Lesson 4 Lab
Lesson 4 Lab mxw142Terrain and Trails Visualization
In this lab, you will be creating a map of the (imaginary) Paradise Valley Trail Run in southern San Francisco, California. Imagine the final map will be handed out in race packets - what do trail runners and their supporters want to see? As the race takes place over hilly terrain, you will first design the terrain backdrop of the map, and then add overlay data such as route paths, water stops, and general base data. Finally, you'll put it all together in a layout with an elevation profile for the 10K route and map marginalia.
This lab, which you will submit at the end of Lesson 4, will be reviewed/critiqued by one of your classmates in Lesson 5 (critique #3).
Lab Objectives
- Create a trail map for the Paradise Valley Trail Run in southern San Francisco, California.
- Symbolize routes and route points of interest (e.g., water stations) using category and hierarchy.
- Use the supplied DEM to generate additional terrain layers; design and layer them into an aesthetically- pleasing base layer using transparency and symbology options in ArcGIS.
- Create an inset map that works with the primary map to provide locational context to the map reader. Build the map into a layout with an elevation profile for the 10k route, an inset map, and appropriate marginal elements (scale bar; titles; legend).
Overall Lab Requirements
For Lab 4, you will be creating only one map layout, though it will contain several different elements: the primary map, an inset map, an elevation profile, and marginal elements (scale bars, north arrows, text, and legend).
Map Requirements
Map One: Primary Map
- Use the provided DEM to generate contours, hillshade, and curvature terrain layers: design and layer terrain data into an aesthetically-pleasing base layer using transparency and symbology options in ArcGIS.
- Symbolize and label all routes and points of interest (water stations; endpoints; distance markers) related to the trail run using category and hierarchy.
- Symbolize and label additional base layer data from The National Map (transportation; hydrography; boundaries) as appropriate for additional map base context.
- Orient the map in a way that works for displaying routes – do not orient this map directly North-up. Use the feature editor to edit layers if desired; create arrows to show the direction of both routes.
Map Two: Inset Map
- Label prominent map features as appropriate at this scale.
- The intent of this map is to provide locational context for people unfamiliar with the location—design features and labels accordingly.
- Include an extent indicator to show the location of the primary map.
Layout requirements
- Add an elevation profile chart showing the terrain of the 10K route.
- Include your two map frames at appropriate scales (main map and locator/inset map).
- Create and include appropriate marginal elements:
- two north arrows (one for each map);
- as many scale bars as you deem necessary; use clean design and sensible labels;
- a legend: design its style, placement, and descriptive text;
- a hierarchy of marginal text (e.g., title, subtitle, data source, your name, legend text, legend title) – not necessarily in this order.
- Create a balanced page layout (either portrait or landscape). Attend to negative space.
Lab Instructions
- Download the Lab 4 zipped file (approx. 67 MB). It contains:
- a project (.aprx) file to be opened in ArcGIS Pro;
- a database that includes the spatial data needed to start this lab.
- Data source: Base data and DEM from The National Map.
- Additional data was created by the course developer. Lengths of routes and locations of distance markers are approximate.
- Extract the zipped folder, and double-click the (.aprx) file to open ArcGIS Pro.
- All data you will need to complete this lab has already been downloaded to the included geodatabase.
Grading Criteria
Registered students can view a rubric for this assignment in Canvas.
Submission Instructions
- You will have one map layout (PDF format) to submit. All elements must be included on one 8.5 x 11 page. Please use the naming convention outlined below.
- LastName_Lab4.pdf
- Submit your PDF to Lesson 4 Lab for instructor and peer review.
- Note: The critique/peer review of the Lesson 4 assignment will occur in Lesson 5 (critique #3).
Note: While Paradise Valley is a real place in California, data related to the Paradise Valley Trail Run in this lab was invented and built by the course author. Any existence of a real event with this name or in this location is coincidental. The Resources menu links to important supporting materials, while the Lessons menu links to the course lessons that provide the primary instructional materials for the course.
Need Guidance?
Please refer to Lesson 4 Lab Visual Guide.
Lesson 4 Lab Visual Guide
Lesson 4 Lab Visual Guide mxw142Lesson 4 Lab Visual Guide Index
- Step 0: Starting File
- Step 1: Create your Terrain Basemap
- Step 2: Symbolize Base Data
- Step 3: Symbolize Thematic Data
- Step 4: Create your Inset Map
- Step 5: Create your 10K Elevation Profile
- Step 6: Add Route Direction Arrows
- Lab 4 Final Tips & Tricks
Step 0: Starting File
This is your starting file in ArcGIS Pro. It contains data for the Paradise Valley Trail Run, as well as base data (e.g., boundaries, transportation) and a Digital Elevation model (DEM). Your goal is to turn this data into a map for trail race participants and their supporters.
Step 1: Create your Terrain Basemap
Your first goal in this lab is to use the included DEM to generate additional terrain layers. Create three terrain layers: Hillshade, Contours, and Curvature.
The default settings/parameters provided by ArcGIS are ok for generating the Hillshade and Curvature layers. Make sure your output is saved to the geodatabase for the current project (Lab6_data.gdb).
You will need to choose an appropriate interval for your contours - if you don't like the result, you can always choose a new interval and run the tool again.
Keep your terrain layers organized in the "terrain" layer group in the contents pane - think about your layer ordering, and don't be afraid to re-order layers as you go! Use the transparency slider so you can see multiple layers at once - all of your terrain layers should contribute to your design.
Try out different symbology methods and color schemes. A simple stretch sequential color scheme (often greyscale) tends to work best for hillshade and curvature, but you can be a bit more creative with the DEM. Right click on a color scheme to reverse it if needed. Remember that higher hillshade values represent greater illumination - so unlike with most map data, higher values should be paired with lighter color. Keep your design subtle enough for your thematic (race info) data to show up on top. This map design is all about balance.
Step 2: Symbolize Base Data
Symbolize the transport, hydro, and boundary layers as appropriate for this map’s purpose. Reference previous labs (particularly 1 and 2) for basemap design ideas. Remember you can create new label classes using SQL! This base data should be visible over the terrain data, but not be so overwhelming so as to detract from the data about the Paradise Valley Trail Run.
Step 3: Symbolize Thematic Data
Choose line width, color, etc. to symbolize the two race routes. Think about how you can you display these two (overlapping!) routes at once. Design labels for water stations, route markers, and Start/End points. The Gallery may have helpful ideas for your point symbol designs, and there are many ways you can customize them yourself. Explore the available options. You may also want to look at running or trail maps on the web for ideas - but note that some that you find may not be well designed!
Step 4: Create your Inset Map
Once you are happy with your primary race map, you're ready to start experimenting with layout designs and adjusting your map scales. To design your inset/locator map, it is recommended that you follow the familiar "Save-As map file" and re-import procedure illustrated below. Save a copy of your map, then import it into your map project. You can then alter the design so it works as an inset map.
The Navigator can be used to change a map’s orientation when the map is activated. Remember that your primary map cannot be directly North-Up for this project!
Step 5: Create your 10K Elevation Profile
We want to create an elevation profile to help trail runners anticipate the difficulty of the race. To do this, we will be using ArcGIS Pro’s Interpolate Shape tool. This tool turns a 2D line feature into a 3D line feature based an input DEM or other surfaces. We will use this 3D line feature to create an elevation profile. You do not need to create an elevation profile for the 5K route, but you may do so if you choose.
Once you have created a 3D line, you can use this line to create a profile graph. As noted below, the design of your profile graph can be edited. You can also wait and edit the design as you work on your map layout.
Your profile graph will cover a slightly different horizontal distance than in the screenshot below - this is ok!
Step 6: Add Route Direction Arrows
An important part of route maps like this is to inform the reader of their direction of travel! There are many options for adding directional arrows to your map - two are listed below. You may design your arrows any way you want as long as you do not use any software other than ArcGIS Pro.
Option #1: Use the Edit tab to create arrow features by drawing new lines. An empty “Arrows” feature class has been added to the map for you to facilitate this method. Use the editing toolbar to finish or discard map feature changes in this layer. And always save your edits!
Option #2: Manually add arrows to your map via the map’s layout shape/line tools.
ArcGIS has tools for adding arrows and editing graphics, but is not fully-fledged graphic software (e.g., Adobe Illustrator). Keep this in mind as you decide which of options #1 and #2 for adding arrows works best for you. You might also try them both out and see which works best for your map.
Lab 4 Final Tips & Tricks
Insert your 10K elevation profile into your layout. (But note that you can keep the old 2D route for your map design).
Map routes, stops, and marker locations are approximate. You may alter them slightly if you would like. Reference the lesson and previous labs for ideas. Check the lab assignment for a list of specific requirements and ask questions in the discussion forum. Don't forget to add an extent indicator and marginal elements (e.g., scale bars, north arrows). Feel free to customize your layout and map elements creatively!
