Introduction to the

Geodatabase

What is a Geodatabase? What are feature classes and feature datasets? What are domains Design a personal Geodatabase Import data to a Geodatabase

What is a Geodatabase?
A relational database that contain geographic information
A container for tables, feature classes,

feature datasets. Tables attributes of rows and columns Standalone feature classes (conceptually like shape files) Feature datasets (a collection of feature classes) Rules and relationships

Feature classes..
Store geographic features represented as points, lines, or polygons, and their attributes;
Can also store annotation and dimensions. Tables may contain additional attributes for a feature class

Feature datasets..
Feature classes can be organized in Feature datasets.

All feature classes in a feature dataset share the same coordinate system.
Feature classes in a feature dataset can be organized into a geometric network. The network maintains topological relationships between its feature classes.

Personal vs. Multiuser Geodatabase

Personal geodatabase
stores data in a Microsoft Access database size limit 2 GB directly read through ArcCatalog does not support raster data

Multiuser geodatabases - data stored in IBM DB2, Informix, Oracle, or Microsoft SQL Server - connected through ArcSDE or direct - ArcSDE license necessary for editing - supports raster data

Why Geodatabase?
All data (vector, raster, address, measures, CAD, etc.) is stored together in a commercial off-theshelf DBMS Simplify support and maintenance, and reduce costs Allows multi-user access (with ArcSDE license) Support for intelligent features, rules, and relationships between feature classes

More advantages..
Dynamic Geocoding Annotation subclasses Subtypes within Feature classes Coded attribute and range domains

Improved topology and editing

Confused?
-The geodatabase may seem complicated..

however they are simply modern equivalents of shapefiles and coverages stored in a commercial database.

Geodatabases in ArcGIS
- Geodatabases can be created and managed easily using the standard tools in ArcCatalog

- ArcMap and ArcToolbox provides

tools to work with geodatabases

Creating a Geodatabase
Think before you create
Design process Create an empty Geodatabase in ArcCatalog Define the database structure Set spatial reference and coordinate domains Load data Define topology rules and relationships

Design process
What data layers to include in the geodatabase

Shape files Coverages Look-up tables How to organize the feature classes into logical feature datasets Think about what topolygy rules you may want to apply how are the feature classes related to each other spatially?

Create a new Geodatabase in ArcCatalog

Migrating existing data into the Geodatabase

Shape files and coverages are converted to feature classes Attributes can be left out or renamed CAD data, dBase files, annotation etc. can be imported Data of the same spatial extent can be imported to the same feature dataset

Importing existing data

In ArcCatalog or ArcToolbox Tools and wizards are available Works with coverages, shapefiles, tables, CAD etc.

Creating Feature Datasets

Right-click on the geodatabase New Feature Dataset Name the Feature Dataset and define the coordinate system Set X/Y domain

Set Z domain and M domain

Set manually or import from existing data sets

Coordinate Domains
Max X and Y is 2.14 billion
Y

Lost data

Large area Smaller precision (1,000)

Small area larger precision (100,000)

(0,0)

Coordinate Domains
The coordinate domain defines the area you can make edits in X and Y max is 2.14 billion for the database

Default domain is 21000, 21000

Define your coordinate domains correctly the first time they cannot be changed You can have a different coordinate domain for each feature class

What is max/min X and Y on the map?

Max X and Y

Min X and Y

Setting X/Y Domain Precision

1000

Min X Max X Min Y Max Y

~ 2,145,320 ~ 2,657,580 ~ 1,632,610 ~ 1,967,940

1 ft units, 1/1000 ft accuracy Precision = 1000/1 = 1000 (good enough)

Coordinate Domains
Max X and Y is 2.14 billion
Y

Most of the data is here in the database Large expansion options to the north and east

(0,0)

Coordinate Domains Calculations

Min X ~ 2,145,320 Max X ~ 2,657,580 Min Y ~ 1,632,610 Max Y ~ 1,967,940 Precision 1000 These coordinates would put the data in the lower left corner however we want to shift this to be able to expand in all directions

(MinX + MaxX)/2 (2.14 x 109) / (1000 x 2) = X min 2,401,450 1,070,000 = 1,331,450 (MinY + MaxY)/2 (2.14 x 109) / (1000 x 2) = Y min 1,800,275 1,070,000 = 730,275

Coordinate Domains Calculations

(MinX + MaxX)/2 + (2.14 x 109) / (1000 x 2) = X max 2,401,450 + 1,070,000 = 3,471,450 (MinY + MaxY)/2 + (2.14 x 109) / (1000 x 2) = Y max 1,800,275 + 1,070,000 = 2,870,275

Default x/y domain

Min X ~ 2,145,320 Max X ~ 2,657,580 Min Y ~ 1,632,610 Max Y ~ 1,967,940 Precision 1000

Shifted x/y domain

Min X = 1,331,450 Max X = 3,471,450 Min Y = 730,275 Max Y = 2,870,275 Precision 1000

Coordinate Domains
Max X and Y is 2.14 billion
Y

Most of the data is here in the database Large expansion options in all directions

(0,0)

The shifted x/y domain allows for editing within this window
Max X, Max Y

Min X, Min Y

Why create Feature Datsets?

Data organization Topology rules Shared boundaries Geometric networks

Subtypes in feature classes

Subtypes can only be created in ArcEditor and ArcInfo

- A subtype is a group of objects that have similar properties within the Geodatabase

For example the attribute ZoneCode may have subtypes: - Commercial, Residential, Industrial Landcover vegetation types may have subtypes: - Forest, Agriculture, Rangeland, Urban

Attribute Domains
Attribute domains are properties of the Geodatabase - Multiple objects may use the same domain
- Can be created using the Domains properties dialog box

Defines legal values for field attributes - Range domains (allowable numeric value range)
- Coded value domain (in dropdown menus)