ArcMap and Adobe Illustrator
- A document (in progress) about How to Convert GIS Data to Print-ready (Trail) Maps. This page started as notes on my learning process as I created trail maps for work; it is specifically about that process (and intended as a reference for my coworkers and me) but much of the information is more broadly applicable to any kind of print map created using an ArcMap-to-Adobe Illustrator workflow. Enjoy, and let me know if you see any errors or have any suggestions.
GPS (Global Positioning System)
- A few "help," troubleshooting, or training documents I wrote about using various Trimble GPS units - they were developed for use in a state agency, so you might see some references that are specific to the agency. These documents are "draft" versions, but you might find them helpful:
- The following files are for use with ArcPad 7.x/GPScorrect 2.x on the 2005 Series/Windows Mobile 5 versions of the GeoXM/GeoXT. These versions have eleven buttons on the front of the GPS unit.
- The following files are for use with ArcPad 6.x/GPScorrect 1.x on the PRE-2005 Series/Windows Mobile 5 versions of the GeoXM/GeoXT. These versions have two buttons on the front of the GPS unit.
- Using the Trimble GeoXM and GeoXT in the field [PDF]
- A one-page "cheat-sheet" version of the above [PDF]
- Updating OS, ArcPad, and GPScorrect software on the GeoXM/GeoXT [PDF]
- Settings and Options for ArcPad/GPScorrect on the GeoXM/GeoXT [PDF]
- One methodology for data management with ArcPad and the GeoXM/GeoXT [PDF]
- A short version of the above [PDF]
- A very short version of the above [PDF]
- Trimble Geoexplorer II (and I) [Rich Text File (.RTF) - can be opened in Wordpad, Word, etc.]
- Trimble Geoexplorer 3 (and 3c) [RTF file]
- Trimble ProXR [RTF file]
- DCR staff developed a detailed protocol for collecting forest road and trail data using ArcPad. I developed custom ArcPad forms and supporting files to aid with this project:
- A description of our trail mapping technique [PDF] NOTE: the "Features and Attributes" section of this document is out of date.
- The custom ArcPad application, with detailed instructions. Also contains a Trimble Data Dictionary version of the custom forms for use with non-ArcPad Trimble GPS units [.zip archive] NOTE: the .zip file contains a file named "DCR_trail_road_point.xyz". After unzipping the files, you must rename this file "DCR_trail_road_point.vbs" for the application to work. I had to change the file extension because the agency's email system thinks .vbs files are viruses. I recommend doing a virus-scan on this and all files you download from the internet.
GIS (Geographic Information Systems)
- Instructions for modifying DS Map Book (an essential add-on for ArcMap 9 that allows you to make map series) to draw the current index polygon with different symbology. I originally posted this on the ESRI forums.
- The Data Editing Extension [new site|old site], a free ArcView 3.x extension I wrote (ages ago) that contains a lot of useful editing, property survey/COGO, and topology tools, and a group of webpages [new site|old site|local site] that serve as the help/documentation for the extension.
- Some other free ArcView 3.x scripts I wrote back in the day:
- Snapping lines together quickly and easily when editing a line shapefile - this is now incorporated in the new version of the extension, above
- Determining the angle (azimuth) between two points that you click (read the caveats carefully)
- Saving points from a shapefile as a Trimble GPS waypoint file that you can navigate to in the field using older Trimble GPS units
- Walden Pond map - the result of deed and plan research and GPS fieldwork
Other stuff
- A text animation [Flash movie, 7MB] I made for a typography class. The text is from a 2009 AIGA speech by Carin Goldberg.
- Some desktop images from (mostly unedited, point-and-shoot digital camera) photos I took in Nova Scotia, Switzerland, India, and other places.
Eventually this page will contain more links to things I'm working on...