How to Use Soil Data View 5.0

Last Modified: 07/29/2008

Soil Data Viewer is an extension to ArcMap that allows a user to create interpretive soil maps and reports. The application can also be run independent of ArcMap, but output is limited to a tabular report. Soil Data Viewer 5.0 is compatible with ArcMap 8.3, 9.0, 9.1.

For the complete Soil Data Viewer 5.0 User Guide, visit the Website.

Contents:

Install the Soil Data Viewer

• Install Soil Data Viewer 5.0 on your workstation. Installation requires administrative privileges.
• Outside customers may download the Soil Data Viewer 5.0 from the Website.

The Soils Database

• Your county soils database is located under F:\FOTG\SectionII.
• Store a copy of the database on your workstation under C:\Field_Office_Tech_Guide\Section_II (Optional).
• Outside customers may download the soils database and spatial layer from the Soil Data Mart.

Generating Soil Reports

• One way to generate soils reports is by double-clicking on the soils database.
• The second way to generate soils reports is by launching the Soil Data Viewer. From your desktop, click on Start>All Programs>USDA Applications>Soil Data View 5.0.
• You can also generate soils reports from the Soil Data Mart and Web Soil Survey.

Generating Non-technical Soils Descriptions

You cannot generate the Map Unit Description Report from Soil Data Viewer. You must use the database, Soil Data Mart  or Web Soil Survey.

• Double-click on the county soils database (ex. queenanne_US_2002.mdb).
• A security window pops up before MS Access runs. Click Open.
• Use your mouse to select Map Unit Symbols from the list. (To select multiple map units, hold the ctrl-key and left mouse click. Or, click on the Select All button).
• Under Report Name, scroll down and click on Map Unit Description (Brief).
• Click on the Select Parameters button.
• Click on SOI, and then click the Generate Report button.
• Print the report, or click on the MS Word icon to save the report as a Word document.

Generating Soil Interpretive Maps

1. Load the Soil Data Viewer Toolbar
   • Open ArcMap
   • Click on the View menu
   • Select Toolbars>Soil Data Viewer Tools
   • Dock the Soil Data Viewer flower pot toolbar next to one of your existing toolbars.
2. Running Soil Data Viewer in ArcMap
   • The county soils layer should be added to the view.
   • Toolkit Users: Use the Soils Map and Inventory button to create a Soils Map Layer.
   • Click on the Soil Data Viewer  button (flower pot icon).
   • A window pops up - Please select a soil map layer.
   • Toolkit Users: Select the soils_map_out.shp or Soils Map layer, and then click Ok. At the bottom of the window, the Map Layer should list the Customer Folder soils_map_out.shp.
   • The bottom of the Soil Data Viewer window displays the Map Layer and Database that will be used to generate Interpretive Maps. A green patch next to the database name means the database and soils layer are synchronized. If there is a red patch, the data is not synchronized and you will need to select a different soils database. To change the Map Layer or Database, click on the browse icon. Remember, the soils database is located under C:\Field_Office_Tech_Guide\Section_II or F:\FOTG\SectionII.
3. Create Interpretive Soils Maps
   • Under Attribute Folders tab, expand the folders and click on one of the Report Names. Use the table below to find the Attribute Folder and Report Name for common interpretations.
   • Click the Generate Map button.
   • All thematic map layers created by Soil Data Viewer are temporary. Once the user exits ArcMap, these temporary layers are automatically deleted. To make on of the thematic map layers permanent, right-click on the layer name. Select Data>Export Data, name and save the permanent layer.

Contacts

Patty Engler
Maryland Toolkit Coordinator
Email: patricia.engler@md.usda.gov
Phone: 410-489-7987

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