Reference Guide Table of Contents

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1 Reference Guide Table of Contents Introduc on What is an Atlas? What is the Esri Online Atlas sample applica on? How do I author a thema c atlas? Plan the Atlas Define your subject Define how your atlas addresses the subject Define themes for the atlas Define web maps to illuminate the themes Define a sequence of web maps Gather data and map services Shi from defining to building the atlas Prepare Data Assemble the data and add value Build Maps Build your web maps Build and use standard map specifica ons Define pop-ups to put the map into context Run the map through a checklist Complete the map descrip on page Don t forget the tags Choose a base map Adjust the legend Scale ranges Advanced Features Security Add GeoBookmarks Mask your theme How to order layers in your web map Create your legend Configure the Pop-up Should I cache this map? Configure social media links Esri Thematic Atlas: Reference Guides 1

2 Introduction What is an Atlas? An atlas is a collection of maps that relate to one another based on a common theme, and share a common look. An atlas shows a specific set of maps that illustrate a few themes. When the reader clicks on or taps the map, additional information is presented in a pop-up nearby, to give context and details. The maps and pop-ups included in an atlas are designed to work with one another, so that a person can begin to see patterns emerge for an area like their hometown. What is the Esri Online Atlas sample application? The Esri Thematic Atlas application is a configurable web application that uses a collection of intelligent web maps with text, graphics, and images to talk about our world. For example, the Atlas of Demographics and Statistics from the 2010 Census (below) shows selected themes in neighborhoods, counties and states. View these Featured Atlases for other examples. How do I author a thematic atlas? Keep it simple. Come up with a few themes and build intelligent maps that illustrate the key points you want your readers to see. The atlas works best when it brings focus to the things your readers may not find on their own. Think about what the first map should be in the atlas. What is the very first map you want your viewer to see? Then think about what related maps would help the viewer understand more about the subject. After authoring the pop-ups in these web maps, you re ready to add them to your atlas. More detail is provided below on these steps, including information on how to configure your atlas. Esri Thematic Atlas: Reference Guides 2

3 Plan the Atlas Define your subject Storyboarding is an essential part of any project the more complex the project, the more important storyboarding becomes. By defining the subject and message from the get-go, a vision for the entire process is created. Forcing yourself to define things first helps ensure you build a focused atlas rather than a simple collection of maps. If your subject seems too broad, start to break it down. Do a little research on what s already been done. Think about what your audience needs to know about your subject. Is there already an atlas about your subject available in print or online form? Are there several? What do they show? How well do they tie the concepts together? How do they connect with their intended audience? Do they simply report statistics and assume the reader can interpret them successfully? Look for places you can add value to the discussion. Broad subjects may need more than one atlas. Once you have defined the subject, next you need to define how you want to show this in your atlas. Define how your atlas addresses the subject When completed, the atlas shows a series of maps, so you must now decide what web maps to show, in what order, and how they will be grouped. A grouping of related web maps make up a theme, and a grouping of themes make up the atlas. The Atlas Builder tool helps you outline, and then configure, your atlas. Use it to define the themes and maps needed to address the subject. You can specify the actual web maps to use later. Start by giving the atlas a name. You can always change it later, but at this point a name helps bring clarity to what you are trying to achieve. It is only by making these decisions about subject, themes and web maps that you can judge how a given web map and its pop-ups are contributing to the atlas. Subject Author & Design Themes Build Raw Materials Definition Research Are there similar products? Introductory Map Maps Data mxd Checklist Services REWORK THEMES AROUND AVAILABLE DATA? Finished Atlas Configure/Assemble Atlas Configure Add Maps Checklist Web maps Popups Descriptions Credits Checklist Esri Thematic Atlas: Reference Guides

4 Define themes for the atlas A theme is like a chapter heading in a book. Each theme needs to stand on its own, and support the overall subject and vision of the atlas. A successful theme is one that is focused and has to 8 web maps, typically. Use the Atlas Builder tool to give your themes titles, and change them as needed once the atlas is in review. You can even apply a mask to the theme, to further focus the reader on what you want them to notice. Define web maps to illuminate the themes Web maps are grouped together in themes to form the atlas. Therefore, each web map has to add some value first to the theme, then to the general vision of the atlas. Each web map needs to be a clear illustration of its topic. Note: this is a new way of thinking for anyone who is used to putting all their map content into a single web map, and asking the reader to figure out which layers to turn on for a given topic. Use the Atlas Builder tool to define and order your themes. Define a sequence of web maps The sequence of maps in a theme should be thought out, not random. The first map in the theme acts as an introduction, and sets the context for what is to follow. Then a logical progression will help the reader to understand the subject. If you order the maps randomly or in alphabetical order, you ve missed an opportunity to guide your reader. For example, a theme about world literacy rates may start with a map summarizing how rates have changed over the years, then continue with a map for each individual year. Readers are able to navigate the theme intuitively, and find their way back to a specific map easily. Use the Atlas Builder tool to order your web maps and give them titles. Gather data and map services In an ideal situation, you have time to define your atlas, themes and maps before gathering the right data to support the effort, and that data is already in perfect shape to support everything needed. Of course reality is never that tidy, and it is likely that you will need to adjust your subject, themes, web maps and data to work together. A best practice is to develop the outline of the atlas before data collection begins, and adjust that outline as you identify data that is relevant to your subject. Shift from defining to building the atlas At some point you will have good ideas for an atlas, a set of themes in mind, and some web maps you believe are evidence in support of these themes. You are then ready to work with the data to develop it into evidence, and make that evidence clear and presentable, in a map. Whether you develop that map in ArcMap, or in the cloud using the ArcGIS Online web map viewer, your objective is to create good web maps with good pop-ups. Esri Thematic Atlas: Reference Guides 4

5 Prepare Data Assemble the data and add value Assemble your data for the atlas into a single place (folder or feature collection). You need data that makes the thematic maps work well, and also data that makes the popups work well. Look for or create fields that can be used to make the thematic maps, and then consider what can be included in a pop-up. A best practice is to mock up your pop-ups on paper or in a sample web map, so that you can visualize any additional data needed to make the pop-up as strong as it can be. Good pop-ups tend to require additions to the data. MXD Attribute Table 4 Atlas Pop-up Web map pop-up One piece of information should be considered essential: A full and unabbreviated name for the area or point that the pop-up relates to. Depending on your subject there is other information that is desirable: The name of the larger area of which it is a part (county, state, province, country, organization, etc.) Additional data that help to put your theme into context. (e.g. a map of diversity may benefit from having the individual counts of each race/ethnicity). Contextual data that help you compare each smaller feature to its parent geography (e.g. diversity for the larger county, state, province, etc.). It is useful to know how this area compares to a larger area. On this framework you can consider adding any more data that you think may extend the story that the map is presenting. There are no strict rules here, only encouragement to look for ways to add value to the pop-ups. Use field aliases to your advantage. Attribute fields are rarely given simple, clear names. Apply a simple and concise alias to make the reader s experience better. Esri Thematic Atlas: Reference Guides 5

6 Build Maps Build your web maps There are two basic ways to build a web map for use an atlas: drag and drop your data directly into a blank web map, or... build a map in ArcMap, share it as a service, and add the service into a web map There are advantages to each. A comparison of the two options is below. What data formats can I use? For my thematic content, which classification types are supported for Atlas application s legend? Tip: Using a graphics program, you can also create a static legend as a PNG file, and configure it for use in your atlas. Can I label my thematic content? What symbols can I use? Share as a service from ArcMap Geodatabases.CSV lists of addresses, cities, locations etc.shp shape files.gpx location coordinates Natural Breaks Quantile Equal interval Standard Deviation Defined Interval Manual Unique Values Graduated Colors/Sizes Yes, use ArcMap and Maplex ArcMap symbol sets, style files Import your own symbol Option to save and reuse symbols and colors across maps. Drag n Drop CSV lists of addresses, cities, locations etc.shp shape files.gpx location coordinates Natural Breaks Quantile Equal interval Standard Deviation Manual Unique Symbols Graduated Colors/Sizes No ArcGIS Online symbol set Import your own symbol What types of services can I share this thematic content as? How can I control at what scales my thematic layers appear? Map service (with or without cached tiles) Feature service Set min/max scale thresholds in MXD Set min/max scale thresholds in web map A feature service is automatically created when you drag n drop data into a web map. Set min/max scale thresholds in web map Although a web map can show content at scales from 1:592 million scale (worldwide view) to a 1:1,128 (neighborhood view), you do not need to make your maps work at all of those scales. Focus mainly on those scales at which your data makes it point. You may want to apply a mask to a theme, to help keep the maps focused on the areas and scales that matter the most. Build and use standard map specifications Color Palettes As an alternative to using color ramps, we have included a series of custom color palettes for you to consider, and a style file is integral to using them. They are designed to be used with a series of maps (primarily choropleth) or within a theme Notes on how to use them are included in the package. ArcMap and ArcGIS Online each have a good variety of colors and symbols to use when authoring your maps. Each allows you, as the map author, to adjust symbol colors, sizes and transparencies. If you are planning to build all new web maps, develop some standards (colors, symbols, fonts) that will help you to build a set of maps that work together. If you are planning to use existing map services to create some or all of your web maps, take a good look at them and decide whether you feel that they complement each other. If you are planning to mix in some new maps, plan your map specifications with the existing maps in mind. In ArcMap, a style file is a key resource when building a series of maps. Use the style file to establish color ramps, color fills, line colors, line weights, and detailed label or annotation specifications that can include placement rules. Esri Thematic Atlas: Reference Guides 6

7 Define pop-ups to put the map into context After adding your thematic layer to your web map, configure its pop-up. A good pop-up adds value, without adding to the density of information on the map. A good pop-up lets the reader drill into the map for information, not just data. In fact, good pop-ups let you simplify the map beyond what might have been considered acceptable in a map that is not interactive. A good pop-up shows key information about an item on the map, and puts that feature into some broader context. When the reader clicks on a feature on the map, the pop-up reveals the details of that feature, and additional information to translate that data into information. It shows the numerical values used in its classification, and compares it to other features. There are many good blogs about ways to make your pop-up compelling, including this one. A good pop-up includes the name of the feature, the actual value being depicted on the thematic map. It also has other key pieces of information that help the reader understand what they are seeing. The pop-up can include a graph or graphs that allow easy comparisons. Use the Atlas Builder tool to set the colors of the bar charts and pie charts in your pop-ups. Run the map through a checklist. Experience has shown that creating an effective atlas requires some discipline, if the final product is to provide a focused experience to the reader. Whether you build a web map in ArcGIS Online through drag n drop, or build services from ArcMap, there are good checklists to help you. Some of the key items follow below. Complete the map description page Tip ArcMap users can store the map s title, summary, description, tags etc. in the MXD file. These are automatically shared as part of the services created, and therefore can be inherited by web maps that point to those services. When you save your web map, an item is created in ArcGIS Online. That item has a title, summary, description and other properties. Take the time to compose this. In particular write a full description, that explains what the map is trying to illustrate. Avoid abbreviations and jargon. 1 Web map 2 Don t forget the tags Tags will be used by search engines to find the map, so take the time to add as many relevant tags as possible. MXD Map Document Properties Atlas Information Esri Thematic Atlas: Reference Guides 7

8 Choose a base map Tip ArcMap users should add a basemap into the MXD while designing to see how the thematic map looks on that basemap. A base map is required for the Atlas to function properly and your choice will go a long way to establishing the look of your atlas. Where possible, stick to the same base map through a theme, if not the whole Atlas. ArcGIS Online provides a number of different base maps that perform different functions. Choose one that adds enough contextual information for the map to be understood, but not one that competes with or conceals the message. Adjust the legend The map s legend should be simple and clear, and it should do more than report the raw numbers. Avoid abbreviations and jargon, but try to keep each label in the legend as compact as possible. Ideally all labels should fit comfortably within the default legend panel at the side of the map service. Remove unnecessary decimal places, and try to keep those you do need simple and regular. MXD Web map Projected Population Change ( ) Read the legend out loud to judge whether it is communicating information or just listing the classification s break points. Bad legend label: Good: Great Increase (More than 1.5%). Atlas Application Currently the Atlas application directly reads the legend definition (colors, sizes, labels, break points) from web maps that contain: Polygon Layers Thematic polygon layers whose classification is based on numeric or text value. A maximum of 15 classes can be displayed, though 5 to 7 classes are typically used. Point Layers Thematic point layers whose classification is based on numeric or text values. A maximum of 6 classes can be added. Character Marker or Picture Marker symbols are supported. Simple Marker symbols are not supported. Line Layers Layers based on line data are not currently supported in the legend. Scale Ranges For each layer in a web map, you can define the range of scales at which the layer will be visible. ArcMap users enjoy some additional control, in that they can author different symbols/sizes for each scale. Esri Thematic Atlas: Reference Guides 8

9 Advanced Features Security The atlas application works with your subscription s or portal s security model for users and content. Whether you have an ArcGIS for Organizations subscription, or are using Portal for ArcGIS, the atlas works with your web maps. The atlas works with web maps that are shared public, shared with your organization, shared with groups, or not shared at all. The atlas application asks for user credentials when appropriate. Secured services in ArcGIS Server are also supported. As the atlas author, you can also restrict access to the atlas itself. Add GeoBookmarks Add the GeoBookmarks property like the example below at the first configuration level. GeoBookmarks : [ { PlaceName : Alaska, Extent : { xmin : , ymin : , xmax : , ymax : , spatialreference : { wkid : } } }, { PlaceName : Lower 48, Extent : { xmin : , ymin : , xmax : , ymax : , spatialreference : { wkid : } } } ], GeoBookmarksForceVisible : false, By default, bookmarks appear when hovering over the home button in the zoom panel. The optional GeoBookmarksForceVisible : true configuration can be used to force them to be displayed permanently. Mask your theme One way to ensure your reader sees the specific areas you want them to see is to apply a mask to a theme. When the reader views a map in that theme for the first time, by default it will zoom to the extent of that mask, and gray out everything outside of that mask. Use the Atlas Builder tool to define the source of the mask, and set its properties.. How to order layers in your web map Make your web map look good, with a good pop-up. Above your basemap add: The thematic data (The meat of your map carrying the most important information) Reference layers, such as boundaries and city names (should be added above these thematic layers) If you have multiple layers with a pop-up or thematic classification in your web map, the atlas will look at all of them, and choose which ones to use for its pop-up and legend information. If two layers with pop-ups are visible at a given scale, the atlas will choose the top-most pop-up for display. If two thematic layers are visible at a given scale, the atlas will choose the bottom-most layer for display in the legend of the atlas. Esri Thematic Atlas: Reference Guides 9

10 Create your own legend The atlas application supports dynamic legends for thematic maps with specific classification types and symbols (see page 8). However, you may include a web map with a static legend, which you build as a.png file. Configure the pop-up Web map pop-up Atlas Pop-up Title Description Graph The Atlas application uses each web map s popup configuration. Things to consider while building your pop-ups: The Format Fields link below the Pop-up Properties box can be used to set decimal places and thousands separators for numeric fields (see left). If you want to use a chart or image, a good practice is to place all pop-up content within the Pop-up Media fields (see left). If you want to use a chart, the Pop-up Contents field is not used in the Atlas, and should have No attribute information selected as the Pop-up Contents Display selection (see left). The Atlas can handle up to four separate media types in one pop-up window. Create the title and caption using plain text, and avoiding abbrevations and jargon. Similarly, adjust chart field aliases if they have not been formatted already in the mxd. Should I cache this map? The Atlas application supports web maps. Those web maps can include feature services or map services. Map services can be cached to improve map performance. Bear in mind that you are building a series of interactive and interrelated web maps for the atlas. It is almost inevitable that some changes will be required once you have the chance to look at the full theme online. With this in mind it would be good practice to start out with a map service that is not cached. Once you are happy with all aspects you can decide whether it makes sense to create a cache. Once the maps look right, you can decide which type of service best suits the situation. A map service that is cached tends to display more quickly, but a non-cached map service may be acceptable if it is simple, has few features, or its data is generalized. Esri Thematic Atlas: Reference Guides 10

11 Configure social media links The atlas application includes social media links, which you can turn on/off and edit in the configuration file produced by the Atlas Builder tool. Twitter, Facebook, and other options are available. All social media links use the current map s URL, which specifies what theme and map the reader is viewing. The center point of the current map and zoom level are also captured in the URL. The reader who uses a social media link to say Look at this map is assured that the recipient will open the link to the exact map intended. Please note that the Esri Thematic Atlas sample application is built to work with the following browsers: Internet Explorer v9 Firefox v4 Chrome Safari Esri Thematic Atlas: Reference Guides 11