ArcGIS 10 Common Questions
- Why is this release called ArcGIS 10 instead of 9.4?
- Can ArcGIS 10 be installed on the same machine as ArcGIS 9.3.1?
- Does ArcGIS 10 make it easier to share my map caches?
- What is the future of the Web ADF?
- How do the new Search capabilities differ between ArcGIS Desktop, ArcGIS Server, and ArcGIS Online?
- Which database spatial types are supported by query layers?
- What features can I edit in 3D with ArcGIS 10?
- How does ArcGIS 10 make use of graphics acceleration hardware?
- What happens to the ArcGIS Survey Analyst Extension at ArcGIS 10?
- Does ArcGIS 10 Desktop help with the broken data source and MXD data source migration issues typically found during a project lifecycle?
Why is this release called ArcGIS 10 instead of 9.4?
We have been working on this release for more than three years, and it’s a very large release. We’ve received a lot of feedback from our beta testers saying that this is much bigger than a dot release and that we should call it 10. So we’re listening to our users and following that direction. For ArcGIS 10, we integrated not only the work that we’re doing in the base software but also our initiatives in cloud computing and the Web.
Can ArcGIS 10 be installed on the same machine as ArcGIS 9.3.1?
No. For users who want to install ArcGIS 10 and ArcGIS 9.3.1 on the same machine, ESRI recommends using a virtualisation tool (such as VM Ware's VM Workstation or Microsoft's Virtual PC) and install the new instance of ArcGIS on that virtual machine.
We had initially announced that we would be able to support running ArcGIS 10 and ArcGIS 9.3.1 on the same machine. However, we were not able to accomplish this for ArcGIS 10.
Does ArcGIS 10 make it easier to share my map caches?
Yes. New tools have been added for importing and exporting cache tiles to and from the cache directory. They are most useful for collaborative caching jobs where different organizations contribute tiles to one master cache.
As long as caches use the same tiling scheme, you can use these tools to
- Import a subset of tiles from the larger cache
- Export a subset of tiles from a larger cache
- Import or export an entire cache
Also, at ArcGIS 10, a map cache can be used as a raster dataset in ArcMap and ArcGlobe. When used in this way, the cache is not dependent on the map service and therefore, you can use the cache while not being connected to the Internet.
What is the future of the Web ADF?
ESRI will continue to support the Java and ASP.Net developer with high quality frameworks for the development of Web applications on top of ArcGIS Server.
In this release, the Web ADF has many new enhancements, including
- Support for geodatabase relationships. This means that you can use Identify and query tasks to optionally access related features from the geodatabase.
- Stronger domain and subtype support. Results from query tasks Identify tool will display valid domain descriptions.
- Enhanced Java Web ADF (support for JSF 1.2, enhanced JavaScript libraries based on DOJO, performance improvements).
- The .Net Web Map Application based on the .Net Web ADF is enhanced with new out of the box tasks, performance improvements, and enhanced support for 64bit environments.
ESRI will continue to provide enhancements to the Web ADFs through service packs but more emphasis will be put towards the ArcGIS Web Mapping APIs.
How do the new Search capabilities differ between ArcGIS Desktop, ArcGIS Server, and ArcGIS Online?
Search with ArcGIS Desktop, ArcGIS Server, and ArcGIS Online is based on a small collection of metadata stored with the GIS resources (title, user tags, etc). Keep in mind that this new search capability is not designed to handle indexing and searching of formal metadata documents and that spatial search against GIS resources is not supported at this time.
- ArcGIS Desktop search—Desktop search allows every ArcGIS Desktop user to very quickly search across accessible network folders (shared folders) and databases.
- ArcGIS Server search—ArcGIS Server introduces a new search service that allows you to index and search GIS resources within your Enterprise in a centralized manner. The search service is designed to be used by ArcGIS Desktop users within an organization's intranet.
- ArcGIS Online search—ArcGIS Online provides a hosted catalog of information in which users can upload their own resources and create their own groups. The ArcGIS Online search is intended for organizations who want to share their data with the general public or within the organization via a group.
In addition, the GeoPortal Extension for ArcGIS Server allows users to quickly search GIS resources within the organization, via ArcGIS Online, or across other metadata catalogs.
Which database spatial types are supported by query layers?
Query layer functionality supports all the database platforms that are supported by ArcGIS. The following databases and associated spatial data types are supported:
|
Database |
Spatial Types |
|
SQL Server 2008 |
Geography |
|
Oracle |
ST_Geometry |
|
PostgreSQL |
ST_Geometry |
|
DB2 |
ST_Geometry with the Spatial Extender |
|
Informix |
ST_Geometry with the Spatial Datablade |
What features can I edit in 3D with ArcGIS 10?
The standard editing environment is now available inside both ArcGlobe and ArcScene, allowing for the creation and maintenance of z-aware GIS features. You will be able to
- Start editing, stop editing, save edits, use Undo and Redo functions, and do other standard edit management tasks in 3D. The classic Snapping environment is also supported as are precision-creation options such as parallel, perpendicular, deflection, and absolute XYZ.
- Create and delete individual features. This includes the creation and storage of vertical lines in the geodatabase.
- Move, rotate, scale, and replace feature geometry (higher level geometry edits to features). This includes the ability to place 3D models (e.g., COLLADA files) directly into the 3D view as new multipatch features, and then move/scale/rotate them on the landscape.
There are also additional tools for creating and maintaining Terrain datasets (particularly when working with LIDAR data sources) and editing TIN datasets (TIN editing toolbar in ArcMap).
How does ArcGIS 10 make use of graphics acceleration hardware?
Basemap layers and accelerated raster layers can benefit in terms of smooth panning and zooming within a data frame. This makes use of your system's graphics processing unit to speed the rendering of images to be displayed. When hardware acceleration is enabled in your ArcMap options, you will notice data is cached around your current view extent and renders simultaneously with data already in view after you pan or zoom out.
What happens to the ArcGIS Survey Analyst Extension at ArcGIS 10?
ArcGIS Survey Analyst is an extension product for ArcGIS Desktop 9.3.1 and earlier (it will be deprecated at ArcGIS 9.3.1 and will not ship with ArcGIS 10). ArcGIS Survey Analyst has had two distinct parts: the Survey Editor and the Cadastral Editor. The functional capabilities known as the Survey Editor will no longer be supported in ArcGIS 10. Users who require these tools should continue using ArcGIS 9.3.1. The functional capabilities known as the Cadastral Editor and its Cadastral Fabric dataset are included in ArcGIS 10 (ArcEditor and ArcInfo) without a requirement to install or license any extension. The parcel editing functions have been greatly improved and are accessed through a new Parcel Editor toolbar in ArcMap. The Cadastral Fabric dataset has been enhanced and renamed the Parcel Fabric. ArcGIS 10 includes new geoprocessing tools to assist with migrating parcel data modeled as coverages or simple feature classes to a Parcel Fabric.
Note: The Parcel Editor toolbar will not be a component of ArcView. ArcView customers who have previously licensed ArcGIS Survey Analyst will need to migrate to ArcEditor or ArcInfo in order to use the Parcel Editor technology at ArcGIS 10.
Does ArcGIS 10 Desktop help with the broken data source and MXD data source migration issues typically found during a project lifecycle?
ArcGIS 10 Desktop introduces ArcPy, which is often referred to as the ArcPy site package. ArcPy provides Python access for all geoprocessing tools, including extensions, as well as a wide variety of useful functions and classes for working with verifying the integrity of GIS data. Included in ArcPy is a mapping automation module called arcpy.mapping, which is a set of Python functions that allow you to open and manipulate ArcMap map documents (.mxd) and layer files (.lyr). Using an arcpy.mapping script, you can create a list of maps that have layers referencing a certain data source and update or repair the data source links for all layers in a map document. You can also create a report on information contained in layers, data sources, and symbology.
