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Digital Mapping Techniques ‘04. MIGRATING FROM ARCINFO WORKSTATION TO ARCGIS. By Vic Dohar, Natural Resources Canada. Scope. Managing datasets in a map production environment No intention to create a data model or replicate NADM Geodatabase used for map production
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Digital Mapping Techniques ‘04 MIGRATING FROM ARCINFO WORKSTATION TO ARCGIS By Vic Dohar, Natural Resources Canada
Scope • Managing datasets in a map production environment • No intention to create a data model or replicate NADM • Geodatabase used for map production • Snapshot of current migration strategies from workstation to ArcGIS (work in progress)
Current Map Production at GSC • A-series and Open File geology maps since 1994, 50 to 70 maps per year • Data is managed in the coverage model using ArcInfo Workstation 8.3 • GEMS application • Digital data adheres to Cartographic Digital Standards (CDS) • Stored/archived in ArcSDE (not in a geodatabase)
Migrating to ArcGIS • Change in ESRI technology forces us to change • Geodatabases provide domains and custom topology, used to validate features • ArcGIS is not restricted to coverages model, various formats from various sources • ArcGIS provides connections to databases • Open development for customizing ArcMap • Tiered license: ArcView, ArcEditor, ArcInfo
Migration Goals • Develop a geodatabase schema for managing spatial geology data • Make use of domains for standardizing feature names and validating features • Produce similar maps with ArcMap as with workstation, faster and more efficiently
Migration Strategy • Three stages (ArcGIS Help): • Use existing data with ArcMap • Data management and editing using the geodatabase • Convert to geo-processing tools, ArcGIS 9.0 • Decided to bundle stages 1 and 2, due to available resources, training, and managing a production environment
What is a Geodatabase? • ArcGIS Help • ESRI press • Publications: Modeling Our World • Resources available from www.esri.com • Download sample geodatabases
Designing a Geodatabase • Several different methods1) ArcCatalog menus and wizards2) CASE tools using Visio (UML) 3) Geodatabase Designer (XML) • Experimented with importing existing coverages into a personal geodatabase. • Organizing data into manageable features
Geodatabase Designer • Export schema to XML. Edit, modify using an XML editor • XML schema can be imported or distributed • Integrated with ArcCatalog • Free!
Geodatabase for Map Production • Separate geodatabase schemas for bedrock geology data, surficial geology data and cartographic elements • Store datasets, simple features and tables • Domains and topology used to validate features • Sub-types used with domains to group/categorize simple features • Use relationship classes to define relates
Surficial Units Feature Class • Single field used to differentiate geology polygon units
Surficial Geodatabase • Map with compound units and veneers
Complex IDs Table • Description of relationship involving complex units for all surficial maps
Surficial Geodatabase • Labeling polygons using a table
How it all fits together! Feature class Unit labels table * 1 * Unit composition table 1 * * * * Complex ID table Legend table 1 1
How it all fits together! • Expressed in relationship classes
How it all fits together! • Shown when performing a query or identify
Surficial Geology Topology • Topology can only exist for participating features within a dataset • Implementing two simple rules: • Surficial units polygons must not overlap • Contacts must overlap boundary of surficial units
Geomorphology Line, Point and Area Features • Remaining surficial features are classified into point, line and area simple feature classes • Each of the feature classes contains a sub-type field used to classify or categorize the features • Features are assigned a coded value from a domain that pertains to the sub-type to which it belongs
Coded Value Domain • Domains are propertiesof the geodatabase
Sub-Type Field • Sub-types are properties of the feature class
Coded value from domain Sub-type Geomorphology Line Feature Class
Style Files and Symbols • Symbolsets from Workstation that utilize custom fonts (IGL, TrueType) do not import into style files • All line, marker, and pattern symbols require to be created from scratch • Thus far have converted all shade colours, and most line and marker symbols • Created true type font of point symbols
Map Surround Generation • Insert Word, CorelDraw, other files as objects • Custom application for generating title block, and recommended citation, and other surround information • Design specifications and content are XML based • Uses metadata that user enters in forms • Ensures consistent high quality map product, facilitates map production
Legend Generation • Current legend generation using ArcInfo workstation is accomplished using a text file and an AML • Proposing to store legend information in an XML file • Contain units, minerals, lithology, and symbols • Contain description as well as hierarchical levels • Currently developing a XML schema to store this information
Legend Generation • Design interface to populate XML file • VBA script to render legend in ArcMap using native graphics (boxes, lines, text, etc…) • XML file is portable and can be used for other applications
Connections to Databases • Connect to geochronology database to display point data • Script to generate graphic • Not required to store age data • Minerals database • Use of table for labeling point data • Field observations database, others ??? xMn
Remaining Issues and Goals • The verdict is not in on a final geodatabase schema • Better labeling of features to avoid managing/editing annotation (Maplex) • Implement in map production • Next year have all pieces/connections in place (GDR, SDE geodatabase, NADM)
Acknowledgements Parm Dhesi, GIS Specialist & SymbolsRoger MacLeod, GIS Specialist & SymbolsNorah Brown, ArcObjects & XMLDave Everett, GIS SpecialistSheila Hynes, GIS SpecialistBarb Szlavko, ArcSDE/Oracle AdminTerry Houlahan, ArcSDE/Oracle Admin
Contact me at… Vic DoharCartographic Applications SpecialistPublishing Services SubdivisionESS Info DivisionEarth Sciences SectorNatural Resources Canada601 Booth StreetOttawa, Ontario, CanadaK1A 0E8telephone: 613-943-2693fax: 613-952-7308email: vdohar@NRCan.gc.ca web: www.nrcan.gc.ca/ess/carto