Introduction to ArcGIS Desktop

This practical three-day course gives you a comprehensive introduction to the ArcGIS desktop software, giving you the skills to use the core functions of the ArcGIS package. The exercises introduce you to the ArcGIS applications: ArcMap for visualising and editing data; ArcCatalog for data and metadata management; and ArcToolbox for geoprocessing. This course gives you a sound understanding of the basic geospatial concepts and skills to create, edit and work with geospatial data using ArcGIS. See course dates below.

10% Discount for AusIMM, SSSi and AIG members.

No previous experience with ArcGIS software is required. Experience with using Microsoft Windows is essential.

• ArcGIS basics including the ArcMap Map Document, an introduction to layers, the ArcCatalog interface and viewing attribute data for layers.
• Navigating in ArcMap: utilising the pan and zoom tools to move around data in ArcMap; using the Magnifier and Overview window to improve the ease of navigation; and creating spatial bookmarks.
• Displaying data in ArcMap: moving and grouping layers of data; specifying display and reference scales.
• Coordinate Systems in ArcMap: setting and changing coordinate systems for viewing layers in ArcMap; specifying the coordinate readout format.
• ArcCatalog Functionality: perform specific GIS data searches; view and edit metadata for datasets; create data connections, and preview datasets before adding them into ArcMap.
• Internet Data Sources: streaming live GIS data from internet sources directly into the ArcMap Map Document.
• Exploring Attribute Tables: viewing, querying and calculating values for tables.
• ArcMap Symbology: using the suite of ArcGIS symbols and symbology tools to effectively portray the features from respective datasets; displaying data by categorising features and setting layer transparency.
• Advanced Querying: query data using SQL query statements; use spatial queries to select features with respect to other features; and join tables together based on common fields.
• Creating Data: create Shapefiles; setup Geodatabases with attribute domains and feature classes; and import data into a Geodatabase.
• Editing Spatial Data: create point, line and polygon features using the array of editing tools in ArcMap.
• Creating a Map: setup a page layout; create grids, legends and scale bars; export a finished map product.

Exercise 1 – Understanding GIS Concepts

• Open an existing Map
• View Attribute Information for Layers through MapTips
• Re-Ordering Layers
• ArcMap Interface Components
• Optional Exercise – Identifying Features

Exercise 2 – Map Document Basics

• Different Views of your Data
• Navigating Around a Map
• Overview Window  
• Magnifier Window
• Checking Attribute Data
• Setting MapTips
• Finding Features & Bookmarking
• Measuring Distances and Areas
• My Places
• Answers to Questions
• Optional Exercise – Viewer Window

Exercise 3 – Changing Display of Data

• Grouping Layers
• Changing the Display of Layers
• Setting a Display Scale
• Setting a Reference Scale
• Labelling
• Customising Predefined Scales and Full Extent
• Optional Exercise – Clipping a Data Frame

Exercise 4 – Working with Coordinate Systems

• Setting the Coordinate System
• Setting the Coordinate Readout
• Setting Australian Coordinates
• Transformations
• Navigating with Go to XY
• Create a Map Template

Exercise 5 – Catalog and Search Windows

• What Is ArcCatalog?
• Opening the Catalog Window
• Connecting to your Data
• Find Data in a Table
• Using the Description View
• Previewing CAD Files
• Search Window
• Preview Map Documents
• Defining A Coordinate System
• Optional Exercise - Configuring Catalog Defaults

Exercise 6 – Setting up new Map Document

• Creating a New Map Document
• Previewing Datasets
• Customising Layer Display and Symbology
• Setting the Full Extent
• Setting a Reference Scale
• Using BaseMap Layers
• Saving Layer Files
• Optional Exercise – Hyperlinks

Exercise 7 – Exploring Attribute Tables

• Set Up a New Map Document
• Display Attribute Tables and Modify Their Display
• Edit Attribute Data
• Select Features
• Create a Calculated Field
• Calculating Areas
• Excel Spreadsheets
• Optional Exercise – Definition Query

Exercise 8 – Symbolising Data by Attributes

• Symbolising by Category
• Summarizing Data
• Joining Tables
• Displaying XY Data
• Symbolising by Quantity
• Graduated Symbols
• Symbolising with Multiple Fields
• Optional Exercise – Advanced Symbolising Using Multiple Fields

Exercise 9 – Setting up a GeoDatabase

• Understanding Database Terms
• Creating a Project
• Creating Feature Classes
• Attribute Domains
• Optional Exercise - Raster Catalogs

Exercise 10 – Creating & Editing Spatial Data

• Starting an Edit Session
• Feature Templates
• Creating Polygons
• Tracing
• Digitising with Coordinates
• Entering Attributes
• Cut Polygons Tool
• Creating Points
• Optional Exercise – Fire Break
• Optional Exercise – Validating Data

Exercise 11 – Presenting your Work (Cartography)

• The Layout and how to Navigate it
• Setting up a Page
• Inserting a Picture and a North Arrow
• Depicting Scale
• Legends
• Overview Data Frames
• Creating Grids
• Exporting a Map
• Optional Exercise – Graticule
• Optional Exercise – Inset
• Optional Exercise – Table of Areas
• Optional Exercise – A3 and Map Scale

Exercise 12 – GeoReferencing

• Georeferencing using GPS Point Data
• Georeferencing an Image against another Image (For V10)
• Automatic Raster Georeferencing using Auto Registration (For V10.1)

Exercise 13 – Data Analysis

• More Advanced Attribute Queries
• Build Spatial Queries
• Extra Queries
• Area Analysis
• Bonus Exercise – Working with CAD Data
• Importing CAD Data
• Spatial Joins