ArcView

ArcView is geographic information system (GIS) software for visualising, managing, creating, and analysing geographic data. Using ArcView, you can understand the geographic context of your data, allowing you to see relationships and identify patterns in new ways.

With ArcView, you can

  • Author maps and interact with your data by generating reports and charts and printing and embedding your maps in other documents and applications.
  • Save time using map templates to create consistent style in your maps.
  • Build process models, scripts, and workflows to visualise and analyse your data.
  • Read, import, and manage more than 70 different data types and formats including demographics, facilities, CAD drawings, imagery, Web services, multimedia, and metadata.
  • Communicate more efficiently by printing, publishing, and sharing your GIS data and dynamic content with others.
  • Use tools such as Find, Identify, Measure, and Hyperlink to discover information not available when working with static paper maps.
  • Make better decisions and solve problems faster.

ArcView is a desktop GIS that allows you to perform visualisation, query, editing, and analysis of your data.

Depending on what features you need, you can choose from among three license levels of ArcGIS Desktop (ArcInfo, ArcEditor, and ArcView). The ArcGIS Desktop products share the same common applications (ArcMap and ArcCatalog), user interface, and development environment. Additional functionality is unlocked as users move from ArcView to ArcEditor to ArcInfo.

The key features of ArcView are

  • Map authoring—Use predefined map templates to save you time and make it easy to create a consistent style in your maps.
  • Spatial query—Ask questions of your data and solve complex problems by using a variety of query-building tools: interactively measure distances and areas, find features in the map, select data by location or attribute, unselect all, switch the selection, access layer properties from the Identify dialog box, and much more.
  • Modeling and analysis—Model spatial relationships and measure how features in a dataset relate to each other in space and generate reports and charts of your findings.
  • Simple feature editing and data integration—Create and edit point, line, and polygon features and attributes within your data. Use a wide variety of data types including demographics, facilities, CAD drawings, imagery, Web services, and multimedia.
  • Ready-to-Use Datasets—Begin your visualization and analysis right away with the included ESRI Data & Maps Media Kit, which is updated annually and preconfigured to work specifically with ESRI software.
  • Enabled for extensions—Add even more capabilities and extend the power of ArcView by using one or more of the many optional ArcGIS Desktop Extensions. Analysis, Productivity, and Solution-based extensions allow you to perform extended tasks such as raster geoprocessing and three-dimensional analysis.

Download a more detailed comparison [PDF] of the ArcGIS Desktop product key features.

What are the basic differences between ArcView, ArcEditor, and ArcInfo?

ArcView provides data visualisation, query, analysis, and integration capabilities along with the ability to create and edit simple geographic features. ArcEditor includes all the functionality of ArcView and adds a comprehensive set of tools to create, edit, and ensure the quality of your data. ArcInfo includes all the functionality of ArcEditor and adds advanced spatial analysis, data manipulation, and high-end cartography tools.

 

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What are ArcView, ArcEditor, and ArcInfo?

ArcView, ArcEditor, and ArcInfo are licensing levels for ArcGIS Desktop applications. ArcView provides data visualisation, query, analysis, and integration capabilities along with the ability to create and edit simple geographic features. ArcEditor includes all the functionality of ArcView and adds a comprehensive set of tools to create, edit, and ensure the quality of your data. ArcInfo includes all the functionality of ArcEditor and adds advanced spatial analysis, data manipulation, and high-end cartography tools.

 

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What are ArcMap, ArcCatalog, ArcScene, and ArcGlobe?

ArcMap, ArcCatalog, ArcScene, and ArcGlobe are ArcGIS Desktop application programs. ArcMap and ArcCatalog are the core applications delivered with all licensing levels of ArcGIS Desktop; ArcScene and ArcGlobe are part of the ArcGIS 3D Analyst extension.

 

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What functionality is available with ArcView?

ArcView is a complete GIS, suitable for users who will manage their own file-based data sources, use data sources from the Internet, or collaborate in enterprise workflows without the requirement to manage the enterprise data sources. A detailed list of functionality is provided in the ArcGIS Desktop Functionality Matrix.

 

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Does ArcView 9 include all the functionality of ArcView 3.x?

Yes, ArcView maintains the base functionality of ArcView 3.x and adds many new features driven by user requests.

 

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What is the difference between the single use and concurrent use licenses of ArcView 9?

ArcView is available as a single use or concurrent use license. Regardless of the license type, the functionality of ArcView is identical.

A single use license allows ArcView to be installed on one computer and does not require a license manager.
A concurrent use license, also known as a floating seat license, is controlled by a license manager operating on an organization's network. Concurrent use licenses can be used by many users, but the number of users at any given time is limited to the number of floating licenses available.

 

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Is ArcView supported on Macintosh?

No. ArcView is not supported on Macintosh. While it is possible to run ArcView using the new Intel-based Mac OS X and the Boot Camp software, ESRI does not test or certify this system configuration at this time.

 

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What editing tools are available at ArcView 9?

ArcView contains new feature construction and editing tools including support for true curves and snap to multiple layers. ArcView allows you to create and edit shapefiles and simple features in a personal geodatabase including annotation.

 

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Can ArcView 9 edit a geodatabase?

ArcView can create and edit simple geometric features (points, lines, and polygons) analogous to shapefile features in a personal geodatabase (based on Microsoft Access files). ArcView can also create and maintain annotation in a personal geodatabase.

ArcView does not support advanced editing of data models (e.g., topology, geometric networks, feature-linked annotation, relationships, dimensioning). ArcView does allow you to read but not edit a multiuser geodatabase.

 

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What types of data can I access with ArcView 9?

ArcView 9 can access

  • Vector (read and edit)—Shapefiles and simple features in a personal geodatabase
  • Vector (read-only)—Complex features (e.g., geometric networks) in a geodatabase, ArcSDE layers,
  • ArcIMS feature streams, coverages, and CAD files
  • Raster—Grids, image files (.jpg, .tif, .bmp), and ArcIMS Services

For a complete list of supported data formats, view the ArcGIS 9.3 Functionality Matrix Poster.

 

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Is ArcView 9 Internet enabled?

Yes, ArcView is Internet enabled, allowing the integration of Internet map data with your local data. ArcView can connect to an ArcIMS Server and ArcGIS Server as well.

 

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Are the ArcGIS extensions available as single use and concurrent use licenses?

Yes, the ArcGIS extensions are available as single use or concurrent use licenses.
Note: The licensing options for the ArcGIS extensions must match the licensing option for ArcView. This means that an ArcGIS extension single use license can only be used with an ArcView single use license and an ArcGIS extension concurrent use license can only be used with an ArcView concurrent use license.

 

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How does an ArcView 3.x user transition to ArcView 9?

ArcView supports the same data sources that ArcView 3.x supports. ArcView also provides import tools for ArcView 3.x project (APR) and legend (AVL) files.

 

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What training/resources are available to help ArcView 3.x users transition to ArcView 9?

  • Migrating from ArcView 3.x to ArcGIS Desktop—A free self-study (Virtual Campus) course that introduces ArcView 3.x users to the features and architecture of ArcGIS Desktop software
  • Getting to Know ArcGIS Desktop—ESRI Press Book
    A self-study workbook that will help you learn the basics of ArcView, ArcEditor, or ArcInfo, including a 120-day trial version of ArcView software as well as data to complete the exercises.

 

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