Course evaluations: extra copies are available today if
you didn't already turn one in at the Monday project presentations
Presentation comments
Generally good timing, roadmaps, graphics, and oral presence
Occasionally too long
Be conscious of story line and nature of argument (note: could be process of inquiry and difficulties encountered, not just results and answer to question)
Occasional talking ahead of relevant graphics
Occasional issues with clarity of legends, scale, etc. (quantiles?, units, ...)
Limited graphics/diagrams showing analysis steps
Color Fidelity: Projector makes 12-class gradient maps even harder to see - try highlighting key cell ranges with easily distinguished colors
Note difference between homework and open-ended project:
more need for problem/project formulation (not just analysis)
Proliferation of files; use of local drive, C:\Usertemp
Data conversion and ArcGIS difficulties
Metadata importance (coordinates, data source, dates, categories,...)
Measurement issues (MAUP, normalization, good proxies)
Terrain Modeling
and 3-Dimensional Visualization
Representing height (Z)
Contour lines (each line is the locus of points
at a constant elevation)
Surface models (2.5D)
DEM - digital elevation models (e.g., matrix
of 30m elevations)
TIN - triangulated irregular network
approximate a smooth surface using
interconnected triangles
quick visualization by shading triangles
based on slope and aspect
Building a TIN from contour lines or DEM
Computing slope and aspect
3D models
Add Z to points, lines, polygons
Add surfaces and volumes as objects defined
by a collection of planar polygons
Recognize difference between extruding 2-D
shapes and allowing sloped roofs with overhang
Solid modeling
describe objects such as cylinders and
spheres by continuous math functions
use computational geometry to handle intersections,
differencing, etc.
3D visualization - ArcScene and ArcGlobe
Example TIN model (for Boston)
M:\data\bostin\hpy_bos_t contains the TIN
model
TIN was developed using ArcGIS from elevation
(hypsography) data from USGS
Add 3D-Analyst extension for additional capabilities in ArcMap
Can use ArcGlobe to view 3D data
Surface analyses for: contour lines,
slope and aspect estimates, hillshading
Using slope/aspect or hillshading for visualization
and analysis
Darken as if lighted from northeast corner
Find all the south-facing roads
Draping layers on top of TIN: base heights, z-exaggeration,
offset, ..
Course Wrapup
Review progression of topics/labs during semester
Highlight other tools/issues that we haven't had time
to cover
Entering and Editing geometry
Handling one-to-many and many-to-many relationships
Additional analysis tools: geostatistics, network
analysis, etc.
Interoperable geospatial services
Other classes
ESRI online virtual campus (talk to Lisa Sweeney in Rotch Library)
Fall: 11.522 - research seminar on urban information
systems
Spring: 11.220 - Quantitative Reasoning and Statistical
Methods for Planning
Fall: 11.951 - Mike Flaxman's 'Simulating Sustainable Futures' studio
IAP activities
Workshop on MetroFuture plan for Boston: Community Viz model in ArcGIS
GIS minicourses taught by Dan
Sheehan (IS&T) and Lisa Sweeney (Libraries)
TransCAD workshop at CTL
Harvard: GSD and Engineering classes
BU: remote sensing classes
Other opportunities: a number of students in 11.188 and 11.520 have used their acquired skills on subsequent UROP projects, RAs, intersnships, and various other professional and research opporunities (including redistricting Boston City Council after the 2000 census, building some of the tools and datasets in the Library's geodata repository, interning at various local planning agencies and firms, and participating in research projects connected with each of DUSP other program groups as well as CRE, CEE, the Energy Lab, and other MIT centers).