Notes from the 2004 ESRI International Users Conference

General Session Highlights:

Next versions: 9.01, 9.02 then 9.1

Version 9.01: Linex, Solaris release, beta now, fall 2004
Version 9.02: Quality, Save as 8.3, Network Analyst

Version 9.1:

Cartography: maps in geodatabase, multiple cartographic representations, advanced finishing tools (over-ride individual elements), new graphics pipeline
Open window to do edits (zoom in without having to change your map extent)
Task assistant to set up processes, step by step
Data Management: File based implementation of geodatabase (GDB),, version replicating, history archiving, performance/scaleability, simple user interface for GDB administration.
Thought they said they were working on multiple layouts!
Geoprocessing/spatial analyst available in server, temperal analyst, integration of extentions

3D Analyst: larger data sets, Lidar, texture on buildings, serve globes

ArcGIS Server:

  • enterprise server (now called arcgis server)
  • Imserver (ArcIMS)
  • PersonalServer (new)..publish/serve/use

    Catalog services: (didn't catch the slides on this, but wrote a note that these would be good sessions to go to).

    They showed this really cool light table, that was built on the idea that people like to put a map down on a table and gather around it and look at it. This light table was a computer screen that had arcglobe working on it. You could interact with the computer interface, using your hand to move the globe, access menus, etc. The image was projected from above. Seemed to us like a good retrofit to all the old light tables sitting around in offices.

    Keynote Speaker: Rita Colwell (excellent keynote)

    Technical Workshops Highlights:

    Note: You can purchase the audio and slides of all the technical workshops (or a select few) at this site: conference multimedia. I have been informed that All UC attendees will receive a proceedings CD at the end of October. This CD won't have the audio recording.

    1. Scripting:

    VBA works inside of arcgis, Python, you can work outside of arcgis
    look for object workspace tool in documentation
    Model building does not have batch processing, so you would use scripts for that.
    Use scripts to build tools (like atool)
    Get geoprocessor object model under help look under tools/environment ->toolbox help, geoprocessing toolbox

    The batch project define option went away with 9.0 in the define projection wizard, so you would run a script like this instead (from the esri scripting website) batch project define script

    2. Animation:

    Another excellent session. Major point: labeling that looks bad in 2d can look good in 3d ArcGlobe: you can run a model, add the application output to arcglobe…move between arcmap and arcglobe. There is a cube projection, lots on data caching, disk cache, save as a layer and others can use the cache. Close other applications when you use arcglobe.
    Use the cube projection unless your data is between 45N and 45S (then use geographic)

    3. ArcHydro:

    Template data model: starting point to help you with applications. There is a three day class for this.

    4. Coldfusion and arcims:

    excellent talk, and I got a contact!