All Questions
21,387 questions
24
votes
5
answers
16k
views
Copying domain (and only domain) between Esri geodatabases?
Sometimes I have the need to copy a domain(s) from one geodatabase to another (without the featureclass or table).
In the past, I have accomplished this in a few different ways, but each method is ...
- 14.7k
23
votes
5
answers
34k
views
How to produce a better inset map in ArcMap?
Attached is an example of a generic inset map designed in ArcMap 10. For all the wonderful things that this software can accomplish, there has to be a more sophisticated way to produce better looking ...
- 51.8k
23
votes
2
answers
47k
views
Understanding ESRI's .asc file
Reading the ArcGIS help: Supported raster dataset file formats, I read that ASCII Grid file types are addressed with the singular file extension .asc for both 16 bit signed-integer (for discrete data) ...
- 10.3k
23
votes
5
answers
8k
views
ArcMap.exe processes stay open after closing ArcMap? [closed]
I realized that this is happening months ago when I was not able to alter table structure in an instance of ArcMap after another instance was closed.
When, for example, I remove or add some fields to ...
- 20.4k
23
votes
1
answer
11k
views
Converting SLD to Esri layer or lyr file
Is there a software/extension to convert an SLD to Esri. lyr format, or to import the SLD directly?
- 1,262
22
votes
9
answers
73k
views
Changing Field Name in ArcGIS Desktop
How can I change the field names (not the alias) in ArcGIS 10.2?
I already found this page on ArcGIS support: "Renaming shapefile fields (Defense Mapping)" but there is is not "Defense ...
- 1,498
22
votes
4
answers
15k
views
Optimal video cards for GIS programs [closed]
I recently purchased a Dell XPS-8300 (i7-2600|16 GB DDR3 RAM|64-bit Windows7) which I intend to use primarily for GIS programs. I bought a refurbished model because it was much cheaper and because I ...
- 1,631
22
votes
3
answers
7k
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 ...
- 15.7k
22
votes
8
answers
6k
views
Fixing thousands of small overlapping polygons?
I'm using ArcMap 10.3.
I have a layer of different land use types. I found out that many polygons overlap each other and as a result the same polygon have two different land use types.
Using @...
- 899
22
votes
5
answers
30k
views
Selecting contours which heights are integers?
I have a Contours Featureclass, with an interval of 0.2 meters. I wish to select only those Contours, which are at 1 m interval?
I have tried using the following syntax in the 'Select by Attribute' ...
- 41.6k
22
votes
3
answers
63k
views
Merging polygons in shapefile based on field values?
I have a shapefile with a lot of polygons in it.
These polygons are grouped into a category: district.
How can I merge the polygons based on the same name of the category within this shapefile?
- 2,215
22
votes
3
answers
14k
views
Performing 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 ...
- 2,215
22
votes
1
answer
6k
views
Using customized Coordinate System in ArcGIS Desktop?
I don't know so much about coordinate systems...
In my office we use to deal with spatial data coming from archaeological sites. Each site has its own x-y-z coordinate system (GCS). Three simple ...
- 461
22
votes
3
answers
5k
views
Using R with ArcGIS Desktop?
I've used the integration of R with QGIS, and found it a very uesful tool. Having taken a look at the R toolbox extension for 9 and the extension for 10 it appears they both offer only point ...
- 15.7k
22
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Dealing with bridges and tunnels when modeling raster least cost paths?
I'm currently using ArcGIS 10 Spatial Analyst's Cost Path tool to model pedestrian routes. I have sidewalks, fences, buildings and a ton of pedestrian scale features, all combined into a cost surface ...
- 221
21
votes
7
answers
31k
views
Removing only some donut holes from polygons using ArcMap
I am using ArcMap 10.0.
I have a trick for removing the donut holes, which is converting the polygon to line and then creating polygon out of the lines and in the end merging all of them. The drawback ...
- 1,360
21
votes
7
answers
31k
views
Retrieving start and end points for each line in line shapefile in ArcGIS Desktop or QGIS [closed]
I have a vector(polyline) shapefile and I need to retrieve each line´s start and end points(nodes) and create a shapefile with these points. Then I need to add to the polyline´s attribute table the ...
- 211
21
votes
7
answers
19k
views
Recalculating full extent of File Geodatabase feature class?
I have a featureclass in an Esri file geodatabase. When I edit the features using the editor in ArcMap, and I delete most of my features and keeping only the ones in the middle, the zoom to layer ...
- 521
21
votes
7
answers
18k
views
How to improve rendering performance of a very large shapefile?
I have a polygon shapefile that has a 100MB .dbf, and 500MB .shp file component. The reason it is so large, is that it is classified as a landbase for a whole district.
Everytime I view the file in ...
- 574
21
votes
1
answer
6k
views
How to Split a Concave Polygon Into Convex Polygons in Arcpy?
I'm looking for a tool or algorithm to detect concave polygons and split them into convex polygons. Like explained in the picture, the blue polygon is split into A and B polygons
I'm using Arcpy ...
- 4,604
20
votes
16
answers
16k
views
Seeking ArcGIS Desktop Tips and Tricks
A couple times a month, I check out the various tips and tricks CW posts on Stack Overflow and always learn something new.
I went back and forth as to whether to pin this question to a specific ...
20
votes
14
answers
47k
views
Reordering fields (permanently) in file geodatabase using ArcGIS Desktop?
Using ArcGIS 10.0, is it possible to reorder the fields in a file geodatabase, and have the order persisted to the database?
We considered exporting to XML, and writing a parser to change the field ...
- 21.2k
20
votes
8
answers
59k
views
Select distinct values from a single column of an attribute table (or layer)
Is there a way to select distinct values from a column in ArcMap?
I have the data in both GDB and SHP formats.
I have searched for ways to select using SQL, QueryLayers, ModelBuilder and individual ...
- 410
20
votes
1
answer
4k
views
Choosing coordinate system for mapping Mars in ArcGIS Desktop?
I wish to use ArcGIS Desktop to map planets, in particular Mars.
Where would I start in terms of basemapping and projection?
- 507
20
votes
5
answers
46k
views
Creating point file along line (trail) at regular distances (0.20 miles) using ArcMap
I am using ArcMap 10.1. I have a trail network that I'm trying to establish signs along the trails every 0.20 miles.
Is there a way to create the point file from the line feature?
- 203
20
votes
3
answers
5k
views
Producing building shadows using ArcGIS Desktop?
How would you generate building shadows from building footprints?
I have attribute values for the heights of buildings.
So would preferably like to have the shadows' sizes vary based on that.
The best ...
- 413
20
votes
1
answer
2k
views
ArcGIS 10.1 Python AddIn Using Multiprocessing crashes ArcMap?
I would like to run a multiprocessing task from a python add-in tool. My issue is that the process keeps failing. Basically crashes ArcMap.
Here is my basic code:
def function(startOID, endOID, fc)...
- 840
19
votes
5
answers
16k
views
Using SRTM Global DEM for Slope calculation
I have downloaded SRTM GDEM (~90m resolution).
I am using ArcGIS 10.
I have tried to use the Spatial Analyst tool to compute for slope.
However, I cannot compute for the slope.
The output values has ...
- 1,188
19
votes
6
answers
23k
views
How to randomly subset X% of selected points?
What methods are available in ArcGIS 10.2 to randomly subset a selection of points. For example, in the attached screenshot I am interested in keeping 20% of the selected points and deleting the rest....
- 51.8k
19
votes
3
answers
108k
views
Basic If/Then in Python Parser of ArcGIS Field Calculator?
I am using ArcGIS 10.2 for Desktop, and I've been looking through this site, and can't seem to figure out my answer yet. Very new to VBA and Python, but lots of years with ArcGIS. I know I can do ...
- 633
19
votes
7
answers
27k
views
Changing order of features in shapefile [closed]
I have a shapefile and I want to change the order of the features.
Is that possible?
I want to sort the features in the shapefile because I'm embedding this shapefile in a mobile app. The app will ...
- 813
19
votes
4
answers
26k
views
How to use consistent symbology between multiple stretched rasters in ArcMap?
I have a series of continuous rasters representing the same phenomenon over time, so I need to use the same symbology across them all.
So I set the stretched symbology of the first raster, with a ...
- 21.2k
19
votes
3
answers
19k
views
How do I change geotiff "no data" color to white/transparent rather than black?
I am preparing data for inclusion into a geonetwork node, where the maps are displayed via geoserver.
The problem is that cells that have"no data" are displaying as black in the geotiff and I am ...
- 522
19
votes
6
answers
24k
views
Is it possible to georeference an existing, un-georeferenced pdf?
I was wondering if there was anyway to georeference a pdf directly without first converting it to an image. I have access to ArcGIS 10.1 but haven't been able to find any information that would ...
- 711
19
votes
3
answers
11k
views
Transfering styles from QGIS to ArcGIS Desktop
We have a QGIS project that has symbols for a lot of different lines. Data comes from a Geodatabase that is accessible to both QGIS and ArcGIS.
We now want to use the symbology of the QGIS project to ...
- 5,237
19
votes
2
answers
71k
views
Viewing or importing *.pbf file (OSM data, binary format) in ArcGIS Desktop or QGIS? [closed]
How to view or import a pbf file (OSM data,binary format) in ArcGIS Desktop or QGIS?
Are any 3rd party applications needed?
I would like to edit this file on any GIS Software.
- 309
18
votes
5
answers
27k
views
Calculating Topographic Ruggedness Index in ArcGIS Desktop?
Does anyone know how to calculate Topographic Ruggedness Index (a.k.a Terrain R.I.) in ArcGIS Desktop without access to command line ArcInfo Workstation?
"The topographic ruggedness index (TRI) ...
- 28.3k
18
votes
4
answers
4k
views
Are ArcGIS *.lyr and *.mxd data format specs published?
Are the binary formats of *.lyr and *.mxd files published?
- 421
18
votes
6
answers
856
views
What are key things to test in ArcMap 10.1, service pack 1? [closed]
I have been asked to test service pack 1 for ArcMap 10.1 before it is provided to other users at my university. Are there any key things I should do for any SP test, or should I try to look at things ...
- 1,062
18
votes
3
answers
41k
views
Rounding column in attribute table using ArcGIS Field Calculator?
I want to use the Field Calculator in ArcMap to round an existing column to two decimals. Currently I have a column that is 6 decimal places long and would like to simply round it down to 2 decimals.
...
- 741
18
votes
3
answers
38k
views
Differences Between Clip Tool and Intersect Tool
How is the clip tool different from the intersect tool in terms of how it works or the result?
I don't have a specific situation in mind. I was learning about each of these tools and was curious about ...
18
votes
2
answers
10k
views
Counting and rasterizing polygon overlaps in ArcGIS Desktop?
How do you take a vector layer with overlapping polygons and turn it into a raster where each cell counts the number of polygons containing that cell?
We are looking at polygons of fire burn areas ...
- 181
18
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Will ArcGIS Pro have (better) ModelBuilder?
An earlier Q&A (What are Esri's new "ArcGIS for Professionals" and "ArcGIS Pro"?) provided some reassurance that ArcPy code would have re-use value with ArcGIS Pro:
...
- 65.4k
18
votes
4
answers
1k
views
Implementing ringmaps in ArcMap
In a recent article by Stewart and colleagues in IJHG I stumbled upon interesting technique of visualizing data using ringmaps. Some more information referenced in the article about this technique ...
user173
18
votes
0
answers
8k
views
Creating trade flow maps in ArcGIS for Desktop (or any free software)? [duplicate]
I am trying to represent trade flows on a world map where the size and direction of arrows indicate the exports/imports of a given country.
This type of map is commonly found in magazines and ...
- 2,810
17
votes
6
answers
10k
views
Why is the performance speed between ArcGIS and QGIS so different?
Ok I am not a programmer but a prolific GIS user. I know that QGIS is written in C++ and ArcGIS in ??? but for most of my tasks lately I always try to use QGIS not only because it is free but due to ...
- 1,233
17
votes
6
answers
22k
views
Preparing CSV files for use in ArcGIS Desktop?
How do I prepare CSV files for use in ArcGIS Desktop.
I ask because I have some troubles using CSV files because ArcGIS attributes wrong field types to my columns and also misinterprets special ...
- 1,401
17
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Making ArcGIS for Desktop play sound on speaker when model completes?
I would like to be able to sleep while Models are running for much of the night in ArcGIS for Desktop .
I would like to have ArcGIS for Desktop play a sound when it finishes, to awaken me.
Is this ...
- 171
17
votes
8
answers
23k
views
Creating convex hull in ArcGIS Desktop?
I would like to be able to create a convex hull in ArcGIS Desktop 9.x, but I cannot find an appropriate tool.
How does one go about creating one?
I am interested in answers for all license levels: ...
- 1,002
17
votes
11
answers
27k
views
Why won't ArcMap 10 snap? [closed]
I'm really confused by this. ArcMap will seeminly randomly decide to not allow snapping when editing. Sometimes its only for certain features, sometimes for only parts of the same feature (e.g. one ...
- 899