ArcGIS Basics Creating a Map

March 2, 2005

ArcGIS Basics
Creating a Map Labeling in ArcGIS has changed considerably from the old ArcView 3.X version. In ArcGIS label positions are generated automatically, are not selectable, and the display properties of individual labels cannot be edited. Annotation must be created from the labels before editing can take place. The following text provides step-by-step instructions on how to create a simple map using ESRIs ArcMap software. The instructions are not all-inclusive and therefore do not cover every aspect of map making, nor do they offer a complete review of the functionality offered by GIS software. This document merely provides a means to familiarize the user with ArcMap and some of its basic functions. Directions: 1. Open ArcMap 2. Switch to Layout View by clicking on Layout View in the drop down menu under View at the top of ArcMap. The Layout View can also be reached by clicking on the Layout View button at the bottom of ArcMap.

In the center of the Layout View there will be a selected rectangle. This is the Data Frame. A data frame simply groups, in a separate frame, the layers that are displayed together. To change the size and shape of the Data Frame, select it then click and drag a selection handle.

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ArcGIS Basics Creating a Map

March 2, 2005

3. Click on Page Setup under File. This will open the Page Setup window, which will allow you to set the size of the map and printer options. Click OK when you are finished. 4. Open the Data Frame Properties window by right-clicking in the Data Frame and selecting Properties. Click on the General tab. From here you can set the map units, reference scale, and rotation angle, as well as rename the Data Frame. To set a fixed scale to the map (for example: 1:24,000), click on the Fixed Scale radial button under the Data Frame tab and type in a number. Use the pull down menu under the Fixed Scale radial button to select a different scale type if desired. When finished, click OK. 5. Now is a good time to save your map. To do so, click File then Save As. Choose a location and name for your map. The map will be saved as an ESRI Map Document (.mxd). Be sure to save periodically while working on your map by hitting the Save button at the top of ArcMap. 5. Add data by clicking on the Add Data button Add Data window, from which you can add to the map. at the top of ArcMap. This will open the navigate to the data you would like to

6. If desired, change the rotation angle of the data so that it appears straight up and down on the map by opening the Data Frame Properties window again and selecting the General tab. Type in an angle next to Rotation. When finished, click OK. You can also use the Rotate Data Frame tool, which will allow you to rotate the data manually or by typing in a specific angle. If the tool is not loaded, you can add it to ArcMap by clicking on Toolbars under View, then checking next to Data Frame Tools. 7. To alter the way the data is displayed on the map (colors, symbols, etc.), right-click on the layer you would like to change in the Table of Contents (the list of layers on the left of ArcMap), and select Properties. In the Layers Properties window, click the Symbology tab.

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ArcGIS Basics Creating a Map

March 2, 2005

From the Symbology tab you can change the color and symbol of a single feature in the layer, or break the layer down to be displayed by category. You can also make a polygon layer transparent. Transparency is especially useful for drawing raster layers over other layers on your map, allowing you to see the raster layer while still viewing underlying features. For example, you might want to display air photos under a parcels layer that has been broken down by zoning classification. To change the transparency of a layer, click on the Display tab and type in a percentage next to Transparent. See the picture below for a sample of a transparent layer.

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ArcGIS Basics Creating a Map

March 2, 2005

When finished changing the way the layer is displayed, click OK to close the Layer Properties window. 8. To add a title to the map, click the Insert menu and then Title. Type a title for the map. Click and drag the title into place on the map. To modify the title, right-click on it and select Properties. From the Properties window you can change the text of the title, font size, style, and color. 9. To add a legend to the map, click Insert then legend. The Legend Wizard will open. Complete the following steps: 1. By default, all the layers on the map will appear as legend items in the legend. To remove a legend item, click it, and then click the left arrow button. 2. Use the Up and Down arrow buttons to order the legend items. 3. Click Next. 4. Type a title for the legend. 5. Set the text color, font, and size as desired. 6. Click Next. 7. Click the Border dropdown arrow and click a border. 8. Click the Background dropdown arrow and click a background. 9. Click the Drop Shadow dropdown arrow and click a drop shadow.

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ArcGIS Basics Creating a Map

March 2, 2005

10. Click Next. 11. Click a Legend Item in the list to modify the symbol patch. 12. Set the Patch properties as desired. 13. Click Next. 14. Set the spacing between legend elements by typing a value into the appropriate box. 15. Click Finish. 10. To add a north arrow, click Insert then North Arrow. Select a north arrow and click OK. 11. To add a scale bar, click Insert then Scale Bar. Select a style of scale bar and click OK. Note that the legend, north arrow, and scale bar can all be resized or moved after selecting it, just as with the map title. 12. To label features of a particular layer (for example the tax parcels), right-click on the layer in the Table of Contents and select Properties. Click on the Labels tab. The following window will open:

1. Check Label Features. 2. Click the Label Field dropdown arrow and click the field you want to use as a label. 3. To change the appearance of the labels, click on the Symbol button. Either select a text symbol from the left pane, or click Properties to change the properties of the existing label symbol. When finished changing the symbol, click ok. You can also

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ArcGIS Basics Creating a Map

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change the appearance of the labels by using a pre-defined label style. To do so, click on the Label Styles button. 4. To set the range at which labels will appear when zooming in and out, click on the Scale Range button. 5. For more options when labeling, click on the Label Placement Options button. 6. When finished setting all desired labeling options, click OK. 13. Once your map is complete, be sure to save it one last time. Once saved you can either print or export the map. 14. To print the map, click on File then Print. ArcMap will remember the print settings you made at the beginning. If you would like to change the settings, you can do so at this point. Once ready to print, click OK. 15. To export the map, click on File then Export Map. Select a location to export the map to, a file name, and a file type from the drop down menu (example: EPS, PDF, JPG, BMP, etc). Click Export.

Some other elements that might be added to a map are: Date of creation / printing Creator of the map (example: Genesee County GIS Department) Graphs

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ArcGIS Basics Creating a Map

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Reports Text labels

For in-depth information on how or when to add additional map elements, refer to the ArcGIS Desktop Help under the Help menu. For further assistance using ArcMap or general GIS questions, contact the GIS Department at (810) 257-3074 or by email at gishelp@co.genesee.mi.us.

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