The document provides an introduction to tools in ArcGIS, highlighting the importance of geoprocessing for managing geospatial data and detailing how to access tools via the ArcToolbox and geoprocessing drop-down menu. It covers core tools available across different ArcGIS license levels, such as buffer, clip, intersect, and union, along with advanced options that require higher-level licenses. Additional resources for learning and support, as well as contact information for further inquiries, are also included.

1. Introduction toTools in
ArcGIS
Daniele Baker, SWQM Central Office

2. Use search window
Tools in ArcGIS
• Tools help you process your geospatial data = GEOPROCESSING
Quick access to
common tools
In ArcToolbox
window
• FindingTools in ArcMap

3. The Standard Layout of aTool
Inputs
Output
Hide/Show
Help
ArcGIS Desktop Help
Tool Help

4. ArcGIS Desktop Help
• Scroll to bottom for
license information
#2

5. ArcGIS License Levels
• ArcGIS is available in 3 license levels
• Share same core applications
• Vary in functionality
• Effects which tools are available
Rebranded inV. 10.1Original Levels

6. Checking your License Levels
• Go to ArcGIS Administrator on Start Menu
• In ‘Availability’ folder
• Check license availability
• In ‘Desktop’ folder
• Select license (if available)

7. ArcGIS Desktop Extensions
• If License for Extensions are available…
• Select extensions from customize menu at top of ArcMap

8. FindingTools
• ArcGIS website - desktop.arcgis.com/en/arcmap/10.3/main/tools/

9. FindingTools
• My favorite way to find tools

10. FindingTools
• My favorite resources
• ESRI - support.esri.com
• Q&A - gis.stackexchange.com

11. • Tools available from Geoprocessing drop-down menu
CommonsTool Available at all Licenses Level
• Buffer – creates a buffer of a specified size around a polygon, line, or
point feature
• Clip – use the boundary of a polygon to cut a section from a feature class.
(cookie cutter)

12. • Tools available from Geoprocessing drop-down menu
CommonsTool Available at all Licenses Level
• Intersect – creates new feature class of features common to both feature
class inputs
• Union – creates new feature class that combines the features and
attributes of each feature class

13. • Tools available from Geoprocessing drop-down menu
CommonsTool Available at all Licenses Level
• Merge – combines datasets of same type into single new dataset.
• Dissolve – combines like features based on a specific attribute(s)

14. Other CommonTools
• Erase- opposite of clip / removes a polygon from a feature class
• Identity – the part of the input that overlaps with the identity feature gets
the attributes of that feature
Not available for Desktop Basic
Available for Desktop Advanced

15. • Append- like merge, but if want to add new dataset to existing dataset
• Near – computes the distance from each pt in input to nearest polyline or
point in “near” feature class
Other CommonTools
Available for all licenses
Available for Desktop Advanced

16. EXAMPLES

17. Select by Attribute – Select an AU
Open attribute table Click select attributes from top of attribute table
Create new query

18. Create New Shapefile – Export SelectedAU
Right click layer. Go to Export data Select save location. Name shapefile
Yes to add to map
Hit OK

19. Select by Location – Select Stations near AU
Set target and source layer Original
Result
AU 1908_01
Set selection method Set distance. Hit Apply

20. FeatureVertices to Pts – Find Start/End Pts
AU 1908_01

21. Add Field
Be sure to select correct data type
New Field
New Field is added to far right of attribute table

22. When done….
Hit Save Edits
and then
Stop Editing
Edit Field –Add Upstream/DownstreamText

23. Buffer – Create 35 ft Buffer Around Stream
More info on method: http://www.esri.com/news/arcuser/0111/geodesic.html

24. Clip – Clip Soil Layer with Stream Buffer

25. IteratingTools– Clipping Soils w. Many Buffers
Find recently run tools in Results window
Change input and output.Then Run
Option 1

26. IteratingTools – Clipping Soils w. Many Buffers
Batch RunTool by Right Clicking onTool in SearchWindow
Option 2

27. Add Field – Create New Field to add Area
Select Add New Field from drop-down in AttributeTable
Hit OK
Select correct DataType
Be sure to select correct data type

28. CalculateGeometry – Add Soil Area in Sq. M.
Right click on new field in AttributeTable
Result
WARNING: Must be in projected coordinate system

29. Graphing w. ArcMap – Summarize Soils
Create Graph from AttributeTable

30. Calculate Statistics – Distribution of AU Size
Right click on any field in AttributeTable

31. Summarize Data – AU Size Stats by Basin
Right click on any field in AttributeTable

32. Summarize Data – AU Size Stats by Basin
Results Note: Summary just creates a table. No feature class.

33. Joining – JoinTable to Basin Layer to Display
Right click basin layer and go to Join
Warning:The two fields need
to be the same data type.
See ppt hand-out or online
version for notes on how to fix
different data types
Validate Join before selecting OK

34. Changing the Symbology
Right click to open properties
In Miles

35. Learning More

36. Learning More: ESRI E-Learning

37. Learning More: ESRI Publishing
www.esripress.esri.com/bookResources/

38. Learning More:TNRIS Courses www.tnris.org/training

39. Questions?
Daniele Baker, SWQM Central Office
daniele.baker@tceq.texas.gov
512-239-1740