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GIS: Geographic Information Systems

Northwestern University Library's GIS guide.

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Desktop Applications

        ArcGIS Pro* is Esri's redesigned, and eventual replacement version of ArcGIS Desktop.

  • Create an ArcGIS Online account by selecting the Enterprise login and using your NETID through the ArcGIS Online page.

  • Download ArcPro through SharePoint.

 

QGIS

  • Download QGIS here.

  • Compatible with Mac or Windows OS.

  • Free and open-source software.

 

* NU faculty, staff, and students on the Evanston, Chicago, and Qatar campuses have access to the ESRI ArcGIS software suite for academic or non-commercial purposes.

Web Mapping + Spatial Storytelling

ArcGIS Online* is Esri's cloud-based online platform to create and share web-based maps.

  • Create an ArcGIS Online account by selecting the Enterprise login and using your NETID through the ArcGIS Online page.

 

Leaflet is the leading open-source JavaScript library for mobile-friendly interactive maps.

  • Not familiar with JS? This R package makes it easy to integrate and control Leaflet maps in R.

 

Storiiies is an simple and free online storytelling platform. Pan and zoom across an image of your choice and annotate points of interest.

 

StoryMapJS is a free tool to help you tell stories on the web that highlight the locations of a series of events.

 

* NU faculty, staff, and students on the Evanston, Chicago, and Qatar campuses have access to the ESRI ArcGIS software suite for academic or non-commercial purposes.

Spatial Platforms

Google Earth Engine hosts ready-to-use datasets and satilliete imagery from around the globe. Free to register.