topic Re: How do I creating a basemap using my own .PNG or .TIFF files? in New to GIS Questions

How do I creating a basemap using my own .PNG or .TIFF files?

JosephGuzzardo — Tue, 26 May 2015 19:55:32 GMT

How does one create a STATIC basemap (or STATIC layer) using ArcMap (Arc-GIS Pro/Desktop) using my very own *.TIFF or *.PNG files?

And if I want to get really fancy, how do I the same, but create a LAYER to which I can tie ("clip"??? whatever???) to an existing "out-of-the-box" ERSI/Arc-GIS basemap using ARC-GIS Pro/Desktop's ArcMap? Or, do I use another module other than ArcMAP?

These image files are NOT to be used for any dynamic fancy data analysis or anything else -- they are simply a basemap of existing surveys and county maps that I'd like to use as either:

a) a BASEMAP; and/or

b) a LAYER with some dimming or transparency as an overlay atop the "out-of-the-box" ERSI U.S. Roadmaps Basemap...

NOTHING FANCY / NOTHING DEMOGRAPHICAL or ANALYTICAL -- JUST A STATIC LAYER!

This has to be easier than spending ANOTHER 27 hours I've already spent reading the ARC-GIS manuals.

Re: How do I creating a basemap using my own .PNG or .TIFF files?

SepheFox — Tue, 26 May 2015 20:02:34 GMT

Hi Joseph, you create a raster basemap, by adding your tiff to ArcMap, and then georeferencing it. You'll need to use an existing layer to match it to, usually an orthophoto of some kind. I know you said you were trying to avoid reading, but you're basically going to have to read the georeferencing help file, whether you use the one from ESRI, or have someone else retype the same information here : Fundamentals of Georeferencing a Raster

Re: How do I creating a basemap using my own .PNG or .TIFF files?

SepheFox — Tue, 26 May 2015 20:05:29 GMT

Additionally, you can use this same georeferenced image as your basemap, or lay it over another basemap and give it some transparency in the layer properties. Turning it into a vector layer will basically mean digitizing each feature. Not sure if this answers the second part of your question or not.

Re: How do I creating a basemap using my own .PNG or .TIFF files?

JosephGuzzardo — Tue, 26 May 2015 20:34:01 GMT

Thanks, Sephe...

I think I've made this more confusing and over-complicated things far more than they need to be for my own good. I followed so many tutorials used all these various conversion tools (Raster to Polygon, etc) and I've only confused myself more.

OK. According to the "Fundamentals of Georef'g a Raster", it says simply to:

1) "In ArcMap, ADD the raster that you want to align with your projected data."

This is that "easy" step where I don't even know where to begin at this point. While I don't mind reading the more complex points in the helpful piece to which you referred me --and confident I can do the rest-- I do not know which menu item to begin "ADDING THE RASTER [I| want to align with [my] projected data"...

I am relatively technical, but not a GIS professional.

Once I get this initial step done, I'm confident that I can do the rest.

Thanks again, Sephe!

Re: How do I creating a basemap using my own .PNG or .TIFF files?

JosephGuzzardo — Tue, 26 May 2015 20:35:26 GMT

Do I simply go to "Add Data" and choose my .TIFF???

It can't be THAT easy or I'm jumping out the window...

(Joking, of cousre)

Re: How do I creating a basemap using my own .PNG or .TIFF files?

ChrisDonohue__GISP — Tue, 26 May 2015 20:55:10 GMT

Yes, you just hit "Add data" and choose your tiff.

But before doing so, be sure there are a few things you want to set up:

Add to ArcMap the data that you will be using to align your tiff to. Be sure to do this BEFORE adding your tiff. The reason to add it before is that ArcMap will default to the coordinate system of the first layer added; your tiff has no coordinate system.
Once you get the reference data in, check to see what the coordinate system is.
1. In ArcMap, Table of Contents area, right-click on Layers.
2. Choose "Properties" from the list.
3. Click on the "Coordinate System" tab.
4. Check to see what coordinate system was chosen. Be sure it is a "Projected Coordinate System" (scroll up to see what heading the system is under). If it is a "Geographic Coordinate System", you will need to decide on an appropriate Projected Coordinate System (which is a much larger discussion than can be explained at this juncture).

Chris Donohue, GISP

Re: How do I creating a basemap using my own .PNG or .TIFF files?

SepheFox — Tue, 26 May 2015 21:18:16 GMT

Yes, Joseph, as Chris says, you just have to add your raster using the add button. Please don't jump out of the window though. You've only just begun on your georeferencing journey, and I'm sure there will be roadblocks ahead! Aside from the important things Chris mentioned, you are going to want to choose a layer to reference it to that has some of the same features, and that haven't changed. For example, a building, or a road intersection. Let us know if anything else trips you up! This is a fairly simple procedure once you have done it, but I know at first it can seem like some crazy science.

Re: How do I creating a basemap using my own .PNG or .TIFF files?

JosephGuzzardo — Tue, 26 May 2015 22:19:52 GMT

You all are great!

1) I've added the raster using, <File>, <Add Data>, <+Add Data>...

2) Then, attached my PNG (pseudo-thumbnail sample is attached).

3) The image does not show on the may itself yet, but also has some RGB references on the layer panel (see thumbnail).

4) I went to the <Georeferencing> dropdown menu, and the only way I could get it to show on the map as a layer was to choose <Fit to Display>, but that's obviously a mistake, b/c now it appears I'll have to delete the layer becuz it does not match with the county line/boundaries of both this raster layer and my basemap (U.S. Roads), UNLESS there is still a way to adjust it to match my basemap, as it does not match up to the county corners...

I don't expect you guys to walk all the way thru this with me, BUT... perhaps it can help others get the hang of the concepts by doing thru my trial and error and learning.

~JG

Re: How do I creating a basemap using my own .PNG or .TIFF files?

JosephGuzzardo — Tue, 26 May 2015 22:23:07 GMT

I also get an error/dialogue box that pops up that says:

"The following data sources you added are missing spatial reference info. This data can be drawn in ArcMap, but cannot be projected..."

Re: How do I creating a basemap using my own .PNG or .TIFF files?

SepheFox — Tue, 26 May 2015 22:38:15 GMT

Oh, so, first you add your basemap that is already georeferenced. Make sure it has an appropriate projection, as Chris warned. Then you add the raster you want to georeference. Scroll and zoom until you are close to the view that your raster takes up (from previous visual inspection), and THEN use "fit to display". Your raster will be fit to the extent of your view. You can always do it again if you want to get closer. After this you fine tune the fit by creating control points--first click on a part of your raster that you can identify on the basemap, then click on the corresponding location on the basemap. Make at least 4 or 5 points, and spread them around the raster if you can. Then you click Update Georeferencing. Look at this for the specific steps:ArcGIS Help 10.1

Re: How do I creating a basemap using my own .PNG or .TIFF files?

IanMurray — Tue, 26 May 2015 22:39:12 GMT

That warning is merely telling you what you already know, that your image files do not already have a spatial reference(yet). The easiest way to find where your image was brought in to ArcMap is by right clicking on the image layer on the Table of Contents(Layer Panel) and selecting zoom to layer(likely at a very small scale). It will likely be nowhere close to any of any value to you on your map, but thats okay. When you begin georeferencing, it will scale and rotate according to your control points and should be close to what you are needing once completed. You will be needing to be zooming in and out and back and forth alot, so the zoom to layer will be of great help to you.

You will need to follow the fundamentals of georeferencing that Sephe posted, but it will be a process of matching a point on your image to a point on your data that would be the same. The first set of matching points should fix your images location(the point on your image and point on your data should be the same), the second set generally fixes the scale so they match in size(likely your image is much much smaller than your dataset, usually are for my images). The third and subsequent matched points, will fix any problems of rotation and warping of the image to properly fix your raster to your dataset.

Re: How do I creating a basemap using my own .PNG or .TIFF files?

SepheFox — Tue, 26 May 2015 22:39:20 GMT

Yes, you should expect this warning with the image you're about to georeference. It hasn't been given a spatial reference yet, but that's what you are about to do!

Re: How do I creating a basemap using my own .PNG or .TIFF files?

ChrisDonohue__GISP — Wed, 27 May 2015 21:06:46 GMT

Not sure about the Mouse locked to zoom issue - maybe the computer needs to be rebooted?

In regards to Georeferencing your image, some advice, assuming you are using ArcMap:

Georeferencing is not intuitive in many ways. For example, one can't really drag an image around to help align it. Instead, one gets it "somewhat close" with the "Fit to Display".
To align the image, one creates control points by finding common information on both images and drawing the links. This involves zooming back and forth, from the image you want to georeference to the known data. Once you have several good control point links, you can do the adjustment.
The actual adjustment of the image is not done by selecting it in the Table of Contents (which would be intuitive). Instead, in the Georeferencing Toolbar, the image to be georeferenced needs to be chosen in the pulldown on the left.

As Sephe mentioned, this is not a straightforward process to do the first time around. I think all of us who have learned it pulled out our hair a bit at first, as it is easy to get tripped up. If you know someone in your organization who could show you the ropes on it, that would help tremendously. Georefencing is one of those easy things to do once you know it, but the initial learning curve is steep, as there are many things which can trip one up.
One tip for something I learned the hard way - Don't use a Map Rotation on your Data Frame at all. It is tempting to rotate the data frame to make viewing the data easier, but this will deactivate the Georeferencing capabilities. So if you have the Data Frame Toolbar up, be sure the Rotation is set to zero the entire time you are Georeferencing - don't change it. Even if this means georeferencing an image that is upside-down....

Fundamentals of Georeferencing

ArcGIS Help (10.2, 10.2.1, and 10.2.2)

Chris Donohue, GISP

Re: How do I creating a basemap using my own .PNG or .TIFF files?

DarrenWiens2 — Wed, 27 May 2015 21:23:52 GMT

You seem to be getting frustrated, to put it mildly, so my first advice is to take a break and get a fresh start some other time.

Other than that, here is exactly how I georeference images.

1.) Open your image outside ArcMap or print your image so you can look at it.

2.) Start up ArcMap. Make sure the georeferencing toolbar is added.

3.) Add some georeferenced data that you will use to match your image to. There must be some common features between this data layer and your image so that you can make a match (you must make at least three matches).

4.) Add your image using the Add Data button. The image should appear in the Table of Contents and in the dropdown portion of the georeferencing toolbar. Make sure the image is the selected layer in the dropdown portion of the georeferencing toolbar.

5.) Zoom the map so that your georeferenced data (from step 3) is approximately showing the area in your image.

6.) In the georeferencing toolbar, under 'Georeferencing' menu, choose fit to display. Your image should appear, but it's not georeferenced yet.

7.) Find one of the common features on your image. Click the 'Add Control Points' button in the georeferencing toolbar. Click on the image on the common feature to add the first control point. Click the common feature from your georeferenced data to place the second control point. Now you've matched one of your common features between the image and 'the world'. You can click the 'View Link Table' button on the georeferencing toolbar to convince yourself. In fact, get familiar with the link table - this is where you can delete control points when you make a mistake.

8.) Repeat step 7 at least 2 more times with other pairs of common features. You must make at least 3 matches. Try to spread them out across your image. At some point, usually less than 10 matches, the more matches you make, the worse your georeferencing will be, so don't overdo it.

9.) When you're satisfied, click 'Update Georeferencing' under the 'Georeferencing' menu on the georeferencing toolbar.

That's it!

This was a very long-winded way to say: use the georeferencing toolbar to match common features using control points.

Re: How do I creating a basemap using my own .PNG or .TIFF files?

SepheFox — Fri, 29 May 2015 02:52:53 GMT

Where do you see a comment about the mouse locked to zoom? I've read through the thread a couple of times, but I just can't seem to find it! Was there a comment here that got deleted? Between your comment, and Darren's about frustration, I feel like I'm missing something.

Re: How do I creating a basemap using my own .PNG or .TIFF files?

ChrisDonohue__GISP — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 19:17:56 GMT

Sephe - I think it was deleted. I just re-read the thread and it is gone.

Chris Donohue, GISP

Re: How do I creating a basemap using my own .PNG or .TIFF files?

SepheFox — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 19:19:32 GMT

Oh, ok, thank you. I'm not crazy after all!

Re: How do I creating a basemap using my own .PNG or .TIFF files?

SepheFox — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 19:22:44 GMT

Joseph, was your question answered? I think it should be, since 3 or 4 people have walked you through the process. If so, do you mind marking an answer as correct? This will help other people with the same problem find the answer. You can also mark any answers as helpful that were particularly valuable to you. Thanks!

Re: How do I creating a basemap using my own .PNG or .TIFF files?

ChrisDonohue__GISP — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 19:25:07 GMT

Wait, Sephe, are you sure about that? You do work with GIS, after all...

Chris Donohue, GISP

Re: How do I creating a basemap using my own .PNG or .TIFF files?

SepheFox — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 19:34:55 GMT

Good point!

topic Re: How do I creating a basemap using my own *.PNG or *.TIFF files? in New to GIS Questions

How do I creating a basemap using my own *.PNG or *.TIFF files?

Re: How do I creating a basemap using my own *.PNG or *.TIFF files?

Re: How do I creating a basemap using my own *.PNG or *.TIFF files?

Re: How do I creating a basemap using my own *.PNG or *.TIFF files?

Re: How do I creating a basemap using my own *.PNG or *.TIFF files?

Re: How do I creating a basemap using my own *.PNG or *.TIFF files?

Re: How do I creating a basemap using my own *.PNG or *.TIFF files?

Re: How do I creating a basemap using my own *.PNG or *.TIFF files?

Re: How do I creating a basemap using my own *.PNG or *.TIFF files?

Re: How do I creating a basemap using my own *.PNG or *.TIFF files?

Re: How do I creating a basemap using my own *.PNG or *.TIFF files?

Re: How do I creating a basemap using my own *.PNG or *.TIFF files?

Re: How do I creating a basemap using my own *.PNG or *.TIFF files?

Re: How do I creating a basemap using my own *.PNG or *.TIFF files?

Re: How do I creating a basemap using my own *.PNG or *.TIFF files?

Re: How do I creating a basemap using my own *.PNG or *.TIFF files?

Re: How do I creating a basemap using my own *.PNG or *.TIFF files?

Re: How do I creating a basemap using my own *.PNG or *.TIFF files?

Re: How do I creating a basemap using my own *.PNG or *.TIFF files?

Re: How do I creating a basemap using my own *.PNG or *.TIFF files?

topic Re: How do I creating a basemap using my own .PNG or .TIFF files? in New to GIS Questions

How do I creating a basemap using my own .PNG or .TIFF files?

Re: How do I creating a basemap using my own .PNG or .TIFF files?

Re: How do I creating a basemap using my own .PNG or .TIFF files?

Re: How do I creating a basemap using my own .PNG or .TIFF files?

Re: How do I creating a basemap using my own .PNG or .TIFF files?

Re: How do I creating a basemap using my own .PNG or .TIFF files?

Re: How do I creating a basemap using my own .PNG or .TIFF files?

Re: How do I creating a basemap using my own .PNG or .TIFF files?

Re: How do I creating a basemap using my own .PNG or .TIFF files?

Re: How do I creating a basemap using my own .PNG or .TIFF files?

Re: How do I creating a basemap using my own .PNG or .TIFF files?

Re: How do I creating a basemap using my own .PNG or .TIFF files?

Re: How do I creating a basemap using my own .PNG or .TIFF files?

Re: How do I creating a basemap using my own .PNG or .TIFF files?

Re: How do I creating a basemap using my own .PNG or .TIFF files?

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Re: How do I creating a basemap using my own .PNG or .TIFF files?

Re: How do I creating a basemap using my own .PNG or .TIFF files?

Re: How do I creating a basemap using my own .PNG or .TIFF files?

Re: How do I creating a basemap using my own .PNG or .TIFF files?