New Cartography Tools in ArcGIS 9.2
I posted a little about the new features (well actually “alluded” to them) in the 9.2 release since we can’t blog about it, but ESRI did write an article in the latest ArcNews about what is new and how it all works. If you want to see how 9.2 revolutionizes how we’ll create maps in 9.2, check it out. It even has tons of pictures to show you just how it works. The new features give GIS professionals so much more control over their maps. This is something anyone who creates maps in ArcMap will want to keep on top of or you’ll be left behind. The power to create maps and not lose accuracy is simply amazing. One thing to keep in mind, the article doesn’t mention it but at the 05 UC, ESRI did say you’ll need an ArcInfo license to create these cartographic features and at least an ArcEditor license to edit them you’ll need just a ArcEditor license to create these cartographic features. ArcView cannot work with these features but can open and render them so you won’t lose them if you have to print from ArcView.
James, why is we read about this stuff on your blog and not somewhere on ESRI?
Keep up the great work buddy and I’ll see ya at the Dev Summit.
While the cartographic aspect of this is well out of my area of expertise, the geodatabase designer in me has to wonder if ArcView will be able to edit the multiple-representations in a Personal Geodatabase, or if this will be an “ArcSDE only” geodatabase feature? Will editing of the “reps” be possible in a disconnected editing session?
For those who are into the carto aspects of ArcGIS, now would be a good time to start a discussion re: how you want to access this functionality. I’m not saying that ESRI will change their plans, but if nobody says anything then you can be sure they won’t.
James – great work staying out in front! See you @ Dev Summit!
Dave
Hi James,
Just want to clear one thing up about the cartographic enhancements in ArcGIS 9.2. You’ll need an ArcEditor (or higher) license to create and edit feature class representations, but you’ll be able to view and print them with ArcView. A number of new geoprocessing tools are being released to help you work with representations, which require and ArcInfo license.
You can read more about representation, and other new developments in cartography in the Technology Trends section of the ESRI website: http://www.esri.com/technology_trends/cartography/carto_trends.html.
Edie Punt
ESRI
So Edie, I guess this has changed since the UC as I’m pretty sure they said you need ArcInfo to create the representations. If so that is great news because it seemed like a high price to pay. If one can create and use ArcEditor for many if not most of these carto tools, then that will really help the adoption.
Personally I’m trying to get my 9.2 to run on Virtual PC as we can’t spare any workstations for beta testing right now (we had to uninstall to put 9.1 back on). I assume this will all be much more clear when I can really get my hands on 9.2 for more than a couple minutes.
Yes James, you are correct. We originally planned for it to require and ArcInfo license, and announced it as such at the 2005 User Conference, but we’ve since re-evaluated the licensing requirements and dropped it down to an ArcEditor license, except for the associated geoprocessing tools.
Edie
That is good news Edie.
mr james
thanks of your helpful information…but i have a problem by cartography tools in arc toolbox !!! i cant undrestand the meaning of “Representation” action in the meneu of it.do you have or know any excercises that could help me learn or undrestand this toolbox better ???
best regard