ArcGIS is a robust mapping and geographic information system (GIS) software for managing, analyzing, and sharing geographic data. It allows users to create maps and 3D models, import data from other GIS software, publish maps and visualizations online, perform spatial analysis on data sets, and integrate with other ArcGIS products.

Many industries, including environmental, public safety, transportation and logistics, utilities, government, and defense, use ArcGIS.

ArcGIS key features

• Creating customizable maps and visualizations for any project, including interactive web maps.

• Adding dimension to your data by working in 2D and 3D.

• Performing advanced analytics on data sets such as 3D Analyst and Spatial Analyst.

• Managing and analyzing imagery with pre-processing capabilities.

• Sharing your maps and data with other ArcGIS users.

• Using advanced tools for geodatabase data management, including big data.

What do you get?

ArcGIS for Desktop Basic provides the integrated tools you need to create, manage and share maps and spatial data. It includes ArcMap, the primary application used for creating maps; ArcCatalog, which helps you organize and manage your data; and ArcToolbox, which provides tools for everyday GIS tasks.

ArcMap

This mapping and geographic analysis application allows users to view, edit, and create maps using various data sources, including feature classes, coverage files, raster layers, and image services. It’s also where you display and explore GIS datasets, as well as create and edit map layouts for printing or publication.

Typical tasks performed in ArcMap:

• Perform spatial analysis of data.

• View, manage and edit geographic data.

• Create and edit maps.

• Explore geodata sets, including raster data.

• Use geoprocessing to automate work and perform analysis.

• Share geodatabases with others.

• Create maps for print or publication.

ArcCatalog

This app helps you to manage and share your geospatial data. It provides a view of geodatabases, shapefiles, image files, topology, and layout files in a workspace. Workspaces offer a way to organize and share logical collections of GIS information, such as data sources, analysis results, map layouts, and more.

ArcToolbox

The ArcToolbox is a collection of geoprocessing tools that can perform many different types of analysis on your map data. Some of them include the following:

• 3D Analyst tools for working with 3D data and models.

• Analysis tools for working with statistics, spatial analysis, and other types of data analysis.

• Cartography tools for creating maps from your data.

• Coverage tools for building coverage and data in a geodatabase.

• Editing tools for working with the contents of your geodatabase and editing features.

• Geocoding tools for working with addresses or other location information.

• Location referencing for working with geographic coordinates.

• Spatial Analyst tools for working with raster data, including tools for analysis and interpolation.

• Territory design tools for working with design elements such as points, polylines, and polygons.

• Data Management tools for managing and sharing geospatial data.

Extend your mapping experience

You can use extensions to enhance the functionality of ArcGIS. The add-ons can be used to create maps, make data-driven decisions, and automate tasks using programming languages. Extensions are installed directly in ArcMap by adding them from an online repository. The market for extensions has grown significantly over the years, and now many third-party vendors provide extensions for ArcGIS software. There are thousands of extensions available for use on your computer.

What are the supported formats?

ArcGIS supports a variety of data formats. These include 3DD,  APL, GN, DLG, DT0, KMZ, LAN, LPK, MPK, MSD, MXT, RDF, RLF, SDW, SHX, VCT, and many more.

Conclusions

ArcGIS is a powerful and popular tool for geospatial analysis and visualization. Many government agencies, universities, businesses, and organizations worldwide use it. If you need to create maps or perform spatial analysis on your data, ArcGIS is an excellent option.