Exercise n° 912 – Digitizing a plot with ArcGIS 9.

List of Manipulation shown in Exercise 912:

Name of complete lists of animation Reference

Creating a new shapefile §4

Editing a shapefile §5

- "Edit toolbar" § 5.1

- Start / stop editing mode § 5.2

- Select the layer to edit § 5.3

- Options snapping § 5.4

- Creation of new elements in layer 1 § 5.5

- Merge multiple polygons § 5.6

- Remove polygons § 5.7

- Edit vertices of a polygon § 5.8

- Saving changes § 5.9

- Import GPS data § 5.11

Check and repair the geometry of a vector layer §6

Creating a shapefile polygons by dissolving a layer 7§

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1. Introduction

 The objective of this exercise is to introduce the basic concepts related to the
digitization of vector layers in the ArcGIS. The example used to illustrate this
technique involves the creating a map describing the property about 120 ha. This
includes forest and grasslands.
 Important Note: The digitization process is likely to corrupt data files. It is
strongly recommended to save this digitization operations in which are
performed. For adding security, it can also be considered to save these files
regular time intervals (every hour or 2 times per day for example).

2. Available data
 Multiple data sources are implemented to achieve the parcel map
property:
- Scanning of a plane on which the owner has drawn some parcel boundaries. The
plan also includes number referring to an Excel file where the plots are described.
The scan is stored in the file "plan_scanné.jpg." This image is not georeferenced.
A representation of the scan is given in the appendix.
- A georeferenced topographic identifies what would be shown on the scanned
map. This base Topographic is stored in the "topo_nb.tif" file (see in the
appendix).
- An excel file named "description.xls" and repeating the description of the
parcels to be mapped.

3. Bottom View Plan

 Create a new map in ArcMap. Save it in the directory of the exercise under the
name "digitalisation_parcelles.mxd".
 Add to map of one layer image "scan_plan.tif." This image represents a
topographic which the boundaries of parcels of private property were plotted
in red color.

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4. Creating a new shapefile

 The first stage of work is to create a new shapefile to receive the vector layer
that will be created. This creation occurs in the ArcCatalog.
 Open ArcCatalog session. Place the cursor on the folder containing the data for
the exercise and access the context menu (right click) to select the command to
create a new shapefile.

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 A dialog box is displayed to define the properties of the shapefile.

Name of shapefile

Type of objects

Coordinate system:
using the "Edit" button

Validate the properties

with "OK" button

 After validating the properties, the new shapefile is created in the directory of
exercise.

New shapefile

 Create a layer in the ArcMap file with the new shapefile. Modify the last
symbology of to make it to be transparent polygons with thickness edge = 2 and
blue color.

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 5. Editing a shapefile
5.1 Bar "Edit toolbar" tools

 All commands related to edit this layer is accessible from the toolbar "Edit Tool”.
To display the toolbar, click the button .
 The "Edit Tool" toolbar can be hung on the edge of the display area mapping.

Edit toolbar

5.2. Start / stop editing mode

 To modify this vector layer, it is to put it in edit mode. This setting edit mode
occurs with the [Editor] → [Start Editing].

 To stop the "Edit" mode, just use the [Editor] → [Stop Editing].

 Stopping the edit mode makes tools "Edit tool" inoperative bar (gray).

5.3. Choice of the layer to edit

 When the mode "edition" is activated, the choice of the editing layer is done with
the list under "Target". In this case, only the "parc_poncelet_fev07" layer is
editable.

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 Note: The layer that is produced in this exercise consists of polygons
corresponding to parcels of property. These may be constructed directly by
digitizing. Another alternative, which is often more effective when the map is
complex to achieve is to produce in a first step of line chart, corresponding to the
limits of the plots. This layer line is then converted to a polygon layer, using a
construction tool polygon, such as that available in the ArcInfo version of
ArcGIS..

5.4. Snapping options

 To ensure consistency of the geometric objects that are created when digitizing, it
is necessary to ensure that some points are placed at a precise position relative to
other objects. The option of snapping (snap) can automatically ensure compliance
with this rule through the definition of a coupling (snapping tolerance) tolerance.
 Activating this snapping function as consequence that all created point at a
distance lower than tolerance is positioned on the existing point. This attachment
stations may be reached to be points, lines or vertex of polygon vertex. The option
of snapping function allows to define the value of tolerance and the elements.
 The properties of the snapping function can be defined with the command
[Editor] → [Snapping ...].
 A "Snapping Enviropnment" window is appeared. In the upper part, it is possible
to specify relative to element of the layers which present in the map. It is possible
to make a snapping. In this case, only one layer is contained in the card.
 The attachment may be performed with respect to the constituent vertex lines
(Vertex), the segments rely to the vertex (Edges) or nodes of the start and end
lines (End). In the case of figure below, the attachment to these three types of
elements is possible.
 The lower part of this window permits to define the properties of attachment
relative to the object that is being traced (sketch) or relative to elements of
topology (not discussed in this exercise). In the example below, the selected
option can show the vertex of the object being digitized.

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 5.5. Creating new elements in one layer

 To create new items in a layer, select the "Create New Feature" task.
 In the following example we will create a polygon corresponding to the plot 4.
Zoom on the part of the map corresponding to this plot.

 The creation of the polygon is performed as follows:

1- Select the sketch tool . The cursor takes the shape of a cross centered on a
blue circle
2- Follow the contour of the polygon digitizing creating (left mouse click) a point
at each vertex of this polygon. The last point of the polygon is defined using a
double click. the polygon newly track appears in light blue (selected object).

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 When two polygons have a common border, it is not necessary to digitize this part
in creating the second polygon. "Auto-complete" task allows to complete the
outline of a polygon using existing elements of another polygon which is based on
the new polygon.

 This function can be used to digitize the block consisting of the plots 1, 2 and 3.
 Start to digitize on a vertex of the polygon corresponding to the plot 4.
 Complete the outline by double-clicking also on top of the plot.

Starting point of
digitizing the new polygon

vertex

Endpoint of digitizing

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 Polygon that has been created must then be cut to separate parcels 1, 2 and 3.
Choose the "Cut Polygon Features" task.

 Important Note: The polygon that is desired to cut should firstly be selected.
 Digitize then the separated boundary between plots 1 and 3. Complete the line
with a double-click.

 The same task can be used to create a new polygon corresponding to the plot n°2.

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 5.6. Merge multiple polygons

 The previous section describes how to cut existing one polygon into two parts.
 It is also possible to merge two or more polygons to be in one.
 To operate the merger, it must firstly select the polygons to merge, and then run
the control [Editor] → [Merge ...].
 A dialog box then asks you to specify which selected polygons will be merged as
polygon "principal" in the sense that it retains its attributes. This accuracy is
important to consider when the attributestables of the shapefile already contain
the information: new polygon conserves the attributes of the polygon "principal".
Attributes other polygons disappear.

 In the case of new polygons, the choice of the polygon "principal" is not
important.
 By way of illustration, apply this polygon procedures corresponding to plots 1 and
2.
 Recreate then the polygon corresponding to the plot 2.

5.7. Remove polygons

 The removal of one or more polygons is done by selecting polygons to delete with
pressing the keyboard <delete>.
 Important Note: when you delete a landlocked polygon inside another polygon
(island), the result is a vacuum within the remaining polygon. This situation
occurs if one removes the polygon corresponding to the plot 2.
 To avoid this scenario when you want to delete a polygon "island", just use the
merge function (see below).
 The requested response is contained in the product aggregation table.

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 5.8. Modification of the vertices of a polygon

 Modification related to a polygon vertex is effected as follows:

- Select the polygon affected by the modification with the Edit Tool button
- Select the "Modify Feature" task;

- vertices of the polygon are then represented in the form of small green squares;
- Place the cursor on the vertex to be corrected;
- The cursor takes the shape of a square surrounded by four triangles
- Click on the vertex and move it to the desired location by holding the left button
mouse button;
- Release the left mouse button when the vertex is in the right place.

 The figure below illustrates this operation on an incorrect version of the polygon
plot 4. On the left figure, the wrong polygon is selected (sketch) and vertices
appear as green squares. The central figure represents the current polygon
correction (line and green squares), blue sky sketch representing the version of the
polygon before correction. Right figure represents the polygon after correction.

 Important Note: When vertex is common into two polygons, the correction must
be made for each polygon.

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 5.9. Saving changes

 To modify a vector layer recorded, it is necessary to save them. This backup can
be achieved by leaving the edit mode. It may also be performed without leaving
the editing session with the command [Editor] → [Save Edits].

5.10. Encoder or change the attributes of a polygon

 After creating the polygon, it is possible to encode their attributes. This requires
that edit mode is active and the attribute table is displayed.
 Activating edit mode is highlighted by the presence of the symbol in the
corner bottom right of the window containing the attribute table.

 In the example plots which have been digitized, the attribute corresponds to the
encoder parcel number. It is necessary to create a numeric type or type text (for
encode a number of plot type "2a" for example).
 Important Note: Adding a field in an attribute table must be outside the editing
mode.
 To encode the parcel number of different polygons, proceed as follows, the
editing mode is activated:
- Select a polygon on the map;
- The corresponding record in the attribute table is highlighted;
- Double-click in the cell corresponding to the registration number field
plot and encode the value of this field for the selected polygon (parcel No. 4 in the
example below).
- Validate this encoding with <return> key.

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 Saving the values encoded in the attribute table is done with the command
[Editor] → [Save Edits].

5.11. Importing GPS Data

 The data produced by a GPS is usually in the form of a file containing coordinates
of points in 2 columns "x" and "y" or "latitude" and "longitude". such files can be
opened in ArcMap as data tables.
 Add in the active dataframe file "gps_foret.txt." It contains GPS data to draw the
boundaries of new plots in the property mapping.

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 Use this table to create a layer of points ("event theme"). This is done using a clic-
droit on the file name in the table of contents and access the [Display XY Data
...].
 Note: This table is only visible in the "Source" tab of the table of contents.

 Specify the field names containing the coordinates "x" and "y", and the coordinate
systems in which these values are expressed.

1° Define the fields containing the

coordinates "x" and "y"

2° Set the coordinate system

corresponding to the values "x" and "y"

3° confirm the settings with the

"OK"button

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 A new theme is added to the map. This is an "Event Theme" associated with the
table "Gps_foret.txt".

 It is recommended to save this theme as a shapefile with the command [Data] →

[Export Data ...] accessible by right-clicking on the theme name.

6. Checking and repairing the geometry of a vector layer

 Digitization Operations can only lead to inconsistencies in the structure

topological vector layer. To limit the risks inherent in this kind of imperfections
and / or when there is doubt as to the geometric quality of the layer is used, it is
suggested to carry out a repair operation on the geometry of this layer.
 This process automatically deletes a number of anomalies (Table 1).

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 Table 1. List of issued problems
(From http://webhelp.esri.com/arcgisdesktop/9.2 )

 The [Repair Geometry] is available in the ArcToolbox: toolbox "Data

Management Tools toolset "Features."

Fix the geometry of the shapefile "parcel_3307.shp"

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 The execution of repairs report is displayed in the dialog command "Repair
Geometry".

7. Creating a shapefile by dissolving polygons

 The creation of a polygon layer may result from the simplification of a polygon
layer existing.
 For example in the case of a forest plot, it is wished to create a layer
"Compartment" at the start of a "plot" layer using the attribute [compartment].
 Note: the compartments corresponding to entities comprising several plots.
 View shapefile "parcel_3307.shp" on property No. 3307.
 Select "Dissolve" tool in ArcToolbox (toolbox "Data Management Tools, toolset
"Generalization")

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 Define "input" data of the name of shapefile result, and the scope of the attribute
table is utilized to achieve dissolution. In this case, it is the field [comp_]
containing the number.
 Run the operation by clicking the "OK" button.

 Despite the repair geometry is operated in § 6, the result of the dissolution reveals
several anomalies in the geometry of the "parcel_3307.shp" layer. It simply
calculates the area of different polygons "compa_3307.shp" layer and display
labels corresponding to the compartment number.

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 Similarly, careful analysis of the boundaries between some segments highlights
errors of gross digitizing: it finds that gaps between polygons are supposed to be
contiguous (see the boundary between the compartments 850 and 900).
 Such digitizing defects can be accepted for most cartographic treatments. But if
spatial analyzes based on topological characteristics (criteria adjacency), it is
absolutely necessary to make corrections to the data.

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Annex 1: Property Plan

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