Use maps and scenes
In this topic
ArcGIS includes maps and scenes that allow your whole organization to explore, understand, and measure your geographic data. Use viewers to explore maps, scenes, layers, and tools and discover patterns, answers, and relationships about your community and the world. Viewers include the built-in map viewer and scene viewer and apps created by your organization.
View data in maps
The interactive maps you find in ArcGIS allow you to explore, visualize, and understand your organization's data in 2D. Data-viewing tools such as pop-ups, legends, filters, and transparency allow you to focus in on the data that's important to you. Show me how.
View data in scenes
Use the built-in scene viewer with a desktop web browser to explore symbolized geospatial content. Scenes can include a collection of 2D and 3D layers, styles, and configurations that allow you to visualize and analyze geographic information in an intuitive and interactive 3D environment. Show me how.
Edit features in maps
Authors may want your input about the data in the map. For example, they may want the birding community to post their bird sightings directly on the map and attach media files, such as photographs, audio files, and video files, to the specific observation points. A useful way to get your input is to include a feature layer that you can edit. Show me how.
More uses of maps
You can do more with maps beyond exploring data.
Get directions
Direction options include return to start and optimize the order. Once you get directions, you can zoom to the full route, print the directions, and perform analysis on the route. Show me how.
Measure and view coordinates
Measure the area of a polygon, the length of a line, or find the coordinates of a point. Show me how.
View time
If you see a time slider at the bottom of a map, that map includes one or more temporal layers, and you can play the map to see how the information changes over time. Show me how.
Collect data
Use your smartphone to collect and update information in the field, log your current location, and put data you capture to work so you can make more informed and timely decisions. Show me how.