Frequently Asked Questions for USERS of the ArcGIS 8.x and 9.x MassGIS Data Viewers

Q: When I first start up the Viewer by double clicking on the mxt, ArcMap 8.3 just sits there without completely loading. What is happening?

A: When the mxt is first started in ArcGIS 8.3, the program tries to find the Massachusetts towns to draw as your default. If you do not have the ArcGIS and gisdata folder together in the same area, then the viewer cannot find the towns data. Also make sure that you have copied ALL the files and folders from the CDs you received. The mxt will not work properly with ArcGIS 9.x. 

Q: When I try load data through the Data Viewer I get the message saying "Theme Not Available". What is happening?

A: There are a couple possible explanations for this message. First make sure that you have copied ALL the files and folders from the CDs you received into the proper structure.

Example:
C:\Viewer\ArcGIS\
C:\Viewer\ArcGIS\Lyr_Files

C:\Viewer\gisdata\

C:\Viewer\gisdata\Images\
C:\Viewer\gisdata\Images\coq2001halfmsidm (half-meter color mosaic orthophotos)
C:\Viewer\gisdata\Images\coqhsid (half-meter color orthophotos)
C:\Viewer\gisdata\Images\coqhd1sid (one-meter color orthophotos)
C:\Viewer\gisdata\Images\halfmsid (half-meter black and white orthophotos)
C:\Viewer\gisdata\Images\oq1sid (one-meter black and white orthophotos)
C:\Viewer\gisdata\Images\quadsid (USGS topgraphic images MrSID)
C:\Viewer\gisdata\Images\usgs (USGS topographic TIFF)

C:\Viewer\gisdata\men1\
C:\Viewer\gisdata\men1\Cape_Cod
C:\Viewer\gisdata\men1\Census_2000
C:\Viewer\gisdata\men1\Coastal_and_Marine_Features
C:\Viewer\gisdata\men1\Conservation_Recreation
C:\Viewer\gisdata\men1\Cultural_Resources
C:\Viewer\gisdata\men1\Environmental_Monitroing
C:\Viewer\gisdata\men1\Images
C:\Viewer\gisdata\men1\Index
C:\Viewer\gisdata\men1\Infrastructure
C:\Viewer\gisdata\men1\Physical_Resources
C:\Viewer\gisdata\men1\Political_Boundaries
C:\Viewer\gisdata\men1\Regulated_Areas

The other explanation is if there is no data for that theme in your area. An example is if you try to load data from Cape Cod when your Viewer is for Berkshire County.
 

Q: When the Viewer starts up, I receive an error message saying: "Table not found". What does this mean?

A: This means that the program cannot find one of the 3 required tables. The themeinv.dbf, zoominv.dbf and themeinv2.dbf need to be in the ArcGIS folder in order for the ArcGIS 8.x and 9.x Data Viewers to properly function. The themeinv.dbf contains the information for loading MassGIS data. The zoominv.dbf table contains all the possible coordinate extents for use within the Viewer. The newset table in the Data Viewer is the themeinv2.dbf table. This table is empty except for the field names and is used for storing the information about your own lyr files that you can add to the Viewer. If any of these tables are not in the ArcGIS folder, you will need to go back to the original CDs and copy them in, or request a new copy of all the necessary files.  
 

Q: I added a group layer,and the layers are checked on, but why is nothing drawing?

A: Group layers load multiple layers for one theme. By default the individual layers are checked on within a group layer. However the main heading at the top of the group layer is not checked on. This main heading must be checked on in order to activate the individual layers within the group.  
 

Q: It seems that there is some data missing. Is something wrong?

A: It is possible that the error message you are getting is valid because the particular type of data you are asking for is not available in your area of interest. The 1:5,000 Wetlands and Soils layers, for example, are currently available for only part of the state. To find out if the data you are looking for is currently available you can look at the themes under "Status /Availability" There are several maps that can show you what geographic areas of the state are lacking certain types of data.
 

Q: I’m having problems copying my files...

A: On rare occasions, a CD leaves MassGIS with a problem. Give us a call and we will evaluate the problem and see if it is neccessary to send you another copy.
 

Q: Can MassGIS help me with learning how to use ArcGIS?

A: At the moment, we do not have the resources to aid users extensively on ArcGIS 8.x, 9.x  or ArcView 3.x itselt. However, in the docs /ArcGIS/docs directory , you will find instructions for loading and using the Data Viewer. You should also explore the help menu section that comes with the ArcGIS software. Look under the "Help" menu at the upper right of your screen. 
 

Q: I have a copy of the MassGIS Data Viewer. Can I install it on multiple computers?

A: The MassGIS Data Viewer is in the public domain. You may install it on multiple computers.
 

Q: I installed the Data Viewer program. How do I now draw up the GIS data?

A: There are 2 ways to draw up data.

The first method, which is the easiest to use is by using the MassGIS Data Viewer
   
    For ArcGIS 8.3 -click the "DataViewer" button. The "DataViewer" button represents data that MassGIS has symbolized. If you picked a category off the list under the Browse or
                                 Search section with the "DataViewer" button, you can add the data layer by clicking the 'Add Data' or Add Dataset to Map' button.
   
    For ArcGIS 9.x - click the 'A' or 'Search' button on the 'MassGIS SHP Data Viewer 9.0(v.1)' toolbar, select the layer you want to add and click the 'Add Data to Map'

    The layer will appear when you turn it on (a check mark) in your table of contents.

The second way to add data to your View is to use the normal ArcMap "Add Theme" button. You can use this button to draw up any MassGIS data or any other data that you may have. When using the Add Theme button you must know the name of the data file you wish to use and where it is stored on your computer. 
 

Q: Is there a "Runtime" version of the ArcGIS Data Viewer?

A: No, the Data Viewer for ArcGIS 8.3 uses a template file (mxt) which requires a full version of ArcGIS 8.x. The dll file used by ArcGIS 9.x also requires a full version of ArcGIS 9.x.     

Q: Why do some data appear greyed out when checked on in the table of contents at certain scales?

A: Some of the data themes have associated minimum or maximum scales. This means that the data layer will not draw if the user is too far zoomed in or out for the data to make sense or be readable. For example, USGS quads will not be drawn if you are zoomed out more than 1:25,000. Some choices from the Data Viewer bring up 2 themes. For example, choosing "MHD Roads by Administrative Type" will bring up a major road theme and an all-roads theme. If you are zoomed out and viewing a large area, only the all-roads theme's label will appear in the table of contents, and the symbols for the roads will not appear. Instead, the major roads theme's symbols will appear. It does not make sense to see every road when you are looking at the entire state, because not every road will be visible, and the GIS program will spend a lot of time drawing. If you are looking at a small area, the all-roads theme will be drawn. 
 

Q: Can I edit the MassGIS data?

A: The MassGIS data distributed with the Viewer is in shapefile format. Once copied off the CD(s) they can be edited with ArcMap or a full version of ArcView (not the "Runtime" version). After copying the data off the CD ensure that the files are not set as Read-Only.

Last Updated 10/16/2007
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