ArcGIS Tutorial: Digitizing Map Components

Introduction

• Objective: Learn how to digitize various components of a map using ArcGIS.
• Map Type: Using an Esri-based map.
• Structure:
  1. Adding a base map.
  2. Digitizing components.
  3. Adding labels to components.

Part 1: Adding a Base Map

• Steps:
  1. Open ArcMap.
  2. Navigate to File > Add Data > Add Base Map.
  3. Choose the base map type (Imagery with labels selected).
  4. Press Enter.
  5. Zoom into the desired area using the zoom tool.

Part 2: Digitizing Components

Preparing for Digitization

• Creating a Folder: Ensure a folder is created for saving shapefiles.
• Connecting to Folder:
  1. Go to Catalog.
  2. Use Connect to Folder to link the created folder.
  3. Select and confirm the folder (e.g., ArcGIS Tutorial).

Digitizing a Lake (Polygon)

• Steps:
  1. Right-click the connected folder and create a new shapefile named Lakes.
  2. Set feature type to Polygon.
  3. Define spatial reference (e.g., WGS 1984).
  4. Start editing: Activate Editor panel, Start Editing, and select Lakes.
  5. Use Create Features and select Polygon under construction tools.
  6. Digitize by clicking around the lake boundary and completing the polygon by double-clicking.
  7. Change polygon color (e.g., blue for lakes).
  8. Repeat for additional lakes.

Digitizing Roads (Polyline)

• Steps:
  1. Stop editing and save edits.
  2. Create a new shapefile named Roads with feature type Polyline and same coordinate system.
  3. Start editing: Activate Editor panel, Start Editing, and select Roads.
  4. Use Create Features and select Line under construction tools.
  5. Digitize roads by clicking along the road path and finishing by double-clicking.
  6. Change line symbology to be more representative (e.g., use Expressway and adjust color/width).

Part 3: Adding Labels

Adding Labels to Roads

• Steps:
  1. Open Attributes Table for Roads.
  2. Exit editor mode.
  3. Add a new field named Road names (type: Text).
  4. Enter editor mode, select Roads, and start editing.
  5. Input road names in the new column.
  6. Stop editing and save.
  7. Open properties for Roads, enable Label features in this layer, and select Road names under label field.
  8. Adjust label appearance (font, size, color).
  9. Apply and view the labels on the map.

Adding Labels to Lakes

• Steps:
  1. Open Attributes Table for Lakes.
  2. Exit editor mode.
  3. Add a new field named Lake names (type: Text).
  4. Enter editor mode, select Lakes, and start editing.
  5. Input lake names in the new column.
  6. Stop editing and save.
  7. Open properties for Lakes, enable Label features in this layer, and select Lake names under label field.
  8. Adjust label appearance (font, size, color).
  9. Apply and view the labels on the map.

Conclusion

• Wrap-Up: Tutorial on adding base maps, digitizing components, and adding labels is concluded.
• Next Steps: Subscribe for more tutorials on ArcGIS and Python programming. Thank you!