Combining Shapefiles

Problem: Everytime I unload GPS data from the GeoXH and post-process using Pathfinder Office it creates a new Shapefile

Solution: A piece of free software called GeoMerge allows you to pick any number of Shapefiles and merge them into one file



Links:
Geo Merge site
Direct download link

Importing Images as Symbols

In the procss of learning GIS, I was creating a map to show the locations of all the Taco Bells within my county (about 18) and desired to use a different symbol than a colored pushpin, etc. So I did some research online and on the ESRI forums and found out how.

1. Find the image, the Taco Bell image I used was from Google Image search


2. Inside of ArcGIS (9.1)
Tools > Styles > Style Manager

3. Click the Styles drop down and select "Create New"


4. Give your new style a file name

5. Find your graphic file
**note: The images have to be .bmp so use something like paint to resave the file as a bitmap

6. Select ok and then proceed to change your style for the desired layer through the standard (right click on layer > properties > symbology tab)

Learning ArcGIS

Today I will begin to use ArcGIS and post here on new tools and methds I discover for problems I come across, no matter how basic they might be.