ArcGIS refers to a family of GIS software from Esri which includes desktop (ArcReader, ArcMap, ArcCatalog), server applications (ArcGIS Server), mobile devices (ArcPad, ArcGIS Mobile) as well as online services (ArcGIS Online).
18
votes
10answers
23k views
How do I convert MapInfo TAB and/or MIF to SHP?
How do I convert MapInfo TAB and/or MIF files to SHP using only free tools or ArcGIS itself? I've not had much luck trying to do this in the past and I don't want to have to shell out for the ArcGIS ...
36
votes
4answers
11k views
How to build effective heat-maps?
Using ArcGIS, QuantumGIS, Grass, and/or GVSIG
What are some of the tools and processes involved in building effective heat maps?
What are the plugins involved?
What are the major data requirements?
...
16
votes
1answer
3k views
How to divide a polygon into specific sizes using ArcGIS?
I have several thousand irregularly shaped polygons in a shapefile. I want to be able to split each polygon into three areas, and to specify what the size of those areas (they sum to the previous ...
3
votes
3answers
2k views
Global DEM to Slope calculation
I have downloaded SRTM GDEM (~90 km resolution). I am using ArcGIS 10. I have tried to use spatial analyst to compute for slope. However, I can not compute for the slope. The output values has only ...
14
votes
1answer
467 views
What is the most accurate coordinate system for calculating areas of polygons?
I have multiple polygons, all located offshore around the UK. I am trying to calculate the areas of these polygons in square kilometres, without splitting them by UTM zone.
Is it possible to do this ...
22
votes
9answers
9k views
How can I connect to a PostGIS database from ArcMap 9.3 and 10.0?
How can I connect to a PostGIS database from ArcMap 9.3 or 10.0?
Ideally, I would like to be able to perform spatially enabled queries and receive the results back (e.g. spatial and non-spatial ...
23
votes
5answers
5k views
ArcGIS and PostGIS
Has anyone successfully used PostgreSQL with PostGIS successfully? I am a semi-experienced ArcGIS user and want to build out a database and connect it to ArcCatalog. I've scoured the internet for ...
19
votes
7answers
8k views
Removing small spaces between polygons
I have a set of polygons representing administrative districts. The districts were digitized by hand, and there are small spaces between polygons where the polygons should be touching. How can I ...
10
votes
3answers
4k views
list all feature classes in GDB, including within feature datasets
From python how can I build a list of all feature classes in a geodatabase, including inside feature datasets? The standard example only lists FC's at the top level of the gdb:
import ...
8
votes
3answers
4k views
How to change feature class and field aliases in bulk?
I have over a hundred FCs, each with 10 or 20 attributes to add or change the aliases for, two or more times a year. Needless to say, this is not something I'm going to grunt my way through. How can I ...
7
votes
2answers
952 views
Workflow for determining stream gradient?
As far as data goes, I'm working with NHD .shp files, 10m DEMs, and some LIDAR data.
My goal is to determine gradient for 100m segments of a network of streams.
I'm already able to do this, but I ...
8
votes
2answers
243 views
Create a summary table of the symbology of all datasets in multiple mxd's
This is related to the following Retain ESRI symbology in Mapinfo TAB . As an initial step (in arcpy) I want to access the symbology of all the datasets and create a document which has the details of ...
12
votes
5answers
4k views
How to get the extent of each polygon in a shapefile?
In arcgis 10 and python I want to get the extent (xmax, ymax, xmin, ymin) info of each of the polygons in a shape file.
I can get the extent of the whole shape file using
...
16
votes
3answers
2k views
How can I calculate the average width of a polygon?
I'm interested in examining the average width of a polygon that represents the road surface. I also have the road centerline as a vector (which is sometimes not exactly in the center). In this example ...
12
votes
2answers
4k views
How to convert an .mxd file to a .qgs file?
I recently tried to use QuantumGIS and I wondered if you can turn in a draft format ESRI mxd loadable qgs. This would avoid thematize the entire project.
Thanks for your help.
6
votes
4answers
1k views
How to create arcs between two points in Python?
I've been working on an python script automating the visualization of live point data. I have a table with two coordinate pairs. I'd like to connect these two point with an arc of a circle or similar ...
14
votes
5answers
4k views
What's the difference between feature class and feature layer?
This may be very trivial question. To me they seems very similar in concept. What's the difference between feature class and feature layer?
13
votes
5answers
495 views
How to make a GIS inventory?
My office will be seeing a big change in its GIS section. This section has been operational since the 1980's and has a huge collection of GIS data (i.e., shapefiles, raster files, data, etc) but never ...
4
votes
2answers
3k views
“If then” VB Script code (or Python) equivalent to SQL's IN ('x','y',z') expression in ArcGIS Field Calculator question?
we need just like the following, only with multiple records selected... have tried the "xyz" in (1,2,3,4,5) SQL code but of course VB Script wants something else.
dim f2
if [field1] = "foo" then
f2 ...
9
votes
3answers
4k views
How does ArcGIS compute the distance between two points with a non-equidistant projection?
This is a follow-up question to my previous one, Can you suggest some well-written introductory texts about coordinate system projections?
Let's assume I'm working with the CH1903 map projection, ...
7
votes
2answers
2k views
Issues with large datasets
I am trying to run an Intersect process in arcgis 10 sp 3 with 2 file sets (aspect and slope) from up to a 1m DEM across an area of 65,000sq km. The aspect has 9,930,384 records and the slope has ...
3
votes
1answer
427 views
ArcGIS: How do you get an annotation layer working inside a group layer?
How do you get an annotation layer working inside a group layer? When I try I get the error message "error adding element".
I have a project that requires several annotation layer to be organised ...
2
votes
3answers
2k views
Problem with ArcToolbox tools
I work with ArcGIS 9.3. When I try to run any ArcToolbox tool I receive the message:
Window Internet Explorer (Title of the Window)
"One or more ActiveX controls could not be displayed because ...
17
votes
8answers
635 views
What are some resources for learning Python and arcpy?
I would like to learn arcpy, but I do not know quite where to begin. Does anyone have any good advice on where I should start to learn arcpy?
23
votes
6answers
2k views
Options for ArcGIS Desktop SpatiaLite support?
SpatiaLite is playing an increasing role in my organization. As it stands now, using SpatiaLite alongside ArcGIS Desktop requires an amount of importing and exporting of data that isn't always ...
13
votes
1answer
742 views
Calling arcpy/python from .NET?
Are there any available examples that show how python can be integrated into a .NET ArcGIS Addin or Extension? I have a series of python scripts that I would like to call from form events (e.g. button ...
18
votes
4answers
2k views
Is there any model builder in QGIS or other open source GIS?
Like the model builder in ArcGIS Desktop to run simultaneous geoprocessing tools, is there any model builder available in QGIS or an open source GIS software.
10
votes
2answers
738 views
How to unit test ArcObjects with Mocking
I'm a huge fan of unit testing, but still make use of a FGDB to grab features for running unit tests against when using the ArcObjects framework.
Is anyone successfully using mocking against thinks ...
11
votes
3answers
1k views
Do ArcGIS SpatialReference object factory codes correspond with EPSG numbers?
I've got a project where I'm reading in geometry objects from text files to put them in ArcSDE. These geometry objects have an associated EPSG code, and I'm looking for a way to ensure they're in the ...
7
votes
2answers
477 views
Can ArcGIS and OSGeo4W share the same python install?
I don't like unnecessary duplication. Is it possible to install python only once and have both ArcGIS and OSGeo4W use it?
12
votes
2answers
486 views
Raster noise reduction and edge smoothing
I have a raster image like this
I want to delete the isolated noise point and smooth the edge (say the white single points, and I want the edges of the entity look smooth). How can I do this in ...
9
votes
2answers
500 views
Add arbitrary code to Arcgis model builder?
Is there any way to add arbitrary code snippets to an Arcgis model?
I envision something similar to the "show code block" the expression builder in advanced labelling or field calculator.
For ...
6
votes
1answer
821 views
Postgresql for Qgis and Arcgis - What to do/What not to do
Is it possible to use postgresql with QGIS and ArcGIS? One database for different clients. Is it anything that I have worry or any problems to use the DBMS from two different software? I know that I ...
5
votes
1answer
406 views
Definitions of arcgis script parameter Data Type options
When adding a python script to a toolbox in Arcgis one of the steps is to set parameters and specify what Data Type each requires. The list is long, perhaps a hundred, and many are not immediately ...
5
votes
2answers
880 views
How to build an artificial 'dam' across a river?
I have a DEM.
Created all files related to watershed including accumulation, direction, streams etc...
I'm stuck creating a dam.
I request you to please let me know how to build an artificial 'dam' ...
4
votes
2answers
1k views
ArcGIS 10 Model Builder In-line variable substitution for input data path
Does anyone know how/if you can use in-line variable substitution for an input path name in model builder for ArcGIS 10? I used "get field value" to retrieve a code from one feature class, and I want ...
10
votes
6answers
6k views
How do I create a convex hull in ArcGIS?
I would like to be able to create a convex hull in ArcGIS 9.x, but I can't find an appropriate tool. How does one go about creating one? I am interested in answers for all license levels, ArcView, ...
7
votes
4answers
3k views
How to remove a feature layer in an ArcPy Script
So, I have an arcpy based script where I'm trying to intersect two layers where one layer must have its centroid in the other layer. Since I need to know that one layer (feature_layer below) includes ...
5
votes
1answer
1k views
ArcGIS: inside buffer with attributes?
How can I create buffers for polygons that a) lie only inside the polygon boundary, and b) know who their parent is?
An example of where this is useful is First Nation Traditional Territories. There ...
4
votes
3answers
619 views
How can i transfer data from a spreadsheet into a shapefile?
I am looking at Deprivation in the UK and there is some good data in the form of spreadsheets on this website http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/corporate/statistics/indices2010
I would like ...
3
votes
1answer
528 views
ESRI Flash Command in custom code
I would like to implement the same flash feature command that ESRI uses when accessing the context menu on a table row.
I have used the following successfully to flash a selected feature:
...
10
votes
6answers
649 views
Has anyone experienced appreciable performance increases in ArcGIS Desktop by using a RAM Disk?
I configured a RAM disk on a Virtual PC running ArcGIS Desktop 10 and set my HKCU\Software\ESRI\Output\TempPath to a directory on the RAM disk. It’s hard to perceive any sort improvement with that ...
8
votes
2answers
913 views
Is there an automated/geoprocesing tool In ArcGIS to slice, clip, or cut polygons using polylines?
Looking for a simpler method here.
I am trying to split up / cut / slice existing polygons by using existing poly-lines. An example would be splitting a water body or land parcel at the point where a ...
3
votes
3answers
525 views
How to use NASS county level crop data to estimate crop acreage in hydrologic regions?
National Agriculture Statistics Service (NASS) provides county level crop (Corn, Soybean, Sorghum, etc) data. I want to calculate crop acres on each subwatershed from the county based data. What is ...
2
votes
2answers
236 views
Is it possible to convert an ESRI style sheet to a font set?
This is related to Retain ESRI symbology in Mapinfo TAB
As a workaround I am wondering if I can save all my ESRI symbology from the lyr files created using the script below to an ESRI style sheet and ...
2
votes
2answers
336 views
Create layer from in-memory shape data
In my current project, a feature layer is created based on shape data generated after some complicated surface analysis procedure.
The sequence right now is like
[Surface Analysis Algorithm] -> ...
1
vote
1answer
135 views
Calculating mean upslope aspect
I am trying to write a python script to calculate the mean aspect upslope from each cell in a DEM. I have the general workflow down, but my final output is restricted to angles between 0 and 90 ...
29
votes
13answers
7k views
Why do you use ArcGIS?
I'm new to GIS, having only dabbled with ArcGIS for about 4 weeks in 2007. The business I am at wants to target writing complete solutions that involve GIS as it would benefit their hardware sales. ...
17
votes
3answers
812 views
Alternatives to ArcGIS Online?
I am considering purchasing ArcGIS Online for a group of users who currently use about 5% of ArcGIS capabilities (ArcMap, simple map creation and information display) about 80% of the time. Primary ...
12
votes
6answers
3k views
Bulk field rename in file geodatabase
I have a file geodatabase with several hundred feature classes in it.
Some feature classes have a field that got named incorrectly, and it got named "SCHEMA_FEATURECLASS_ENTITY" instead of just ...
