EDC Tutorial

Table of Contents:
Key Mapper Concepts
Parcel Search
Address Search
The Map Window and Tools
Turning Layers On and Off
Printing a Map
Changing Tabs
Site Suitability
Census Analysis
Business Analysis

Key Mapper Concepts

Concept #1: Features have attributes associated with them.

Now imagine a parcel of land. How would you keep track of and communicate information about this parcel to other people who need to know all about it? You might use a database to keep track of what land use it is, how big it is, who the owner is, what the taxes are, and any other attributes that are important. This parcel is one record in a database. We call each category (i.e. parcel size) a field.

Now imagine a block of parcels that you need to keep track of attributes for. Because we are now dealing with more than one property, it becomes relevant where each parcel is so we know what information relates to which property.

We map the location of each parcel and identify which attributes belong to which. This is the foundation of GIS. A GIS tells us where something is and what it is. Computers are synonymous with GIS, and using a computer we can have hundreds of fields (different attributes) for thousands of records (parcels).

You will be able to examine the attributes of features as you navigate Geographic Data Viewer maps.

Concept # 2: Information is separated into layers.
We can also have other layers of information in our GIS. Our information on parcels would constitute one layer of information. We could also have a layer with census data and a layer with an aerial photo. Any information can be represented as a layer.

A map represents the landscape in an artificial way. Vector layers represent features in one of several ways:

Points: A point is good for representing information in which it is necessary to show where a feature is, but its physical shape is not important (i.e. light pole locations).

Lines: A line is suitable to represent many real world features (i.e. the streets in the street layer).

Polygons: Don't be intimidated by the name. It is really just a solid multi-sided shape. When you see a polygon, remember that everything inside the boundary has the attributes associated with the record. (i.e. land use types in the parcel layer).

You might hear people talk about coverages, themes, or shapefiles. All these terms are other names for layers of information.

With individual layers we can conduct analysis between layers and only display layers of interest.

Another layer type is Image, such as an aerial photo (visible in the above examples) or scanned USGS Topographic map. Images have no attributes associated with them, but often serve as the base map for Vector data.

As you are working with Geographic Data Viewer maps you will be able to turn different layers on and off as you desire.

Parcel Search

You can locate properties through either a parcel search or an address search. Parcel Search is available only for communities that have digital parcels and have agreed to allow use in this system. See which ones are available by using the " Choose Municipality " dropdown menu. You can search for a parcel by various attributes. All attributes are not available for all participating communities, and owner names are currently suppressed for residential propertes.

Address Search

Address Search is available for all municipalities, including those that have digital parcels in the system. Choose a municipality and enter a complete or partial address. Cross Street is optional. Results will appear below ranked by match score (based on spelling & number range). Click on the best fitting result to zoom to address.

Note that this method of address matching is approximate. The result may be as far as 350 feet from the actual location. Use the aerial photo to determine accurate location.

The Map Window and Tools

The main window is the Map Window, where the map is displayed. Outside the map are numerous tools that allow you to navigate your way around the map and adjust your view from up-close to far away. Other tools help you to print a map or to select a parcel for detailed property attributes.

You can move around the map using the Pan Tool. If you want to go north using the pan tool click and hold down the left button on the mouse onto the map and drag down. Whatever part of the map you grab with the little hand will end up where you let go of the mouse button. This works for moving any direction on the map.

There are two ways to use the Zoom In tool. One way is to go somewhere on the map and press the left mouse button. The center of the new map is wherever on the map you clicked the mouse button. You can zoom in more precisely by pressing the mouse button somewhere on the map, holding it down, and dragging a box. When you let go of the mouse button, the new map extent will be the area defined by the box.

The Full View button zooms you out to the maximum extent of the information.

The Zoom to Selected Property zooms to the property that is currently selected.

Zoom In Center

Zoom Out Center

This feature also allows you to control the scale of the map.

The Select Property tool allows you to get attribute information on a property by clicking on it. If you left click the mouse using the Select Property tool, the map will highlight the property you have selected. The Property Attributes box to the right of the map will provide information on the selected property.

To the right of the map is a box that displays Property Attributes. All attributes are not available for all participating communities. However, greater detail and other propery information such as photos, floorplan sketches, and sales history are available on the municipal Assessor's Property Card (click link in upper righ hand corner) for those communities that make property cards available online. (often hosted through an assessment company).

Below the Property Attributes box is the Legend which describes the contents of the map.

Turning Layers On and Off

A layer is visible on the map if there is a check in the square next to it. You can turn layers on or off by clicking in the square. By default, some layers may be turned on and others may be turned off when you initially open the map. The layers checked determine both the map and legend content.

After you turn a layer on or off, the map will automatically refresh. If you want to turn off this function, uncheck the Automatic box. When the auto refresh function is turned off, you'll have to click on the Refresh Map every time you would like to update the map.

Printing a Map

To print a map, press the Print button above the map view. You will be prompted to type in a title for your map. After you type in a title, click on Create which will result in a PDF verion of your map including table of contents and location in the state.

Notice that within your internet brower window there is a new toolbar for handling the PDF map. There may be variations in the appearance of this toolbar depending on your browser and local software. Use these buttons to print your map or save it to a file for later use or distribution as an email attachment. These concepts also apply to PDF reports created from the Census and Business Analysis tabs.

When you have saved or printed your map, use the Back button on your internet browser to return to the mapping application.

Changing Tabs

You entered the map at the Parcel Mapping tab. Above the map area, there are three additional tabs - Site Suitability, Census Analysis, and Business Analysis - from which you can choose. Each tab contains a different variety of data layers and two tabs include automated report functions. The location and zoom level of your map will remain the same as you switch from one tab to another.

Site Suitability

Additional layers related to infrastructure and the enviroment are available under the Site Suitability Tab. You can turn the layers on or off by clicking in the square. Numerous base layers are also available.

Census Analysis

There are 21 different census data items that can be displayed graphically in the map view.

You have the option of generating an Automatic Census Profile for a search area of 1, 5, 10, 25, or 50 miles, or only for the census block group in which the property lies.

Business Analysis

Also included in the Business Analysis page is the ability to generate an Automated Business Report. You can determine the search area around your selected location. The Automated Business Report provides the number of businesses and jobs within each of the sectors and subsectors.