There are several different types of source data that a user may access when producing nautical data within ArcGIS for Maritime: Charting. However, most fall into one of two categories—raster and vector. With Maritime Charting, you can use a variety of raster formats as source data for your ENC production efforts. See the list of supported raster formats for more details. When performing data production or maintenance, the editor will often load a raster image as a backdrop layer. If the raster image is not georeferenced, the editor will need to georeference the image before it is a viable source. Using the layer transparency settings allows you to collect your data on top of the raster layer without having to worry about the draw order.
Vector data, the second major type of source data, can come in many different formats, including shapefiles, ArcGIS for Desktop Advanced coverages, DGN, and many more. Existing S-57 data can be imported directly into the geodatabase using the S-57 to Geodatabase command. The ArcGIS Data Interoperability extension further expands the number of third-party software formats available as sources for ArcGIS for Desktop. You can view S-57 ENC data in the standard S-52 display format using the S-57 Viewer. With the S-57 Viewer, you can easily depict specific S-57 objects, since they are rendered as they appear on an ECDIS. Because these are layers in ArcMap, you can easily copy and paste the features. The data source content varies, often as much as the data formats listed above. Many sources can be used in the data collection process, such as sounding surveys in vector format, vectors autogenerated from raster scans, bathymetric data, and vector data from nonhydrographic sources.
Once you have your source data loaded as a backdrop in your map document, you can start a Nautical edit session and begin compiling data.
For vector source data, you can use the copy and paste tools to take the geometry from the source data and put it into your geodatabase. Using the Feature Manager window will help streamline this activity by allowing you to choose the appropriate feature class or subtype for the target layer. For example, you can select and copy a shapefile that contains the coastline and paste it into the CoastlineL/COALNE_Coastline feature class or subtype. You can also use the Feature Manager Update Attributes tab to modify any applicable feature attributes for the COALNE feature.
Raster source data can be used as a backdrop for digitizing new features. You can use the Feature Manager window to select the appropriate feature class or subtype before digitizing from the raster. For example, you can have a sounding plot that needs to be digitized. On the Feature Manager Create tab, you select the Soundings/SOUNDG_Sounding feature class or subtype and update the DEPTH field found on the Create tab with the proper depth value from the sounding plot. You can then use the Edit tool within the map document's data view to add the geographic position of the new sounding.