How to use ArcIMS?

Once you have downloaded the two free extensions, you can access ArcIMS directly from the "ArcIMS Spatial Tool" command or from the drop-down list of actions when searching the IDOD database (Search IDOD).

 ArcIMS Spatial tool

Visualising the query results of the IDOD database

If you want to be able to visualise your dataset once you have carried out a request (cf. Search IDOD), choose one of the two options of "SPATIAL ANALYSIS" in the drop down list of actions (on pages: "search summary"or "list of requests"). The resulting text -file will be transformed into a GIS compatible format (ESRI shapefile).

The choice of the data format ('Pivot A' or 'Pivot B') depends on what you want to do! (More information about query output formats)

• The Pivot A output format is used to visualise/analyse variables taking into account the different analysis methods.
• The Pivot B output format is used to visualise/analyse variables for which the analysis methods can be considered as comparable.
• The Record format and the Transposed format are not suitable for spatial analyses. Especially the record format contains more details of the data so we recommend you to have a look at it.

From the next page, you first have to download 3 files or the zip-file on your local drive. To open the ARCIMS Spatial Tool Viewer, click on the 'Spatial Tool' link.

As you will see, a background map of the Belgian sea area is available, together with a set of tools. You will then be able to add your data using the ‘Add Layer’ button. Double click on your shapefile.

You need to compare the field names of the shapefiles with the fieldnames in the original query result text-file. Due to the limitations of the spatial tool, the fieldnames are simplified in the shapefiles

To use the ArcIMS Spatial Tool Viewer have a look at the functions of ArcIMS.

The ArcIMS tool is interesting for 'light' GIS applications such as mapping vector and raster layers, performing easy requests and analyses, etc. It is not suitable for complex spatial processes such as combined and complex requests, interpolation, geoprocessing, etc. However, some functionalities can be added by developing 'personalised' scripts depending on the users needs. For the IDOD project and further uses, we have developed applications that help you to better understand your data: interpolation of your data, viewing and downloading pre-processed maps of interpolated salinity/temperature/bathymetry, extracting profiles.

  Functions of ARCIMS

  More information about ArcIMS