Overview

This course provides the foundation for understanding what GIS is, what it can do, and how others are using it. You learn the basic functions of a GIS, why a GIS database is powerful, and what coordinate systems and map projections are and why they are important. In course exercises, you work with ArcMap to visualize geographic data, create maps, query a GIS database, perform spatial analysis using common analysis tools, and solve geographic problems using a systematic approach. This course teaches the skills and knowledge needed to take ArcGIS Desktop II: Tools and Functionality.Topics covered:

• The big picture of GIS: Basic functions of a GIS; Real-world applications.
• Exploring GIS maps: Defining features, layers, and data frames; Exploring map scale; Understanding the relationship between features and attributes.
• Exploring a GIS database: Exploring attribute tables; Identifying features; Symbolizing features based on their attributes; Labeling features based on their attributes.
• Creating map layouts: Understanding data view and layout view; Using the Layout toolbar; Using map templates; Modifying map elements; Printing maps.
• Understanding location: Defining coordinate systems and map projections; Reading and finding location coordinates on a map; Measuring area and distance on a map.
• Understanding raster and vector data: Representing geography; Storing real-world locations; Symbolizing rasters; Using raster and vector data together; Understanding geodatabases.
• Acquiring geographic data: Data formats; Methods of creating geographic data; Using ArcCatalog to explore geographic data; Using metadata.
• Querying data: Understanding and performing attribute queries; Understanding and performing spatial queries.Analyzing spatial relationships: Understanding overlay; Understanding buffer; Accessing tools in ArcToolbox; Performing Union and Intersect; Buffering features.
• Solving problems with GIS: Applying the geographic inquiry process; Using GIS tools to solve a geographic problem; Creating a map to show results.

Goals:

Those completing this course will be able to:

• Explain what a GIS is and what it can do.
• Work with and create GIS maps in ArcMap.
• Access and query a GIS database.
• Describe two common GIS data structures.
• Explain what geographic data is, how it is made, and where to get it.
• Explain what spatial analysis is and solve geographic problems using ArcGIS analysis tools.

Who Should Attend

This course is designed for those who are new to GIS and ArcGIS, or those who are infrequent users of ArcGIS who do not have a GIS background.

Prerequisites

Students should know how to use Windows-based software for basic file management and browsing.

Software Used in Course

ArcGIS Desktop 10

Overview

ArcGIS Desktop software is an integrated system that includes all the tools needed to get the most out of a GIS. This course teaches the range of functionality available in the software and the essential tools for visualizing, creating, managing, and analyzing geographic data. The hands-on course exercises emphasize practice with ArcMap and ArcCatalog (the primary applications included with ArcGIS Desktop software) to perform common GIS tasks and workflows. The tools for creating and managing geographic data, displaying data on maps in different ways, and combining and analyzing data to discover patterns and relationships are highlighted, and you learn how ArcGIS Desktop provides a complete GIS software solution. By the end of the course, you will be prepared to start working with the software on your own.Topics covered:

• Investigating geographic data: How geographic data is stored; Vector and raster data; Geodatabase basics and advantages; Shapefiles; Coverages; CAD data; Managing data in ArcCatalog; Displaying data in ArcMap; ArcMap basics; Data and layers.
• Managing map layers: Zooming to layers; Bookmarks; Display windows; Scale ranges; Group layers; Selection layers; Layer files; Creating hyperlinks.
• Symbolizing categorical data: Symbology; Choosing symbology; Types of symbols (marker, line, fill); Creating symbols.
• Symbolizing quantitative data: Symbology options (graduated colors, graduated symbols, proportional symbols, dot density, charts); Classification methods (Natural Breaks, Equal Interval, Quantile, Manual); Excluding data from a classification; Rendering raster data.
• Labeling map features: Label placement for different feature types (points, lines, polygons); Label symbology; Controlling label display using scale range and SQL query; Label classes; Label expressions; Label ranks and weights; What is annotation?; Geodatabase annotation; Map annotation.
• Using coordinate systems and map projections: What is a coordinate system?; Geographic coordinate systems; Datums; Projected coordinate systems; Map projections; Feature classes and coordinate systems; Data frames and coordinate systems; Geographic transformations; Working with an unknown coordinate system; Projecting data; Defining a projection.
• Making a map layout: Working in layout view; Tools for arranging map elements; Data frame properties for layouts; Adding legends, scale bars, and other map elements; Exporting maps; Working with map templates.
• Managing tables: Table structure; Layer attribute tables; Nonspatial tables; Getting information from tables; Field properties; Table appearance; Creating graphs and reports; Connecting tables using joins and relates; Cardinality.
• Editing features and attributes: Reasons to edit data; Working with the Editor toolbar; Edit sketches; Common editing tools; Edit tasks; Snapping to features while editing; Editing attributes; Calculating values for geometry fields; Working with coincident geometry in a map topology; Typical editing workflow.
• Creating geodatabases and feature classes: Types of geodatabases; Geodatabase organization; Feature class organization; Feature class properties and attributes; Metadata; Creating, viewing, and editing metadata; Importing and exporting metadata; Creating features in a new feature class.
• Getting locations from attributes: Adding x,y coordinate data; Finding places and addresses; Finding routes and nearby places; Geocoding; Geocoding components (address table, address locator, reference data); Address matching overview; Geocoding workflow; Reference data sources.
• Solving spatial problems with query and analysis: GIS analysis basics; Typical analysis workflow; Common analysis operations (attribute and spatial queries, clipping data from layers, buffering features, overlaying features); Overview of geoprocessing; Analysis results.
• Customizing ArcGIS Desktop: Why customize the interface?; Customize dialog box; Locating commands; Adding new toolbars, commands, and menus; Saving customizations; Saving to a template; Storing templates.

Goals:

Those completing this course will be able to:

• List common GIS tasks and identify which ArcGIS Desktop application is used for each task.
• Understand what the geodatabase offers for GIS data storage.
• Create and edit geodatabase features.
• Control the appearance and display of data layers in ArcMap.
• Classify and symbolize map data.
• Label map features.
• Change the coordinate system and map projection used to display a dataset.
• Access feature information in tables and control table display properties.
• Query and analyze GIS data.
• Create presentation-quality maps and graphs.

Who Should Attend

This course is designed for those with an education in or workplace experience with GIS but no ArcGIS software experience. This course assumes knowledge of basic GIS concepts. This course teaches the skills and knowledge needed to take other ArcGIS courses, including ArcGIS Desktop III: GIS Workflows and Analysis.

Prerequisites

Students should have completed ArcGIS Desktop I: Getting Started with GIS or Getting Started with GIS or have equivalent knowledge.

Software Used in Course

ArcGIS Desktop 10

Overview

Understanding how and when to apply ArcGIS tools and functions is the key to creating an efficient GIS workflow. Building on the skills and knowledge taught in ArcGIS Desktop II: Tools and Functionality, this course shows how to apply ArcGIS tools in a workflow context with a focus on working with data stored in a geodatabase and performing geoprocessing and analysis. In the course exercises, you organize and edit data stored in a geodatabase, prepare data for analysis, create and edit geoprocessing models using ModelBuilder, and work through a challenging analysis project.Topics covered:

• Getting data into the geodatabase: Advantages of migrating data to the geodatabase; File and personal geodatabases; Loading and importing data; Data sources available for conversion; ArcToolbox conversion tools; Importing and exporting data in ArcCatalog; Importing and exporting data using XML; Copying and pasting data between geodatabases; Batch and single conversions; Loading data into existing feature classes using the Simple Data Loader; Displaying x,y coordinate data from a table; Accessing tabular data using an OLE DB connection; Adding data from a GIS server; Working with map projections and datums.
• Geodatabase behavior: What is behavior?; Advantages of using behaviors; Default values; Subtypes; Domains; Geodatabase topology.
• Editing GIS data: Creating new data (digitizing, copying and pasting features, Editor menu commands); Constructing an edit sketch using constraints (direction, length, parallel); Creating adjacent polygons using the Auto-Complete Polygon task; Modifying existing features; Reshaping existing features and boundaries; Exploding multipart features; Editing using domains, subtypes, and topology.
• Alligning spatial data: Common data alignment problems; Georeferencing CAD data; Matching layer boundaries; Transformation; Rubber sheeting; RMS error.
• Managing geoprocessing tools and settings: Types of toolboxes and how they are stored; Types of tools (system tools, models, scripts); Locating tools in ArcToolbox; Executing tools; Tool parameters; Parameter error detection; Environment settings; Tool layers; Geoprocessing results.
• Analyzing GIS data: Review of common analysis tools (Buffer, Clip, Intersect, Select, Union); Working with feature proximity tools (Near, Spatial Join, Multiple Ring Buffer, Create Thiessen Polygons); Analyzing tabular data; Creating a raster subset; Analysis options outside of core ArcGIS Desktop; Typical analysis workflow.
• Using ModelBuilder for analysis: Working with ModelBuilder; Creating and designing models; Model elements (tools and variables); Setting general model properties; Setting model parameters; Environment settings; Intermediate data; Running and troubleshooting a model; Creating model documentation.
• GIS analysis projects: Real-world GIS analysis projects (Find the best site for a new shelter, Find the mileage of flooded roads); The analytical process for each project.

Goals:

Those completing this course will be able to:

• Add data from different sources to a geodatabase.
• Work with subtypes to edit data.
• Edit and validate feature geometry and attributes using geodatabase topology.
• Run analysis tools using dialog boxes and models.
• Build a complex model using ModelBuilder.

Who Should Attend

This course is designed for experienced ArcGIS users who want to learn more about the ArcGIS tools for creating and editing data and GIS analysis.

Prerequisites

Students should have completed ArcGIS Desktop II: Tools and Functionality or Learning ArcGIS Desktop or have equivalent knowledge.

Software Used in Course

ArcGIS Desktop 10

ArcGIS Server provides a complete server-based GIS system that supports the use of centrally managed spatial data for mapping and analysis. This course introduces ArcGIS Server and teaches how to install, configure, and use the product as administrators and consumers of GIS services. Students learn how to publish maps, globes, and geoprocessing models that are optimized for performance. Students also create out-of-the-box Web applications using Manager and learn how to use GIS services in both Web applications and ArcGIS Explorer.Goals Those completing this course will be able to:

• Understand the client and server components of the ArcGIS Server architecture.
• Configure the ArcGIS Server system.
• Administer the GIS Server and GIS services.
• Optimize the performance of GIS services.
• Build Web applications that consume GIS services.
• Utilize ArcGIS Explorer to work with GIS services.

Who Should Attend

This course is designed for those new to ArcGIS Server who want to learn about its architecture, capabilities, and client applications.

Prerequisites

Students should have completed Introduction to ArcGIS I or Learning GIS using ArcGIS Desktop or have equivalent knowledge.

Software Used in Course

ArcEditor 10
ArcGIS Server 10

In this course you’ll learn much about the core functionality of ENVI. You will also be given an introduction to hyperspectral data analysis that can be used as a stepping-stone for learning about ENVI’s advanced hyperspectral analysis capabilities. Data from various multi-spectral, hyperspectral and radar sensors, including ASTER, AVIRIS, Quickbird, RadarSat, AVHRR, SPOT, Landsat, TMS, and USGS DEM data are used in a mixture of lectures and exercises. You will be shown ways to extend ENVI using batch processing, Band and Spectral Math, and Feature Extraction among other Tools. And you will be introduced to the new ENVI paradigm – ENVI Zoom.Topics Covered:

• Fundamentals of ENVI: Creating and managing image displays; Using the mouse; Spatial and Spectral subsetting; Modifying ENVI’s configuration file
• Reading Raster Data: ENVI Header Files; Querying data from a display; Managing files
• Image Display Concepts;Contrast Stretching; Color Tables; Density Slices;
• Animation: ENVI Zoom; Displaying and working with data; The ENVI Zoom interface; Display Tools; Chipping and Saving
• Feature Extraction (Object-based Classification): Rule-Based Classification; Editing Vector layers
• Example Application: Vegetation Analysis; Metafiles; Preprocessing multispectral data (Calibration & Atmospheric Correction); Image Linking and Dynamic Overlays; Topographic Modeling; Image Registration; Masks; NDVI; 3-D Surface Modeling
• Vector Data in ENVI: Displaying; Querying and Editing; Vector to raster conversion; Intelligent Digitizer – linear feature extraction; Contouring a Digital Elevation Model
• Image to Map Registration: Ground Control Points; Warping and Resampling imagery; Creating a new projection
• Regions of Interest and Classification: Scatter Plots; ROI Tool; Multispectral Supervised Classification; Post Classification tools
• Principal Components Analysis
• Introduction to Hyperspectral Analysis: Z-Profiles and Spectral Libraries; Whole-Pixel Analysis (Spectral Angle Mapper); End Member Extraction (SMACC)
• Extending ENVI – the basics: Band and Spectral Math; Batch Mode; User Functions
• Data Fusion and Color Transforms: Saturation Stretches; Synthetic color; HSV Sharpening
• Mosaicking
• Annotation and Hardcopy Output

Prerequisites
A basic level of remote sensing knowledge is necessary to take advantage of what this course has to offer.

Put the power and flexibility of ENVI to work solving your toughest image exploitation problems. ENVI advanced is designed for Geospatial and Imagery Analysts to introduce ENVI as a tool for imagery exploitation and analysis. Primary topics will include using ENVI for multispectral imagery analysis and target detection. You will also be introduced to the new ENVI paradigm – ENVI Zoom. Additional topics include SPEAR tools, which operate using a workflow approach and other modules wanted by customer.
GDi GISDATA has the necessary resources to provide you with a comprehensive and effective learning experience: convenient locations, authorized instructors, modern computer classrooms and course materials.Topics Covered:  

• The Electromagnetic Spectrum: The basis for Remote Sensing; Multispectral signaturesBand Ratios
• ENVI Zoom: Displaying and working with data; The ENVI Zoom interface; Display Tools; Chipping and Saving; Editing NITF data
• Feature Extraction (Object-based Classification: Rule-Based Classification; Editing Vector layers
• Example Application: Change Detection Project; Orthorectification; Image to image registration; Atmospheric Correction; Image Classification (Minimum Distance & Spectral Angle Mapper)
• Change Detection Analysis
• Creating Vector layers and image annotation
• SPEAR Tools (possible topics): Anomaly Detection; Pan Sharpening; Change Detection; Metadata Browser; TERCAT; Lines of Communication; Vegetation Delineation; Spectral Analogues; Watercraft Finder; Relative Water Depth; RX Anomaly Detection
• Image Sharpening
• Topographic Analysis: Slope, aspect, shaded relief from DEMs; Line of Sight Calculator; Texture analysis ; Masking; 3D Surface View (Overlaying raster and vector data on a DEM, and Creating a fly through)

Prerequisites
ENVI Basic