NC GIS Conference 2007

We'll all be there so we'll make that our assignment for the week! Lot's of exciting talks and sessions. Make sure to take notes during your favorite session because next week I'll have you do a short write-up of the conference or a session that you liked.

http://www.cgia.state.nc.us/ncgis2007

We'll have Haywood Community College's very own Andy Tait giving a presentation as part of the 'G. Herbert Stout Award' student presentations. His presentation is entitled:

Resource Assessment: Ecologically Sound Development in Western North Carolina with Regard to Slope Stability, Soil Conditions, Watershed Integrity, and Other Factors.

These student presentations will go on all day Friday. Yours truly will be moderating the sessions. Don't forget to check out the conference program before you go to get an idea of what sessions you may want to attend - and we hope you'll spend some time around the HCC booth helping to promote our programs!

Pete

Module 5 - Active Learning Exercise

In Google SketchUp, you can create surface models (terrains - TINs) using existing digital elevation data in many formats. In this exercise, we will utilize a set of vector contours in .dwg (AutoCAD) format to create a surface.

1. Download the contours in CAD format and uzip them.
• http://www.usgsquads.com/svcs_contour_extraction.htm#Sample_Data
2. Start Google SketchUp
3. Activate the Sandbox Tools Extension. Windows ==>Preferences ==> Extensions
4. 
5. Import the contours. File ==> Import - Make certain to change Files of Type to ACAD files and navigate to the contour file you downloaded and unzipped.
6. 
7. Note the import results dialog. Pan around and preview the contours.
8. 
9. The contours come in as a 'group' so you must 'explode' them before a terrain can be generated. Select the group using the select tool. It should appear with a blue box surrounding all of the contours. Right click on the selected group ==> explode.
10. 
11. Now your contours are ready to be used to create a TIN. Make certain all the contours are selected and then choose the from contours tool on the Sandbox Toolbar (it is the button to the far right). Be patient, this may take some time!
12. The finished terrain model.

Module 5 - Geographic Framework

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1. Describe what the geographic framework involves
2. Describe the Tissot indicatirix
3. Characterize major map projection by spatial property preserved
4. Contrast large and small scale maps
5. Describe latitude and longitude
6. Describe the Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) coordinate system
7. Describe State Plane Coordiantes
8. Import contours from CAD data into Google SketchUp
9. Place 3D models on terrain in SketchUp

TERMS TO KNOW

• Geographic Framework
• Map Projection
• Map Scale
• Map Coordinates
• Tissot indicatrix
• latitude and longitude
• universal transverse mercator
• mercator
• state plane coordinates

READING ASSIGNMENT

• Chapter 5 in the text. MakingMaps: A Visual Guide to Map Design for GIS
• Map Projection Overview - Peter H. Dana - The Geogapher's Craft project

ACTIVE LEARNING EXERCISE

We will be importing contour lines to create our own surface or terrain and placing our 3D model on the terrain.

In Google SketchUp, you can create surface models (terrains) using existing digital elevation data in many formats. In this exercise, we will utilize a set of vector contours in .dwg (AutoCAD) format to create a surface.

STUDY QUESTIONS

1. Describe what is involved with the geographic framework.
2. How does Tissot's indicatrix help to evaluate map projection distortion?
3. Give 2 examples of how data distorted through map projections can incorrectly distort perception about the information being mapped.
4. When overlaying multiple layers, why is it always important to know the projections of your different data sources?
5. Describe one projection in each of the following categories - 1) area preserving 2) shape preserving 3) distance / direction preserving 4) compromise. Make sure to describe what the map projection does well and does poorly.
6. Define map scale
7. How does map scale affect the data on the map?
8. Compare and contrast large and small scale maps.
9. When is latitude and longitude an appropriate coordinate system to use?
10. When is UTM an appropriate coordinate system to use?
11. When is State Plane an appropriate coordinate system to use?

SUPPLEMENTAL

• Java Maps web application showing Tissot's indicatrix
  

Module 4 Lecture

Module 4 - Map-Making Tools

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1. List several different map-making tools
2. Describe how the map-making tool can influence or control map design
3. Discuss map-making without computers
4. Explain how the internet has changed map-making
5. Identify the ways GIS software is used for more than just making maps
6. Compare map-making on an internet site versus using a GIS
7. Describe how map making tools can be used together
8. Download Digital Elevation Models from the internet
9. Explore DEM's using 3DEM
10. Generate terrain models in SketchUp using Digital Elevation Models

TERMS TO KNOW

• queries
• buffer
• overlay
• analysis
• map
• graphic design
• design

READING ASSIGNMENT

• Chapter 4 of your text - MakingMaps: A Visual Guide to Map Design for GIS
• What is Web 2.0? - O'REILLY
• What is GeoWeb 2.0? - David Maquire over at GIS Matters

ACTIVE LEARNING EXERCISE

Importing digital elevation data into Google SketchUp provide real-world, accurate terrain data for incorporating into your 3D SketchUp models. This week we'll utilize an exercise by Chris Fullmer to help us process and import USGS DEM's into SketchUp.

Sketchup DEM Import Tutorial - thanks Chris! When you finish this tutorial, export the model to a .jpg and insert in your homework document for the week.

SketchUp User Guide: 3D Model (DEM) Import - another great source of information.

STUDY QUESTIONS

1. Describe a situation when a hand drawn map would serve your purpose.
2. What are some advantages and some disadvantages to internet mapping sites?
3. How and when are graphic design tools useful in the mapping process.
4. Describe a fictious project where you would use 2 or more of the map making technologies to achieve your overall goals and objectives.
5. Describe some map-making tools that were not covered in the book.
6. Export your 3D terrain model from SketchUp and insert into homework document.

SUPPLEMENTAL

Start getting ready for next week by watching the following tutorials on working with Google Sketchup.

What the following videos from:
http://sketchup.google.com/gsu5vtvideos.html

• Creating terrains from contours
• Creating rolling surfaces with the Sandbox Tools
• Pressing a footprint into terrain with the Stamp tool