to Import Stand-Alone Raster Data into A Geodatabase

1. In the Catalog Pane, right click the raster dataset. Then select “Export to different format.” This
opens the “Copy Raster” geoprocessing tool.
2. Click inside the “Output Raster Dataset” input space to type the output name. Make sure the
raster is being saved to the correct geodatabase with a *.gdb extension. If it isn’t, click the file
folder icon and browse to the geodatabase.
3. Make sure the name is short and has no spaces. Click run. Then check to see if the data are in
the geodatabase. You may need to right click the geodatabase and select “Refresh”.

How to Work with Geodatabases and Folders

1. In the Catalog Pane right click Databases then click Add Database and browse to the
geodatabase you want to add
2. Right the geodatabase you have added, hover over New, and select a Feature Class, Feature
Dataset, Table, Raster Dataset, etc. to add to the project

How to prepare a table for use in ArcGIS.

Tables need to be in a specific format and follow these specific guidelines to be correctly imported into
ArcGIS Pro. Copy and paste these guidelines into your Learning Journal under “Class How Tos.” You will
want them in the future when your supervisors ask you what is wrong with the table, they are trying to
import into ArcGIS Pro, and you save the day.

 Keep a backup copy of the original table.

 The table cannot contain merged rows or columns.
 The table cannot contain any calculated cells. If you used a calculation, copy the column and
paste it as “Values” into a new column. This creates a column that contains calculation results.
 Tables must have one and only one “Header Row” (see figure below). It is at the top of the table.
 The row just below the header must be a data row or “record.” It cannot be empty.
 There should not be a non-data row below the last record (for example, general text or info, a
blank row is okay).
  Each field must have a header, and the header text must follow these rules:
o Header text cannot contain any spaces. (For example, FireDist is okay but Fire Dist is not.)
o Header text cannot contain dashes, periods, or commas or any other special characters such
as % $ # * !. An underscore _ is okay. (For example, Pop_2015 or Pop2015 are okay, but Pop
%2015, Pop.2015 and Pop-2015 are not.)
o Header text must not start with a number. (For example, Pop2015 is okay, but 2015Pop is
not.)
o Header text must be fewer than 30 characters.
 Hints: To make the names short, but meaningful use capital letters to delimit words
and abbreviate longer words (for example: FireDist not Fire District).
 Records (data rows) do not need to follow the rules for headers–the record cells can contain
numbers, text, special characters, spaces, and/or be blank. They just cannot contain
calculations.
 If the data in a field is quantitative, ensure it is designated to be “Number” not “General” or
another format.
o Hint: Select the column, then use the pulldown arrow next to “General” to select “Number.”
Give the data the appropriate number of decimal places–which for location data could be 8
or 10 significant figures.
 Save the file in *.csv format. (Some people use *.xls, but I have fewer problems with *.csv)
o To do this: Select “Save as,” navigate to the folder where you want to save the file, then use
the pulldown menu to select: “CSV (Comma delimited) (*.csv)” as shown below.

 Close the file before you import it into ArcGIS Pro. If it fails for some reason, correct the file,
rename it and try again.

How to Isolate “year” into its own column if its in a column with month, day and ti me

1. In Excel, insert two columns between “time” and “latitude.” (If you do not know how, do a Google
search on “how to insert columns in Excel.”)
2. Select the “time” column. Then open the “Data” tab at the top of the Excel window, and select “Text
to Columns.”
3. In the “Wizard” that opens, choose “Delimited,” then “Next.” Beside “Other” type a dash (-). The
Wizard inserts lines in the data window that indicate how the data will be shifted into the empty
Excel columns. Select “Finish.”
4. The data from the “time” column is now in three columns. Label the headers year, month, and
day_time.
5. Save your excel file in *.csv format with a different name so you do not overwrite your original file.
Your earthquake data set is now ready to use.

How to enable conti nuous east-west panning across a map

In the Contents pane, right click on “Map,” and select “Properties.” Then select “Coordinate System.” At
the bottom of the window, check “Enable wrapping around the date line.” It’s an easy fix!”
How to Create a Feature Class from a Layer

 Select the layer you want to create the feature class from
 Use a tool like the Summarize Within tool
o In the Analysis tab, in the Tools group, expand the Analysis Gallery option list
o Select Summarize Within
o The Input Polygons box is where you want to put the layer you are creating the feature
class from
o The Input Summary Features box is any other feature class that rests within or
somewhat within the input polygon
o The Output Feature Class is the name and location of the new feature class
 The program will default to the main geodatabase of the project, but you can
browse around to change it
o In the Shape Unit box, select the unit of measurement you would like to use
o Click Run

Ken’s Geospati al Workfl ow

1. Choose Data: “What data do I need?” “Do I need more than one data set?”
2. Study Attribute Table: “How many records are there?” “What are the attribute fields?” “Are there
specific fields that might help me?”
3. Plan Geoprocessing and Make a Model: “Which tool(s) should I use? Why those tools? Do I need to
do a query?” Write a plan and build and run a model.
4. Review Results: “Do the results make sense and answer the question? Did I choose the right tool
and set the parameters correctly?
5. Share Results: Here you should … take a screenshot of the map, model, and/or attribute table. Write
a brief figure caption that notes the data and the tool parameters set in the model. Then ask. “Can
someone duplicate the results using my model and parameters?”
6. Save your ArcGIS Pro Project frequently!

Table of Vector Geoprocessing Tools

Tool What it does Example

Buffer Creates polygons that Creating a buffer around a road to see where a
represent a buffer zone wood line stops and starts
 encompassing a specified
distance around an input
feature
Calculate Geometry Adds information to a Calculating the area of a county
feature’s attribute fields
representing the spatial or
geometric characteristics
and locations of each
feature, such as length or
area and x-, y-, z-, and m-
coordinates
Clip Cuts out a piece of one Examine the interstate road network in just a
dataset using one or more single state
features in another dataset
as a cookie cutter; Extracts
input features that overlay
the clip features
Dissolve Aggregates features based Grouping each county together that contains
on specified attributes, i.e., the range of a wild animal
takes features and puts them
together in one feature
according to some attribute
you choose among them
Erase Creates a feature class by Erasing the bounds of a city’s borders from that
overlaying the input features of a county’s to see exactly which areas are in
with the erase features. Only what jurisdiction
those portions of the input
features falling outside the
erase features are copied to
the output feature class
Intersect Computes a geometric To examine only the areas of grassland that are
intersection of the input in a certain political boundary
features. Features or
portions of features that
overlap in all layers or
feature classes will be
written to the output feature
class
Merge Combines multiple input Combining the range of two wolf species to see
datasets of the same data where all wolf species are in a region
type into a dingle, new
output dataset. This tool can
combine, line, or polygon
feature classes or tables
Select by location Allows you to select features Figuring out how many homes were affected by
based on their location a flood by selecting all homes within the flood
relative to features in boundary
 another layer
Select by attribute Allows you to provide a SQL Selecting each town with a population over
query expression that is used 5,000 in a state
to select features that match
the selection criteria
Summarize within Overlays a polygon layer Calculating the total milage of fault lines in a
with another layer to county
summarize the number of
points, length of the line, or
area of the polygons within
each polygon, and calculate
attribute field statistics
about those features within
the polygons
Union Computes a geometric union Combining the flood zones of all floods in the
of the input features. All past 10 years
features and their attributes
will be written to the output
feature class
 GIS Data Sources
Contents

 Earthquake Catalog
 COVID-19 Data

Earthquake Catalog

 This data lists all the earthquakes around the world from the year 1900 to today along with their
magnitude and how deep they started underground
o https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/search/
 Search parameters:
 Magnitude: Custom = Minimum = 7.0
 Data & Time: Custom: 1900 to present
 World
 Output options = CSV

COVID-19 Data

 https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1JVsveR1qogtvYB_vRtoOls5GvpXlB7Gj
o his data displays the total number of COVID-19 cases by country