Introduction to Geographic Information Systems in Forest Resources
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Introduction to Geographic Information Systems in Forest Resources |
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All of the ArcView functionality is invoked through the Graphical User Interface (GUI). In order to become an effective ArcView user, you will need to become intimately and instinctively familiar with the different parts of the GUI.
For example, when we say "from the Theme menu, select Properties," you should not need to think about what we are talking about. Once you hear the word "Menu," you should immediately look at the topmost level of the GUI. The Theme menu is the one marked "Theme." When you click on the Theme menu, there will be several choices. One of these will be Properties. If you learn this terminology early, you will be able to progress quickly as you work through the course exercises.
Each different document type in ArcView uses a separate GUI. Each GUI is composed of one or more of the following:
Here is an image of the View GUI.
The View GUI
Menu Bar
The menu bar is the first row in the GUI, and is composed of text-based menu choices. The menu bars function as any menu bar in Windows. You can use shortcuts to the menu choices by using the keystroke combination of the <ALT> key and the underlined letter for the menu choice.
The View GUI has menu choices for File, Edit, View, Theme, Graphics, Window, and Help. This image of the View GUI also has a menu choice for XTools, which has been added to the menu bar by enabling an extension to add functionality to the base product.
Button Bar
The button bar is the second row in the GUI, and is composed of buttons containing icons. Each button has a different function. The buttons differ from the tools in that the buttons invoke a process, much like pressing a button on your CD player to skip tracks or eject. Depending on which button is pushed, ArcView will perform a specific task, such as clearing a selected set, opening a dialog for adding themes to a view, or resetting the view's spatial extent.
When you place the pointer over a button, a little yellow help topic will pop up, telling you the name of the button. At the same time, a more complete description of the button will appear in the status bar.
Most of the buttons have analogous menu choices. Some people remember functionality based on the images and position of the buttons, whereas other people remember functionality based on menu associations. Whichever type of person you are, you need to become familiar with the functionality of all the menus, buttons, and tools.
The View GUI has buttons for Save, Add Theme, Theme Properties, Legend, Open Theme Table, Find, etc.
Tool Bar
The tool bar is the third row in the GUI. The tool icons are smaller than the button icons. The tools differ from the buttons in that the tools simply change the functionality of the pointer. Tools do not perform a particular actions, as do buttons. Depending on which tool is active, the pointer may function as a view zoom controller, a drawing device, a measurement tool, a feature identifier, etc.
A tool is similar to a hand tool such as a hammer or screwdriver. The hammer or scrwedriver does not perform any action until you apply the tool.
When you place the pointer over a tool, a little yellow help topic will pop up, telling you the name of the tool. At the same time, a more complete description of the tool will appear in the status bar.
The View GUI has tools for Identify, Pointer, Vertex Edit, Select, Zoom In, Zoom Out, etc.
Status Bar
The status bar is located at the bottom of the application window. When you place the pointer over a button or tool, a short description pops up at the pointer's location and a one-line synopsis of the command or tool is displayed in the status bar. The status bar also displays a progress bar for lengthy operations. If measurements are made on a View, the measurement results are also displayed on the status bar.
Here is the full series of default ArcView GUIs, along with a brief explanation of each icon.
Some people find it helpful to print out these GUIs to keep handy as they are learning to use the different document types.
For more detailed views of each type of document, now read about ArcView Document Types.
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The University of Washington Spatial Technology, GIS, and Remote Sensing Page is provided by the College of Forest Resources and the College of Ocean and Fisheries Sciences through Unit-Specific UIF. Site administrator: Phil Hurvitz. |
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