Module 1: 8/20/2025 to 10/7/2025, OWU Environment & Sustainability
Towards the beginning of the week four work, I didn’t have technical things figured out yet so I was unable to get very far with a few of the exercises but I figured some things out and it went a lot smother in the later chapters of this week.
These ones went well
These ones did not
These chapters were fairly self explanatory, I only got stuck a few times but was able to skip and navigate the rest of the chapters easily. My problem is that I am inpatient and I don’t like to read everything on the screen so I miss things. The most interesting thing in these chapters for me was doing the South Sudan coding. I think it was cool to input South Suden is equal to the years or whatever the directions said. It was cool that the map and software could do that. Again, I took definitions because some of the words in the chapters were hard to understand without knowing the definitions.
Defintions:
Task: [software] A set of preconfigured steps that guide users through a sequential workflow in ArcGIS software.
Definition query:[ESRI software] In ArcMap, a request that examines feature or tabular attributes based on user-selected criteria and displays only those features or records that satisfy the criteria.
Query expression: [programming] A type of expression that evaluates to a Boolean (true or false) value, that is typically used to select those rows in a table in which the expression evaluates to true.
ModelBuilder:[ESRI software] The interface used to build and edit geoprocessing models in ArcGIS.
Model:[data models] An abstraction of reality used to represent objects, processes, or events.
Script: [ESRI software] In ArcView 3.x, one of the five types of documents that can be contained within a project file
Command line:[computing] A string of text that acts as a command, typed at an interface prompt.
Geocoding:[geocoding] A GIS operation that converts a street address or other location information into spatial data that can be displayed as a feature on a map.
Adress Locator: [geocoding] A dataset in ArcGIS software that stores the address attributes, associated indexes, and rules that define the process for translating nonspatial descriptions of places, such as street addresses, into spatial data that can be displayed as features on a map.
Overlay: [analysis/geoprocessing] A spatial operation in which two or more maps or layers registered to a common coordinate system are superimposed, either digitally or on a transparent material, for the purpose of showing the relationships between features that occupy the same geographic space.
Buffer:[spatial analysis] A specified zone around a map feature or features, measured in units of distance or time.
Dissolve: [ESRI software] A geoprocessing command that removes boundaries between adjacent polygons that have the same value for a specified attribute.
Clip: [ESRI software] A command that extracts features from one feature class that reside entirely within a boundary defined by features in another feature class.
Temporal Data: [data structures] Data that specifically refers to times or dates.
Operator: [mathematics] The symbolic representation of a process or operation performed against one or more operands in an expression, such as “+” (plus, or addition) and “>” (greater than). When evaluated, operators return a value as their result.
Cell:[graphics (computing)] The smallest unit of information in raster data, usually square in shape
Discrete data: [data models] Data that represents phenomena with distinct boundaries.
Continuous Data: [data models] Data such as elevation or temperature that varies without discrete steps
Map algebra: [data analysis] A language that defines a syntax for combining map themes by applying mathematical operations and analytical functions to create new map themes.
Aspect: [analysis/geoprocessing] The compass direction that a topographic slope faces, usually measured in degrees from north
Hillshade:[map design] Shadows drawn on a map to simulate the effect of the sun’s rays over the varied terrain of the land.
Azimuth: [analysis/geoprocessing] A compass direction.
Altitude: [coordinate systems] The height or vertical elevation of a point above a reference surface
Layout: [ESRI software] In ArcGIS software, a presentation document incorporating maps, charts, tables, text, and images.
Label: ESRI software] In ArcGIS, descriptive text, usually based on one or more feature attributes
Label class:[ESRI software] In ArcGIS software, a category of labels that represents features with the same labeling properties.
Map extent: [cartography] The limit of the geographic area shown on a map, usually defined by a rectangle.
Scale bar: [symbology] A map element used to graphically represent the scale of a map.
Delaware Data Info:
Zip Code: All the zip code areas for Delaware County. Updated regularly/as needed
Recorded Document: shows the places where recorded documents such as plat books are located (books that show how the county property is divided/landlines). other info on data collected on these lands such as annexes, surveys, etc. is also stored and represented by the dots for where they are kept.
School District: All the school districts within Delaware County.
Map Sheet: all map sheets in Delaware County.
Farm Lot: Map of all the farm lots in Delaware County provided by the US military and Virginia Military Survey Districts.
Townships: Shows the 19 townships in Delaware County,
Street Centerline (data)/ Street Centerline – DXF (document): All documented private and public roads in Delaware County. Put together using observational data, regularly updated/as needed.
Annexation: Delaware Counties’ annexed land and growing boundaries from 1853 to the present. Annexed land means land that was taken into the city limits.
Condo: All recorded condominium polygons in Delaware County.
Subdivision: All subdivisions and condos in Delaware County.
Survey: Shapefile of all survey points taken in Delaware County, excluding old surveys in volumes 1-11. All are certified surveys and more after 2004 are being added regularly.
Dedicated Row: All road right-of-ways ROW owned by the city. These are the areas of grass/sidewalk on the side of a road that is owned by the city. Not all roads have one.
Tax District: All tax districts in Delaware County.
GPS: All GPS monuments from 91-97. Uses Universal Mercator Northing and Easting.
Original Township: Original township and boundaries before tax districts changed shape.
Address Points (data)/ Address Points– DXF (document): Point layer of all address points in Delaware. Intended to support appraisal mapping, 911 Emergency Response, accident reporting, geocoding, and disaster management. The layer provides the capability to reverse geocode a set of coordinates to determine the closest valid address.
Precinct: Voting precincts in Delaware County.
Hydrology: All major waterways in Delaware County.
Building Outline 2021 (data)/ Building Outlines – DXF (document): All building/structure outlines as of 2021.
Parcel: Cadastral Parcel lines in Delaware County (property lines for real estate). Also holds appraisal information.
PLSS: created to facilitate identifying all of the PLSS and their boundaries in both the US Military and Virginia Military Survey Districts of Delaware County. PLSS is a survey system made in 1785 to establish parcel lines with a standard system.
2022 leaf-On Imagery (SID) (Map): 2022 Imaergey 12in Resolution map. A SID file is a compressed file of GIS data.
Delaware County Contours: 2ft contours of Delaware County from 2018.
2021 Imagery (SID File) (Map): just saw “Delaware County Ohio”.
Delaware County E911 Data: all certified addresses in Delaware County. Provides the capability to reverse geocode a set of coordinates to determine the closest valid address and is intended to provide 911 agencies with the information needed to comply with Phase II 911 requirements.
ArcGIS Pro Portion:
I have absolutely no idea why but when I save my map exports as PDFs it has the .pdf tab but it saves as a Chrome HTML?? When I open it it takes me to the PDF but why is it online? Here’s my map though (I should have probably made the map more zoomed in):
Weird PDF link: DelawareCountyMap
Screenshot of PDF:
Chapter 5:
This chapter was a lot easier now that I know the basics of the software from last week’s chapters.
A)
B)
C)
I did the entire chapter without many issues, but when I tried to package it, I got an error message that my map has no layers. Not sure what to do about this because my map definitely has some layers.
Chapter 6:
A)
Not much to show for this section, but I’m starting to get more confident using the software. We’ll see how long that lasts!
B)
C)
I can’t seem to find the ArcGIS Collector app anywhere on the IOS app store.
Chapter 7:
A)
B)
I am doing all of the steps correctly, but to be honest I’m not confident I know exactly what I’m doing.
C)
Chapter 8:
A)
Not sure how to access the appearance tab to change transparency. (Update: I figured it out)
b)
C)
D)
Made a cool animation of changing robbery demographics, unfortunately this is only a screenshot. Sorry!
Chapter 10:
A)
B)
Messed around with labeling libraries in Salt Lake City!
C/D)
My final layout below!
Note: Downloaded three assigned .shp filed from Delaware GIS Data Hub.
Chapter 5
first step in tasks, I want to break down what I did. County is equal to South Sudan (only select South Sudan) and Year is >/= to 2011 (South Sudan data from 2011+). This task thing was very strange I’ve never used it before.
It was interesting learning tasks but I don’t think the text explained what this step was adding very well.
I prefer the model builder to the task route visually but the modelbuilder lacks the instructions given when using tasks so its a give and take. Here’s me running my model:
I haven’t started it just yet but I am scared to run Python code. I don’t want to run it I’d rather use the tasktool or modelbuilder >:(
When I tried to package my project I got a “conflict” saying that a geoprocessing item failed and it couldn’t package it. This was weird because I didn’t have any failed codes, but I fixed it by removing items with errors. I wasn’t feeling very extra so I skipped the “on your own” here where I check to see if this uploaded to my online account.
Chapter 6
Here is my created symbols for the trees:
It wouldn’t let me name the project “TreeInventory” for ArcOnline (it says the name is taken) so I added my name to the end “TreeInventoryFraire”.
My map for ArcOnlinne so far:
For the app thing, there is no app called “ArcGIS Collector” so I downloaded the first one that popped up called “ArcGIS Field Maps and it took forever.
Well I downloaded it and then it said that I don’t have permission to use the app so I had to skip this part.
Attempt one at editing the new features attributes:
I got through his exercise but it was weird. I had to keep reopening my project because the program was losing its location and said it didn’t exist. I think this screwed with the portal linking to my online account because after refreshing and readding the layer it said that it couldn’t find it either. I think it might be because I had to give the online layer a different name since the map name was “already in use”.
Regardless, I now know multiple ways to edit maps from many devices!
Chapter 7
Starting off strong with more so actions like “join these two layers” instead of a step by step. Getting harder! Let me know I need to pay attention to what I’m doing more.
When I tried to save the locator it originally said that a parameter was missing. I think it was because I put “Houston_” and not “Houston_Locator”. File names are important (And annoying).
I don’t really understand what rematching did. I read the text and it’s still a little confusing. I have actually little to no idea what this did. Did it just match addresses that are the same but weren’t classified as the same?
My map after doing the merge, dissolve, and selected specific properties within the buffer:
When I opened the attribute table after the spatial join I only saw one row of data…I chose the wrong input for my spatial join! went back and fixed that annnndd it still looks the same D: Looking at the attributes of the buffer, it only shows one row of data as well.. I’m not really sure why this happened. My clipped layer and the following selection layer look fine in the attributes. Tried for a third time and it worked! I think I was selecting the wrong inputs, pay attention Logan.
Our pop-up menus look very different than the book.
My final map of this exercise with some selected prospective property locations, proposed/existing bike paths, and bike stations:
Chapter 8
My first map of robberies in January, how exciting:
I didn’t really consider the applications of GIS with crime. It obviously makes sense but it just adds another use of GIS for me.
Every time it says “run the tool” it reminds me of the artist group Run the Jewels
negative points for bringing in the empirical rule and z-scores. Stats = no.
I hate this:
real vomit from all these cubes. It feels like the matrix:
I don’t want to work documenting crime spots, that’s for sure.
I did 8c and got the mods done. I just noticed that there is no topography for this scene. Not really a problem because I can work but odd:
Range and time on crime son (it’s playing in the picture so it looks a little empty right now):
Chapter 9
I started by extracting masks and mosaicing layers to make this property boundary:
Running the aspect tool and seeing the colors brings back trauma from remote sensing. I know these colors all correlate to the cardinal direction of the slope.
When adding the outline to the planting sites I made it purple instead of black because it was hard to see on the hillshade that was already greyscale and the slope added green/red. I promptly changed it back after adding the slope.
Here is my map with the property boundary, vineyard blocks, and planting sites. I also have on the 3pm hillshade shadow. There is limited area for planting on this property:
This modelbuilding reclassification probably won’t work. I don’t have a start and end column, only value and new.
My finished maps after raster calculator (which was being a little stinker). The dark red shows the most favorable planting sites within the black outline:
Chapter 10
My first map for 10a:
I didn’t have a symbol selection in my label ribbon. I had to right-click the layer and select labeling properties to get to the symbol tab it asked of me.
My created labeled map of Utah:
My finished layout of broadband speed/libraries in Utah County. (I have no idea why it made the pdf a html link? This has never happened to me before. I included a screenshot of the map because the link doesn’t even work.)
In ArcGIS pro we will be completing projects that have maps, layouts, layers, tables, tasks, tools, and connect to servers, databases, folders, and different styles. ArcGIS Online is public content that if connected to an organization you can share projects and information. Geoprocessing tools will perform spatial analysis and manage GIS data. Cluster → aggregating.
I ran into an issue that there was not a purple school symbol so I substituted a blue school symbol. There must’ve been an update with symbols. The ToBreak attribute helps to show how many minutes walking a distance is. I got stuck on chapter 1, step 9 “Under Try a drawing style, select Types (unique symbols). I could not find “Try a drawing style”. I ended up stopping for the day and came back and found it. After just starting exercise 2B I ran into a labeling issue. The appearance tab is now labeled as “feature layer”. It was cool to transform my map into a 3D form and use the explore tool to navigate around. When trying to export their selection to a new dataset I ran into issues at #3 in the Geoprocessing pane. All of exercise B was messed up and I had questions about a step that was very important because it carried over into exercise 3B. Stopped at page 91 on Import layer symbology. I ended up completing chapter 4 but could not save any progress because of a computer issue.
These chapters and guided tutorials were generally pretty easy to follow. I got stuck a few times, but rereading the instructions and playing around with all the tabs in the software made it very doable. I thought it was neat seeing all the different features that the software offers and even went off on my own to find maps of my hometown. There’s so many different maps that people upload, at least to my hometown and it was just cool to explore the different maps people made. After each chapter, they had keywords so I’m just going to define some of them below. These pictures are from 3 of the four chapters the guided tutorials we went over. There’s a lot of information in each chapter but its all very useful and enlightening.
Basemap- A map that is the basis of GIS visual and geographic context. It may include information such as landforms, administrative boundaries, landmarks, and roads
Vector- A coordinate-based data model that represents geographic features as points, lines, and polygons. Each point feature is represented as a single coordinate pair, while line and polygon features are represented as ordered lists of vertices.
Layer- [data structures] The visual representation of a geographic dataset in any digital map environment
Raster– [data models] In imagery and elevation, a spatial data model organized into a matrix of equally sized cells, or pixels, and arranged in rows and columns, composed of single or multiple bands.
Geoprocessing– [analysis/geoprocessing] A GIS operation that is used to manipulate data from an input dataset and return the result as an output dataset.
Extrusion– the process of projecting features in a two-dimensional data source into a three-dimensional representation: points become vertical lines, lines become planes, and polygons become three-dimensional blocks.
Attribute query– a request for records of features in a table based on their attribute values
Layer file– [data structures] In ArcGIS, a file with a .lyr extension that stores the path to a source dataset and other layer properties, including symbology.
Layer package– [Internet] A special file (layer_name.lpk) that contains a layer, a copy of the data, and an XML file that has a brief description of the layer.
Spatial join– [spatial analysis] A type of table join operation in which fields from one layer’s attribute table are appended to another layer’s attribute table based on the relative locations of the features in the two layers.
Shapefile– [ESRI software] A vector data storage format for storing the location, shape, and attributes of geographic features
Geodatabase– [ESRI software] A database or file structure used primarily to store, query, and manipulate spatial data.
Feature class– [ESRI software] In ArcGIS, a collection of geographic features with the same geometry type (such as point, line, or polygon), the same attributes, and the same spatial reference
Feature dataset[ESRI software] Data that represents geographic features as geometric shapes.
Spheroid– A three-dimensional shape obtained by rotating an ellipse about its minor axis, resulting in an oblate spheroid, or about its major axis, resulting in a prolate spheroid.
On-the-fly projection– Assembled, created, presented, or calculated dynamically during a transaction such as a Web page search or data display query.
Metadata– [data transfer] Information associated with data that provides contextual details. Metadata can include date/time, origin, standards, and other relevant properties.
Attribute domain– [data structures] In a geodatabase, a mechanism for enforcing data integrity.
Edit sketch– [ESRI software] In ArcGIS software, a temporary, underlying representation that is used to create or edit feature geometry.
Feature template– [ESRI software] A collection of default settings for creating a feature, including the layer where the feature will be stored, the attributes it will have, and the default tool used to create it.
Chapter 1:
This chapter was pretty self-explanatory. Here is my final map with all features visible.
Chapter 2:
2A
Getting used to using a desktop is going to be interesting!
2B
Me measuring the distance from Moscow to Kyiv!
2C
Figured out 3d modeling!
Chapter 3:
3A
3B
I got this far and the 2005 layer just decided to not work.
3C
I couldn’t figure out how to import Healthstudy2.aprx because I couldn’t do the previous step.
Chapter 4:
This chapter was pretty straightforward, not much discrepancy between the book and the program.
PS: Thanks, Krygier for telling me how to take screenshots with better quality!
4A
4B
4C
Chapter 1
I didn’t expect the instructions to be so simple and linear. I figured it would ask me to do something instead of giving me step-by-step instructions down to the button to press.
My map after editing the public school symbology of the schools:
I funked around with the school walking areas and changed the color/added an outline. The outline helped me visualize where zones end but it does block up the map a bit with overlapping outlines. The color selection also feels inverted to human bias in color. The fact that the furthest walk is green is a bit confusing and should be considered if this map was ever used:
I added filters to the vision zero safety layer. These are going to minimize the amount of data points I see to only the selected expressions:
This next step required a little going astray from the book. It asked me to open the “clustering” tab but that doesn’t exist anymore, it has been renamed to “aggregation”. This is one of those reminders that things do update and change just a bit. But here’s my cute little clustered map of danger zones for pedestrians after it has been properly configured for fields:
Chapter 2
2.1
So far this work is super helpful for those who haven’t used ArcPRO before, but for those who have this feels like a drag. I understand starting from the bottom but some of this stuff is things I don’t even think about when I do them now.
I’m not sure if using the control key for selection is an Apple thing but I had to hold the shift button to select the 5 cities.
2.2
Opening the symbology tab was weird. I don’t often use the catalog tab as you have to manually open it to get to it. I can easily right-click the layer and select symbology. Just a reminder that there’s lots of ways to make something happen.
Here’s me messing around with distance measurements. The distance form Cape Town to Alexandria is 20,663.81 miles!
2.3
I’ve never made 3D images in Arc before, it looks so cool. Here’s my little linked map moment:
Chapter 3
I don’t like clicking the data tab to access the attribute table. I would rather right-click the layer to open it. The “new expression” button has also been changed to a “new clause” button instead. It’s weird though because it’s still labeled as expressions.
The export features have also changed. So I wasn’t allowed to save but not rename the output. So I just created it with the default name but renamed the layer. I’m not sure if it will show under this name in the file location but it worked.
I was really familiar with this exercise. I was reminded how finicky classes can be sometimes when you enter values. It makes me nervous.
Using the geoprocessing tools I found that the naming for double (double precision) didn’t exist anymore there was only double (64 bit). I had to do this step twice, because I wasn’t sure what went wrong but it came out right the second time. It was still a little wonky but it turned out with the same values.
Using the attribute table is a little extra mathy for me. I try to grasp what I’m doing but it’s difficult to understand sometimes.
Read the fine print, I couldn’t use the infographics tool until I was logged into ArcOnline. Weird but glad I caught it. Still couldn’t do the infographics. I used the correct login but it wouldn’t work and locked me out for 15 minutes… I got this far though! I had the map and percentage stats so this was the last step.
For the next exercise I was also having some troubles. When I imported the food deserts table layer, it was corrupted from the source. Google told me to repair the source but it said it was unavailable for the layer. After numerous location changes and removing and readding the file, it still didn’t work. Even opening it from the file to a new map it shows that it’s corrupted. So no stats here for me. I couldn’t do a spatial join either >:(
weird text I’ve never gotten but got it saving the health data…I had to save it so I just updated it?
Chapter 4
my beautiful city water things map:
This city is safe, I repaired their waterlines:
My final map for chapter 4 after editing the water zones and highlighting it!:
Overall theses exercises taught me new things and reminded me how to do some older things. I only missed two steps due to being stuck but I wasn’t ever overly frustrated. Hopefully, this continues with our projects but we’ll see!
Ch. 4
Mapping the density of your study will help allow you to better see patterns and other important ideas. Something you can do to map density is create areas of color with density value that can be demonstrated by creating a key. You can use GIS to map density points which are usually points of surface. GIS can allow you to map the density of features or of feature values.These two different approaches yield different results and info. There are ultimately two ways of mapping density according to the book. The first way is you can create a density map based on features summarized by defined areas(s). The second way is you can create a density map by creating a density surface.
For mapping density by defined arena it can be mapped geographically using a dot map or you can calculate a density value for each area. For mapping density by surface, you usually create in GIS a raster layer. Each cell in the layer gets a density value, such as number of businesses per square mile, based on the number of features within a radius of the cell. Comparing methods: you should map density by areas if you have data already summarized by area, or lines or points you can summarize by area(output, trade-offs). This method doesn’t pinpoint exact centers of density, especially for large areas. You should map density by surface if you have individual locations, sample points or lines. So it seems that by precision for small areas then pick surface to map density and large areas with less precision do area.
Must be able to calc density values per area: pop density=total pop/(area/?) Dots can help a lot with density.You can use GIS to summarize features or feature values.GIS uses two methods for calculating the cell values needed for mapping density:simple method/calc and weighted/calc method. You can display density using patterns or colors. I like how darker shades mean more dense and lighter means less dense.
Ch.5
People map what is inside an area in order to monitor what is happening inside it, or to compare several areas based on what’s inside each. By summarizing what’s inside these areas, allows people to compare areas to figure out more of an understanding for a feature. You can access a single area or find out what is inside each of the several areas in your map.
Single area: When you find what’s inside a single area, it will let you monitor activity or summarize info about the area. Ex:a service area around a central facility, such as a library district.
Multiple areas: This method would let you compare the areas that you look inside of. Ex: contiguous, such as zip codes or watersheds.
Discrete features: these are unique and identifiable features. Ex: crimes or streams
Continuous features: represent seamless geographic phenomena. Ex: classes or categories
After you get the info from the analysis, you must determine which method to use.
Ex: list, count or summary?
You can use GIS to select features that are either completely or partially inside the area or even not at all.
There are three different ways to calculate or find out what is inside your intended area.
There was another way, but these seemed like the most important and relevant. Overlaying areas and features is an important method. **Vector method and raster method
Ch.6
A map can help you find what is nearby. To find what’s nearby, you can measure straight-line distance, measure distance or cost over a network, or measure cost over a surface. What’s nearby can be based on a set distance you specify, or on travel to or from a feature.
Distance is one way to measure how close something is nearby. You can also measure what is nearby using cost. Time is one of the most common costs.Other costs include money. These are referred to as travel costs. You can specify a single range or several ranges when looking to map something nearby. For multiple ranges, you can create rings. Ex: sonar, but the book says inclusive rings. Other ways to help compare distances are distinct bands.
The main three ways to find what is nearby are:
These methods all vary and have several pros and cons which are around page 467 for reference. You will have to choose which method based on your map and what you dataset is as well as what you are trying to find. Once you have the info, you can make a map either including the stuff nearby or if it is separated.