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ESRI Software
This page outlines ESRI Software, for more information go to
www.esri.com.
ArcGIS Desktop is a collection of software products that
runs on standard desktop computers. It is used to create, import, edit, query,
map, analyze, and publish geographic information. There are four products in the
ArcGIS Desktop collection; each adds a higher level of functionality.
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ArcReader
is a free viewer for maps authored using the other ArcGIS Desktop products.
It can view and print all maps and data types. It also has some simple tools
to explore and query maps.
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ArcView
provides extensive mapping, data use, and analysis along with simple editing
and geoprocessing capabilities.
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ArcEditor
includes advanced editing for shapefiles and geodatabases in addition to the
full functionality of ArcView.
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ArcInfo
is the full function, flagship GIS desktop. It extends the functionality of
both ArcView and ArcEditor with advanced geoprocessing. It also includes the
legacy applications for ArcInfo Workstation.
All ArcGIS Desktop products share a common architecture, so
users working with any of these GIS desktops can share their work with others.
Maps, data, symbology, map layers, geoprocessing models, custom tools and
interfaces, reports, metadata, and so on, can be accessed interchangeably. This
means that all GIS users in an organization can benefit from using a single,
consistent user interface and set of functionality and data formats, thus
minimizing the need to learn and deploy several different products.
In addition, maps, data, and metadata created with ArcGIS
Desktop can be shared with many users through the use of custom
ArcGIS
Engine applications and advanced GIS Web services using
ArcIMS and
ArcGIS
Server.
New capabilities can be added to desktop products through a
series of
ArcGIS
extensions from ESRI and other organizations. Extensions allow you to
perform tasks such as raster geoprocessing, three-dimensional visualization,
and geostatistical analysis.
Developers can create new custom extensions to ArcGIS
Desktop by working with
ArcObjects, the ArcGIS software component library. Users develop
extensions and custom tools using standard Windows programming interfaces
such as Visual Basic (VB), .NET, Java, and Visual C++.
ArcGIS Desktop is a suite of integrated applications
including ArcMap, ArcCatalog, ArcToolbox, ModelBuilder, and ArcGlobe. Using
these applications in unison, you can perform any GIS task, simple to
advanced, including mapping, geographic analysis, data editing and
compilation, data management, visualization, and geoprocessing.
ArcMap is the central application in ArcGIS Desktop for all map-based tasks
including cartography, map analysis, and editing. ArcMap is a comprehensive
map authoring application for ArcGIS Desktop.
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Geographic data viewan environment where geographic
layers are symbolized, analyzed, and compiled into GIS data sets. A
table of contents interface organizes and controls the drawing
properties of the GIS data layers in the data frame. The data view is a
window into any GIS data set for a given area.
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Page layout viewan environment where map pages contain
geographic data views as well as other map elements such as scale bars,
legends, north arrows, and reference maps. The page layout view is used
to compose maps on pages for printing and publishing.
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| ArcMap is used for all mapping and editing tasks as
well as map-based analysis. |
The ArcCatalog application organizes and manages all GIS information such as
maps, globes, data sets, models, metadata, and services. It includes tools
to
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Browse and find geographic information
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Record, view, and manage metadata
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Define, export, and import geodatabase schemas and
designs
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Search and browse GIS data on local networks and the Web
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Administer an
ArcGIS Server.
Users employ ArcCatalog to organize, find, and use GIS data
as well as document data holdings using standards-based metadata. A GIS
database administrator uses ArcCatalog to define and build geodatabases. A
GIS server administrator uses ArcCatalog to administer the GIS server
framework.
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| ArcCatalog is the application for managing spatial data holdings and database design and for recording, viewing, and managing metadata. |
Geoprocessing involves deriving information through analysis of existing GIS
data and is a critical function in all GIS software. Geoprocessing is used
for many GIS activities such as proximity and overlay analysis, data
conversion, and data summary. It can also be used to automate many batch
procedures in a GIS. Users apply geoprocessing functions to generate
high-quality data, perform quality analysis/quality control checks on data,
and undertake modeling and analysis.
ArcGIS Desktop provides a geoprocessing framework of tools
that can be run in several different ways as
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Dialog boxes in ArcToolbox
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Inputs to models in ModelBuilder
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Commands in a command line prompt or input
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Functions in scripts
This framework facilitates the creation, use, documentation,
and sharing of geoprocessing models. The two main parts of the geoprocessing
framework include ArcToolbox, an organized collection of geoprocessing
tools, and ModelBuilder, a visual modeling language for building
geoprocessing work flows and scripts.
ArcToolbox contains a comprehensive collection of geoprocessing functions
including tools for
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Data management
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Data conversion
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Coverage processing
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Vector analysis
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Geocoding
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Statistical analysis
ArcToolbox is embedded in ArcCatalog and ArcMap and is
available in ArcView, ArcEditor, and ArcInfo.
The ModelBuilder interface provides a graphical modeling framework for
designing and implementing geoprocessing models that can include tools,
scripts, and data. Models are data flow diagrams that link together a series
of tools and data to create advanced procedures and work flows. ModelBuilder
is a productive mechanism to share methods and procedures with others
within, as well as outside, your organization.
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ArcToolbox and ModelBuilder, available in all ArcGIS Desktop environments,
are used for geoprocessing and spatial analysis such as suitability
modeling. |
ArcGlobe, part of the
ArcGIS 3D Analyst extension, provides continuous, multiresolution,
interactive viewing of geographic information. Like ArcMap, ArcGlobe works
with GIS data layers, displaying information from a geodatabase and all
supported GIS data formats. ArcGlobe has a dynamic 3D view of geographic
information. ArcGlobe layers are placed within a single global context,
integrating all GIS data sources into a common global framework. It handles
multiple data resolutions by making data sets visible at appropriate scales
and levels of detail.
The ArcGlobe unified interactive view of geographic
information significantly enhances GIS users' ability to integrate and use
disparate GIS data sets. It is expected that ArcGlobe will become a widely
adopted application platform for common GIS work such as spatial data
analysis, mapping, and visualization.
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| ArcGlobe, an application included with ArcGIS 3D Analyst, provides
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