Thank You
Be sure to check this out as well: - More maps - Learn2Map GIS Tutorial & Atlas.
Free basic GIS tutorial - Click here for free access.
Note that your username and password that you used to access this page is only valid for 48 hours from your time of purchase. Please be sure to save a copy of this download on your computer now. If you change the map layer in any manner, be sure to save it with a new name so that you have the original file as a backup.
Introduction
Thanks for your order. This map layer is in ArcView shapefile format and can be used in any ArcView project. Here are brief instructions for using the maps with ESRI's free ArcExplorer GIS. More detailed instructions are available when you download the ArcExplorer 2.0 program. (see our free tutorial for more on this.)
Download Your Map
Click on the links below to download your map(s) - right clicking and then choosing "save as target" often works better). They are in "zip" format.
Below are some further instructions that will help you to get started. If you have any questions at all, please contact me at [email protected].
Be sure to check the README.TXT file include in the zip archive(s) you just downloaded. It explains what is contained in the various files.
Installing the Maps
Now go to the file(s) on your hard disk and double-click on the file name - it will have a "zip" extension. It will automatically unzip to wherever you desire on your hard drive. I recommend that you choose a name for your directory that you will remember and can easily find. If you do not have a program that will unzip files, WinZip.com to download.
Using your map with ArcExplorer
For the ArcExplorer program and instructions go to. There are two versions. The older version 2 reportedly doesn't install well on some Windows XP based computers, version 9 - the java edition - seems to work better. Try them both - they're free. Click here for our Free GIS page and scroll down to "arcexplorer."
Once you have downloaded ArcExplorer, go to its directory on your hard disk, double click on its icon and the program will be installed.
Running ArcExplorer and Viewing Your Map
Go to your computers start menu and run ArcExplorer. Your computer should have put it in a menu folder named "ESRI" and it may also be on your desktop. Once ArcExplorer is running, click on the top menu item "Theme" and scroll down to "Add Theme." Navigate to the directory where you unzipped your maps and highlight your map(s). It will be indicated with a ".shp" extension. Next click on "add theme" at the top of the dialog box and then click "close." We have provided several other base layers as well. You can add these in the very same way. Once you have a map like you want it, you can save it as an arcexplorer project.
Now you can check and uncheck boxes in ArcExplorer's left menu to view layers as you wish. The navigation tools are quite straightforward. You can easily zoom-in, zoom-out, and pan around. To get information about a certain area, point or line (depending on what sort of layer this is) on your map, you must first let ArcExplorer know which layer you are working with. This will make more sense when you have several layers displayed. Click on the name of your file (next to the check box) and you will see it sort of raise up in a box. The "I" tool is now available. Zoom-in until you see an area of interest, click on the "I" tool and then click on an area of interest for its information. Note that often the default color for your layer is horrible. By double-clicking on the layer name on the left side of ArcExplorer you can easily change the layers color and labelling format.
We strongly encourage you to take advantage of our free MapCruzin MapTutorial. It will help you get the most out of your maps.
Adding More Layers to Your Map
There are several free sources for additional layers in shapefile format that will work with ArcExplorer and your purchased map layers. We have provided several at the following two locations:
https://mapcruzin.com/download_mapcruz.htm
https://mapcruzin.com/free_gis.htm
Base layers such as streets, highways, county and political boundaries, and demographics may be obtained from:
http://www.esri.com/data/download/census2000_tigerline/index.html
These new layers can be added to your current map using the same procedure ("Theme," "Add Theme"...) or you can create a new map with them. For a step-by-step tutorial that will help you learn to do this, consider using our Learn2Map GIS Tutorial and Atlas.
Conclusion
ArcExplorer is quite powerful. Be sure to download the documentation so that you can take advantage of all its features. If you want to use a full-blown GIS, I recommend Caliper's Maptitude GIS. It is very powerful, inexpensive compared to the competition, easy to use and includes a terrific bundle of free data. It also handles the ArcView/ArcExplorer shapefile format very well.
If you have any comments or questions or need custom map layers, I would love to hear from you. Please email me at [email protected].
About Quality, Accuracy and Suitability
This data may come from a variety of U.S.
government and self-reporting private
sources. While we try to assure the accuracy of
this material, we cannot promise that it is
absolutely accurate. We do promise that using the
map layer will be fun, entertaining or educational.
Beyond this, we make no guarantee as to its
suitability for any purpose. We assume no liability
or responsibility for errors or inaccuracies. Please
understand that you use these map layers and data at your own
risk.
Best Regards,
Didn't find what you are looking for? We've been online since 1996 and have created 1000's of pages. Search below and you may find just what you are looking for.
Michael R. Meuser
Data Research & GIS Specialist
MapCruzin.com is an independent firm
specializing in GIS project development and data research.
We created the first U.S. based
interactive toxic chemical facility
maps on the internet in 1996 and we
have been online ever since. Learn more about us and our services.
Have a project in mind? If you have data, GIS project or custom shapefile needs contact Mike.
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