So for the last two weeks I’ve had the pleasure of using ArcGis to map out a building. The building that I’m mapping is rather large and is comprised of 3 floors and also has several smaller buildings surrounding it. It also has its own large pond which is pretty cool.

During this mapping process I’ve had to think outside the box a little to make sure that my end goal i.e. a complete layout out of the building, works together as a cohesive unit. This means deciding on how exactly I want to display the data I have within ArcGis. I think I’ve settled on a way to do this that makes sense but the only way to really make sure is to view the end product.

Needless to say this project has made me realize that there are a lot of things within ArcGis itself that I don’t really know how to use to there best potential. I understand that hands on experience is key for understanding the software but there are a few things that I wish would have been covered in my classes more extensively.

Beyond this though the experience that I’m gaining is quite invaluable. Michelle is showing me ways to use the software that streamline and speed up the mapping process. Being able to find shortcuts and work arounds within ArcGis makes mapping go a lot smoother and speeds up the process. Not to metion that the final layout will be better organized.

Beyond just mapping though Michelle has let me know that I’ll be scanning actual building blueprints for the fire department. That is something I’ve never done before and it actually sounds quite interesting. I’ve gained a lot of appreciation during my time at the fire department for how important Michelle’s job is for the city of Delaware. Trying to create an interactive layout for Delaware is no small feat and I’m happy to help.