topic Re: Outlining my states in EduGIS Questions

Outlining my states

ChaseBergklint — Mon, 01 Feb 2016 20:06:53 GMT

I am creating a map layer of my three states:Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky with the zip code polygons around them. However, there is not really a clear outline and because of the shape of the states (Kentucky and Indiana are not exactly pretty polygon-shapes). I could edit them, but I feel like that would be hard to follow the outline of Kentucky and Indiana, especially with them not being exactly pretty shapes. Besides editing I have tried playing with in in the selection options, to no avail. Can someone help me make the states outlines look clean, clear and crisp?

Thanks,

Chase

Re: Outlining my states

JakeSkinner — Mon, 01 Feb 2016 21:18:52 GMT

Would you be able to zip and upload the shapefile/feature class you are working with?

Re: Outlining my states

DanPatterson_Retired — Mon, 01 Feb 2016 21:34:18 GMT

yes... before the aforementioned states feel slighted...

Re: Outlining my states

ChrisDonohue__GISP — Mon, 01 Feb 2016 21:49:14 GMT

Just an idea - if you have an attribute that differentiates the polygons by the State, you can run the Dissolve (Data Management) tool using that field to create a new feature class that shows the states.

Dissolve (Data Management)

Chris Donohue, GISP

Re: Outlining my states

DarrenWiens2 — Mon, 01 Feb 2016 23:21:41 GMT

Can you elaborate on what "not exactly pretty polygon-shapes" means? Are they too detailed, or unpleasing shapes in some way?

Also, you list these states and then say you want zip codes around them? Does that mean "a few zip codes within states", "all the zip codes within the states", or literally, "the zip codes around (outside) these states"?

Re: Outlining my states

XanderBakker — Tue, 02 Feb 2016 00:07:55 GMT

Maybe a simple screenshot that shows what you mean a why it is "not pretty", would help a lot...

Re: Outlining my states

ChaseBergklint — Tue, 02 Feb 2016 05:24:23 GMT

Here is a screen shot of the zip codes and the states outline. As you can see it is really hard to delineate the boundaries between the states.

Re: Outlining my states

DanPatterson_Retired — Tue, 02 Feb 2016 05:43:04 GMT

why not make a separate file with just the state boundaries in polyline form and use it over top of the other file. If not readily available, you could dissolve all the internal geometry export from polygon to polyline. Symbolize that layer with a more pronounced line width and/or color

Re: Outlining my states

ChadKopplin — Tue, 02 Feb 2016 07:08:07 GMT

Are the first 2 or 3 digits unique to each state? If so, you could select each group of zip codes separately and dissolve them as you select them.