Embedded Files
Problem
ArcGIS users request easy access to tools used on a regular basis. For this project, two separate toolbars were created for use in ArcMap. Also, a tool was added to the feature layer context menu. The first toolbar was named “Site Selection” and included the following tools: select by attribute, select by location, buffer, clip, and intersect. Additionally, the “Site Selection” toolbar contained a drop-down menu labeled “Selection” which included two tools: Create new selection and Add to current selection. The second toolbar was named “Spatial Pattern” and included only a dropdown menu named “Spatial Analysis Tools” which included the following tools: Average Nearest Neighbor, High/Low Clustering, Multi-Distance Spatial Cluster and Cluster and Outlier Analysis. The tool added to the feature layer context menu was the Annotate selected features tool.
Analysis Procedures
Information was gathered regarding current user needs and appropriate tools identified for inclusion in the two toolbars and for the feature layer context menu. Within ArcMap, Customize Mode was used to build the toolbars and add the tool to the feature layer context menu. Customizations were saved within the map document.
First, I developed and planned each toolbar based on the needs identified by current users. In ArcMap, I used the Customize Mode to build the first toolbar: “Site Selection.” First, separate tools were added to this toolbar and then a new menu item was added to the toolbar that included two additional tools (Create new selection and Add to current selection). In ArcMap, I used the Customize Mode to build the second toolbar using only the new menu option. I created the new menu in the toolbar and added all four tools to the new menu. Finally, I added a tool to the feature layer context menu using Customize Mode. I saved all customizations to the map document.
Results
Screenshot highlighting "Site Selection" toolbar with dropdown menu displayed (Click to enlarge)
Screenshot highlighting "Spatial Pattern" toolbar with dropdown menu displayed (Click to enlarge)
Workflow Diagram (Click to enlarge)
Application & Reflection
ArcMap user interface customization is a valuable skill in terms of being able to work more efficiently. Creating easy access to the tools needed for routine work can ensure that projects are completed in a timely fashion. One scenario in which I perceive this skill to be particularly useful is for work involving site selection projects. Site selection utilizes a variety of tools that can be gathered together in a toolbar for easy access. The tools I would choose to include in this customized toolbar would include the following tools: select by attribute, select by location, buffer, clip, and intersect. These are the some of the most common tools used in site selection using vector datasets. Having these tools easily accessible would facilitate efficient completion of site selection projects.
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