Creating and Editing Data in ArcGIS 9

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Creating and Editing Data in ArcGIS 9
Data can be created and edited manually in a GIS.
Using the imagery provided for your school as a
base map, you can locate desired objects on the
map and then create a new feature corresponding
to the object. You may also find that you need
to make changes to your attributes, the shape of
your features, or that you need to add more
features to your map. The next part of this
lesson should be helpful in guiding you through
some of the steps.
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You can easily create new features in your map
without using GPS. The technique you will use
is called Heads-Up Digitizing.

• To create a new feature you will need to open
  ArcMap and select to use an existing map. Then
  browse for your schools name under
  C\GeoWorkspaces.
• When you see the map of your area, zoom to your
  school with the magnifying glass. Get close
  enough to see the objects you will map like
  walkways, buildings, flagpoles or athletic
  fields.

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• Select the large plus sign to add an empty
  feature to the legend.

• Double-click on athletic field or select it and
  press the Add button.

• Since the field is defined as a polygon, a
  rectangle appears in the legend. Now we need to
  add data to the feature.

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• If it is not already open, right-click in the
  empty space of the menu bar and select Editor.

• Select the Editor button and select Start Editing
  from the drop down menu.

• ArcMap asks which file you would like to edit.
  For now select athletic field under
  C\Warehouses\School_Features.

Note If your streets do not line up with the
imagery, you can fix them using this tool. Just
start editing on the roads layer to match the
imagery (which is more accurate).
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• Select the Sketch tool.

• In the editor toolbar make sure the task is to
  Create New Feature, and the target is
  athletic.

• Begin by clicking in the corner of an athletic
  field and continue to outline the field until you
  are back at the starting point, then
  double-click.
• Continue to digitize any other athletic fields.
  When finished, select Editor and stop editing.
  Remember to save often!

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• Digitize the rest of the features for your school
  by the same process. Add the features in and
  then begin editing them.

• When editing line features, you can make neater
  lines by right-clicking where you want your line
  to start and select Snap to Feature, then Edge.
  This allows you to connect lines seamlessly.

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• When you have finished with all of your features,
  go to the Editor menu and select Stop Editing.
  Make sure you save your edits.
• Now you will need to manually edit the attributes
  for the feature(s) you just added. Right-click on
  the shapefile you just created and select open
  attribute table.

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21. Click Options, Add Field.
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• In the Name blank, type Name. In my example this
  will represent the name of the open-space,
  digitized on the map. The type should be Text.

• Now you will see the Name column in your table.

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Function

• Repeat the process of adding fields. Add a new
  text field called Function.

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Function

• Go to the Editor and click on Start Editing.
  With your table up front and your map, click on
  the square to the left of your first record in
  the table. Notice it turns blue. Note also that
  the feature is outlined in blue as well.

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Function

• Type in the name and type of feature you have in
  the table. After you have typed in all of the
  fields, go to your Editor button and Stop
  Editing. Save your edits when prompted.

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At times you may need to correct a feature which
may not appear properly.
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• Click on the Editor button and Start Editing.

• In the editor toolbar make sure the task is to
  modify feature, and the target is the one to
  which you would like to edit. Use the edit tool
  (looks like an arrow without a tail).

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• Click on the vertex you wish to move. Hold and
  drag to the place you want it.
• Right-click and select Finish sketch when you
  have completed your edits.

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• If you would like to add a vertex, right-click
  and select Insert Vertex.
• When you have completed all of your edits, go to
  Editorgt Stop Editing.

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At this point we should have mapped 1. An
athletic field 2. A flagpole 3. The
buildings around campus Now, you can use
heads-up digitizing to complete your project.
You will need to map All the athletic fields
on your campus Parking lots around campus Any
gyms or assembly locations Any other buildings
that havent been mapped Other features that
are important on your school grounds
We want you to take some time to develop your
skills and a final product that you can be proud
of. When you are done with this, move onto
chapter 5.