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Learn how to manage non-ARC/INFO and ARC/INFO data sets in ArcView, including copying, renaming, archiving, and dealing with ARC/INFO coverages. Improve your file management skills and avoid common pitfalls.
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Overview Managing non-ARC/INFO data sets Managing ARC/INFO data sets Copying and ArcView projects_
Managing non-ARC/INFO data sets General system file management Setting the working directory Renaming Copying Archiving_
Managing non-ARC/INFO data sets: General system file management • GIS is more file-intensive than most other computer applications • Knowledge of OS file system operation is critical • Disk, directory, and file management skills • Disk space • Directory nomenclature • File nomenclature, file sizes, multiple-file data sets • Where (file system-wise) is every file in the current project?_
Managing non-ARC/INFO data sets: Setting the working directory • Set the working directory early • Avoid major headache later • Have no doubt about where new files will be placed • TIP: • Create a new directory for each project • Set working directory to the new directory • Always use the Startup Project • New data sets can be easily archived_
Managing non-ARC/INFO data sets: Renaming & copying • Be careful about renaming & copying files • Every file of a multiple-file data source must be renamed/copied • Files that are renamed/copied will not be “found” in projects • Files to be copied/renamed cannot be in use in current project • Data sources are frequently composed of multiple individual files • Shapefiles are composed of at least 3 separate files • Image data sources are composed of at least 1 file, at most 4._
Managing non-ARC/INFO data sets: Renaming & copying • ArcView Manage Data Sources functionality only applies to shapefiles • Other files can only be renamed using OS file management • images • text files • dBase files (that are not theme tables) • CAD files • Supported data sources can be converted to & managed as shapefiles_
Managing non-ARC/INFO data sets: Renaming & copying Use OS find files functionality to identify all files in multiple-file data sources
Managing non-ARC/INFO data sets: Renaming Use ArcView Manage Data Sources functionality to rename shapefiles
Managing non-ARC/INFO data sets: Renaming Use ArcView Manage Data Sources functionality to rename shapefiles
Managing non-ARC/INFO data sets: Copying Use ArcView Manage Data Sources functionality to copy shapefiles
Managing non-ARC/INFO data sets: Copying Use ArcView Manage Data Sources functionality to copy shapefiles
Managing non-ARC/INFO data sets: Archiving • Create new “backup” directories, copy files • Write to stable media (tape, MO, CD, Zip or Jaz disk) • Use archiving tool, e.g. PKZip, WinZip, tar • create archive files • copy to “safe” directories • write to stable media_
Managing ARC/INFO data sets Limited support for coverage, grid, and TIN data sources Copying & Renaming Archiving Dealing with ARC/INFO coverages_
Managing ARC/INFO data sets: Copying & Renaming • ArcView will rename & copy • grid data sources • TIN data sources • Possible to convert to and manage as shapefile • Loss of informational content_
Managing ARC/INFO data sets: Archiving Grid & TIN themes • Standard rename & copy • Archive files as you would any other files • create archive files • copy to “safe” directories • write to stable media_
Managing ARC/INFO data sets: Dealing with ARC/INFO coverages • Problematic data sets in ArcView • ArcView cannot “manage” ARC/INFO coverages • Coverages cannot be copied, moved, or renamed • Convert to & manage as shapefile • Loss of informational content if polymorphic data set • Import to new directory; copy & archive entire directory • Never use OS file management to manipulate coverage, grid, or TIN directories • Do not alter info directories; you will corrupt data_
Copying and moving projects • ArcView project files only contain pointers to data location • File locations are “hard coded” into project files • Copying & moving projects does not copy or move data sets • Data sets must be moved, copied, or specified • Data structures must be completely recreated, or • Projects that are copied or moved must be altered for new file locations _
Copying and moving projects • Searching for data sets in projects • Altering project files • Direct editing of project files • Avenue script to change pathnames_
Copying and moving projects: Searching for data sets in projects • Use standard text searching tools • DOS/Windows find • UN*X grep each data set has a Path:statement in the project
Copying and moving projects: Altering project files • Direct editing of project files • Copy project file (keep a safe backup) • Open project file in text editor • Use search-and-replace functionality
Copying and moving projects: Altering project files Create new or alter sample Avenue script to search and replace strings