Introduction to the NHD ArcView Toolkit

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Introduction to the NHD ArcView Toolkit
NHD Applications Symposium Dec. 11-14, 2000
Prepared and presented by Jen Hill, Horizon
Systems Corporation
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• Current version is 3.0.0

• Available on nhd.usgs.gov

• Contains 3 tools

NHD Arc2Shape
NHD Load/Unload Workspace
NHD Navigate
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Advantages

• Assists in understanding NHD data

• Performs common tasks easily

• Provides users with a consistent look and feel

• Allows developers to avoid reinventing the wheel

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DEMO OF CURRENT TOOLS
Show an Arc2Shape conversion
Load an NHD Workspace (ALL Themes and Tables
option)
Show Network Tables and describe Reach Links
Perform navigation - up mainstem - whole reach
Show navigation options dialog
Perform navigation - point to point - point along
reach
Perform navigation - Up with tribs - point along
reach
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Potential Additions
Reach Indexing Tool
Watershed Tools
Event Migration Tool
A variety of NHD update tools
Name Updates
Flow Editing
Stream Level Updates
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Standards

• Extension format

• Tool Documentation standards

• Extension and script naming conventions

• NHD_Tools menu option

• Blue graphics on buttons

• Integrated About Box

• Independent Help Files

• Standardized message boxes

• Programming guidelines

• Not use global variables - dictionary instead

• Common routines

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Common Routines

• Manage screen real estate

• Maintain the integrated About box

• Manage the NHD_Tools menu option

• Store and retrieve information in the dictionary

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General Organization

• Extension files in the ArcView EXT32 Directory

• All other NHD ArcView Toolkit needs in the
  Toolkit directory

Subdirectories for each extension

• Help files

• Legend files

• External executables

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Steps to integrate a simple NHD Tool into the NHD
ArcView Toolkit
(Example A Reach Migration Tool)

• Add sub-directory to the NHDToolkit location for
  the tool

• Design and implement the needed control

• Start by having the user load an NHD Workspace

• Add a tool button to the View toolbar

• Create a tool to implement a point and click
  method of performing the migration. (Example
  Activate the tool, pick source reach, then pick
  target CU.)

• Write scripts to perform the necessary actions

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Steps (Continued)

• Add Help Menu Choice and Text

• Use the Screen-Checker, About Box Organizer, and
  NHD_Tools Menu Organizer in the extensions
  install and uninstall scripts.

• Build the extension - making sure to include all
  controls, scripts, and menu choices

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Contact Information
Jen Hill
Horizon Systems Corporation
jrh_at_horizon-systems.com
NHD Applications Symposium Dec. 11-14, 2000