Lab 3 Exercises
ESRI Chapters 5, 6, 7


1. What is the difference between the DATA VIEW and LAYOUT VIEW?
   
    Data View is the view of the actual data frame on the screen whereas the layout view encompasses not only the data view but images like the title, the scale bar, etc.  The layout view shows what will actuallly be printed whereas the data view is just a piece of the layout view.

2. Using correct ArcGIS terminology, explain what part of a map is exported as an image file when you choose the File – Export Map option.  Also, how is an exported Layout view different from an exported Data view?

    When exporting a map from data view just the specific frame that is selected shows up.  When the layout view is exported the whole map and title as well as the specific frame selected in data view shows up as well.  The layout view will be the page that is sent to the printer.

3. What is the difference between a DATA FRAME and a LAYER?

    A data view is where "you see just one data a frame at a time.  Data frames may contain different sets of data or they may show different views of the same data."  (p. 69-70)
    A layer is a piece of the data file which is a characteristic of that data frame.  For instance, if  there is data frame for a specific country and it has different layers to serve as characteristics for that country, like rivers or ruin sites.

4. What step(s) would you follow to switch between display of the Countries map and the Rivers map in Exercise 5b?

    Right click on Rivers, scroll down and select Activate.

5. What step(s) would you follow to display the names of features as labels on the map (such as the Mexican states in Exercise 7a)?

    Right click on Southeastern States layer then click on Label Features.

   
6. What step(s) would you follow to change the colors of the Mexican states in Exercise 7a to a unique color for each state?

    Right click or double click on Southeastern States.  The Layer Properties box will appear and you will choose the Symbology tab.  Look to the left side of the Layer Properties box and you will see the Categories heading.  Click on Categories and then click on the Unique Values title that will appear underneath Categories.   Choose a value field to the right of the Categories heading.  Click Add All Values and decide whether you need to uncheck  the <all other values> box.

   
7. What is the difference between a “.mxd” file and a “.mxt” file?

    A file labeled .mxd is a map document accessible by ArcMap whereas a file labeled .mxt is a map template accessible by Arc Map.

8. What is the difference between a SHAPEFILE (.shp) and a LAYER FILE (.lyr)?

    A shapefile is the source data for a map whereas a layer file is the instructions for display.  A layer file is not anything without the shapefile but the shapefile can exist without the layer file.