New to ArcGIS - How to make a custom layer

[StephenBaier]

Greetings,

I am developing an ArcGIS view in an Eclipse Application. I have been reading piles of documentation trying to figure out how to create a map layer to render custom data, but to no avail. Currently I have a JMap rendering USCitiesStates_Lambert_Conformal_Conic.mpk; pulled from one of the Java sample applications. I am using ArcObjects / ArcGIS Engine Java SDK 10.1.

My question is how to create a custom layer to render domain objects dynamically. For example, I have a set of objects containing geospatial coordinates and other data; these objects are generate at runtime by distributed processes. I am NOT reading data from a geodatabase, as all the examples do. I need a mechanism for converting domain objects to ArcGIS map layer objects. Once I get access to some Digital Nautical Charts I will be rendering those as the actual map.

Can anyone point me in the right direction for this? There are so many layers and interfaces that I am lost in the vast ArcGIS soup of documentation.

Thanks,
ArcGIS Noob

P.S. What is the difference between ArcGIS Engine and Runtime? What is the proper one to use when embedding functionality into a Java application (not a stand-alone ArcGIS application).

[StephenBaier]

Looks like the correct course to be on is the GraphicLayer.

[CarlosColón-Maldonado]

ArcGIS soup indeed! There is a difference.

ArcGIS Runtime? http://resources.arcgis.com/en/help/runtime-java/concepts/index.html#/ArcGIS_Runtime_SDK_for_Java/01...

ArcGIS Engine? http://help.arcgis.com/en/sdk/10.0/java_ao_adf/conceptualhelp/engine/index.html#/What_is_ArcGIS_Engi...

[StephenBaier]

I am definitely taking the Runtime route. This seems correct for my project.

I am having a weird discontinuity between the API (http://resources.arcgis.com/en/help/runtime-java/apiref/index.html) and what actually appears in my Eclipse IDE. For example, I have a JMap; in the API it says there is a createPopup method for creating information popups, but the method doesn't appear in the IDE.

Is ArcGIS Runtime Java 10.1.1 API  the correct reference for ArcGIS Runtime SDK 1.0 for Java?

[StephenBaier]

I did some digging after realizing my version stupidity. Seems like SDK 10.1.1 is newer than 1.0 (makes sense, yah?). The backup media I received upon subscribing to the EDN contains 10.1 for all products, but 1.0 for the ArcGIS Runtime SDK. Shouldn't I be developing with 10.1.1, if that is the newest?

[CarlosColón-Maldonado]

Absolutely! There have been added functionality and notable improved performance to its core. Do, keep in mind that this API is in its infant stage (less than a year since its first release). However, its foundation is based on latest technology and best practices. Although it doesn't contain all of the functionality you would expect from a mapping toolkit, I, as a customer with experience in its predecessor (ArcObjects), have noticed an immense difference in performance and anticipate that it will get better over time.

Your original post made me believe that you don't have your eclipse IDE setup properly. Take a look at how to install the API plugin here and be sure to reference its included javadocs to the API, also located in a help folder where installed, similarly that you would any API as noted here.

Hope this helps.

[JeremieJoalland1 · Accepted solution]

Once you will have install ArcgIS Runtime 10.1.1 for Java properly, you should check the ArcGIS Runtime Java Samples 10.1.1 from Start Menu, this will provide you a lot of code sample for what you want to do (look at Mapping > Graphics Layers)