shrug-l: Question du jour

lance.peterson@dot.state.fl.us lance.peterson@dot.state.fl.us
Fri, 30 Sep 2005 13:21:13 -0400


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I like the back and forth also. This is really the best GIS newsgroup I=20
belong too.

At least we don't have a problem with spam.

Lance Peterson




"Nonie Castro" <nonie=5Fcastro@coxtarget.com>=20
Sent by: shrug-l-admin@lists.dep.state.fl.us
09/30/2005 01:17 PM

To
<shrug-L@lists.dep.state.fl.us>
cc

Subject
RE: shrug-l: Question du jour






If we are taking a vote - I don't mind the back and forth in real time.=20

From: shrug-l-admin@lists.dep.state.fl.us=20
[mailto:shrug-l-admin@lists.dep.state.fl.us] On Behalf Of Joe Noble
Sent: Friday, September 30, 2005 1:06 PM
To: Sykes, John; Geographic Systems LLC; shrug-L@lists.dep.state.fl.us
Subject: RE: shrug-l: Question du jour

I would like to suggest some sort of protocol that folks post their=20
question, once, then those that have a possible solution contact the=20
person directly not numerous e-mails to the entire user list.  After a=20
solution has been decided, the original person posting the question could=20
sum the solutions in one e-mail back to the board.  Sorry but my e-mail=20
has been looking like a GIS chat room as of late.  Joe
=20
Joe Noble=20
GIS/IS Coordinator=20
Tall Timbers Research Station
850-893-4153  x-232
=20

From: shrug-l-admin@lists.dep.state.fl.us=20
[mailto:shrug-l-admin@lists.dep.state.fl.us] On Behalf Of Sykes, John
Sent: Friday, September 30, 2005 12:41 PM
To: Geographic Systems LLC; shrug-L@lists.dep.state.fl.us
Subject: RE: shrug-l: Question du jour
=20
That's a good website.  From it I gather that if I want BOTH the distances =

and azimuths to my sampling locations from the site center to be the most=20
accurate, the Azimuthal Equidistant projection is the best solution.
=20
I came up with part of the rest of your solution on my own, however, I'm=20
having trouble rotating it through 360=B0.
=20
Another solution I thought of, is setting up the sector lines in an=20
AutoCad file, then importing it into my map with a world file using the=20
center point and the intersection of the first radial with the 10 mile=20
buffer ring as the two points.
-- John=20
=20
=20

From: Geographic Systems LLC [mailto:info@geographicsystems.com]=20
Sent: Friday, September 30, 2005 12:19 PM
To: Sykes, John
Subject: RE: shrug-l: Question du jour
Hi John,
=20
I will try to address the first part of your question (drawing lines out=20
10 miles at 11.25 degree increments) and the last part (projections).  The =

second part of your question (rhumb line from site point to sampling=20
location) may require more research.
=20
Projections ? definitely play a part in spatial accuarcy.  My guess is you =

want a projection that preserves direction and distance.  A good place to=20
start is the summary tables at the bottom of the map projection poster,=20
http://erg.usgs.gov/isb/pubs/MapProjections/projections.html.=20
=20
Drawing lines of specific distance and angle.  You can do this manually=20
when you sketch a line.  With Task set to Create New Feature and Target=20
your line feature class, click the sketch tool (pencil) and click on the=20
first point of your line.  Then right click away from the sketch and=20
select ?Direction? (or CTRL-A) specify an angle (0 being horizontal ? ie=20
?11.25?) and then right click away from sketch again and select ?Length?=20
(or CTRL-L) ie ?2mi? (?mi? for miles).  Or you can enter both the first=20
time you right click by selecting ?Direction/Length? (or CTRL-G).  Check=20
out online help for ?Creating segments using angles and lengths?.
=20
Miguel Garriga
Geographic Systems, LLC
www.geographicsystems.com
407-261-0451
cel 321-279-6019

From: shrug-l-admin@lists.dep.state.fl.us=20
[mailto:shrug-l-admin@lists.dep.state.fl.us] On Behalf Of Sykes, John
Sent: Friday, September 30, 2005 10:21 AM
To: shrug-L@lists.dep.state.fl.us
Subject: shrug-l: Question du jour
=20
Since we (collectively) solved the question I had yesterday, here's a new=20
one (put on your thinking caps - this one's tougher!).
Problem=20
When establishing environmental sampling locations around a site, we like=20
to ensure that the various distance buffer rings are evenly covered (e.g., =

in this case:  "site boundary" to 2 miles, 2 - 5 miles and 5 - 10 miles.=20
This is simple to create and check with the standard multiple buffer tool=20
in ArcToolbox.
However, we also like to check that the 16 compass sectors around the site =

have also been evenly covered*.  These 22-1/2=B0 sectors are centered on N,=
=20
NNE, NE, ENE, E, ESE, SE, SSE, S, SSW, SW, WSW, W, WNW, NW and NNW.
So, what I would like to do is to create these sectors visually, by=20
drawing a line from the origin (an arbitrary "center" point on the site)=20
out to 10 miles starting at 11-1/4=B0 compass heading, then rotate around=20
22-1/2=B0 and draw a line, until the 16 sectors are visually defined.
Any suggestions as how this can be done (easily)?  Previously, when doing=20
this in AutoCad, I used a radial copy command.  I haven't noticed a=20
similar command in ArcGIS.
Finally, once the sampling location is selected (and the lat/long of that=20
location determined), we need to be able to determine and list the=20
distance and azimuth (rhumb line) from that arbitrary "center" point on=20
the site to the sampling location and put it into the sampling location=20
attributes table (in the past, I've done this using the NGS "Inverse"=20
program [fudging the rhumb line from the great circle azimuths] using a=20
batch file input/output) for atmospheric dispersion modeling.  However, I=20
don't see any easy way to do this with ArcInfo (especially on a batch file =

basis).  Any suggestions?
Finally, food for thought -- How does the projection being used effect the =

accuracy of all of this?  Normally we use Albers (equal area) or Mercator=20
(which gives the most accurate rhumb lines), but is there a better=20
projection to use to obtain accurate distances & azimuths?  I understand=20
from the reading I've done that these functions may be rather=20
projection-sensitive.
-- John=20
*Sometimes if there is a prevailing wind bias, we'll bias our sampling=20
locations to that prevailing wind direction, but in the current case there =

is no strong prevailing wind direction - the annual wind rose shows an=20
almost random 360=B0pattern.

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<br><font size=3D2 face=3D"sans-serif">I like the back and forth also. This
is really the best GIS newsgroup I belong too.</font>
<br>
<br><font size=3D2 face=3D"sans-serif">At least we don't have a problem with
spam.</font>
<br><font size=3D2 face=3D"sans-serif"><br>
Lance Peterson<br>
</font>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<table width=3D100%>
<tr valign=3Dtop>
<td width=3D40%><font size=3D1 face=3D"sans-serif"><b>&quot;Nonie Castro&qu=
ot;
&lt;nonie=5Fcastro@coxtarget.com&gt;</b> </font>
<br><font size=3D1 face=3D"sans-serif">Sent by: shrug-l-admin@lists.dep.sta=
te.fl.us</font>
<p><font size=3D1 face=3D"sans-serif">09/30/2005 01:17 PM</font>
<td width=3D59%>
<table width=3D100%>
<tr>
<td>
<div align=3Dright><font size=3D1 face=3D"sans-serif">To</font></div>
<td valign=3Dtop><font size=3D1 face=3D"sans-serif">&lt;shrug-L@lists.dep.s=
tate.fl.us&gt;</font>
<tr>
<td>
<div align=3Dright><font size=3D1 face=3D"sans-serif">cc</font></div>
<td valign=3Dtop>
<tr>
<td>
<div align=3Dright><font size=3D1 face=3D"sans-serif">Subject</font></div>
<td valign=3Dtop><font size=3D1 face=3D"sans-serif">RE: shrug-l: Question du
jour</font></table>
<br>
<table>
<tr valign=3Dtop>
<td>
<td></table>
<br></table>
<br>
<br>
<br><font size=3D2 face=3D"Trebuchet MS">If we are taking a vote - I don't
mind the back and forth in real time. </font>
<br>
<br>
<hr><font size=3D2 face=3D"Tahoma"><b>From:</b> shrug-l-admin@lists.dep.sta=
te.fl.us
[mailto:shrug-l-admin@lists.dep.state.fl.us] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Joe Noble<=
b><br>
Sent:</b> Friday, September 30, 2005 1:06 PM<b><br>
To:</b> Sykes, John; Geographic Systems LLC; shrug-L@lists.dep.state.fl.us<=
b><br>
Subject:</b> RE: shrug-l: Question du jour</font><font size=3D3><br>
</font>
<br><font size=3D2 color=3D#000080 face=3D"Arial">I would like to suggest s=
ome
sort of protocol that folks post their question, once, then those that
have a possible solution contact the person directly not numerous e-mails
to the entire user list. &nbsp;After a solution has been decided, the origi=
nal
person posting the question could sum the solutions in one e-mail back
to the board. &nbsp;Sorry but my e-mail has been looking like a GIS chat
room as of late. &nbsp;Joe</font>
<br><font size=3D2 color=3D#000080 face=3D"Arial">&nbsp;</font>
<br><font size=3D3 color=3D#000080 face=3D"Times New Roman">Joe Noble </fon=
t>
<br><font size=3D3 color=3D#000080 face=3D"Times New Roman">GIS/IS Coordina=
tor
</font>
<br><font size=3D3 color=3D#000080 face=3D"Times New Roman">Tall Timbers Re=
search
Station</font>
<br><font size=3D3 color=3D#000080 face=3D"Times New Roman">850-893-4153 &n=
bsp;x-232</font>
<br><font size=3D2 color=3D#000080 face=3D"Arial">&nbsp;</font>
<div align=3Dcenter>
<br>
<hr></div>
<br><font size=3D2 face=3D"Tahoma"><b>From:</b> shrug-l-admin@lists.dep.sta=
te.fl.us
[mailto:shrug-l-admin@lists.dep.state.fl.us] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Sykes,
John<b><br>
Sent:</b> Friday, September 30, 2005 12:41 PM<b><br>
To:</b> Geographic Systems LLC; shrug-L@lists.dep.state.fl.us<b><br>
Subject:</b> RE: shrug-l: Question du jour</font>
<br><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font>
<br><font size=3D4 color=3Dblue face=3D"Arial">That's a good website. &nbsp=
;From
it I gather that if I want BOTH the distances and azimuths to my sampling
locations from the site center to be the most accurate, the Azimuthal Equid=
istant
projection is the best solution.</font>
<br><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font>
<br><font size=3D4 color=3Dblue face=3D"Arial">I came up with part of the r=
est
of your solution on my own, however, I'm having trouble rotating it through
360=B0.</font>
<br><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font>
<br><font size=3D4 color=3Dblue face=3D"Arial">Another solution I thought o=
f,
is setting up the sector lines in an AutoCad file, then importing it into
my map with a world file using the center point and the intersection of
the first radial with the 10 mile buffer ring as the two points.</font>
<p><font size=3D5 face=3D"Monotype Corsiva"><b>-- John</b></font><font size=
=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman">
</font>
<br><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font>
<br><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font>
<div align=3Dcenter>
<br>
<hr></div>
<br><font size=3D2 face=3D"Tahoma"><b>From:</b> Geographic Systems LLC [mai=
lto:info@geographicsystems.com]
<b><br>
Sent:</b> Friday, September 30, 2005 12:19 PM<b><br>
To:</b> Sykes, John<b><br>
Subject:</b> RE: shrug-l: Question du jour</font>
<br><font size=3D2 color=3D#000080 face=3D"Arial">Hi John,</font>
<br><font size=3D2 color=3D#000080 face=3D"Arial">&nbsp;</font>
<br><font size=3D2 color=3D#000080 face=3D"Arial">I will try to address the=
 first
part of your question (drawing lines out 10 miles at 11.25 degree increment=
s)
and the last part (projections). &nbsp;The second part of your question
(rhumb line from site point to sampling location) may require more research=
.</font>
<br><font size=3D2 color=3D#000080 face=3D"Arial">&nbsp;</font>
<br><font size=3D2 color=3D#000080 face=3D"Arial">Projections &#8211; defin=
itely play
a part in spatial accuarcy. &nbsp;My guess is you want a projection that
preserves direction and distance. &nbsp;A good place to start is the summary
tables at the bottom of the map projection poster, </font><a href=3Dhttp://=
erg.usgs.gov/isb/pubs/MapProjections/projections.html><font size=3D2 color=
=3Dblue face=3D"Arial"><u>http://erg.usgs.gov/isb/pubs/MapProjections/proje=
ctions.html</u></font></a><font size=3D2 color=3D#000080 face=3D"Arial">.
</font>
<br><font size=3D2 color=3D#000080 face=3D"Arial">&nbsp;</font>
<br><font size=3D2 color=3D#000080 face=3D"Arial">Drawing lines of specific=
 distance
and angle. &nbsp;You can do this manually when you sketch a line. &nbsp;With
Task set to Create New Feature and Target your line feature class, click
the sketch tool (pencil) and click on the first point of your line. &nbsp;T=
hen
right click away from the sketch and select &#8220;Direction&#8221; (or CTR=
L-A) specify
an angle (0 being horizontal &#8211; ie &#8220;11.25&#8221;) and then right=
 click away
from sketch again and select &#8220;Length&#8221; (or CTRL-L) ie &#8220;2mi=
&#8221; (&#8220;mi&#8221;
for miles). &nbsp;Or you can enter both the first time you right click
by selecting &#8220;Direction/Length&#8221; (or CTRL-G). &nbsp;Check out on=
line help
for &#8220;Creating segments using angles and lengths&#8221;.</font>
<br><font size=3D2 color=3D#000080 face=3D"Arial">&nbsp;</font>
<br><font size=3D2 color=3D#000080 face=3D"Arial"><i>Miguel Garriga</i></fo=
nt>
<br><font size=3D2 color=3D#000080 face=3D"Arial">Geographic Systems, LLC</=
font>
<br><a href=3Dhttp://www.geographicsystems.com/><font size=3D2 color=3Dblue=
 face=3D"Arial"><u>www.geographicsystems.com</u></font></a>
<br><font size=3D2 color=3D#000080 face=3D"Arial">407-261-0451</font>
<br><font size=3D2 color=3D#000080 face=3D"Arial">cel 321-279-6019</font>
<div align=3Dcenter>
<br>
<hr></div>
<br><font size=3D2 face=3D"Tahoma"><b>From:</b> shrug-l-admin@lists.dep.sta=
te.fl.us
[mailto:shrug-l-admin@lists.dep.state.fl.us] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Sykes,
John<b><br>
Sent:</b> Friday, September 30, 2005 10:21 AM<b><br>
To:</b> shrug-L@lists.dep.state.fl.us<b><br>
Subject:</b> shrug-l: Question du jour</font>
<br><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font>
<p><font size=3D4 face=3D"Arial">Since we (collectively) solved the question
I had yesterday, here's a new one (put on your thinking caps - this one's
tougher!).</font>
<p><font size=3D4 face=3D"Arial">Problem</font><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times=
 New Roman">
</font>
<p><font size=3D4 face=3D"Arial">When establishing environmental sampling l=
ocations
around a site, we like to ensure that the various distance buffer rings
are evenly covered (e.g., in this case: &nbsp;&quot;site boundary&quot;
to 2 miles, 2 - 5 miles and 5 - 10 miles. &nbsp;This is simple to create
and check with the standard multiple buffer tool in ArcToolbox.</font>
<p><font size=3D4 face=3D"Arial">However, we also like to check that the 16
compass sectors around the site have also been evenly covered*. &nbsp;These
22-1/2=B0 sectors are centered on N, NNE, NE, ENE, E, ESE, SE, SSE, S, SSW,
SW, WSW, W, WNW, NW and NNW.</font>
<p><font size=3D4 face=3D"Arial">So, what I would like to do is to create t=
hese
sectors visually, by drawing a line from the origin (an arbitrary &quot;cen=
ter&quot;
point on the site) out to 10 miles starting at 11-1/4=B0 compass heading,
then rotate around 22-1/2=B0 and draw a line, until the 16 sectors are visu=
ally
defined.</font>
<p><font size=3D4 face=3D"Arial">Any suggestions as how this can be done (e=
asily)?
&nbsp;Previously, when doing this in AutoCad, I used a radial copy command.
&nbsp;I haven't noticed a similar command in ArcGIS.</font>
<p><font size=3D4 face=3D"Arial">Finally, once the sampling location is sel=
ected
(and the lat/long of that location determined), we need to be able to deter=
mine
and list the distance and azimuth (rhumb line) from that arbitrary &quot;ce=
nter&quot;
point on the site to the sampling location and put it into the sampling
location attributes table (in the past, I've done this using the NGS &quot;=
Inverse&quot;
program [fudging the rhumb line from the great circle azimuths] using a
batch file input/output) for atmospheric dispersion modeling. &nbsp;However,
I don't see any easy way to do this with ArcInfo (especially on a batch
file basis). &nbsp;Any suggestions?</font>
<p><font size=3D4 face=3D"Arial">Finally, food for thought -- How does the
projection being used effect the accuracy of all of this? &nbsp;Normally
we use Albers (equal area) or Mercator (which gives the most accurate rhumb
lines), but is there a better projection to use to obtain accurate distances
&amp; azimuths? &nbsp;I understand from the reading I've done that these
functions may be rather projection-sensitive.</font>
<p><font size=3D5 face=3D"Monotype Corsiva"><b>-- John</b></font><font size=
=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman">
</font>
<p><font size=3D4 face=3D"Arial">*Sometimes if there is a prevailing wind b=
ias,
we'll bias our sampling locations to that prevailing wind direction, but
in the current case there is no strong prevailing wind direction - the
annual wind rose shows an almost random 360=B0pattern.</font>
<p>
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