Natalie Scott: Out on a LIM - Automatic Map Generator

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Natalie Scott:
Out on a LIM - Automatic Map Generator
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@ Kiwi PyCon 2013 - Saturday, 07 Sep 2013 - Track 1
http://nz.pycon.org/

**Audience level**

Novice

**Description**

Local councils produce a number of maps for each Land Information Memoranda (LIM), which can be a time-consuming process. A lightweight python application was built to interact with an ArcGIS map to automate this mapping process, giving consistent high quality outputs. The application was built to be used by non-technical staff with no python or mapping experience.

**Abstract**

One important service provided by local councils is the production of LIMs (Land Information Memoranda), which collate information and consents pertaining to a specific property. An essential part of the process is the creation of a series of maps showing the interactions between the property in question and the other layers of spatial information.

These maps can be produced manually, on a case-by-case basis, but this is a time-consuming process and leads to discrepancies in map output formats between different properties. We built an application that takes user inputs such as the property address, and automatically creates the appropriate series of maps for that property. This approach offers considerable advantages in speed and consistency of outputs in comparison to a more manual method.

The application is built using only the Python modules that ship with ArcGIS 10.1, enabling the program to be run without having to install extra software on client computers. It references a static map document that holds all the spatial and attribute information. The program is operated via a simple tkinter graphical interface, making it easy to use for non-technical staff without knowledge of either Python or of ArcGIS.

**YouTube**

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCD1DUr7aiY

Transcript

1. OUT ON A LIM: BUILDING AN AUTOMATIC MAP GENERATOR NATALIE SCOTT
2. LAND INFORMATION MEMORANDUM Produced by councils Collate data about a property Simple but time consuming
3. SOLUTION Non-technical approach ‘Click-and-go’ Automatic mapping
4. Geographic Information Systems ArcMap Geoprocessing GIS & ArcMap
5. Geoprocessing operations arcpy module Geoprocessing & arcpy arcpy.SelectByAttribute_management houses, ‘NEW_SELECTION’, ‘“ADDRESS” “32 Main St”’ arcpy.SelectByLocation_management all_zones, ‘INTERSECT’, my_house, ‘#’, ‘NEW_SELECTION’
6. AUTOLIM APPLICATION
7. AUTOLIM CODE GUI Setup Map Setup Map Production Buttons Graphics Address List Layers/Symbology Map Elements LIM Address data Module Progressbar LIM Address User Input: PDF Document Output
8. Map Layout Core layers Module layers Text elements
9. MODULES
10. ‘ALWAYS ON’ MODULES Start Module Cadastre List of modules Export to PDF Module Set Scale Switch on layers Aerial Utilities Etc… Text elements
11. ?
13. CONDITIONAL MODULES Start Module Cadastre List of modules Module Switch on layers Aerial Utilities Etc… Check Condition Pass Export to PDF Set Scale Text elements
14. EXAMPLE ONE Only create map if property within 100m of waterway Rule: 100m
15. EXAMPLE TWO Only create map if protected tree on adjacent property Rule: arcpy.SelectByLocation_management properties, ‘SHARE_AN_EDGE’, main, ‘#’, ‘NEW_SELECTION’ arcpy.SelectByLocation_management properties, ‘INTERSECT’, main, ‘#’, ‘NEW_SELECTION’ arcpy.SelectByLocation_management properties, ‘WITHIN_A_DISTANCE’, main, ‘5 meters’, ‘NEW_SELECTION’
16. EXAMPLE THREE Only create map if property is in hazard zone Rule:
18. AUTOLIM GUI Autocomplete addresses Scale Progress Bar ID Number
19. PACKAGING Code needed to be non-accessible Intellectual Property Doesn’t get broken Autolim.py Autolim.pyc Autolim.exe Wrapper script BAT to EXE
20. CHALLENGES Python Foreign file and computer systems Scope = ‘Oh, can you just…’ Optimisation
21. BENEFITS Speed: 20 mins → 2 mins Consistency: Reduced capacity for human error Reporting: Record of map production
22. WHERE TO FROM HERE?
23. NATALIE SCOTT CONSULTANT natalie.scott@interpret.co.nz www.interpret.co.nz