Intro to GIS, Lab 13: Georeferencing & ArcScene

Bald Eagle nest location on UWF campus

This week in lab we learned how to georeference a photo with an unknown spatial reference system.  In other words, we were able to give a simple 'digital photo' a correct reference location on a map.  We had a known map of the campus building and roads and then two raster files of the campus.  We used different tools to associate the building shapes of the known file with the building images of the unknown files.  It was interesting and fun getting the two to become one.  We also learned how to create new buildings and roads with the Editor tool.  A cool feature I really enjoyed using was creating a buffer zone or easement around, in this case, a Bald Eagles nest near the UWF campus.  Hopefully in my future, I'll be creating numerous conservation easements!

3-D map of UWF campus

In the second part of the lab, we were introduced to ArcScene.  This program creates 3-D maps.  It's a useful program and provides you with a little extra perspective when looking at a map.  One thing I did notice, however, was how pixelated the map became once it was exported as a .jpg.  It looses a certain amount of luster.  I tried increasing the export resolution, however, it still didn't look as clear as it did in ArcScene.

Cartographic Skills, Lab 12: Google Earth

Screen shot of the initial stage of my Southern Florida tour.

This weeks lab, we solely dealt with Google Earth.  I have used Google Earth a little bit in my past - more just touring around the world than anything really useful.  However, this lab definitely taught me a lot more about it and how incredible of a tool it really is.  In the above image, you can see a combination of a map I created previously and a Google Earth map of Southern Florida.  We learned how to convert files created in ArcGIS to use in Google Earth.  We also created a tour, stopping in various major cities in southern Florida, using Google Earth, turning on and off various layers throughout.  I am excited to use this in the future - for business and pleasure.

Intro to GIS, Lab 12: Geocoding

Geocoding

This week in lab, we worked on geocoding.  We were given this particular county, Lake County, and had to map all the locations of the EMS Stations.  We used their specific addresses to located them on the street network (and labeled them so).  We then focused our attention on the station located at 11 Yorkshire Drive.  We had to choose, three stopping points for the EMS along the street network and create the optimal travel path.  You can see this path in my inset map.  I encountered a few errors with the stop locations, which made me have to start all over again.  Frustrating, but valuable learning experience.

Cartographic Skills, Lab 11: Dot Maps

This week we learned about Dot Maps.  Above, you can see my example of one.  I had to display the population density of southern Florida using dots.  Each dot represents 20,000 people.  I narrowed it down but using a masking technique.  I made sure the dots only appeared in the urban areas.  As you can see, I included lakes, streams, ponds, marshes, wetlands, swamps and bogs where no one is living to help explain why.

After several mistakes, I learned that turning OFF the masking is very important when you're altering your map design in anyway.  It was mentioned in the lab, but definitely hard to learn.  :)

I made sure my dots were bold and were a color that would stand out from the rest of the map.  In contrast to last weeks lab, we strictly used ArcMap to create this map.

Cartographic Skills, Lab 10: Flow Maps

In this weeks lab, we learned about Flow Maps.  Above is an example using the U.S. Immigration totals in 2007.  This was a fun lab, in that I had a lot of artistic freedom and learned about some of the different visual effects that AI has to offer.  In this map, the flow line width is proportional to the total immigration from that continent in 2007.  This was figured out by using an equation and data collected by the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security.  

We had two base maps to choose from and I selected the option which allowed me to move the continents around.  I decided on this one because it allowed the flow lines to be more direct rather than dipping, diving, ducking and dodging other continents.  I made the U.S. (continental) the center of focus because, after all, we are talking about the U.S. immigration totals.

As far as the effects that I decided to use go, I decided to go with a drop shadow, inner glow and round corners.  With the flow lines themselves, I used a drop shadow and an inner glow.  For the continents and U.S. map, I also used a drop shadow.  Doing so creates a more dramatic figure - ground contrast.  For the last effect, I decided to round the corners of the U.S. map neatline and the border around the state immigration legend.  

Overall, I feel like the added effects might be a bit much.  I like the, less is more approach.  At times, I found myself feeling like it was getting too hokey.   The lab, however, allowed me to at least learn about my options.

Intro to GIS, Lab 10/11: Vector Analysis 2

For this weeks lab, we started using more of the analysis tools that are available in ArcMap.  The above map provides locations of potential campground sites.  These sites were selected using specific criteria.  The needed to be located within 300 meters of a road, within 150 meters of a lake and/or 500 meters from a river.  There were also some sensitive conservation areas that needed to be avoided.  This lab was interested and I can definitely see how these tools will be not only helpful but essential in a GIS related job.

Cartographic Skills, Lab 9: Isometric Mapping

 Isohyet map of average annual precipitation in Georgia.

This is an isometric map depicting the average annual precipitation in Georgia.  Using the data from NOAA and the Southeast Regional Climate Center, I determined where the isohyet lines should go and what/how they should be labeled.  I solely used Illustrator for this map and created the north arrow and legend by hand.  I used tick marks to show where there was a decrease in precipitation compared to the surrounding areas.  I was able to have a lot of creative freedom when making this map and learned a bit about Isometric maps in the process.  These kinds of maps are useful to show trends or continuous phenomena that are happening across an expansive area.