How to Create a Footprint Map in GIS
A great advance in geography, since the latter half of the 20th century, has been geographic information systems (GIS), a marriage of satellite mapping technology with computer software. The process can be used to create footprint maps of sites. Such projects are fairly easy for GIS software that lets you draw shapes, such as rectangles or squares, on a map. Sophisticated software is costly, but basic packages can be obtained free from the Internet.
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Instructions
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Using Scribble Maps
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Some mapping packages are free on the Internet. Access a mapping software package, such as Scribble Maps, from the Internet. For Scribble Maps, click on the site, wait as the program loads, and you are ready to go. The toolbar appears automatically.
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With the software, you can zoom in on the map to begin. Locate the map you want to use. Go to "Home" on the toolbar and zoom in on the map, which is provided by Google Maps. Maps in JPEG format can be imported.
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Programs will let you add rectangles and squares on a footprint map. Click into the draw program and use shapes, such as rectangles or squares, to build a footprint map. Use a combination of rectangles and squares for L-shaped buildings.
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Use text for labeling. Add text on the map to label buildings, streets and other points of interest.
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Your finished map can be easily accessed for editing or other future use. Create an account to save your map in either format created by the program or JPEG.
Using ArcGIS
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Get all your information ready before going to the computer. Assemble all of your materials, including a hand drawing of buildings to be placed on your map.
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In sophisticated programs, maps are supplied by the software or can be imported. Locate the map you want to use from those supplied by the ArcGiS program or import it in JPEG format.
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The polygon feature can be used to place shapes, such as rectangles and squares, on your map. Use the polygon feature with the software you selected to draw shapes then label what you are mapping. Set up categories, such as general case for buildings, and give them values, such as 0 or 1. That way, you can easily go to them when mapping.
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Create a custom toolbar to speed up creation of buildings, even L-shaped ones. Create a custom toolbar. The toolbar lets you rapidly draw a lot of squares or rectangles for buildings and makes it easy to create L-shaped buildings. Use the snap tool for buildings, edges or vertexes to speed up the creation of L-shaped structures.
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Rotating the data frame while mapping will allow you to show horizontally oriented buildings. Rotate your data frame to show any buildings that are horizontally oriented. Use the rectangle tool to create a new feature for right angles. You can digitize overlapping rectangles to cover a given building.
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Tips & Warnings
Check for upgraded versions of basic software packages to make mapping easier.
For ArcGIS use the snap to tool for buildings, edges or vertexes to speed up the creation of L-shaped structures.
For ArcGIS, use the standard map coordinate system to properly orient your material to the real situation being mapped.
References
Resources
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