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GIS Software Getting Started Once You Have
the
Software
Here's some practical advice that I found put together by the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission (CCRPC). While they are focusing on individuals using GIS in town offices, the information they have provided is great for beginners. The following is a direct quote from their PDF which is available at:http://www.ccrpcvt.org/gis/gismanual.pdf Tips for Managing GIS Data It is useful to develop a directory system that allows you to organize GIS data in a logical manner. One method is to create a directory for GIS data and projects. Then create subdirectories for each data type (coverages, shapefiles, images, databases, temporary files). Sample directory design for storing data:
Keep in mind that once you set up a project or you work with your students to create a project that has all of the critical information, you will want to save that as a template. Call it what you want so that it makes sense. You'll notice that it will end with the file extension .apr. Ordering your themes GIS projects have layers. In a project, we had these layers by adding themes. These themes can be moved around in terms of the order in which they load on the map. Consider what will happen if a solid shape (what they call polygon) loads on top of some dots showing the locating of cities. You won't be able to see where the cities are located. It's recommended that something small, like dots, be the top layer. In other words, it will be the theme at the top of your list in the project view. After that will come anything with lines. Finally, you will have polygons or solid shapes. Remember that you can always turn on and turn off any of these. |