ArcGIS Explorer Blog : UC 2009

ArcGIS Explorer QA from the 2009 User Conference - Part 2

ArcGIS-Explorer-Team — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 00:37:00 GMT

Q. Have the cartographic capabilities of ArcGIS Explorer for local data been improved?

A. Yes. ArcGIS Explorer now supports ArcGIS layer files and layer packages which enable ArcGIS Explorer users to view the same cartography as in ArcGIS Desktop. Users create layer files or packages using ArcMap or ArcGlobe.

Q. Will ArcGIS Explorer support Image Server?

A. Yes, but for this next release you'll have to create a layer file in ArcGIS Desktop, then add that to Explorer. We'll expand support for Image Server in a future release.

Q. I've implemented a home server, will this change when I install the new version?

A. Yes, the home server has been replaced by application configurations. Application configurations are easy to create and/or modify using the Application Configuration Manager. Using application configurations multiple configurations can be created and managed easily, and are easier to implement, manage, and deploy than than the previous home server implementation.

Q. Can an ArcGIS Explorer presentations run automatically?

A. Yes, presentations can be set to advance automatically at a specified time interval, and the map can be saved so that the presentation starts automatically when the map is opened.

Q. Can you include PowerPoint slides in an ArcGIS Explorer presentation?

A. Yes. PowerPoint slides can be saved from PowerPoint and added to ArcGIS Explorer as an image overlay. ArcGIS Explorer's presentation controls enable you to add and use multiple "slides," position the slides in a variety of ways, and control when they are displayed during the presentation. Image overlays can be used to add logos, text, or other graphics that can enhance any presentation.

Q. Does ArcGIS Explorer support projections?

A. Yes, ArcGIS Explorer has always projected data on-the-fly onto its globe. With the new option to display data in 2D mode, the map projection can bet set to any ArcGIS projection, and includes support for local transformations.

Q. What are the new file types in ArcGIS Explorer?

A. The new version of ArcGIS Explorer supports the following:

NMF - ArcGIS Explorer map documents. You can save your existing map as a new map document, or open an existing map document.
NMC - ArcGIS Explorer map content. When you select an item in Contents and export it, an .nmc file is created. NMC files can be used to add content to you map, or E-mail to share with others.
EAZ - ArcGIS Explorer add-ins. Add-ins are created using the ArcGIS Explorer SDK and are used to extend ArcGIS Explorer's capabilities by connecting to geoprocessing or other services. Add-ins can be shared easily, and be can be added directly or included in an application configuration.
NCFG - ArcGIS Explorer application configuration. An application configuration is used to control and customize a variety of application capabilities; functions can be enabled or disabled, controls on the ribbon can added, removed, or reorganized, a new default map can be specified, a custom startup banner or logo can be used, and much more. Application configurations can be shared like NMF files, but contain not only the "map" but the entire user experience as well.

Q. Will my existing ArcGIS Explorer NMF files work?

A. Yes, existing NMF files can be opened and used.

Q. Will my existing custom tasks work?

A. Custom tasks will need to be rebuilt using the new ArcGIS Explorer SDK. Add-ins replace task files and provide an easy way to manage and distribute custom controls that extend Explorer's capabilities.

Q. Will ArcGIS Explorer still be free?

A. Yes, ArcGIS Explorer is free, and can be freely distributed.

Q. I want to create an add-in, and sell that as part of my business to other Explorer users. Is this permitted?

A. Yes, developers can create custom add-ins and distribute those for free or for fee. There are no restrictions.

Q. If I use my data with ArcGIS Explorer, or use ArcGIS Online to share my data, do I give up any rights to my data to ESRI?

A. No, it's entirely your data and ESRI has no rights to it.

ArcGIS Explorer QA from the 2009 User Conference - Part 1

ArcGIS-Explorer-Team — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 16:24:00 GMT

At the ESRI User Conference a couple of weeks ago we received many questions about the upcoming release. As always, we appreciate your feedback and comments. Here's a list of the more frequently asked questions and their answers.

Q. How does ArcGIS Explorer fit into the rest of the ESRI product line?

A. ArcGIS Explorer is specifically designed to be a free and easy way for you to provide broader access to your GIS data and capabilities to other departments within your organization, with organizations outside your own, or geographic information users everywhere.

It's meant to be used as a viewer of what has been authored in ArcGIS Desktop as map or globe services, or layer files and packages. ArcGIS Explorer can also be extended via add-ins which connect to geoprocessing services that you author using ArcGIS Desktop and publish via ArcGIS Server.

ArcGIS Explorer has the capability to read local data directly, and offers basic rendering and property editing for local content. ArcGIS Explorer also allows you to create notes and easily integrate other documents and media, such as photos, movies, reports, and more. ArcGIS Explorer is meant as a way for you to deliver GIS to everyone, and is intended for users that aren't GIS experts or analysts but who may need to use GIS data and/or capabilities.

Q. Do I need ArcGIS Server to use ArcGIS Explorer?

A. No. ArcGIS Explorer is ready to use and connects directly to ArcGIS Online which powers the default map, basemaps, and tools you use. Though you don't need ArcGIS Server, you can extend the maps and capabilities of ArcGIS Explorer by authoring and publishing your own maps and layers via ArcGIS Server, or authoring geoprocessing tools which can extend Explorer's capabilities via add-ins.

Q. Is ArcGIS Explorer customizable?

A. Yes, ArcGIS Explorer can be customized in a variety of ways, many of which do not require programming. First, users personalize the application by changing color schemes, the behavior of various aspects of the application, choosing tools to appear on the Quick Access Toolbar, and the location of windows such as Content.

ArcGIS Explorer can be further customized using using the Application Configuration Manager (ACM). Using the ACM you can remove tools, add new tabs, reorganize existing tools, enable or disable capabilities (like saving the map, or adding new layers), and more. These are saved as application configuration files (.ncfg) which can even be opened directly via double-clicking. In many cases the ACM is used to configure Explorer for specific users and workflows.

Using the ArcGIS Explorer SDK, you can extend Explorer's capabilities via add-ins that you create using Visual Studio. A typical example might be authoring a geoprocessing tool, and extending Explorer with additional GIS capabilities via an add-in built using the SDK. Add-ins can also be managed within application configurations.

Q. How can I use Application Configurations?

A. Application configurations are a great way to customize Explorer to support specific users or workflows. So, for example, you could create a special version of Explorer for planners, another for the utility department, and another for crime analysis. The application configurations can be centrally managed within an organization.

Q. Is there a charge for the SDK?

A. No, the ArcGIS Explorer SDK is free via a separate download.

Q. What are "expansion packs?"

A. Expansion packs are optional downloads and used to deliver additional ArcGIS Explorer capabilities or resources. The current list of expansion packs includes:

Data Access Expansion Pack - expands geodatabase functionality by allowing direct connections to multi-user geodatabases.
Fonts Expansion Pack - adds more ESRI fonts for use with ArcGIS Explorer when displaying ArcGIS layer files and layer packages.
Projection Engine Expansion Pack - adds more projections and geotransformations for use with ArcGIS Explorer.

Q. Can I work offline with ArcGIS Explorer?

A. ArcGIS Explorer is meant to be used in a connected environment since the default map, basemaps, and functions are provided via ArcGIS Online, but you can work in a disconnected (or intermittently connected) environment. You can work directly with local content, and can work with any Web-based content you've visited (and therefore cached locally), but you won't be able to use Find or other capabilities that rely upon ArcGIS Online services.

Q. Can I symbolize data any way that I want in ArcGIS Explorer?

A. ArcGIS Explorer provides basic capabilities for symbolizing local content, and includes a rich palette of point symbols that you can extend. The upcoming release adds support for ArcGIS layer files and layer packages. Layer packages are ideal for encapsulating ArcMap cartography with the data in an easy-to-share package that can be E-mailed, copied to CD or DVD, or shared via ArcGIS Online. Using layer files and layer packages ArcGIS Desktop cartography can be viewed using ArcGIS Explorer.

Basemap and layer service cartography is not editable, and are "as-authored" by the ArcMap user who created it and published it via ArcGIS Server.

And the number one question we were asked:

Q. When will the new version of ArcGIS Explorer become available?

A. Soon!

UC 2009 closing session questions posted

ArcGIS-Explorer-Team — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 22:07:00 GMT

The questions asked during the ESRI 2009 User Conference closing session are now posted.

We'll be providing a summary of our answers to ArcGIS Explorer questions from the conference in upcoming posts.

ESRI 2009 User Conference Plenary in review

ArcGIS-Explorer-Team — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 21:36:00 GMT

If you missed or want to review the plenary presentations at the ESRI 2009 User Conference last week they are now available at esri.com.

Complete Plenary

ArcGIS Explorer

ArcGIS Online (with ArcGIS Explorer)

ArcGIS Explorer at the ESRI User Conference Plenary - Part 2

ArcGIS-Explorer-Team — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 19:23:00 GMT

(Be sure to check part 1 of this post)

For the next segment of the ESRI User Conference plenary demonstration, Bernie Szukalski focused on the new ArcGIS Explorer presentation capabilities. These allow users to leverage all of the capabilities of Explorer to create dynamic geographic presentations.

First he showed what looked like a PowerPoint slide, and said that he had created it using PowerPoint and had added it to Explorer (as a display overlay). To advance to the next slide, just click the arrow in the top left or press the keyboard space bar.

Szukalski showed an example of using Explorer for a presentation at a city planning meeting. As he advanced his "slides" he zoomed in to the city and displayed several layers. He explained that this might look like a regular PowerPoint presentation, but then took control of Explorer and zoomed around, tilted the view, and clicked several features to show how he was using "live" Explorer. He clicked on a lot polygon to show that attributes could be viewed, and also clicked on a camera icon to show he was also connected to live traffic cameras.

Moving into another presentation, he showcased Yellowstone National Park. Zooming into the park he explained that he was using layer packages (to take advantage of ArcGIS Desktop cartography), and showed precipitation data draped on top of the topographic basemap (from the basemap gallery) along with a legend. Note also the title added using Explorer's presentation tools.

Advancing to the Upper Geyser Basin, he showed the support for KML and KMZ files by showing a 3D Sketchup model of the Old Faithful Inn, and also a live link to the Yellowstone National Park Old Faithful Geyser cam. At any time during the presentation a user can take control of Explorer to navigate, or click on features to show additional information.

Finally, he moved into a presentation that was targeted at highlighting Explorer's use for educators. He leveraged some of the available content for kids and educators found on the Yellowstone National Park Web site, and showed flash animations and other overlays in his presentation. Below is a flash animation that shows how the Yellowstone hot spot may have formed (from the educational resources on the Yellowstone site) and a display overlay of the Junior Ranger program badges.

ArcGIS Explorer at the ESRI User Conference Plenary - Part 1

ArcGIS-Explorer-Team — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 18:37:00 GMT

At this morning's opening plenary at the ESRI 2009 User Conference, Jack Dangermond introduced ArcGIS Explorer as technology that would be "tranformational." Bernie Szukalski provided a demonstration, highlighting some of the new features and capabilities coming up in the next release.

The first thing users will notice is the new ribbon; it's well designed, intuitive, and makes ArcGIS Explorer very easy to use. As Bernie noted in his opening statements, ArcGIS Explorer is a great way to provide broader access to your GIS data and reach new users.

He showcased the new Bing Maps, including Bing Aerials and Bing Roads that are part of Explorer's new basemaps gallery. Here's the Bing roads.

And here's the basemap gallery, showing the thumbnails to click to open Bing roads, aerials, and hybrid along with other ArcGIS Online basemaps.

Bernie explained that the basemap gallery could be extended, and chose a world population basemap that he added to the gallery. Zooming out he introduced the new integrated 2d/3d display, and showed the world population in a Web Mercator projection, explaining that Explorer supports all of the ArcGIS projections and transformations. Here's an example showing the Goode Homosoline projection.

Modes can be toggled on-the-fly, and switching to 3D mode everyone could see that the basemap data was authored in 3D, and that country polygons were extruded based on their population value.

Bernie then explained that one of the unique and defining characteristics of ArcGIS Explorer was that it worked with all users' GIS data directly, with no conversion needed. With the next release ArcGIS layer files and layer packages are supported, bringing ArcGIS Desktop's cartography to ArcGIS Explorer.

Szukalski further explained that layer packages encapsulate the cartography and data in one easy to share file. and that all that Explorer users had to do was turn on the file to see all the ArcGIS Desktop-authored cartography. Here we see several layer packages that were authored using ArcGIS Desktop, including the shared results of a GIS analysis that show high slope areas in close proximity to major roads.

Next, he explained that ArcGIS Explorer could be easily customized, without programming (this uses the new application configurations). And that ArcGIS Explorer also had a powerful SDK which let developers extend Explorer's capabilities with add-ins. He showed a new tab with several add-ins, many found in the new ArcGIS Explorer Labs group shared on ArcGIS Online.

He then used the Profile add-in to drag a line across the surface, explaining that the line was being sent to a remote ArcGIS Server geoprocessing service, which performed the analysis, and returned the result shown below.

Be sure to check out Part II of this two-part post.

Saturday behind the scenes at ESRI UC 2009

ArcGIS-Explorer-Team — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 00:06:00 GMT

Rehearsing for Monday's plenary

Betty at the backstage command center

Definitely not wireless (or cableless) technology

Where the Explorer team will be in the soon-to-be hopping showcase area

ArcGIS Explorer at the Homeland Security GIS Summit

ArcGIS-Explorer-Team — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 20:35:00 GMT

Yesterday Bern Szukalski showcased the upcoming release of ArcGIS Explorer at the opening plenary of the 2009 ESRI Homeland Security Summit held in conjunction with the 2009 ESRI User Conference in San Diego.

Opening remarks were made by former Wyoming Governor Jim Geringer who explained the need for timely and authoritative data for making informed decisions.

Bern began his presentation by agreeing that authoritive GIS data and analysis performed by GIS experts was indeed essential, and that ArcGIS Explorer was an ideal choice for delivering that GIS-based information to a broad audience of decision makers. He explained that many people involved in homeland security issues are not GIS experts, but still need to use GIS data, and that ArcGIS Explorer is a good choice for providing GIS access to more people.

He showcased several scenarios. The first showed the results of an analysis of stage 1 through 4 storm surge areas in Dorchester County, Maryland. Using Explorer the analysis results, delivered as layer packages created in ArcGIS Desktop, could be shared and viewed by others.

He also showed the result of a social vulnerability model in both 2D and 3D.

He then showed several examples of how Explorer could be used in fire response. He integrated videos with fire locations, and also showed how post-fire damage asessment could be imported using GPS locations and viewed.

He also showed how the swipe and transparency tools could be used with newly-flown imagery in the form of local raster files draped on top of the existing aerial basemaps to understand more about damaged areas.

Finally, he authored a presentation for a security briefing concerning a suspicious vehicle found near an airport, and used GIS drive time analysis results to view where the vehicle may travel.

ArcGIS Explorer at the ESRI Education User Conference

ArcGIS-Explorer-Team — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 20:30:00 GMT

While the official opening of the ESRI User Conference is still a couple of days away, several other concurrent conferences have already started. At the opening plenary of the 2009 ESRI Education User Conference Bern Szukalski delivered a 30-minute presentation covering some of the new features of ArcGIS 9.3.1, ArcGIS Online, and an overview of the upcoming new release of ArcGIS Explorer. Here's a few highlights of what he showed.

Bern started off with ArcGIS Desktop, and opened a mostly empty map. He explained what he needed was additional basemap information; he was looking for topographic maps.

To find basemaps to use he opened ArcGIS Online and searched for "usgs topo." The search turned up a list of results. But unlike a Google search using the same keywords, the results are ready-to-use ArcGIS maps and layers.

He examined the descriptions of several services, and showed how they can previewed in a browser.

He clicked "Open in ArcGIS" to add the basemap to ArcMap.

Next, Bern added some data that he had downloaded from the National Park Service clearinghouse. He adjusted the symbology, hid some fields, and checked the HTML popup property "on" as part of the authoring process.

Finally he right-clicked the layer and chose Create Layer Package...

He then logged in to ArcGIS Online, explaining that when you do (with your ESRI global account) you can add content, and create or join groups.

First he created a new group called "EdUC" and explained this is where he wanted to share his newly saved layer package.

Then Bern added the newly saved layer package to his content by choosing Add Item.

A thumbnail and description were automatically generated.

Bern then chose to share the layer package, making it available to "Everyone" and also sharing it and adding it to his new "EdUC" group.

Next he showed how the shared layer package could now be discovered and then opened in Explorer. The layer package captures the symbology and other information as authored using ArcGIS Desktop, and when opened in Explorer the same desktop cartography and other properties are seen.

From there it was a whirlwind tour of new capabilities in the upcoming release, with many features resonating with the audience. Shown below is a screen capture of part of the presentation authored using Explorer, showing a virtual tour along the Upper Geyser Basin including links to Yellowstone National Park information.

Later in the day Bern held a workshop for EdUC attendees in front of a packed room. All heartily agreed that ArcGIS Explorer is a valuable way to teach and present GIS and geography.

ArcGIS Explorer at UC 2009

ArcGIS-Explorer-Team — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 19:40:00 GMT

We're packing up and heading to San Diego and are looking forward to showcasing the upcoming new release. Here's an overview of where you'll be able to meet the team, learn more about ArcGIS Explorer, and check out the upcoming release.

ArcGIS Explorer will featured during the Education User Conference plenary on Saturday July 9. Later that day for EdUC attendees there will be a workshop covering how you can use ArcGIS Explorer and introducing its many new features and capabilities.

Also on Saturday, July 9, ArcGIS Explorer will be shown during the Homeland Security GIS Summit.

And of course watch for us during the main event plenary on Monday.

We'll be in the ESRI Showcase area, located in the main exhibition hall. Look for us at the ArcGIS Explorer tower in the middle of the ArcGIS Online island. There you'll have an opportunity to meet the team, ask questions, and test drive Explorer for yourself.

The 2009 ESRI User Conference online agenda planner will help you find ArcGIS Explorer events throughout the week. Here's a daily schedule of the Explorer specific events:

Tuesday

Tuesday 12:00 to 1:00 Exhibit Hall Showcase Island: ArcGIS Online Sharing for ArcGIS Explorer

Tuesday 1:30 to 2:45 Room 6E: Getting Started with ArcGIS Explorer 900

Tuesday 3:14 to 4:30 Room 6E: ArcGIS Explorer 900: Going Beyond the Basics

Tuesday 5:00 to 6:00 Exhibit Hall Showcase Island: Approaches to Exploring Attribute Data in ArcGIS Explorer 900

Wednesday

Wednesday 8:30 to 9:45 Room 15A: Extending ArcGIS Explorer 900 Using ArcGIS Explorer SDK

Wednesday 1:00 to 2:00 Exhibit Hall Showcase Island: Using ArcGIs Explorer SDK for Displaying Real-Time GPS

Wednesday 5:00 to 6:00 Exhibit Hall Showcase Island: Authoring ArcGIS Explorer 900 Presentations

Thursday

Thursday 1:30 to 2:45 Room 6E: Getting Started with ArcGIS Explorer 900

Thursday 1:30 to 2:45 Room 15A: Extending ArcGIS Explorer 900 Using ArcGIS Explorer SDK

Thursday 3:15 to 4:30 Room 6E: ArcGIS Explorer 900: Going Beyond the Basics

Friday

Friday 9:00 to 10:15 Room 5A/B: Getting Started with ArcGIS Explorer 900

As you can see, there's lots of opportunities to learn more about ArcGIS Explorer. We're looking forward to seeing you in San Diego.

YouTube Video about ArcGIS Explorer sessions at UC2009

ArcGIS-Explorer-Team — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 19:32:00 GMT

ArcGIS Explorer team member Bern Szukalski previews the ArcGIS Explorer sessions that will be available during the upcoming 2009 ESRI User Conference.

More ESRI videos can be found on esritv where you can also view the ArcGIS Explorer playlist.