13. Troubleshooting

13.1 Extensions

Dissolving features based on the attributes

Creating a kernel density map

13.2 Customizing ArcView

Customize

Scripts

13.3 On-line Support

13.4 Get a data source

Download Census 2000 data (table)

Census 2000 TIGER/Line® Shapefiles

13. Troubleshooting

13.1 Extensions

We have learned the core program of ArcView so far. But what if the core program doesn’t support the capabilities you have in mind? Can we do more specific task like finding the best route for delivery? Can we read CAD (Computer Aided Design) data (e.g. DXF, DGN file)? Can we display terrain data (e.g. Digital Elevation Model) in a three-dimensional view? ArcView extensions support your special-purpose tasks. Some extensions such as geoprocessing tool, xTool work like a utility program.

Extensions can be purchased separately from the core program. (e.g., spatial analyst, Network analyst). Some extensions are downloadable from the ESRI website. If you add the extensions (choose the Extensions… from the File menu in any document), the capabilities within the extensions are loaded onto the core program.

Merging Themes

Suppose you want to merge 7 county boundaries themes in northeastern region into one theme. Check Geoprocessing in an Extensions dialog box. Choose the GeoProcessing Wizards from the View menu. Check the Merge themes together. Click Next button. Choose the theme to be merged. Set the output file name and location, say NECnty.

Many themes are merged to one theme.

Dissolving features based on the attribute

Choose the GeoProcessing Wizards from the View menu. Choose the Dissolve features based on the attribute. Choose the theme, the field used for dissolving, and specify the output theme.

Creating a Kernel Density Map

Suppose you are interested in the correlation between the crime location and other variables. Before you do some regression analysis, it may be useful to have a rough idea which area shows more concentration relative to other areas. Finding the hot spot is one of the active research areas in the field of spatial analysis and GIS. The cluster might interest the epidemiologist (epidemic), sociologist (crime), safety analyst (traffic accident), and so on. A Kernel estimation method create a smooth surface map as a way of analyzing/visualizing the point pattern. A smooth surface map is more amenable to understanding than a raw incident map. You can create the Kernel density map by choosing the Calculate Density menu when the extension Spatial Analysist is loaded.

13.2 Customizing ArcView

You can customize ArcView's menus, button bars, tool bars and popup menus so they contain the controls you use most often and remove those that you don't need. Just double-click anywhere (tool bar, button bar area) in a view.

In addition, you can add scripts that you regularly use. These scripts can be associated with controls or events like opening or closing a document, or you can simply include them as part of your default settings. Sample scripts can be found in a help file.

13.3 On-line Support

Go to http://support.esri.com

Select advanced search.

Select ArcView 3.x for the software.

Type the keyword you are interested in.

You can download the extension, or script related to your keyword in the Downloads. User forums post Q & A stuff.

13.4 Get a data source

Download Census 2000 data (table)

· Go to http://www.census.gov/main/www/cen2000.html

· Go to American FactFinder

· Select 2000 summary file 1 or else…

· Choose Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data \ Quick table

· Choose County for Geographic type, New York for State, All counties for geographic area, click Add button, and then click Next button.

· Choose DP-1 for a table, click Add button, and then click Show Table button.

· To download data, choose Download menu on the upper right.

· When Download window pops up, select excel file (or other format) and save the file.

· The file, qt_dec_2000_sf1_u_data1.xls contains demographic attributes such total population as well as race.