Digitizing (Shapefile) – Part I

Create new shapefile (from ArcMap)

• Windows pull-down > Catalog
  
• In the Catalog
  • navigate to your working directory
  • right-click on your working directory > New > Shapefile
    • Name it
    • You are creating a polygon
    • Set the Spatial Reference (coordinate system)
      • Edit > Projected > UTM > NAD 1983 > NAD_1983_UTM_Zone_17N
  • 
  • You now have an empty shapefile loaded in the table of contents
• Add needed fields to your Attribute Table
  • Open the new layer’s attribute table (right-click on the layer in the TOC and select Open Attribute Table)
    • Table Options (button in upper left) > Add Field
• You now have an empty shapefile in the TOC with new fields

Set your Data Frame Coordinate System

• View > Data Frame Properties > Coordinate System tab
• We are working in eastern GA, so select Projected > UTM > NAD83 > Zone 17N

Digitizing

• Start Editing your shapefile
  • Right-click on the layer in the TOC > Edit Features > Start Editing
• Load the Editor toolbar
  • Right-click in the grey area at the top of the ArcGIS screen > check the box next to Editor
• Open Create Features window
  • Editor pull-down > Editing Windows > Create Features
  • Make sure you select the correct layer (PropertyBoundary in this case)
  • Select your Construction Tool
• Zoom into a starting area on the orthophoto
• Click once to begin your polygon
• Click along the OUTTER boundary of your property
• Double-click to close the boundary polygon

Save your digitized feature: Editor > Stop Editing