Center for Research in Water Resources, University of Texas at Austin
The ArcView Internet Map Server extension enables GIS users to put their maps and interactive mapping applications on the web, which is an effective way to increase dramatically the number of people who can access the data and maps produced with ArcView GIS. The advantages of using this new technology include:
The ArcView Internet Map Server is easy to use since no programming is required to put a map on the web. Details about the ArcView Internet Map Server can be obtained from the ESRI Internet Mapping page.
The ArcView Internet Map Server extension employs the MapCafe Java applet to generate the user interface for the map on a web page. This Java applet downloads automatically when a user visits a web page containing an ArcView GIS map. Users do not have to install anything in their system before they can use the map. As such, the map can be retrieved by anyone using a web browser that supports Java; acceptable browsers are listed below:
To use the ArcView Internet Map Server extension, ArcView GIS running under Windows 95, Windows NT, or UNIX is necessary, along with the active ArcView GIS project containing the predefined view(s) that are to be placed on the web. Other requirements include:
Configuration of ArcView GIS and the Web Server
In this example, the ArcView Internet Map Server is used to publish GIS data related to an environmental risk assessment of an oil refinery located in Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania. An ongoing research project at the Center for Research in Water Resources (CRWR) of the University of Texas at Austin is currently investigating the use of a GIS application and a Decision Analysis Framework for making risk-based decisions for the site. Some of the primary tasks include development of GIS coverages of source area characterization, receptor identification, fate and transport modeling, exposure quantification, and communication of information and results of the risk-based decision process. In this application, some of the GIS coverages are published and served through the Internet Map Server. The risk maps are stored in the views of an ArcView project. Coverages, shape files and grids may be viewed at the following URL:
http://www.ce.utexas.edu/stu/weiw/risk/server.html
Click here for an example of a map published with the default setting.
More than just a static image, the web browser can pan and zoom, identify
features, and print the map. With the Internet Map Server, not only does the number
of people who can access the data and maps increase substantially, but
the amount of information obtained is much greater than it
otherwise would be from a static image. For the map shown above, if a user is interested in
some Chemical of Concern (COC) in a particular monitoring well, it is possible to
retrieve information about the sample ID, location ID, projection parameters,
Chemical Abstract Code System (CAS) Value, Detection Limit, and
Unit by using the query tool 
. This query tool
is particularly useful when the database is very large.
The query tool enables internet searchers to retrieve quickly any desired data. In
addition, the "zoom
in"
or "zoom out "
tools allow people to view areas of interest within the display and to locate
targets easily in a large database.
How to publish maps on the web
Customizing web pages. Add text, graphic, and link, change background color and so on.
Customizing the Avenue scripts that come with the ArcView Internet Map Server. Customize the behavior of the buttons and tools on the map.
Customizing MapCafe with Java. Modify the existing buttons and tools. Add new buttons and tools.
Kevin Wei
Center for Research in Water Resources
The University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX 78712
E-mail: kevin.wei@mail.utexas.edu
These materials may be used for study, research, and education, but please credit the authors and the Center for Research in Water Resources, The University of Texas at Austin. All commercial rights reserved. Copyright 1998 Center for Research in Water Resources.
