Q:
Is there a Quick Reference sheet for ArcPAD 6?
A:
Yes there is. [pdf]
Q:
Is there a digital version of the using ArcPAD booklet?
A:
Yes there is. [pdf]
Q:
Is there an official web site for the discussion of ArcPad
issues?
A:Forums
for ArcPad and other ArcGIS products can be found under:
http://support.esri.com/
Q:
How do I add ArcPAD toolbars to ArcVIEW?
A:
Follow these steps:
- Copy
aptool3.avx and aptools3.dll from .../Arcpad/aptools3
directory to .../arcview/ext32
- Open
Arcview
- Go
to File/Extensions and check Arcpad 6 Tools and click
on "OK"
- If
you want to see your Arcpad tools everytime Arcview opens,
check the "make defualt" box when adding the
new extension.
Q:
How do I add ArcPAD toolbars to ArcGIS?
A:
Follow these steps:
Q:
Why is the GPS menu grayed out in the toolbar?
A:The
GPs tools are only available if a projection is defined.
If you define the projection for the map, then the GPs tools
will be available.
Q:
The GPS unit is not working. What are the correct settings?
A:The
COM port that works with ArcPad depends on the maker of
the PocketPC and the GPs unit. For the iPaq and the Teletype
combination, it's COM5. The GPs settings should be set to
NMEA 0183 protocol, port COM5, 4800bps, N parity, 8 data
bits, 1 stop bit. After changing these, it is best to quit
ArcPad and restart it.
If you still have problems, perform a soft reset, then insert
the GPs, then restart ArcPad, then activate the GPs After
doing that check the GPs debug screen (selected under the
GPs menu) and see if GPs messages/data are scrolling.
Q:
Why does my GPS unit take so long to initialize in ArcPad?
A:
The GPs could have the incorrect settings. On an iPaq the
TeleType GPs unit needs the communication port settings
to be: NMEA, COM5, 4800, N, 8, 1. If the GPs unit hasn't
been used in a long time or is in a new region, it may have
to download the satellite ephemeris information. After you
make any communication port changes, quit ArcPad and restart
it before continuing. Other problems could stem from other
devices and software that use the communication port, for
example external keyboards. The driver for a keyboard could
be active after using the keyboard. Either quit the driver
program or disable the keyboard in the driver. Similarly,
ActiveSync can interfere as well. ActiveSync will be running
after you sync to the desktop, unless you explicitly stop
it, so do that before using the GPs unit. To be safe, quit
all programs before using the GPs unit in ArcPad.
Q:
Would we improve our GPS reception with the antenna
that is mentioned in the package?
A:From
what we have read, not too much. The external antenna
is primarily for getting the antenna above any interference,
like the roof of a vehicle, but some manufacturers say
they can improve signal strength. The external antenna
is basically the same, so any gain would be from added
height or offset. Interference from trees and buildings
will probably not be removed unless you get away or
above them.
Q:
How do I add a basemap to view?
-
Click
the button with a big 'plus' sign which is the third
button on the top row.
- Click
on the plus signs located to the left of the following
file names in order: Storage card and 12-114-1. And put
a check mark next to the file named 'sd_aerial30.sid'
- Click
'OK' and close the window.
Click
here to see
a demonstration movie.
Q:
How can I start drawing lines, polygons and putting points
on this map?
A:
As you all know, you can input 3 types of vector data in
ArcPAD: a point, a line nad/or a polygon. The following
three questions and answers will be dealing with them one
at a time. The polygon layer exercise, will show you how
to add a polygon layer and draw the outlines of the marina
using the aerial photograph of San Diago. Next we will pick
a house and label it with a point feature and associate
an address to it: 12 Granite St. Apt.#12. And finally, we
will create a line layer and connect the house with the
marina.
Q:
How do I create a Polygon layer?
A:
This is also very easy, even though it has quite a number
of steps to follow:
-
Click
on the triangle to the right of the folder icon, and
select 'New Layer...' from the list.
- Select
"polygon" from the 'Type" pull-down menu.
and click on the plus sign at the bottom of the screen.
- For
the purposes of this exercise, type in 'target" as
the field name, keep the text radio button on, and change
the lenght (the number of character you can type in for
this field) from 10 to 40.
- Click
on the 'OK' button twice to close the two windows.
- At
the 'Save As' window, type "Target" as your
file name, and save the file inside the 12-114-1 folder
you have created earlier.
- Click
on 'OK' to complete the mission.
- The
polygon drawing tool is no longer grayed out, and you
can start drawing polygons on your screen.
Click
here to see a demonstration
movie.
Q:
How do I create a Point layer?
A:
The steps are identical to the ones listed above. Just remember
to select 'point' from the Type pull'down menu and name
the fields appropriatly.
Click
here to see a demonstration
movie.
Q:
How do I create a Line layer?
A:
The steps are identical to the ones listed above. Just remember
to select 'polyline' from the Type pull'down menu and name
the fields appropriatly.
Click
here to see a demonstration
movie.
Q:
How do I save my work??
A:
Here is what you need to do:
-
Click
on the triangle to the right of the folder icon,
and select 'Save Map As...' from the list.
-
Type "Ex1" as your file name, and save the
file inside the 12-114-1 folder you have created earlier.
Click
here to see a demonstration
movie.
Q:
Why is the last data attribute I enter never saved?
A:You
have to press record or move to another menu item before
closing entry form to save the value.
Q:
How do I stop entering vertices for polylines and polygons?
A:Each
point requires you to click on the last point then press
and drag to enter the next. To end editing, press and hold
on the map to get the pop-up menu and pick "Finish Sketch"
or click on the polygon icon in toolbar.
Q:
How do I edit the data attributes of a feature? I selected
the feature with the arrow, but the attribute table didn't
open.
A:Editing
works by selecting then taking an action. You have to click
on the feature properties button after feature selection.
Q:
I have a hyperlink field set and I know the file exists
in the same folder as the shapefile, but ArcPad reports
the file could not be found. Why?
A:Hyperlink
filenames have to have the extension as well as the name,
e.g., JPEG files must include .jpg in the attribute field
for the filename.