How to calculate X, Y and Z values for points

At times, it is necessary to analyze map profiles with LoggerPC4.2 for skyline analysis. If the profiles can be identified and digitized with ArcMap, the X, Y, and Z (elevation) coordinates as well as the profile name can be exported as a dBase file and then imported into LoggerPC 4.2. This can be done in a batch format which means that all profiles can be digitized into one file and LoggerPC 4.2 will break them into the individual profiles for analysis. A text file format can also be used, although it is a more complicated process. A variation of this process can be used to generate point coordinates for helicopter analysis in Logcost. For the helicopter coordinates for landings and unit centroids, you do not need the line feature class.

The task is to get the X, Y, and Z values at certain points along a line feature class and to digitize them into a point feature class.

Given:
Using ArcMap
Grid created from a 10 or 30 meter DEM
Contour shapefile. Not needed for helicopter.
Line shapefile (the profiles) for LoggerPC. Not needed for helicopter.

Must be done:
1. The user must create an empty point shapefile. (Use ArcCatalog).
a. Within ArcCatalog, select the file menu, new, shapefile, name (type in the name you want to use), for feature type select point.
b. The description will say unknown coordinate system. Select edit and either import a coordinate system from another point shape file in the project, or select predefined coordinate system that applies to the project area.
c. Select OK.
2. The user must add three items to the attribute table of the point shapefile.
a. In ArcMap, use the + to add the new point shapefile to the project. Right click on the new point shapefile then left click on open attribute table. Left click options, left click on add field.
b. Referring to the table below, type the name, precision and scale as shown in the table. You will need to do this three times for the three table names (X_Coord, Y_Coord, and Elevation). It is also necessary to add another field called Name where you can name groups of points which are profiles, so you can keep track of the profiles. The type for Name is text. Make the field width 8. These fields are important because the result of all this will be a single table with the coordinates of all the points. Once you are done creating the fields, close the attribute table.




Name Type Precision Scale
X_Coord Float 12 6
Y_Coord Float 13 6
Elevation Short Integer
Name Text Length = 8

3. The point shapefile must be populated with data – digitize a point at each intersection of the profile lines within the line shapefile, and the contour layer. For helicopter, you will not have the profile line shape file and you don’t need the contour shape file.
a. The line shape file is a file where you have drawn all your map profiles. To populate the point shapefile with data, have it displayed along with the contour and point shapefile.
b. Click editor, select the project, then OK. On the target bar make sure the point shapefile is selected. Click editor. Click snapping. Make sure nothing is clicked except the edge and end of the profile shapefile, and the edge of the contour shapefile. Close the snapping screen. Click edit, click options, set the snapping tolerance you desire and make sure it is in mapping units not pixels. Click OK. Select the pencil tool and digitize the end point of the profile then each place it intersects a contour, then the other endpoint. Open the attribute table, select the records or points you want to name, right click on the note field heading, left click on calculate values, in the larger box type your label in double quotes (“ “), click OK, close the attribute table, stop editing and save edits.
4. When all the points are digitized in, the point shapefile must be given 3D geometry.
a. If you don’t have the 3D analyst tool bar, click tools, extensions, 3D-Analyst, close. Then right click in the gray area at the top of the screen and click on 3D-Analyst. This brings in the toolbar.
b. To get the following box, click on 3D-Analyst, click on convert, click on features to 3D. The input features box is where you select your point shapefile, the raster or TIN surface is where you select your DEM file. DEM stands for digital elevation model.

(With ArcMap, use the 3D Analyst extension and Convert and Features to 3D…)
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