Understanding ArcView Project Files and How to Move Projects Between Different Computers

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Understanding ArcView Project Files and How to
Move Projects Between Different Computers

• GIS-110 Spring Semester 2007
• Instructor J. Mark Young
• (Note Much of this material was created by
  Kirkwood Community College)

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Objectives

• Recognize function of a project .apr file
• Recognize what happens when a project is copied
  or moved
• Move a project successfully with data.

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Definitions

• Project - a file that organizes and keeps track
  of data and documents in ArcView
• Data - a collection of related facts or numerical
  values
• Documents - a window component of ArcView that
  allows viewing of data.

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ArcView Projects
View 2
Data Yield analysis results
View 1
Project
Data field boundary soil tests
View 3
Data OrthoPhoto
A project does not store or include the data, it
merely points to where it is stored.
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ArcView Projects - Data Location
Project.apr
Stored on C
View 1
Data Boundaries Yield Soil tests Analysis results
G drive (network)
I drive (zip disk)
C drive (local)
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ArcView Projects - Moving
Computer 2
Computer 1
Which of the following themes will work in the
new computer?
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ArcView Projects - Moving
Computer 2
Computer 1
Project.apr
Project.apr
Any data on C must be copied over to 2nd
computer any networked drive is okay if 2nd
computer has access and drive letters are the
same Zip disk or any other movable storage must
be moved to the new computer
View 1
View 1
Data Boundaries Yield Soil tests Analysis results
Data Boundaries Yield Soil tests Analysis results
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ArcView Project
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ArcView Project
Project .apr saved to floppy disk
Data stored on C drive and on G network drive.
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ArcView Project
Now lets move the project. . .
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ArcView Project
12
ArcView Project
13
ArcView Project
14
ArcView Project
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ArcView Project
The project has now been moved . . .
BUT, will it work?
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ArcView Project
Project will start in different computer.
But only data on floppy or network drive
(assuming same drive letters!) will display.
This computer cant see the first computers C
drive.
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ArcView Project
If data on C drive of first computer is copied
to second computer
Then entire project can be viewed.
The Project .apr does not store the data It
merely points to where it is stored!
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ArcView Project
Thus, the easiest approach would be to create a
working folder on the C-Drive of first
computer. Store all youre data here use zip
drives, U-Drive, etc. for archiving of data only!
Then, when moving to second computer copy the
entire working folder onto the the C-Drive of the
second computer.
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ArcView Project
This ensures that the paths to the data files are
consistent since most all computers have a C
Drive as the primary hard drive.
Also, allows youre project to load and operate
faster since the C-Drive is local to the
computer on which you are working.
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Other Final Notes

• DO use zip drives, U-Drive, etc. for youre
  projects just use them as a means of archiving
  the project
• Archiving in conjunction with WinZip works great
  as a space saver and a time saver!
• When copying projects using a CD, make sure the
  read-only attributes are turned off on the
  working folder before working with the project in
  ArcView
• Remember to use good file management skills when
  creating folders, subfolders, and file names
• Remove any unused projects from the C-Drive in
  the Lab to help prevent copying and clogging up
  the hard drives