Analysis of Spatial Data (Fall 2008)

Final Individual Projects

2008-12-08T12:07:00.000-08:00

Anyone who has not yet done so, please submit your final projects, via MavSpace, to my email (been [at] uta [dot you know which]). Included should of course be your data as well as the 1-page summary of your project. Final grades will be replied to the message within 48 hours of this evening.

Have a fantastic Winter Holiday season!

Class Plan: Work on Projects

2008-11-24T15:02:00.000-08:00

Class Plan: Work on Projects

I am running late and am hoping to be in by 730. Maybe earlier, perhaps later. Trying my best... Of course, please feel free to split if you need to. As I specified on November 3, this class was an open research session anyways.

In the meanwhile, take this time to complete your shortest path projects (if they are not yet complete) and begin working on your free-choice individual projects (due: 12/08).

For help obtaining data sources for your projects, take advantage of the resources here: http://libguides.uta.edu/gis

Class Plan (11/10)

2008-11-10T12:19:00.000-08:00

3D Fun Stuff Today!!

Task: Focus on Congress Avenue in Austin, TX

Create a TIN (Terrain Dataset Concepts)
Create a 3D Model
Create an AVI flythrough
Extrude buildings
View layers in Google Earth

Download Data
Definition of a TIN:

A triangulated irregular network data model (TIN) is an efficient way for representing continuous surfaces as a series of linked triangles. Although both grids and tins can be used for surface representation, tins are especially useful for representing surface elevation, subsurface elevation and terrain modeling, specially when the represented surfaces are highly variable and contain discontinuities and breaklines.
A tin is formed by nodes, triangles and edges. Nodes are locations defined by x, y and z values from which a tin is constructed. Triangles are formed by connecting each node with its neighbors according to the Delaunay criterion: all sample points are connected with their two nearest neighbors to form triangles (by using this method the triangles are as equi-angular as possible, any point on the surface is as close as possible to a node, and the triangulation results independent of the order the points are processed). Edges are the sides of triangles.
Tins are generated from points, polygons and lines. Points used in defining the tin are called mass points. Areas of constant elevation, such as water surfaces are called exclusion polygons. Finally, lines such as streams and shorelines are called breaklines. Breaklines can be either hard or soft. Hard features are things like roads, streams, and shorelines which indicate a significant break in slope. Soft features are things like ridgelines on rolling hills. Ridges like these do not represent distinct breaks in slope but since they separate watersheds you might like to maintain in the triangulation. When a tin is created, mass points become nodes of triangles, while breaklines and exclusion polygon boundaries become triangle edges.

Create a TIN from (1) raster and (2) contours

Be extremely careful of x,y,z coordinate systems as well as that of the data frame. Let's use NAD_1927_UTM_Zone_14N.

Useful Info: 1 foot = 0.3048 meters

View TINs in ArcScene

Drape various TIGER layers by setting the base heights
Drape trees (metadata)
Add the building footprints (metadata)

Set the base height
Set the extrude height

Create fly-through video using the Animation Toolbar

Export layers to KMZ

ArcToolbox/3D Analyst Tools/Conversion/To KML/

Office Hours (11/04)

2008-11-04T10:20:00.003-08:00

I am running out to vote and if the lines are very long I might not make it back for office hours today.

Class Plan (11/03)

2008-11-03T12:42:00.001-08:00

Complete Work From Last Week:

Each team will create a new (and unique) military terrain in the San Juan Mountains (download from UTA server).

This geodatabase includes basic vector layers (roads, hydrology, administrative from CDOT), the NED (National Elevation Dataset) and GAP land cover layer. The datasets are all clipped to the same extent, in UTM NAD 1983 Zone 13 (except for the NED layer) and include metadata. 400 MB

Create, by hand:

Points

Drop-Off Point
Pick-Up Point
Electric Generator

Known/suspected mine fields
Known/suspected enemy locations
Edited highway layer

Please make it possible for other teams to generate a path

Take into consideration that the path cannot traverse over:

Water Bodies
Highways (delete segments to create a passable terrain)

Teams will then trade these created terrain scenarios.

Schedule: Remainder of Semester

2008-11-03T12:30:00.000-08:00

11/03: Prepare San Juan Mountains Data
11/10: 3D Analyst
11/17: Open Class (Work on Projects, I Will be In)
11/24: Open Class (Work on Projects, I Will be In) *Shortest Path Project Due*
12/01: No Class (Cancelled, Work on Projects)
12/08: Individual Projects Due

Cut Out:

Final Exam
Geostatistical Analyst
Papers for graduate students with individual projects. Instead, every student must complete a 1-page summary of their project.

Models Due Sunday Midnight CST

2008-10-27T17:16:00.001-07:00

Models Due Sunday Midnight CST

Class Plan (10/27)

2008-10-27T15:10:00.000-07:00

:: Shortest Path (least cost) analysis will be done in Spatial Analyst.

:: Each team will turn in a KMZ file, not ArcGIS files. We will discuss ArcGIS 3D Analyst and Google Earth next week.

Run through Military Path demo

Down data here

Each team will create a new (and unique) military terrain in the San Juan Mountains.

Create, by hand:

Drop-Off Point
Pick-Up Point
Electric Generator
Known/suspected mine fields
Known/suspected enemy locations
Edited highway layer

Please make it possible for other teams to generate a path

Take into consideration that the path cannot traverse over:

Water Bodies
Highways (delete segments to create a passable terrain)

Teams will then trade these created terrain scenarios.
Shortest path project will be based on:

Traverse through the military terrain provided to each team, taking into consideration any of the datasets provided in the San Juan Mountain geodatabase (download from UTA server). The more datasets included in the generated path, the better. The best projects will make unique and creative uses of the various datasets available.
Why San Juan Mountains and not here in Texas? Our topography is boring.

Homework:

3D Analyst Tutorial - Exercises 1 and 2 (download pdf and data here)
Password: The GIS listserv address all lower caps

Midterm Results

2008-10-27T15:02:00.000-07:00

Class Average: 73 %

Distribution:

A: 7 (5 students earned 100+)
B: 3
C: 5
F: 6

Make Up:
Redo any question you did not answer correctly and resubmit exam next Monday (11/03) for 1/2 credit of each question missed. For example, a grade of 30% (out of 120%) can be elevated to a 75%. You must turn in this same exam to receive the extra credit. For this reason, I will not go over the exam until next week.

Midterm

2008-10-20T09:18:00.001-07:00

Download here

!! CLASS CANCELLED TODAY !!

2008-10-13T13:45:00.000-07:00

Review For Your Midterms (next Monday)

Remember All Material Up to (but not including) Models are included in exam

Exam Details:

In-class
Open textbook, notes, Internet
No sharing or communication during the exam (in-person, texting, chatting, etc.)
All questions will be straight answers. This means there will be no images printed nor files submitted.
Partial credit is not to be expected and is available only under specific and unique situations.
The exam will be given to you in print and online. You will fill the answers on the print paper and submit it.

Sample Questions

Create a layer representing the slope of Tarrant County. If you create 10 equal classes, what is range that represents the highest values (steepest)?

Data (contains both Tarrant & Denton)

Create a layer representing the distance (in feet) from major roads in Tarrant County. If you create 10 equal classes, what is the range that represents the highest values (furthest)?

If you do not have a major roads file readily available,download pizza demo for major roads (arterials)

Situation: Particular animal species known to always travel within .5 km of a particular vegetation type. If you were to create a reclassification scheme of the distance to this vegetation type, in order to identify possible locations to find the species, (1) how many classes would you create? and (2) what would be the break points of these classes?
If you needed to include population density, that was obtained from the American Factfinder Census website, as an input into suitability analysis, would you use distance-straight line or convert feature to raster?
An analyst used the Raster Calculator to multiply two raster layers together. Afterward, he could not locate the generated Grid file to back up his work? What could he have done to ensure that the result of the Raster Calculator will store the result in a folder of his/her choosing?
Take these two raster files and compute a weighted average. The weight of the d_roads file will be 25% and the wieght of the income file will be 75%. If you create 15 equal classes, what is the range that represents the most suitable class (highest values)? (data)

Questions:

Come see me during my office hours:

Central Library, Rm. B29
Tues & Wed: 3-5pm
Fri: 12-2pm

Central Library, Rm. B20
Sat: 9-2pm & 5-8pm

Nedderman Hall, Rm. B03
Thurs: 3-5pm

New Due Date: Model Builder Exercise

2008-10-06T17:56:00.000-07:00

New Due Date: Model Builder Exercise

October 27

Class Plan (10/06)

2008-10-06T14:28:00.000-07:00

Create a Model to create a suitability map of the best locations to open a new liquor store.

Data

Working Draft

GIS DAY 2008

2008-09-29T17:23:00.001-07:00

Course Codes & Homework

2008-09-29T13:49:00.000-07:00

What? You did not receive them? Doh! You got to get on the ball, yeah?

Everyone will receive the course codes by tomorrow (Tuesday) night and this is the only homework due next week.

I sincerely apologize...

Class Plan (09/29)

2008-09-29T13:36:00.000-07:00

Introduction to Geoprocessing: The Model Builder

MODEL WE MADE

Items Discussed Today:

Geoprocessing Tools in ArcToolbox
Creating a Model
Including Geoprocessing Tools in Model
Adding Parameters
Environmental Settings

Exercise #1

Convert this table into a shapefile.

First convert to temporary event class

Right-click/Display XY Data
X: Long
Y: Lat
Spatial Reference: NAD 83

Second export the event class to new shapefile

Right-click/Data/Export Data

Exercise #2

Convert this table into a shapefile exclusively using the Geoprocessing Tools. (No right-clicking and no toolbars.)

Create Temporary Layer: ArcToolbox/Data Management Tools/Layers and Table Views/Make XY Event Layer
Copy to New Shapefile: ArcToolbox/Data Management Tools/Features/Copy Features

Exercise #3

Create an Automated Model that does the same thing as the above procedure.

Create a new Toolbox in ArcCatalog (right-click/New Model)
Add this Toolbox to ArcMap (right-click ArcToolbox/Add Model)
Create a new Model in the Toolbox (right-click/New Model)
Edit Model (Right-click Model/Edit)

Census 2000 Data

2008-09-22T16:13:00.000-07:00

Data: http://factfinder.census.gov
Shapefile: http://txsdc.utsa.edu/txdata/shapefiles/state_shape108.php
GLO Data: Texas General Land Office (GLO): GIS Data

Suitability Steps

2008-09-22T16:01:00.000-07:00

Decide Which Criteria to Use
Decide Which Coordinate System to Use
Set the projection/coordinate systems of all input files to that system
Create raster layer for each criteria

Proximity
Value at that spot

Reclassify
Combine using Weighted Averages
Select a Site

Homework (Due 09/29)

2008-09-22T13:37:00.000-07:00

Online Module: Geoprocessing w/ ArcGIS Desktop

Modules 1 & 2
Print out certificates and bring to class

This is a new course. Send an email to me requesting your course ID. If you request in this email for your grades to this point, I will include a breakdown with the course access code...

Class Plan (09/22)

2008-09-22T13:20:00.000-07:00

One Objective for Toady's Class:

Remove All Doubts Concerning the Coast Guard Project

Reminder: Workshop Wednesday @ 3pm
Ensure Teams are formed
Discuss MavSpace

Turn in a zipped file containing:

MXD
All Data
I should be able to click on the MXD from any computer/location and it should work.
NEATNESS COUNTS
2-Page (max) document detailing your results and your criteria and reclassification and weighting decisions.

Answer all questions
Open Class Until 7pm

Next week we begin to learn to use the Model Builder!

No Office Hours Saturday (09/20)

2008-09-20T05:14:00.001-07:00

I am way too sick to come in today and my voice can barely croak above a whisper.

To make it up to you guys, though, I will be available on Monday afternoon, from 2-530pm in the GIS Lab (before class) for extra help.

Office Hours Location Reminder

2008-09-16T13:01:00.000-07:00

Just a reminder that while my office hour times remain the same as posted on the syllabus, the locations have changed. See below for the complete schedule of office hours:

Digital Media Studio in
Central Library, Rm. B29
Tues & Wed: 3-5pm

Central Library Rm. B20
Sat: 9-2pm, 5-8pm

Sci & Eng. Library in
Nedderman Hall Rm. B03
Thurs: 3-5pm

Coast Guard Site Selection Project Due: October 6

2008-09-15T15:46:00.000-07:00

Coast Guard Site Selection Project Due: October 6

Homework (Due 09/22)

2008-09-15T11:03:00.001-07:00

Repeat class exercise for Denton County. Turn in print copy of final screenshot.

Extra Credit

2008-09-15T11:02:00.001-07:00

In this class we offer a generous extra credit benefits package.

GIS Workshop Attendance: 3 points each added to final grade
GIS Day Participation: 6 points added to final grade (info coming soon)

There are 3 workshops held this semester. Schedule is here.

Title: Create Your Own Customized Google Maps Webpage
Time: Wednesday, September 24, 3-5pm
Location: Central Library B20 (basement)
Description: Learn how you can easily create your own customized Google Map webpage, overlaying multiple point, line, and polygon layers. Every participant will create a transportable webpage that can be hosted on any web server or run off any hard or flash drive or CD-ROM.

Examples:

Class Plan (09/15)

2008-09-15T10:56:00.000-07:00

Plan for Today's Class

1. Explore datasets for Coast Guard site selection project.
- Texas General Land Office: GIS (source) (backup)
- A good background map (base map) is: Geography Network/Census 2000 ArcIMS layer

2. Class Exercize:
We are the xSkaters and need to find a cool place in Tarrant County to practice our downhill skateboarding.

Criteria:

Steep slope as possible
Far from major roads
Low number of households
Prefer not to be within .5 KM of schools

Data:

Elevation (prepared NED)
Major Roads (Texas GLO)
Number of households (prepared households)
Schools (TEA)

2 Students Have Not Received Access Codes

2008-09-09T08:51:00.000-07:00

Only 2 left! You know who you are! Send an email requesting them please.

Homework (Due 09/15/08)

2008-09-08T05:32:00.000-07:00

ESRI Virtual Course: Learning ArcGIS Spatial Analyst Module 2

Write a 1-page paper (as short or long as you need to make it - a single paragraph or two is fine if you hit the following two points) explaining how the site suitability process works. I am looking for two items. First, I want you to explain how the process works...the steps. Second, I want you to provide an example from your research (or personal) interests where site suitability process is applicable.

Background Info
Examples:

Suitability Analysis with Raster Data - Part 2

Land Use Suitability Analysis for Florence Township, Goodhue County, southeast Minnesota, U.S.A.

Using GIS for Grape Suitability Analysis

A GIS APPROACH TO HABITAT RESTORATION SITE SELECTION AND PRIORITIZATION IN THE NEW YORK-NEW JERSEY HARBOR ESTUARY

1) Fossil site prediction using geographic information systems (GIS) and suitability analysis: The Two Medicine Formation, MT, a test case
Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, Volume 251, Issues 3-4, 8 August 2007, Pages 354-365
Kathryn B. Oheim
Full-Text (Campus Only)

2) GIS-based land-use suitability analysis: a critical overview
Progress in Planning, Volume 62, Issue 1, July 2004, Pages 3-65
Jacek Malczewski
Full-Text (Campus Only)

3) A GIS-based multi-scale approach to habitat suitability modeling
Ecological Modelling, Volume 169, Issue 1, 1 November 2003, Pages 1-15
Ron Store and Jukka Jokimaki
Full-Text (Campus Only)

4) Integrating spatial multi-criteria evaluation and expert knowledge for GIS-based habitat suitability modelling
Landscape and Urban Planning, Volume 55, Issue 2, 10 July 2001, Pages 79-93
Ron Store and Jyrki Kangas
Full-Text (Campus Only)

Class Plan (09/08/08)

2008-09-08T05:29:00.000-07:00

Review homework & ensure everyone is member of team and was able to access ESRI online courses
Introduce the Spatial Analyst Toolbar
Explore Surface Analysis functions

Download 30-meter DEM for Arlington Quad from TNRIS. (bkp)
Create contour lines, slope, aspect, and hillshade.

Class Exercise: Where in the D/FW Metroplex should we open a new pizzeria?

Download materials here

We will be following (kind of) the Guide_WithoutGeoprocessing.doc.
Same dataset we used last class and homework.

Reclassify & Weights for HW

2008-08-30T10:13:00.000-07:00

It would save you all a whole heap of time if you take screenshots of your reclassifications/weghts instead of attempting to retype them.

Online Course Access Codes

2008-08-27T10:01:00.000-07:00

I only received an email requesting codes from 7 8 11 12 of you so far. 13 14 still to go...

Please send an email as it is impossible to complete the homework without these access codes.

Welcome to the Class

2008-08-25T13:23:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the class!

Please note the links to the left of this page

This course is Analysis of Spatial Data, with a strong focus on GIS analysis and the automation of analysis procedures.

This is a practical course. After this course, you will be able to acquire and analyze spatial data for your own research and purposes.

Hold onto your hats folks, because this will be one heck of a 15-week ride!! No doubt it will be a lot of work, but data analysis and GIS is just so dang fun that I promise it will be worth it.

This blog should be checked regularly for any important information, such as changes to my office hours, assignment changes, or class cancellations (but don't hold your breath waiting for that one...).

What does this mean?

This means after this course, you will be able to perform a site selection analysis using weighted average ranking, create an automated model, perform viewshed analysis, perform shortest path analysis, generate 3D terrains, understand basic interpolation techniques, and more. Bottom line is that you will develop an understanding of many of the ArcGIS extensions in order to perform whatever analysis you need. This course will focus most extensively on the Spatial Analyst extension, but will also explore the 3D Analyst and Geostatistical Analyst extensions as well.

What experience do I need?

An introductory understanding of GIS and a basic working knowledge of ArcGIS. This course can, in theory, be taken simultaneously with an intro to GIS course, but it is inadvisable.

How hard will this course be?

A bit challenging. Between homework assignments, projects, presentations, and exams there will always be something to keep you busy. No worries, though, as most projects and presentations will be done in groups. A bit of a warning: The midterm will be challenging. The grade distribution on my midterms are regularly 50% 85+ and 50% 65-.

I understand it will be challenging, but will it be fun?

Yes! All class exercises and projects will incorporate real-world, practical, analysis concepts and procedures. The final project is a project of your own choosing, so you will be able to apply the skills learned to your own research/interests.

This sounds pretty good. I think you are the best instructor ever!

Yep... You're well on your way to earning an 'A' with thinking like that.

Homework (due 09/08)

2008-08-24T18:33:00.000-07:00

Homework:

Duplicate pizza demo for a new Cici's Pizzeria.

Create a Word document containing the (1) reclassification scheme and (2) weights for each layer in the analysis. Also include a screenshot (print-screen and paste) of the generated suitability layer.
If you want to follow the walkthrough, use the Guide_WithGeoprocessing.doc.
If for any reason you are working on 9.1, use this data instead.

Learning ArcGIS Desktop (online course): Module 6
Learning ArcGIS Spatial Analyst (online course): Module 1

SEND AN EMAIL REQUESTING YOUR COURSE ACCESS CODES

NOTES FOR CICI's HW:

There are 8 layers that the Model takes into consideration when generating the suitability layer. One of these layers is the distance to existing California Pizza Kitchen restaurants. Of course, this layer is not relevant for CiCi's.

If you assign a weight of 0 (zero), this layer is removed from the equation. So you will then have only 7 layers whose weights must add up to 1.0.

It is not necessary to acquire any additional data. You do not need to consider the locations of any existing CiCi's. Yes, many of you can generate a layer consisting of all CiCi's in the metroplex (either through ReferenceUSA or by querying/exporting the existing pizzeria feature class) but we have not yet learned how to integrate it into our analysis.

ESRI Virtual Courses

2008-08-24T18:32:00.000-07:00

Each student will be given access codes for various ESRI Virtual Courses.

INSTRUCTIONS:
-----------------------------------------------
1. Go To My Training
Go to http://training.esri.com. Click "My Training." Under My Courses click "My Virtual Campus Courses." If you already have an ESRI Global Account, log in using your username and password. If you do not, click "Create New Account."

2. Start Your New Course
Click "Start a new course". Type your 14-character Course Access Code in the field provided and click "Go." Follow the instructions on your screen.

3. Go To Class
From your course list, click the course title to begin.
-----------------------------------------------

When assigned ESRI Virtual Course modules, bring in hard copies of the certificate to me. Here is an example of a certificate:

After successfully completing the exam, click the certificate button (looks like a little graduation cap) and then click on 'Completed'.

ArcGIS @ Home

2008-08-24T18:29:00.000-07:00

Each student will receive a 12 month educational license for ArcGIS 9.2. This software includes single-use code. This means you cannot install the software on more than 1 computer.

When registering the software onb your own computers, you are prompted to specify which extensions you would like to trial. You need to select at least 'Spatial Analyst', '3D Analyst', and 'Geostatistical Analyst'. It does you no harm, however, to simply select all of them.

From ESRI:

Please advise each student to review the site listed below before installing the software:

[ LINK ]

Please also advise the students that as they register the software, they should make sure to write out the full school name in the organization field rather than using any acronyms, the word "Student", or the word "Self". When those words or initials are used, there is a delay in the registration time as it is required that ESRI manually review the registration rather than having the process be completed automatically.

It is advisable that you install ArcGIS 9.2 Service Pack 6. You want the ArcGIS Desktop (ArcInfo, ArcEditor, ArcView) version.

Plan For First Class

2008-08-24T18:27:00.001-07:00

Here's what I want for us to do:

Discuss syllabus
Where to Hang Out on a Friday Night?
Form teams
California Pizza Kitchen site selection (automated version)

Download data here.
Data must be extracted directly to the C:/ drive. (This is the default.)

Discuss homework

Analysis of Spatial Data (Fall 2008)

Final Individual Projects

Class Plan: Work on Projects

Class Plan (11/10)

Office Hours (11/04)

Class Plan (11/03)

Schedule: Remainder of Semester

Models Due Sunday Midnight CST

Class Plan (10/27)

Midterm Results

Midterm

!! CLASS CANCELLED TODAY !!

Central Library, Rm. B29Tues & Wed: 3-5pmFri: 12-2pmCentral Library, Rm. B20Sat: 9-2pm & 5-8pmNedderman Hall, Rm. B03Thurs: 3-5pm

New Due Date: Model Builder Exercise

Class Plan (10/06)

GIS DAY 2008

Course Codes & Homework

Class Plan (09/29)

Census 2000 Data

Suitability Steps

Homework (Due 09/29)

Class Plan (09/22)

No Office Hours Saturday (09/20)

Office Hours Location Reminder

Coast Guard Site Selection Project Due: October 6

Homework (Due 09/22)

Extra Credit

Class Plan (09/15)

2 Students Have Not Received Access Codes

Homework (Due 09/15/08)

Class Plan (09/08/08)

Reclassify & Weights for HW

Online Course Access Codes

Welcome to the Class

Homework (due 09/08)

ESRI Virtual Courses

ArcGIS @ Home

Plan For First Class

Central Library, Rm. B29
Tues & Wed: 3-5pm
Fri: 12-2pm

Central Library, Rm. B20
Sat: 9-2pm & 5-8pm

Nedderman Hall, Rm. B03
Thurs: 3-5pm