You will learn: a fast and easy way to create data in the cloud for your apps.
With your ArcGIS Developer Subscription, you can use the Create Layer tool and the Map Viewer to easily create new datasets for your apps. The Create Layer tool lets you interactively define the name, feature type (points, lines or polygons), and fields, and then save it to the cloud (ArcGIS Online). This process is called publishing a hosted feature layer. Behind every feature layer is a REST feature service. Since feature layers are empty after you create them, the easiest way to add data is to use the Map Viewer to digitize features interactively. Once created, your apps can access the services to query, draw or edit the data. Feature services are the building blocks for developing powerful data-driven geographic applications.
In this lab you will create a new dataset of points that represents park access points for Griffith Park in Los Angeles. The data will be stored in ArcGIS Online and can be used in other labs.
Go to ArcGIS for Developers and sign in.
Click Dashboard + > New Layer > Create an Empty Layer
In Details, set the following properties:
In Geometry, choose the following:
In Fields, create the following fields:
Field Name | Type | Required |
---|---|---|
Name | String | |
Type | String | |
Surface | String |
In Settings, choose the following:
Click Create Layer.
In the Layer Item page, take a moment to explore the properties of the new dataset.
Click Open in Map Viewer.
Search for Griffith Park, Los Angeles, CA and then zoom in closer so you can see the streets clearly.
Click Edit > New Feature and click on the map to create three new features that represent access points from the streets. Be sure to fill in all of the fields. NOTE: The points can be ficticious.
Name | Type | Surface | Required |
---|---|---|---|
West Trail | Hiking Path | Dirt | |
North Bike Path Entrance | Bike Path | Pavement | |
Hollyridge Trail | Walking Path | Gravel |
Click Save > Save Map to save your map for future reference.
Your map and layer (feature service) should look something like this.
Load your data into the cloud (xls, gpx, GeoJSON, shapefiles).
View features with ArcGIS Online tools and the REST API.
Set the default properties for layers.
Explore layers and maps from a variety of sources.
Keep your layers private, or share them publicly.
Use the Map Viewer to find layers and create a new web map.
Use the Map Viewer to style layers and create meaningful visualizations.
Use the Scene Viewer to find layers and create a new web scene.
Go to ArcGIS for Developers > Layers or the Map Viewer to reach the items details page and explore the settings for your layer and the functionality available.
The items details page describes your feature service and allows you to perform a number of operations, including creating a view, publishing or exporting your data.
In the item page, find the Service URL link and identify the service endpoint. This is what applications use to access the data. It should look something like this:
https://services3.arcgis.com/GVgbJbqm8hXASVYi/arcgis/rest/services/Griffith_Park_Access/FeatureServer/0
Try pasting the url in your browser to explore the data. Try the Query function at the bottom.
In the item page, locate the Share button and set the permissions to everyone to make your data public. Learn more about sharing items.
In the item page, locate the Visualization button and try styling your layer with different symbols. When you are done, save the symbols. This will allow apps that load the layer to display your new defaults. Learn more about styling layers.
In the Map Viewer, the table view is a great way to explore your dataset. You can view fields and rows, and you can also add, remove, sort, filter and calculate field values too. You can also upload media files for each record.
Try exploring the table and some of the table Options.