🎯 Learning Objectives
- Verify access to a professional or open-source GIS platform.
- Navigate the initial installation or login process for your chosen tool.
- Demonstrate a working environment by capturing a "Hello World" screenshot.
📂 Background
GIS is not a single piece of software; it is a system. Throughout this course, you may encounter different tools. You only need to set up ONE of the following platforms to complete the core labs, although we encourage you to explore them all.
- ArcGIS Pro: Choose this if you are a university student with a provided license. It is the industry standard for corporate and government jobs.
- QGIS: Choose this if you are a hobbyist, Mac/Linux user, or advocate for open-source. It is free, powerful, and runs on any computer.
- ArcGIS Online: Choose this if you cannot install software on your computer (e.g., Chromebook users). It runs entirely in your web browser.
🛠️ Step-by-Step Instructions
Select your preferred GIS platform to view set up instructions:
Check System Requirements
ArcGIS Pro is a heavy 3D application. It requires a modern Windows PC. Mac users must use Parallels or Boot Camp.
Download & Install
Log in to your university's software portal (e.g., MyESRI or Canvas) to download the ArcGIS Pro installer. Run the installer and accept all defaults.
Sign In with Organization
When you first open Pro, it will ask you to Sign In. Do NOT create a public account here.
- Click "Your ArcGIS Organization's URL".
- Type your university prefix (e.g.,
utexas,southwestern). - This will redirect you to your campus login page (SSO). Log in with your school ID.
Create a Project
Once logged in, click "Map" under the "New Project" templates. Name it Lab00_Setup.
You should see a map of the world. Verify your name appears in the top-right corner.
Download QGIS
Go to the official QGIS download page. We recommend the Long Term Release (LTR) version for stability.
Install
Run the installer. It is quite large (~1GB), so be patient.
Mac Users: You may need to right-click the file and select "Open" to bypass security warnings about unidentified developers.
Launch QGIS Desktop
Search your computer for "QGIS Desktop" (avoid "OSGeo4W Shell").
When it opens, you will see a blank canvas. To verify it works, go to the Browser Panel (left side), expand XYZ Tiles, and double-click OpenStreetMap. A map should appear.
Go to ArcGIS Online
Navigate to www.arcgis.com.
Create Account or Sign In
Students: Click "Sign In", select "Your ArcGIS Organization's URL", and use your school credentials.
Public/Hobbyist: Click "Create an account" (bottom of page) → "Create a Public Account". You can use Google/Facebook or an email.
Open Map Viewer
Once logged in, click "Map" in the top navigation bar. Select "Open in Map Viewer".
You should see a base map of the world. Ensure your profile icon appears in the top right.
✅ Submission & Assessment
To pass this first lab, submit a single image file (JPG or PNG) to your instructor (or save it for your records).
The Screenshot Must Include:
- The software interface openly running.
- A visible map (basemap is fine).
- For ArcGIS Users: Your logged-in username in the corner.