Module 7--Google Earth

Google Earth Map of South Florida Showing Hydrology and Population Density

This was the final lab of this course. Google Earth was much easier to use than in the last course. The overall operations of the lab were very easy and straightforward. Once I created a new map in ArcGIS Pro and added a feature class, I exported the layer to a .kmz file using the "Layer to KML" tool in ArcGIS Pro. The only issue I had was that because I use the virtual desktop, I had to package the .kmz files into a zip folder and then send them to my desktop.

I then ensured all layers were exported to Google Earth Pro in accordance with the lab instructions. In order to add the files to Google Earth, I used File>Open>click on .kmz file. This placed the file in a temporary folder, which I moved to a new folder in My Places.  I was able to drag each feature to change the order, but this did not change the drawing order. In order to change the drawing order so that the dots were the highest (lab requirement), I right clicked the feature, chose Properties, and then adjusted altitude. I used absolute and adjusted the dots to be higher than the county boundaries (which I placed above ground level so they wouldn't blend in so much). The hydrology features did not have the altitude option, of course.

To create the legend, I imported a .png file by using the Add menu and selected Image Overlay. In order to properly size and position the legend, I had to move several bright green marks, which I complete through trial and error. I then saved the .kmz file onto my desktop.

The second part of the lab was to create a Google Earth recorded tour of specific areas in South Florida. This took some practice in order to smoothly move from one location to another at a specific location and perspective.

The first step was to add place marks by clicking on the yellow push pin icon above the map, I then renamed it and moved it while the properties window was open. You cannot move the place mark when the properties window is closed. 

Once all the place marks were positioned and the view was the way I wanted it, I pressed the record icon (looks like video camera at top of map), clicked the red button and moved from place to place until I visited all my place marks. Again, it took numerous trials to make the tour flow smoothly and correctly. Once I was complete, I saved the recording (icon in popup), moved the recording to an appropriate place with the rest of its layers, and then saved the entire group by right click the group, Save Places As, and then named it and ensured it was saved on my desktop.

This was a very fun lab to complete and gave me more confidence with Google Earth. 

Module 1--Poorly Designed and Well Designed Maps

For the first module, I had to pick a map that well designed and a map that was poorly designed and critique it based on a template.

I had the opportunity to work in Washington, DC for almost five years. I will tell you that I was a little intimidated by the Metro until I road it the first time. People are justifiably proud of their Metro system (despite issues several years ago) and it serves the community well...it is indispensable.

DC Metro Map, Courtesy of WMATA, 2019.

As anyone can see, this is a very simple map that uses bold colors to show the Metro lines. The colors also correspond with the actual line names. Only basic information is added to the map to keep the viewer oriented. This includes the Potomac River in the middle, the borders of the DMV, and neighboring counties. The only element missing is the scale; however, this map is not drawn to scale (stated just below the north arrow). If it were drawn to scale, the map would be confusing, large, and not as intuitive. Besides, distance does not really matter. Time matters. Besides, most new riders and tourists track which station they need are heading to, the number of stations that have passed, and the number to go. To me, this is a very effective map.

On the other hand, I viewed the Easter Island map. At first blush, it appeared very good and I actually started my assignment choosing this map as a well designed map. As I went through the evaluation process, I changed my mind.

Easter Island, Courtesy of UWF.

There are a lot of issues with this map. Though it is attractive and centers on Easter Island, there are number of deficiencies:

--There is no title. I can assume Easter Island, even though the name of the island is in the water.

--The Moai represent Ahus and the Moai are represented by dots. This does not make sense, as the Moai symbols should represent Moai, which are ubiquitous to Easter Island.

--The Moai, ruins, and populated places are all symbolized by dots. It is difficult to tell which symbol represents which item, especially when dots are close together.

--The road symbols and the population symbols are not quantified.

--I am not sure what the names next to the Moai symbols represent--are these cities or the name of the Ahu?

--The scale bar has 5km,which is easy to relate to; however, the scale incorporates a little over 3 miles. I would have had two scales.

--Because the Easter Island scale has miles and kilometers, the inset scale should also have miles and the elevation scale (not labeled) should integrate feet.

Despite these issues, the map could be used for a middle school project to orient students. However, there is not enough information for a tourist map nor is there enough information or accuracy for a research project.

Week 6--Editing

In the second part of Lab 6, I learned to create a new polygon feature and a new road feature. Though raster layers cannot be edited, new features can be added. This portion of the lab was straightforward and intuitive. To create both features, use the Edit tab, Features group, and click the create button. From there, create the feature desired. One caveat is to be cognizant of shadows on buildings as this could affect the overall size and shape of the building. Once the feature is saved, it appears in the attribute table, where the data can be edited (name, elevation, number, etc.).

The next portion of this lab required the creation of a Multiple Ring Buffer (MRB) to surround an eagle's next at 330 ft and 660 ft. Besides adding the picture to My Google Drive and adding the URL to the attribute table, I created the conservation easement using the MRB. This portion was very easy using the MRB Tool (Analysis tab, Tools, search). The only challenge I had was lining up the numbers in the MRB. I never did get it 100% accurate, but I got it close by using trial and error with the different offsets and array options. The resulting map is presented below:

Map 2: Bald Eagle Conservation Easement Using MRB

The above map was the result of the georeferencing in Part I and the editing of Part II. The main map shows UWF roads in red, Campus Lane (the new road feature created) in yellow, UWF buildings in lavender, and building 072 (the building feature created) in green. The MRB is in the lower right inset with the pink at 330ft and the light green at 660ft. In the main map, I placed a photo inset of the actual nest. To orient the viewer, the inset map of Florida displays Escambia County in red and points to the nest via a callout. The legend displays the different colors, the north arrow is oriented toward map north, and I have included sources, author/date, and the RMSE and transformation used. One lesson I learned through trial and error: You can de-select any feature in the expanded legend feature (content pane) by un-checking the box. This will prevent display of the RGB  boxes.