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  Geospatial Data

Using the Data

Quick Start Guide for Using InfoMart Data ArcView

Use the following steps to use the geospatial data found on the Chesapeake Bay from Space Infomart with ArcView. ArcView is a software package developed by ESRI that allows you to view and explore many kinds of geospatial data on your computer. If you are unfamiliar with GIS software, please refer to the "Introduction to GIS Software" found in the Geospatial Data section of the Infomart. For information about the uses or nature of geospatial data, please refer to "About the Data" in the Geospatial Data section, or to the information given under Remote Sensing. This Web site provides extensive, non-technical information on these and other related subjects.

1. Install ArcView

a. If you do not already have ArcView installed on your computer, go to http://www.esri.com/software/arcview/index.html for information on obtaining the software.

2. Download data from the Infomart

a. Go to http://www.chesapeakebayfromspace.net and enter the Geospatial Data section.

b. Follow links to "Download Data," select your county and the type(s) of data you wish to download, and save the data file(s) to a local folder on your computer. A description of the kinds of data available for download can be found under "What Kinds of Data are Available" in the Geospatial Data section.

c. Unzip the file(s) you have downloaded. Files must be unzipped to use them. If you do not have a "zip" utility, you can download it from http://www.winzip.com.

3. View the data using ArcView.

a. Click the Add Theme button at the top left of your computer screen (a "theme" is a particular set of geospatial data such as roads or streams).

b. When the Add Theme Window appears, navigate to the folder where you have saved the Infomart data. You will then see a list of the files you have downloaded and unzipped from the Infomart.

c. Double click on a file to add it to the ArcView Table of Contents. The Table of Contents lists the themes imported for use into ArcView.

d. Close the Add Theme Window.

e. Click the checkbox beside a theme to display that data in your main Map Window.

f. You can then use the many tools within ArcView to explore your data (zoom in and out, pan, etc). A detailed user guide that explains the use of these and other tools for ArcView should be available when you obtain your software.

4. Add additional data

a. If you wish to load additional data, such as roads and streams or adjacent counties, simply repeat the above process.

 

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