Although the Map & Data Library is physically closed, we are still available remotely and happy to help. We can conduct consultations using online teleconferencing software. Please feel free to contact us at mdl@library.utoronto.ca or use our help form. We have a number of tutorials available, are still supplying software licenses, and have compiled a list of resources for working with COVID-19 data.

COVID-19: Updates on library services and operations

Converting data formats

Introduction to R

This guide is suitable for new R-users or advanced level R-users looking for information on specific topics. It was created using R version 3.2.2. You can find the most recent copy of R from the the R website: Download R. If your computer already has R, make sure that it is R3.0.2 or higher in order to run some packages, especially Swirl, which we use later in the guide.

Working with digital elevation models in ArcGIS

DEMs stored as point shapefiles

  1. Add your DEM point dataset to your map document. Open up the Layer Properties window and click on the Source tab. You should see the line “Coordinates have Z values: Yes” in the Data Source section of the window. This indicates that elevation or height values are included in the spatial reference information for each entity in the dataset.
    Click OK or Cancel to return to the map document.