Ground Water Institute ArcPad Workshop

ArcPad Workshop Contents

Topics Covered:

Main Toolbar:

ArcPad allows you to create shapefiles and configure them in the field using the New Shapefile dialog box. There are many types of shapefiles that this dialog box allows you to create. The three most common are (1) point, (2) line, and (3) polygon. Other options allowed by this dialog box include adding individual fields to your database table (.dbf). This dialog also allows you to import pre-defined table formats into your shapefile as well as define the projection format for any new shapefile that you create.

Other topics covered from the Main toolbar include:

Adding layers to your map using the Layers tool;
Hooking to the GPS satellites using the GPS tool;
Learn how to read and interpret the GPS Position Window;
Explore the many GPS setup options displayed by the Options dialog box;
Find out how to use the Scale bar, Panning frame, and Status bar.

Browse Toolbar:

ArcPad allows you to query your files to find point, line, or polygon features of your choice. To do this you use the Find dialog box. Open the Find dialog box, type in a feature attribute and the program will search, by layer for the feature you designate. After you find the feature you are looking for, ArcPad provides many other query options. You can use several additional tools such as the Identify tool, Feature Properties tool, GoTo tool, Go To Feature tool, and Center tool to further define your search parameters

Other topics covered from the Browse toolbar include:

Using the Zoom In, Zoom Out, and Pan tools;
Using the Fixed Zoom In, Fixed Zoom Out, and Zoom To Selected tools;
Using the Zoom To Previous Extent, Next Extent and Setting View Coordinates for a map;
Creating and managing bookmarks;
Using the Identify, GoTo, and Advanced Select tools;
Using the three measuring tools; the Straight Line, Radial, and Freehand tools;
Using the Find tool.

Edit/Drawing Toolbar:

The real beauty and ease of ArcPad Studio allows you to create data input forms. This feature allows you to create two types of forms (Edit or Identify). These forms can be tailor-made to fit your project depending on your project requirements. Forms allow you to create pages within the form to easily segregate your data by type. The forms also allow easy editing of the form properties, at design time, as well as dragging-and-dropping form objects (textboxes, comboboxes etc...) onto the forms.

Every aspect of the forms and controls is controlled by you. You can write simple VBScript code that allows data to be verified before final entry into your project. This makes sure all data is entered easily and accurately. You can also elect not to write code and still have a professional looking-and-acting project that maximizes your productivity in the field. This increased productivity will mean real time and money saved for you and your organization.

Other topics covered from the Edit/Drawing toolbar include:

Using the Select tool;
Using the Point tool,Line tool, Polyline tool;
Using the Rectangle, Polygon, or any of the other drawing tools to add features;
Using the Zoom-To-Selected Feature, and Feature Properties tool;
Using the Center-To-Selected Feature tool, and the Delete tool;

ArcPad Studio:

ArcPad Studio allows you to decide just how you want your application to act. The ArcPad Studio tree view makes it easy to change properties of your application with the click of the mouse. You also gain access to your custom form (within the Edit form design view), as well as any VBScript code you have written. You can change the properties of your application by controlling your application's name, properties of the layer by using the Control Properties dialog box. This can create new and interesting forms to display your data.

After building the form outline, you can drag - and - drop objects (textboxes etc...) from the object factory to your form. After deciding just how you want your form to look, you bring it to life by adding VBScript code. This code is the brains behind your form design by validating data and inputting all of your data where you want it to go.

After putting objects onto your form, control properties can be changed using the Control Properties dialog box to change the look of the objects on your form. These control properties also play a major role in your programming decisions for the project.

Other topics covered from the ArcPad Studio platform include:

Creating ArcPad Objects;
Changing ArcPad Objects Control Properties;
Learning about VBScript;
Learning simple programming concepts, including pointers and focus;
Learning the relationship between ArcPad and the *.dbf tables;
Copying and setting code into code modules;
Learning about debugging code.

What you receive with the workshop:

In addition to the above topics each registered student receives the following items for participating in this workshop:

Shapefiles, forms, and code created specifically for this workshop;
ArcPad user's guide (pdf format and hardcopy), showing how to use the ArcPad tools;
See the user's guide Table of Contents;
Copies of all nine Powerpoint lessons used in the workshop;
Copies of all Student exercises, including code samples, used in the workshop.