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Welcome to ArcGIS Desktop Help
Copyright information
GIS Dictionary
What's new in ArcGIS
Getting started
Fundamentals of GIS data
Introducing ArcGIS Desktop
Tutorials
Toolbars
Getting more help

Using this help system

Getting help within the applications

ArcGIS Desktop Documentation Library

Accessing ESRI Software Training

Using the GIS Dictionary

Contacting Technical Support

Support for users located outside the United States

Contacting ESRI
Map projections and coordinate systems
Getting started with map projections

An overview of map projections

Projection basics the GIS professional needs to know

About the geoid, ellipsoid, spheroid and datum, and how they are related

Identifying an unknown coordinate system

Converting Degrees Minutes Seconds values to Decimal Degree values
Geographic coordinate systems

About geographic coordinate systems

Spheroids and spheres

Datums

North American datums

What happens to features at +/-180 (dateline)?
Projected coordinate systems

About projected coordinate systems

About map projections

Projection types

Planar projections

Conic projections

Cylindrical projections

Other projections

Projection parameters
Geographic transformations

Geographic transformation methods

Equation-based methods

Grid-based methods
Supported map projections
Vertical coordinate systems
Mapping and visualization
Editing and data compilation
Geoprocessing

What is geoprocessing?

A whirlwind tour of geoprocessing

Geoprocessing tools

Geoprocessing framework

Frequently Asked Questions about geoprocessing
Fundamental tool concepts
Using geoprocessing tools
Automating your work with models
Automating your work with scripts
Geoprocessing environments

An overview of geoprocessing environments

Environment levels and hierarchy

Script environments

Specifying application environment settings

Specifying tool environment settings

Specifying model environment settings

Specifying model process environment settings
Environment categories
Documenting tools and toolboxes
Sharing tools and toolboxes

An overview of sharing tools and toolboxes

Methods for distributing tools

Pathnames explained: absolute, relative, UNC, and URL

A structure for sharing tools

Managing intermediate data

Accessing ArcSDE data in tools

Sharing Python modules
Sharing tools on an ArcGIS Server
Keeping track of geoprocessing history

An overview of geoprocessing history

History logging and the History toolbox

Managing history

Geoprocessing history in metadata
Advanced modeling through simulations
Geoprocessing tool reference

An overview of commonly used tools

Geoprocessing commands quick reference guide

Licensing for geoprocessing tools

Data types for geoprocessing tool parameters
3D Analyst toolbox
Analysis toolbox

An overview of the Analysis toolbox

Comparison poster of Overlay and Extract tools

Analysis toolbox sample applications
Extract toolset
Overlay toolset
Proximity toolset
Statistics toolset
Business Analyst toolbox

An overview of the Business Analyst toolbox
Analysis toolset
Customer Setup toolset
Modeling toolset
Reports toolset
Segmentation Analysis toolset
Segmentation Profiles toolset
Store Setup toolset
Thematic Maps toolset
Trade Areas toolset
Cartography toolbox
Conversion toolbox

An overview of the Conversion toolbox
From Raster toolset
Metadata toolset
To CAD toolset
To Coverage toolset
To dBASE toolset
To Geodatabase toolset
To Raster toolset
To Shapefile toolset
Coverage toolbox

An overview of the Coverage toolbox
Analysis toolset
Conversion toolset
Data Management toolset
Data Interoperability toolbox

An overview of the Data Interoperability toolbox
Tools
Data Management toolbox

An overview of the Data Management toolbox
Data Comparison toolset
Database toolset
Disconnected Editing toolset
Distributed Geodatabase toolset
Domains toolset
Feature Class toolset
Features toolset
Fields toolset
File Geodatabase toolset
General toolset
Generalization toolset
Indexes toolset
Joins toolset
Layers and Table Views toolset
Projections and Transformations toolset
Raster toolset
Relationship Classes toolset
Subtypes toolset
Table toolset
Topology toolset
Versions toolset
Workspace toolset
Geocoding toolbox
Geostatistical Analyst toolbox

An overview of the Geostatistical Analyst toolbox

Understanding geostatistical analysis

Working with a geostatistical layer

Creating a grid from a geostatistical layer

Geostatistical Analyst toolbox sample applications
Tools
Linear Referencing toolbox
Multidimensional toolbox
Military Analyst toolbox

An overview of the Military Analyst toolbox
Data Management toolset
Geometry toolset
Utilities toolset
Military Overlay Editor toolbox

An overview of the Military Overlay Editor toolbox
Utilities toolset
Network Analyst toolbox

An overview of the Network Analyst toolbox
Analysis toolset
Network Dataset toolset
Turn Feature Class toolset
Server toolbox

An overview of the Server toolbox
Caching toolset
Spatial Analyst toolbox
Spatial Statistics toolbox

An overview of the Spatial Statistics toolbox

Modeling spatial relationships

Spatial Statistics toolbox sample applications
Analyzing Patterns toolset
Mapping Clusters toolset
Measuring Geographic Distributions toolset
Utilities toolset
Samples toolbox
Tracking Analyst toolbox

An overview of the Tracking Analyst toolbox
Tools
Environment Settings

Environment settings
General settings
Cartography settings
Coverage settings
Geodatabase settings
Raster Analysis settings
Raster Storage settings
Geodatabases and ArcSDE
An overview of the Geodatabase
Architecture of a geodatabase

Architecture of a geodatabase

Geodatabase storage is based on relational principles

Where does the application logic belong?

The geodatabase is object-relational

Geodatabase storage in relational databases

Geodatabase transaction management

Geodatabase XML
Designing a geodatabase

An overview of geodatabase design

Geodatabase design steps

Using ArcGIS Data Model designs

Documenting your geodatabase design

Modeling feature classes

A note about the use of UML for geodatabase design

Design Tips
Building a geodatabase
Creating a geodatabase
Defining the properties of a geodatabase
Adding datasets and other geodatabase elements
Working with geodatabase datasets
Data management workflows, transactions, and versioning
Geodatabase data storage and schema

How geodatabases are stored in a DBMS
Feature geometry and raster data storage
Inside a geodatabase in Oracle
Inside a geodatabase in SQL Server
Inside a geodatabase in DB2
Inside a geodatabase in Informix
Administering ArcSDE geodatabases

An overview of ArcSDE geodatabase administration

What is ArcSDE?
Installing and upgrading ArcSDE
Configuring an ArcSDE geodatabase
Creating and administering user accounts
Connecting to an ArcSDE geodatabase
Maintaining a geodatabase
Tuning an ArcSDE geodatabase
Scaling and moving your geodatabase
Administering File and Personal geodatabases

An overview of administering file and personal geodatabases

File geodatabases: compressing vs. compacting

Compacting file and personal geodatabases

About compressing file geodatabase data

Upgrading personal geodatabases

File geodatabases and the file system
Working with geodatabases using SQL
Data management with ArcCatalog
Data support in ArcGIS
Extensions
3D Analyst
ArcGIS Data Interoperability extension

An overview of the ArcGIS Data Interoperability extension

Key concepts of the Data Interoperability Extension

Using the Data Interoperability Extension tools

Common tasks using the Data Interoperability Extension
ArcGIS Publisher
Getting started with Publisher
Creating data packages
Creating custom applications
ArcReader
ArcScan
Getting started with ArcScan
Interactive vectorization
Automatic vectorization
Cell selection
Raster cleanup
Vectorization options and settings
Business Analyst
Geostatistical Analyst
Maplex
Military Analyst
Military Overlay Editor

About MOLE

What's new in this release

Installation and setup

Accessing the MOLE getting started guide

MOLE documentation and additional ways to get help

MOLE considerations for ArcView users
Using MOLE with 2D maps
Using MOLE with 3D maps
The MOLE geodatabase schema
Using MOLE in terrain analysis
Tracking, real-time, and MOLE
Using MOLE with ArcSDE
Using MOLE with ArcIMS
Advanced topics
Frequently asked questions
Network Analyst
PLTS
What's new in PLTS for ArcGIS
Getting started with PLTS
Managing hard-copy and data products
Creating geodatabases with PLTS
Creating features
Editing features in PLTS for ArcGIS
Editing feature attributes in PLTS
Symbolizing data (PLTS)
Validating data with GIS Data Reviewer
Generating grids with the Grid Manager
Creating map series with MPS-Atlas
Working with cartographic elements in PLTS
Geoprocessing in PLTS for ArcGIS
PLTS for ArcGIS Aeronautical Solution
PLTS for ArcGIS Defense Solution
PLTS for ArcGIS Nautical Solution
PLTS for ArcGIS product specification development
Schematics
Working with ArcGIS Schematics
Schematics Designer
Spatial Analyst
Survey Analyst
Tracking Analyst
Geocoding and address management
Getting started with geocoding

An overview of geocoding

Definition of the address locator
Understanding geocoding

What is an address?

The geocoding work flow

The geocoding framework

The process of geocoding

Customization of the address locator

Common geocoding tasks
Preparing for geocoding
Building an address locator
Locating addresses
Additional geocoding techniques
Keeping an address locator current

Updating your reference data

Versioned data and the address locator

Rebuilding address locators
Distributing your address locator
Adjusting your address locator file
About StreetMap data
Linear referencing
Network analysis

Using the Network Analyst extension
Analyzing geometric networks
Mobile GIS
GPS

Getting started with ArcMap GPS Support

Adding the GPS toolbar

Connecting to a GPS device

Simulating a connection to a GPS device

Using the GPS Position window

Changing the display options

Keeping the current location in the view

Adding a destination

Writing GPS locations to a log
Tablet PC

An overview of Tablet PC technology

ArcGIS and Windows XP Tablet PC Edition

Adding the Tablet toolbar

Pen tool

Highlighter tool

Eraser tool

Commands on the Tablet toolbar
ArcPad integration

An overview of ArcPad

Adding the ArcPad toolbar

About managing data in ArcPad

Getting data for ArcPad

Checking in edits from ArcPad

Undoing a checkout for editing
Interoperability and standards support
Customizing and developing with ArcGIS
Guide to data that comes with ArcGIS
Licensing and desktop administration
ArcGIS Image Server
About the ArcGIS Image Server

An overview of the ArcGIS Image Server

ArcGIS Image Server architecture

System requirements for ArcGIS Image Server
Configuration and licensing

ArcGIS Image Server configuration

Licensing and deployment

Image Service Editor licensing
Designing an image service
Creating an image service

Adding the Image Service Editor toolbar

Working with the Image Service Editor

The workflow to create an image service

Creating a new image service

About the New Image Service Wizard parameters

Making a copy of an image service

Descriptions of the image service properties

The image service file structure
Working with image service group layers
Working with raster data in a service

Adding and removing raster data in a service

About the Add Data Wizard parameters

Selecting rasters in a service

An overview of raster properties

Working with transparency in an image service
Working with the image service
Image service processes
Publishing and administering the ArcGIS Image Server
ArcGIS Image Server Seamline extension
ArcGIS Image Server Ortho extension

About the ArcGIS Image Server Ortho extension

The orthorectification parameters

Using an elevation image service as the DEM input
ArcGIS Image Server workflows
ArcGIS Image Server Clients
GIS Servers and services

An overview of GIS services

Servers and the services they provide

User, author, administrator, and developer roles

Types of ArcIMS services

Types of services in ArcGIS Server

WMS service

Using GIS Services in ArcGIS Desktop applications

Thinking about maps in web-enabled GIS applications

Understanding map caches in ArcGIS

Managing server connections in the GIS Servers folder
Authoring and publishing services

An overview of authoring and publishing services

Data access considerations for ArcGIS Server

Publishing resources
Administering ArcGIS Server with ArcCatalog

Overview of ArcGIS Server administration in ArcCatalog

Connecting to a GIS server

Running ArcCatalog under a different operating system account

Adding a server object container

Adding a new service

Adding multiple services at once

Removing a service

Starting, stopping, and pausing services

Displaying server statistics

Creating a server directory

Specifying the log file location

Using a proxy server to connect to the Internet

Setting the capacity of a server object container

Creating a map cache

Publishing a resource to ArcGIS Server

Creating a globe cache

Adding and removing folders