GIS 3015: 3D Mapping

This was probably my most favorite assignment I've had all semester, if not my entire life.  I have always been extremely fascinated in three dimensional maps, animation, and graphics.  To get a better understanding of how to create this things is like a dream come true.  I really loved exploring ArcScene and ArcGlobe while completing the ESRI training program.  Even though the exercises that required the use of ArcGlobe were not required for the assignment, I chose to do them anyways.  I wanted to do every exercise within the training to better improve my knowledge and skills of the three dimensional world.
During this assignment, I learned how to apply base heights to feature layers, how to use vertical exaggeration, how to position the light source, how to apply a background color, and I also learned about extrusion.  During this exercise, I learned that base heights are the elevation values that are used to display a layer in 3D.  By default, the 3D feature layers use their z-values as base heights and TINs (triangulated irregular networks) use their node elevations.  The default base height for all other layers is 0.  In the map I created (not shown), I set base heights for all of the feature layers to 30, so that they drape over the raster surface.
During this assignment, I learned that vertical exaggeration is a visual effect that results from multiplying the z-values in a scene by a number.  This approach has two main uses.  First, it can be used to emphasize small changes in elevation on a surface that is relatively flat, or that looks flat because of its large extent. Second, it can bring z-units into proportion with x, y units when these units measure different things.  The map I created showing vertical exaggeration is not shown.
I was really enjoying playing the different sources of light during this assignment.  As shown below, the light source is coming from the northwest, which is the default setting.  The position of the light source in a scene affects which parts of the surface are illuminated and which parts are shaded. The position is defined by an azimuth and an altitude setting.  Azimuth is a compass direction, measured clockwise in degrees from 0 to 360 (due north).  Whereas altitude is the angle measured in degrees from 0 to 90, between the light source and the horizon.

GIS 4043: Geocoding and Network Analyst

This weeks module was all about geocoding and network analyst.  I really enjoyed this assignment because geocoding is something law enforcement officers use every day.  Given my extreme support of police officers, I would definitely consider doing this as a job in the law enforcement field.  The graphic shows three different EMS stops and their locations.  It also shows the best route to take when traveling to those destinations.

GIS 3015: Dot Mapping

This past week, I created a dot map showing the population density of Southern Florida.  Dot maps are ideally utilized when you have collected conceptual data for enumeration units, and wish to show that the underlying phenomenon is not uniform throughout the enumeration units.  Dot maps are created by letting one dot equal a certain amount of some phenomenon and then placing dots where that phenomenon is most likely to occur.  As seen in the image below, the red dots are showing the population density in Southern Florida.  One of those dots is equivalent to 10,000 people.  I created most of this map by using ArcGIS, and I labeled the major cities and added a legend within Adobe Illustrator.  For my legend, I created a box and copy and pasted it twice, to ensure that all three boxes were of the same dimensions.  I then selected 5, 20, and then 50 dots to place in those three boxes.

GIS 4043: Vector Analysis 2

This past week, I was given an assignment to create buffers of the roads and water within a certain area.  A buffer zone is an area that is within a given distance from a map feature.  Points, lines, and polygon features can all be buffered.  Buffers are used to identify areas surrounding geographic features.  When you buffer on a set of features, the output is a set of polygons.  These polygons define an inside region, which is an area less than the specified buffer distance from the features of interest.  Anything outside of the polygons is the outside region, which is an area more than the specified buffer distance from the features of interest.
I also had some practice with using the overlaying tools, which can be found in the ArcToolbox.  Overlays are another common cartographic modeling operation.  They are the primary way in which information from two separate themes may be brought together in an analysis.  Overlays are most common for polygonal data when we perform a geometric intersection, which results in a new layer with the combined attributes of both initial layers.

GIS 3015: Flow Line Mapping

This past week was all about flow lines.  We were given the option between two different kinds of base maps to create flow lines for. Base Map A, as shown below, provides a choropleth map of immigration per U.S. states in a separate inset map. Whereas in Base Map B (not shown), the choropleth map is overlaid on the world map.  The disadvantage to this, is that it can make the choropleth data difficult to see, since it is being displayed at a global scale. With the base map I have chosen, I had the option to rearrange the positions of each continent so that they are spread out across the map, and direct flow lines toward the stand-alone choropleth map.  I was also able to leave the continents in place, and have the choropleth map remain as a single inset. As seen below, I decided to go with the second option.  I decided against rearranging the continents because I felt it would look less cluttered and more organized.  

I created this map in Adobe Illustrator, using the pen tool to create the flow lines.  While working in Illustrator, I was able to use variations of stylistic effects to make this map more appealing.  For example, I used a drop shadow effect for the flow lines as well as all of the continents. For the continents, I set the mode to “soft light” so it wouldn’t apply a drop shadow for every country within those continents. I also added a box where the title, date and my name are located.  For this, I turned the opacity down to 85% and gave it an inner glow.  I did this because I wanted the colors of the box and the background to have a soft tone and somewhat blend together. 

GIS 3015: Isarithmic Mapping

Our assignment this past week was to create an isarithmic map showing the annual precipitation of the state of Washington.  I created a map showing both continuous tone (not shown) and hypsometric tints (shown below).  The addition of hypsometric tints between contour lines enhances the ability to visualize a 3-D surface because light and dark tints can be associated with low and high values. The problem with this method, though, is that the limited number of tones suggests a stepped surface, rather than a smooth one that occurs in reality.  This issue can be fixed by creating a continuous tone map, which each point on the surface is shaded with a gray tone (or color) proportional to the value of the surface at that point.  However, one problem with interpreting continuous tone maps is that it is difficult to associate numbers in the legend with particular locations, but this can be fixed by using hypsometric tints (as shown below) which overlays continuous tones with traditional contour lines.

GIS 4043: Data Search

For the past couple weeks, we had to create 1-3 maps, showing various things. I created three maps, and this is one of them.  In the map shown below, you will see the different elevation levels of Citrus County, Florida. You will also notice the map shows the main streets and major cities of this county.  The green trees show all of the invasive plants and where they are located within the county.  I created the map by using ArcGIS, and I wrote the names of the major cities in Adobe Illustrator.