ArcView can create clean and precise maps using data uploaded by NOAA.
ArcView 8.3 is a Global Information Systems (GIS) software solution published by ESRI software. The software is primarily a mapping-information solution and is used by a variety of professionals, including geologists, marine scientists and engineers. ArcView allows users to create maps that combine a variety of location-specific data while providing tools that allow for careful and precise analysis of the data that is presented. The ArcView software package is part of the ArcGIS Desktop suite, which includes sister applications such as ArcReader, ArcInfo and ArcEditor.
Instructions
1. Open ArcView 8.3.
2. Download any relevant shape files you wish to use for your new map project. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association has an archive of free shape files, which are essentially geographical data stored in the form of points, lines and polygon fields (a link to the archive is provided in the Resources section).
3. Click on "File" and then "New" from the top pull-down menu to create a new map project. Map projects can be thought of as containers in which the user should upload various shape files. These shape files can then be combined and presented as a composited map, selecting specific display components using the tools provided in the ArcView software.
4. Click "View" and then "New" from the top pull-down menu to create a new map view. This is equivalent to a drawing area in which you can place information onto your drawing space that is derived from your shape files.
5. Click the "Add Theme" button on the top toolbar to load a Shape file into your project. Alternatively, you can click "Theme", "Add Theme" from the top pull-down menu. A new dialog box will pop up in which you can browse for a shape file to insert into your project. Select your shape file and double-click it to import it into your project. Your imported shape file will now produce a legend in your View window that you created in Step 4.
6. Click on the check boxes next to each legend item you wish to display in your map view. When a check box is filled in, the element will appear on your view screen. Unchecking the box will hide the element from your drawing. Combine a number of shape files to create a combination of legend elements to be displayed in your composite map drawing.
7. Print your map by clicking "File" and then "Print" from the top pull-down menu. You can specify whether to print your View (the map drawing) or the Table of Contents (the map legend). Select the option you prefer and click the "Print" button to print the map.
8. Save your project file by clicking "File" and then "Save" from the top pull-down menu. Name your project file and click "Save" to save the changes to your project.
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