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CREATING
Creating a New Shapefile (Points, Polylines, and Polygons)
1. 2. 3. 4. Open ArcCatalog Highlight the folder that will contain your new shapefile. Right-click on the folder and select New > Shapefile. The Create New Shapefile dialog box opens. a. Name the shapefile and select the feature type (Point, Poly, or Polygon) from the drop-down menu. b. Set the Spatial Reference (Projection/Datum) by clicking the Edit button. This opens the Spatial Reference Properties dialog box. Below are two methods to set the spatial reference. 1. Choose Select > Projected Coordinate Systems > UTM folder > NAD1927 > NAD 1927 UTM Zone 11N.prj > click the Add button > click OK in the Spatial Reference Properties dialog box > click OK in the Create New Shapefile dialog box. OR 2. Choose Import > navigate to your folder that contains data with the coordinate system already defined (preferably the DEM) > click on the dataset > click the Add button > click OK in the Spatial Reference Properties dialog box > click OK in the Create New Shapefile dialog box.
EDITING
STARTING, SAVING, AND STOPPING THE EDITING SESSION
1. 2. 3. 4.
Open the Editor Toolbar from Customize > Toolbars > Editor. From the Editor drop-down menu select Start Editing. This opens the Start Editing dialog box. Select the shapefile that you will be editing > Click OK to close the dialog box. Save your edits during the edit session by selecting Save Edits from the drop-down menu on the editor toolbar. 5. Stop the editing session by selecting Stop Editing from the drop-down menu on the editor toolbar. The Save edits dialog box opens. Select Yes, No, or Cancel.
Note: Its best to edit one shapefile at a time and remember to save your edits often.
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November 2010
1. Select the point layer in the Create Features dialog 2. Choose the Point Construction Tools 3. Click once to enter a point on your map.
Edit a point
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Select the point layer in the Create Features dialog Choose the Edit Tool (Arrow) on the Editor Toolbar. Click on the point to modify. The point is now highlighted. Hit the delete key to delete the point Drag the point to a new location
Select the point layer in the Create Features dialog Double-click the point you want to move. Right-click on the point and select Move To Type the new coordinates in the dialog box. Click anywhere on the map to complete move.
Edit a line
1. 2. 3. 4.
Select the Line layer in the Create Features dialog Choose the Edit Tool (Arrow) on the Editor Toolbar. Double-click on the line to modify. The line is now highlighted with the vertices shown. Hit the delete key to delete the line. 2
November 2010
5. 6. 7. 8.
Click and drag a vertex to a new location to move a vertex. Right-click on the line to add a vertex. Mouse-over and right-click on a vertex to delete the vertex. Click somewhere on the map (not on the line) to deselect the line
Flip a polyline
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Select the Line layer in the Create Features dialog Choose the Edit Tool (Arrow) on the Editor Toolbar. Click on the line to modify. The line is now highlighted with the vertices shown. Right-click on the line and select Flip. Click somewhere on the map (not on the line) to deselect the line.
DEFINE PROJECTION
Define the Projection
1. Click on the red toolbox button to start ArcToolbox 2. Data Management Tools > Projections and Transformations 3. Define Projection a. Input Data: Drag the file from the TOC to this box, select from menu, or select via the browse button b. Coordinate System; i. Either import the projection from one of our other shapefiles that you know has the same projection OR ii. Select it from the list (Projected Coordinate System > UTM > NAD 1927 > NAD 1927 Zone 11N) c. OK 4. Now you can input this file to any project and the spatial reference will be set correctly 5. Confirm the data is in the correct spot, if not there probably is an offset due to incorrect projection settings OR 1. Right-click the file in Catalog > Properties 2. Select the XY Coordinate System > Select a. Either import the projection from another shapefile that you know has the same projection OR b. Select it from the list c. OK
November 2010