CAHINVRUG 2009 Proceedings

Proceedings

CAHINVRUG 2009 Proceedings

The 2009 CA/HI/NV Regional User Group Conference is a compilation of professional papers delivered February 3–9, 2009, in Sacramento, California. ESRI users contributed a fundamental part to the conference by submitting and presenting their presentations on a diverse collection of GIS applications.

Please note that if a user presentation is not listed, permission to publish was not granted

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User Presentations

Tuesday

Watershed Boundary Delineation Boundary (WBD) Dataset—Status California View Presentation [PDF] —Lorri Peltz-Lewis, BOR: No abstract.

Wednesday

Improving the Field Maintenance Workflow Using GIS View Presentation [PDF] —George Silva, Sweetwater Authority: In 2008, Sweetwater Authority implemented a field based GIS system designed to allow the fire hydrant and valve maintenance crews to enter their daily maintenance data in the field using a digital tablet, using the InfraMap software by iWater. The users sync in the morning to receive any updates to the GIS data, and sync in the evening to upload their work for the day. The data is stored in personal geodatabases that are part of an enterprise distributed network. We are also in the process of linking InfraMap to our Maximo asset management system, to allow for the creation of work orders in the field.

Thursday

Keeping Users' Data Current Using Geoprocessing Models & Python Scripts View Presentation [PDF] —Michael Hickey, Tulare County RMA/GIS

In Tulare County, the network is too slow to support users accessing GIS data directly from the server. Key portions of the GIS data set are copied to each user's computer—which requires that this data be updated regularly or else key portions of this data (parcels, city limits, zoning) will rapidly become outdated. To accomplish this task GIS has developed a set of geoprocessing tools and Python scripts which are executed without the users' participation in order to keep data on the local computer consistent with data on the GIS server. This presentation will show a number of modeling techniques. Python source code and geoprocessing toolboxes (containing models and scripts) will be made available.

Using GIS to Isolate and Review Multitemporal Data View Presentation [PDF] —Chris Curlis, US Bureau of Reclamation

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation is conducting change detection within the Central Valley of California employing spectral image differencing to identify areas of change. In addition, we use thematic data to identify urban areas and incorporate ancillary hydrological data to improve accuracy. Despite the improvements for the newer dataset, it does not always match existing classifications from the previous mapping due to new methods. This can be beneficial if the mismatch is genuine (real change), or problematic if the mismatch is spurious (false change).

Usually false change can be attributed to the older data being misclassified, but occasionally the new data or even both sets of data are misclassified. We have developed Python scripts to identify polygons which demonstrate land cover change between the year 2000 and 2005. An analyst can review aerial photography to confirm and edit all false change into real change or no change.

Identifying Misplaced Voter Using a Voter-Precinct Verification Model View Presentation [PDF] —Steve Demers, Voters Registrations & Elections Department, Sacramento

In November, 2006 a failed $750 Million Bond Measure in Sacramento County was investigated and found that 7 people outside the district boundary were inadvertently allowed to vote on the Measure. A Special Election with the corrected boundaries was held in 2007, and the Bond passed. Since, Sacramento County has created a GIS Voter-Precinct Verification Model to analyze the relationship between voter residence, precinct and district boundaries to catch these types of errors. The GIS model geocodes voter addresses, and spatially compares the result with a polygon shapefile of precincts, thus identifying "Potential Errors" which are then manually researched. Of 600,000 registered voters, 3,000 addresses were researched, and 770 voters were found to be registered out of district. These voters were notified, and the errors fixed before the 2008 Elections, potentially saving similar political or financial issues.

Technical Sessions

Tuesday

ArcGIS Desktop: Fundamentals of Using ModelBuilder View Presentation [PDF] —ESRI

This session will focus on the basics of using ModelBuilder as a way of creating tools and processes for analysis and automating workflows in ArcGIS Desktop. Topics covered include an introduction of ModelBuilder from how to create, edit, and run models to tips and tricks for using parameters and environmental settings. In addition, we will go over the many features of ModelBuilder such as working with intermediate data, using variables, setting diagram properties, documenting and sharing models.

This workshop is designed for the following audience: Desktop users who want to learn how ModelBuilder can help enhance their current workflow. Introductory level.

Choosing the Right Customization Pathway for ArcGIS Server View Presentation [PDF] —ESRI

One of the challenges that GIS or IT managers, Web developers, and GIS application builders face is planning and choosing the best pathway for building Web applications that disseminate GIS maps and functionality to a larger audience. ArcGIS Server offers several APIs (Application Programming Interface) for building Web applications. This workshop provides a high level overview of the powerful options available to GIS specialists as well as developers. We will examine the characteristics and value of each API to give the decision maker information to choose the API best suited for their organization based on specific staff resources, targeted end users, and other application requirements. Web map application, Web ADF (Application Development Framework), JavaScript API, JavaScript API extensions, and Flex API will be highlighted in the presentation.

This workshop is designed for the following audience: GIS managers and decision makers, GIS Server administrators and technology leads, or those looking for an overview of how to serve up GIS maps and functionality to the Web.

ArcGIS Desktop: Productivity Tips and Tricks View Presentation [PDF] —ESRI

ArcGIS Desktop gives you the power to better answer questions, examine relationships in your data, and create cartographic outputs. Become more productive in your daily workflows by learning more efficient ways of performing your regular tasks. This presentation will focus on popular tips and tricks using ArcGIS 9.3, including demonstrations highlighting working with layers and layouts, useful keyboard shortcuts, exporting to PDF formats, and other time saving tips and tricks.

This workshop is designed for the following audience: All Desktop users, but assumes you already know the basics of ArcGIS Desktop and you are comfortable with basic terminology and essential mapping, analysis, and editing tools.

Job Tracking for ArcGIS (JTX)—A Workflow Solution View Presentation [PDF] —ESRI

This session will discuss Job Tracking for ArcGIS (JTX), an extension to your entire GIS. JTX provides an enterprise workflow management system that allows you to centrally manage your GIS operations from within the ArcGIS framework while integrating seamlessly with your non-GIS workflows. Topics covered include implementation scenarios and demonstrations of this extension, which is available for ArcGIS Desktop and ArcGIS Server. Come see how JTX allows users to organize, centralize and standardize project workflows in a flexible and distributed environment.

This workshop is designed for the following audience: Managers and professionals working in GIS and non-GIS environments.

Wednesday

ArcGIS Desktop: Fundamentals of Cartography View Presentation [PDF] —ESRI

This workshop will focus on learning applied cartographic methods to making maps with ArcMap tools. Cartographic design principles are very important to this process, but the focus will be on ArcMap's tools and capabilities. The presentation will include discussion and software demonstrations for newer users, including tips and tricks for working with layers, basic labeling techniques, working with symbols and graphics, adding layout elements, and finally tips for sharing the final map to an export file or a printer.

This workshop is designed for the following audience: New or beginning ArcGIS Desktop users interested in learning more core map making skills with ArcMap. Introductory level.

Optimizing ArcGIS Server Map Services View Presentation [PDF] —ESRI

One of the compelling motivations for implementing ArcGIS Server is to share maps, authored using ArcGIS Desktop, across an Enterprise or the Internet. Both server administrators and map document authors can make decisions that affect the performance of a map service for end users and clients. Perhaps one of the most important decisions to make is if a map service shares maps dynamically or from a pre-built cache. Caching is one of the best ways to enhance the performance of your ArcGIS Server map services; however, good decisions can be made to increase the performance of a dynamic map service as well. This workshop will start with a basic overview of the map service, with particular focus on the best practices for implementing either dynamic or cached map services. We'll also highlight effective cache planning strategies starting from the ArcGIS Desktop authoring stage, to the tools you'll need to be familiar with, and additional concepts related to preparing for and supporting cached map services. This workshop is focused on the Standard and Advanced Editions of ArcGIS Server.

This workshop is designed for the following audience: ArcGIS Server users along with their Desktop map authors for web map services who want to learn more about the specifics of map service optimization and tips and tricks.

ArcGIS Desktop: Automating Workflows with Models and Scripts View Presentation [PDF] —ESRI

GIS Analysts are often faced with reoccurring data manipulation, processing and analysis tasks to get their jobs done. Automating these workflows can save valuable time using the wide variety of geoprocessing tools in ArcGIS Desktop. This presentation will give an overview of how to bridge these tools together using Geoprocessing Framework for workflow automation. We'll step through and demonstrate an example of a common GIS problem leveraging the tools and capabilities of ModelBuilder. We will also demonstrate how to write a simple geoprocessing script to enhance the geoprocessing workflows beyond the capabilities of ModelBuilder.

This workshop is designed for the following audience: Desktop users who are already familiar with Geoprocessing tools and making models, but want to go that extra step. Intermediate to Advanced levels, but for new users to ModelBuilder it is recommended you first attend the RUG workshop "ArcGIS Desktop: Fundamentals of Using ModelBuilder."

Working with the Geodatabase View Presentation [PDF] —ESRI

This workshop will focus on the basics of managing and using geographic information in the geodatabase through discussion and demonstration. The geodatabase, be it personal, file-based, or stored in a relational database, provides many advantages over shapefiles and coverages. Topics will include the fundamentals of the geodatabase such as feature classes, feature datasets, and migrating data into the geodatabase tips and tricks. Geodatabase annotation, using domains and subtypes, geometric networks, relationship classes, locators, rasters, and other structures that can be managed in a geodatabase will be discussed. This session will touch briefly on the use of multi-user enterprise geodatabases managed in ArcGIS Server.

This workshop is designed for the following audience: New or experienced Desktop and Server users who have just started or are considering using the geodatabase. Introductory to intermediate levels.

Getting Started with the ArcGIS Server JavaScript API View Presentation [PDF] —ESRI

The JavaScript API for ArcGIS Server enables users to create high performance and highly interactive web mapping applications rapidly. Because the API (Application Programming Interface) uses an easy-to-learn scripting language, it can be utilized by GIS users and administrators, as well as web developers. This workshop introduces the audience to resources, samples, tips and tricks, and best practices of using the JavaScript API. In addition, to help attendees get started using the API, the new "site starter" applications will be discussed.

This workshop is designed for the following audience: Existing and aspiring web "scripters" who want to see and learn more about how to build and deploy a JavaScript web mapping application.

ArcGIS Desktop: ArcMap Editing Tips and Tricks View Presentation [PDF] —ESRI

ArcGIS offers a multitude of tools for creating and maintaining your GIS data. Most editing tools can be used to create and modify database features, while others are used to transform and assemble entire datasets. This workshop will provide useful tips and tricks and time-saving techniques for working with editing tools, creating sketches to construct vector geometry, editing coincident features, and adjusting data.

This workshop is designed for the following audience: Desktop users looking for time-saving tips and tricks for editing spatial data, but assumes you already have a basic understanding of the ArcMap editing environment.

Raster Serving with ArcGIS View Presentation [PDF] —ESRI

ArcSDE, ArcGIS Server, ArcGIS Server Image Extension� all of these technologies can be used to serve raster data. How do you select the one that is right for your needs? This presentation will provide an overview of these technologies and how they can be used to serve up raster datasets, both internally (via LAN) and externally (via the Internet). Considerations relevant to selecting a technology, such as upfront-processing, skill-sets and techniques, and outcomes will be discussed. Examples of some solutions built with different technologies will be shown.

This workshop is designed for the following audience: GIS managers or decision makers along with their technical leads will gain knowledge on raster serving options in this high-level presentation.

Thursday

ArcGIS Desktop: Visualization and Analysis with ArcGIS 3D Analyst Extension View Presentation [PDF] —ESRI

This workshop will provide an overview of the ArcGIS 3D Analyst extension functionality. The presentation will highlight the techniques for visualizing GIS data in three dimensions with the ArcGlobe and ArcScene applications as well as demonstrate the geoprocessing analysis functions provided by the ArcGIS extension. Topics will include an introduction to 3D Analyst applications, extension of core ArcGIS functionality by 3D Analyst, various data types relevant to surface modeling, 3D animation, and conveying realism using 3D symbology.

This workshop is designed for the following audience: New or existing Desktop users interested in learning more about the 3D Analyst extension, but assumes you possess a general knowledge of Desktop terminology and datasets.

ArcGIS Desktop Business Analyst: An Introduction View Presentation [PDF] —ESRI

The ArcGIS Desktop Business Analyst extension provides extensive data, desktop functionality, and wizard driven analysis tools for many types of organizations, including Local, State, and Federal agencies, utility companies, or consultants. Come find out how you can benefit from this ArcGIS Desktop extension and other ESRI data and business solutions within your organization.

This workshop is designed for the following audience: Existing or new GIS Desktop users, managers, or decision makers interested in an introductory overview (with demos) of the Business Analyst extension for the Desktop. Introductory level.

Integrating CAD Data with ArcGIS View Presentation [PDF] —ESRI

This session will focus on the power of using ArcGIS Desktop with Computer Aided Design (CAD) files. Discussion and demonstrations will include tips and tricks for georeferencing CAD data, using CAD data for editing, importing CAD data into the geodatabase, exporting feature classes to CAD files and other tools such as the ArcGIS Server client for AutoCAD.

This workshop is designed for the following audience: New or existing Desktop users interested in learning how to better integrate CAD data with ArcGIS. Appropriate for all levels of expertise.

ArcGIS Server Mobile Framework View Presentation [PDF] —ESRI

ArcGIS Mobile 9.3 includes both a Software Developer Kit (SDK) and a ready-to-use application for mobile data collection and inspections. Powered by ArcGIS Server, ArcGIS Mobile provides central configuration, management, and deployment of mobile GIS data, maps, tasks, and projects over wired and wireless networks to Windows Mobile devices. Join us for discussion and demonstration on the ArcGIS Mobile solution. Use of out-of-the-box tools will be covered, as well as samples of applications created with the Mobile SDK. This workshop is focused on the Advanced Edition of ArcGIS Server

This workshop is designed for the following audience: GIS Managers, Decision makers, Server users and anyone interested in GIS mobile field solutions.