Welcome to DEP

1
Welcome to DEPs GIS Workshop Series

• Workshop 2
• GIS Data and File Types

2

• Explanation of Some GIS Terms
• Spatial Data any data that can be represented
  as a location on the face of the Earth.
• GIS Geographic Information System - is any
  system for capturing, storing, analyzing and
  managing data and associated attributes which are
  spatially referenced to Earth.

GIS File Types in DEP
3

• Explanation of Some GIS Terms
• Vector Data Data that contains individual
  features such as rivers, lakes, roads, soils,
  aquifer protection areas, dam sites. Also known
  as feature data.
• Raster Data Data that is just a picture and
  contains no information about individual
  features. For example, the topo maps are raster
  data. There is no information about individual
  features such as rivers, lakes, etc. other than
  what is viewed in the picture. Also known as
  image data.

GIS File Types in DEP
4

• Explanation of Some GIS Terms
• Points That spatial data type that consists
  only of points, or locations, on a map. An
  example is dam locations in Connecticut.
• Lines That spatial data type that consists only
  of lines on a map. An example is roads.
• Polygons That spatial data type that consists
  only of areas on a map. An example is DEP state
  parks parcels.

GIS File Types in DEP
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• Explanation of Some GIS Terms
• Feature Class, Dataset, Datalayer These are all
  terms that refer to one layer of data on a map.
  For example, the feature class Named
  Waterbodies contains only waterbodies. The
  feature class Soils contains only soil areas.
  The feature class Dams contains only points on
  the map where dams are located.
• Rasters or images are also considered
  datalayers. For example, the USGS Topographic
  Quadrangle Maps is a datalayer.

GIS File Types in DEP
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• GIS File Types
• Coverages
• Shapefiles (.shp)
• Raster or Image Data (.tif, .sid, .jpg, .bmp,
  etc.)
• Personal Geodatabases (.mdb same as an Access
  database)
• File Geodatabases (.gdb)
• ArcSDE Databases (best accessed through layer
  files)

GIS File Types in DEP
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• Coverages
• Old format
• Used in ArcView 3 and earlier versions
• No longer editable in ArcGIS 9.3, but can be
  displayed
• Cumbersome File Storage
• Can include export files (.e00 file extension)

GIS File Types in DEP
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• Coverages

Coverage Files
Export Files
GIS File Types in DEP
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• Shapefiles
• Has become a worldwide standard for GIS data
• Can be displayed and edited in ArcGIS 9.3 and in
  all earlier versions of ArcView.
• Has multiple files for storage can be
  cumbersome. For example, all of these files as
  viewed in Windows Explorer make up one shapefile
  Town.shp, Town.shx, Town.sbx, Town.sbn,
  Town.prj, Town.dbf

Using the Desktop Administrator and GIS File
Types in DEP
10
Aquifer Protection Area Shapefiles
Using the Desktop Administrator and GIS File
Types in DEP
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• Raster or Image Files

• Raster Files do not have identifiable or editable
  features
• Many types of raster (image) files can be used in
  ArcGIS
• .tif, .jpg, .png, .gif, .bmp, .sid, .dwg

Using the Desktop Administrator and GIS File
Types in DEP
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• Personal Geodatabases
• Is an Access Database (.mdb file)
• All spatial data and tables reside in one file
• Easy storage format
• Topology can be used for spatial accuracy
• Can contain multiple types of data (tables,
  feature classes, layers, rasters, etc.)
• Maximum file size 2 gb

Using the Desktop Administrator and GIS File
Types in DEP
13

• File Geodatabases
• Data stored in a folder with an extension of
  .gdb.
• Contains a number of files
• Is meant for large amounts of data
• Is very fast at data retrieval
• Is more efficient than a personal geodatabase
• Is a new file type, not yet well known or used.

GIS File Types in DEP
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• ArcSDE Data
• Stands for Spatial Data Engine
• Managing spatial data and relational databases
  with large amounts of data
• Is the future of GIS data in DEP
• Most efficient for large organizations
• Can support multi-user editing
• Works with SQL, Oracle

GIS File Types in DEP
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• Example of ArcSDE Files

GIS File Types in DEP
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• What are Layer Files?
• Characterized by .lyr.
• Does not contain actual spatial or attribute
  data, only points to data
• Determines symbology, scale levels, table view,
  data view
• Can have multiple datasets in one layer
• Easy to use just add one .lyr file

GIS File Types in DEP
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• Example of Layer Files

GIS File Types in DEP
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• What is the R Drive?
• Central repository for all GIS data
• Contains all file types that exist for a
  datalayer
• Will soon be replaced by a different GIS storage
  area on the Y Drive

GIS File Types in DEP
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• Chart of R Drive Files
• Vs. ArcSDE Files
• Navigate to C\ArcGIS_Training\Class2\
• Open the following file
• Rdrive_and_SDE_Layers.pdf
• This is a list of the old R drive files and
  their corresponding files in SDE

GIS File Types in DEP
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• Class Exercise

• Open ArcCatalog
• Navigate to the following folder
• \My Documents\Class2\GISFiles\
• What types of GIS files do you see in this
  folder, i.e. shapefiles, SDE files, coverages,
  layer files, file/personal geodatabases, etc.?
• ____________________________________
• ____________________________________
• ____________________________________
• ____________________________________

GIS File Types in DEP
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• Class Exercise - Answers

• File geodatabase Habitat.gdb
• Personal geodatabase Statewide_Trails.mdb
• Layer file Connecticut_Town.lyr
• Shapefile Dam.shp

GIS File Types in DEP
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End of Workshop 2