Simon McBride

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Technical Tips

Introduction

Publishing Maps and Accessing Data

Packaging Data

Introduction

ArcGIS Publisher is an extension available in ArcMap software for sharing and distributing maps locally, over networks or via the internet. Publisher allows you to share ArcMap documents (.mxds) with people that do not have ArcMap software. Publisher is easy-to-use and a cost-effective way to distribute maps and data when the functionality required by the end user is limited.

Maps published using ArcGIS Publisher can be viewed, explored and printed using ArcReader software. ArcReader is comparable to Acrobat Reader whereas Publisher is similar to Adobe Acrobat. ArcReader is a free, downloadable, easy-to-use product that runs on Windows, UNIX, Linux and Sun Solaris. ArcReader has an ArcMap look and feel and can be used to view 2D or 3D maps. This technical tip will describe how to publish a map using ArcGIS Publisher, how to setup access paths to data and how to package data for distribution and new features in ArcGIS Publisher 9 and 9.1.

Publishing Maps and Accessing Data

Creating a (.pmf) from a map document (.mxd) in ArcMap is as simple as creating a (.pdf) from a word document (.doc) using Adobe Acrobat. The map elements, symbology (rendering and scale dependencies), bookmarks and references to the data source (i.e. the location of the data) are extracted from the (.mxd) and stored in the (.pmf). ArcMap acts as a map authoring tool that can be used to set properties of map elements, symbology, bookmarks and the location of the data.

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And ArcGlobe acts as a map authoring tool for 3D maps under ArcGIS 9.1. The authored maps are displayed in ArcReader with ArcMap:

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or ArcGlobe symbology:

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The (.pmf) is a read only file and cannot be changed, similar to a standard (.pdf).

Data can be stored locally, over networks or via the internet. Access to data can be specified in ArcMap via local drive, universal naming convention (UNC), relative, ArcIMS and/or ArcSDE connection paths. An important point to note is that the reference to the data source in the (.mxd) controls how the (.pmf) can be used. If the source data is referenced in a (.mxd) using a local drive (i.e. c:\arcgis\publisher\ publisher.mdb), the created (.pmf) would not reference the data correctly on a difference machine unless the data is copied to the same local drive and path on the difference machine.

In an intranet environment, the data sources can be referenced using UNC paths (i.e. \\computername\arcgis\publisher\publisher.mdb), which allows desktop computers to act as data servers. Converting references that source data from local drive paths to UNC paths is an easy task. In ArcMap, right click on a map layer that you want to convert and select 'Properties…', then select the 'Source' tab and click on the 'Set Data Source' button, now click on the 'Connect To Folder' button, expand 'My Network Places' and navigate to the location of the data. Data can also be added to a (.mxd) using UNC paths in the same way (i.e. using 'My Network Places' instead of local drives).

Data can also be sourced from ESRI's internet map server (ArcIMS) and spatial database engine (ArcSDE), although an internet and/or a server connection needs to be present and the connection properties of ArcIMS and/or ArcSDE needs to be correct. ArcIMS or ArcSDE connection properties for data layers can be stored in the (.pmf) or required to be entered when the (.pmf) is opened for security purposes.

Additional security (.pmf - password protection) and application (display and functionality of ArcReader) settings can be set using ArcGIS Publisher. These settings are not discussed in this technical tip. For further information, see ArcGIS Desktop Help.

Packaging Data

Sharing a (.pmf) with users that do not have access to the data is possible using the data packaging tool in ArcGIS Publisher. Publisher allows maps and data to be package for distribution. A map author can execute the data packaging tool which creates a self contained package that includes the data and a copy of the (.pmf). The self contained package can then be distributed on a CD, DVD, or via FTP or email.

The data clipping and data conversion functions available in the data packaging tool under ArcGIS Publisher 9 are especially useful for distributing data. Data that intersect the data frame extent of the map can be clipped and extracted, which is particular useful for extracting small blocks of relevant data from large corporate datasets. Vector data can be converted to a range of output formats or copied in its original format to the data package. The formats include: shapefile, personal geodatabase, and compressed and locked. Raster data can be converted to an ERDAS IMAGINE file format or copied in its original format to the data package. The data clipping and data conversion functions can potentially be used to package data for other applications.

The data packaging tool also has a number of limitations, as not all data or published maps can be converted or copied to a data package. These limitations include: incompatible data types such as annotation, topology and geometric networks for shapefile or personal geodatabase formats, unsupported ArcMap functionality, incompatible data conversions and data format restrictions. It is important to note that these limitations are quite substantial and that the data packaging tool is not a complete solution.

The selection of the data format conversion type is important, as each data format has particular limitations. Some limitations include: shapefile field names are truncated to 13 characters, which can cause symbology not to display correctly and only non-complex layers stored in personal geodatabases can be converted to the shapefile format. CAD data is always copied in is original format to the data package as it cannot be converted to another format. 3D globe data and ArcIMS data cannot be packaged. ArcSDE data can be packaged in a compressed data format and cannot be copied to the data package. Non-simple layers in personal geodatabases, including topology, geometric network and annotation can be copied and cannot be converted to personal geodatabase. ArcMap layers with joins are not maintained. For further information about specific limitations, see ArcGIS Desktop Help.

ArcGIS Publisher continues to be a viable tool for sharing and distributing maps and the enhancements included under ArcGIS 9 and 9.1 increase the usefulness of this extension.

The new enhancements include:

• Publishing maps from ArcGlobe;
• Data packaging;
• Time out functionality for improved data security;
• ArcReader Customisation; and
• Sun Solaris support.

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Copyright © Spatial Vision, Tuesday, 9-August-2005