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Table of Contents:
INTRODUCTION TO GIS (GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM)
Introduction to GIS (Geographic Information Systems):
(Source: Latitude Geographics – www.latitudegeo.com)
Two GIS Concepts You Need to Know:
Lots of folks spend years learning about Geographic Information Systems technology. But since we promised to keep this brief, we're going to boil it down to the two basic GIS concepts that you need to know before you can effectively use the County of Simcoe web-based maps.
GIS Concept #1: Features have attributes associated with them
Imagine a tree. How would you keep track of and communicate information about this tree to other people who need to know all about it? You might use a database to keep track of what species it is, how old it is, how tall it is, how healthy it is, and any other attributes (characteristics) that are important. This tree is one record in a database. We call each category (for example, tree height) a field.
Figure 1. Sample Record in a Database
Now imagine a grove of trees for which you need to keep track of attributes. Because we are now dealing with more than one tree, it becomes relevant where each tree is so we know what information relates to which tree.
Figure 2. Database with Multiple Records
We map the location of each tree and identify which attributes belong to which tree. This is the foundation of GIS. A GIS tells us where something is and what it is. Computers are synonymous with GIS, and using a computer we can have hundreds of fields (different attributes) for millions of records (trees).
Figure 3. Mapping Locations
You will be able to examine the attributes of various features as you use the County of Simcoe web-based map.
GIS Concept # 2: Information is separated into layers
We can also have other layers of information in our GIS. Our information on trees would constitute one layer of information. We could also have a layer with rivers and a layer with soil types (Figure 4). Any information can be represented as a layer. A map represents the landscape in an artificial way. Vector layers represent features in one of several ways:
A map represents the landscape in an artificial way. Vector layers represent features in one of several ways:
Points
A point is a useful representation when it is necessary to show where a feature is, but its physical shape is not important (for example, trees in the old growth tree layer).
Lines
A line is suitable to represent many real world features (for example, the rivers in the river layer).
Polygon
Figure 4. Vector Layers
Sometimes a layer of information can be a raster layer, which is a grid that contains information. Rows and rows of pixels make a grid. If you see a photo from above on a web-map, it's a raster layer. In fact, this is how all digital camera Images are stored. Raster layers don't have attributes associated with them like vector layers, though they all contain pixel values. That single value might be the color of a roof tile, or it might be a measure of hurricane force for a location, or just about anything else.
Figure 5. A Raster Layer (left) contains pixel values (right)
Easy Map Viewer Help:
The quick navigation tools can be accessed in the top right corner of the tool bar. They can also be accessed by clicking on the navigation compass symbol in the toolbar.
Zoom Scale Slider:
Drag the slider towards the plus sign or minus sign to zoom in or out from the map, or click the plus or minus sign to zoom in or out by a fixed amount.
Zoom In and Out:
The Zoom tools are unique to digital maps. They are very much like using an actual magnifying glass, as the icons imply. The magnifying glass with the little plus sign lets you zoom in (view the map from closer in), while the one with the little minus sign lets you zoom out (view the map from farther out). There are a couple of ways to use these tools.
First, click one of the magnifying tools to select it, then click somewhere on the map. With the Zoom In tool, the map zooms in. The center of the new map is wherever on the map you clicked the mouse button. The Zoom Out tool zooms out the same way.
Second, you can use the Zoom tools more precisely by pressing the mouse button somewhere on the map, holding it down, and dragging a box; when you let go of the mouse button, the new map extent will be the area defined by the box.
Full Extent:
The full extent button once clicked will zoom out to an overview of the entire map area (The Whole County of Simcoe).
Pan:
With the County of Simcoe Interactive Mapping you can look at a specific area of interest by panning around the map. The Pan tool lets you slide around to different parts of the map. Suppose you want to go north (up the map). Take the Pan tool and grab (press and hold down the mouse button) onto the map, pulling it down. Whatever part of the map you grab with the little hand will end up where you let go of the mouse button. This works for moving any direction on the map.
The tools can be found under the tools symbol (the blue cube with a cog).
Locate Tool:
Once the locate tool is selected a box opens that allows a search. Search by coordinates by entering the easting and northing of the location. You must enter coordinates using Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) – North American Datum 1983 (NAD83). Then select Locate. The search will zoom to the specified coordinates. To clear the results press the pin to go back to the search tool and then press clear to clear the results.
Search Tool:
The search tool allows you to search a desired layer. A graphical search can be completed by selecting the layer you wish to search by selecting the layer from the dropdown list on the search box. You can also select the type of geographical search tool used for the search such as a point, line, rectangle, or polygon. Clear selected layers by pressing the recycling bin. A text search can be performed on named places and assessment parcels. Simply search the Assessment Roll Number for assessment parcels or search the name of a place.
Draw Tool:
The draw tool allows drawings to be made on the map. Select from any of the types of drawing tools to complete a drawing and clear the drawings by pressing on the recycling bin. To draw text on the map write the text you want to appear in the text box, select the colour, and font size and then hit the “A” text button and then click on the map where you would like the text that was written in the box to appear on the map.
Measurement Tool:
To complete a measurement, click on the protractor in the draw box. Check the box that says show measurements. Select the distance units and area units from the drop down menus. And then click back on the pencil to return to the draw options. When a line is drawn measurements will also appear adjacent to the drawing.
Search Address:
Open the search address box to search for an address, specify the street number, street name, and municipality and then hit search.
Once the search has been performed a results page will be displayed in the search address toolbox. To zoom to the address click on the selected feature. To clear the selected features close the search address toolbox.
Map Data:
The map data resources can be found under the globe symbol in the toolbox.
More Data Tool:
To access additional data select More Data under the map option. A More Data toolbox will appear, select the drop down arrow beside “Other” to see additional layers that can be selected for viewing. Turn on or off the layers to be viewed and the map will be updated accordingly.
Layer Transparency Tool:
To select the transparency level (make the layers see through) click on the two cogs beside the folder icon on the map data toolbox. Use the scroll bar to select the amount of transparency.
Overview Map Tool:
The Overview Map toolbox can be used to change the viewing area in the map. Use this tool by moving the red box inside the toolbox in any direction. This tool is also useful for getting an overview of the area that you are looking at on the map.
Bookmark Tool:
The bookmark toolbox allows you to save map extents as a bookmark. By default the municipalities are already saved into the bookmarks, you can click on one and the map will automatically zoom to that municipality. If you want to save your own bookmark click on the book with the green plus sign. Whatever the map is currently showing will be what is saved in the bookmark, name the bookmark and then press add bookmark and the bookmark will then be stored.
Print Tool:
The print tool will allow you to print the current map at the extent being viewed with whatever features are currently selected from the more data toolbox. Add a title and subtitle and then select print and your printers setup will open.
Real Estate Tool:
The property for sale tool can be found under the tools menu (the blue cube with a cog)
Property For Sale:
