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Using MassGIS' ArcIMS mapservices in ArcExplorer or ArcMap

It is possible to pull ArcIMS mapservices directly into ArcExplorer or ArcMap and use them with other datalayers or mapservices from other sites. ArcMap will even coordinate the projections ("project on the fly") for you if the data sources are in different projections. You may want to use these mapservices in ArcMap in order to produce a more sophisticated layout than what is currently possible either in OLIVER or the other online viewers. For example, rings could be added to the 21e map in ArcMap. However, symbolization (colors, patterns) cannot be changed in the mapservices. Think of them more as a non-editable backdrop.

Instructions for connecting to mapservices with ArcMap:
In ArcMap 9.2, do the following:
  1. Click on the "Add Data" button (a black plus sign on a yellow diamond).
  2. In the dialog that appears, pull down the "Look in" dropdown to "GIS Servers" ("Internet Servers" in previous versions of ArcMap).
  3. Double-click "Add ArcIMS Server" ("Add Internet Server" in previous versions of ArcMap).
  4. Type in the URL of the server: http://maps.massgis.state.ma.us.
  5. Click the "Just the following service(s)" radio button to ask for a particular mapservice by name (descriptions below) or choose to view All Services.
  6. If you are choosing particular services, check those and then click OK at the bottom.
Instructions for connecting to mapservices with ArcExplorer: (a free program from ESRI, currently at version 4.0.1, available here: http://www.esri.com/software/arcexplorer/download4.html)
Click on the "Add Data" button (a red plus sign on a stack of yellow and white pieces of paper), or pull down the Layer menu to "Add Layers".  In the dialog that appears, click on the plus sign to the left of WWW.  Double click on "Add Web Site".  Type in the URL of the server "http://maps.massgis.state.ma.us".  You can then ask for a particular mapservice by name (descriptions below) or choose to view All Services.
MassGIS mapservices:
In order to facilitate this type of access to the MassGIS online data layers, here is a list of the ArcIMS mapservices with a brief explanation of what can be found in each one. They are in rough order of possible popularity.

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Last Updated 3/27/2008
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