GIS Vendors, ESRI and Intergraph, the makers of popular GIS software, have developed resources to incorporate LBCS color coding in preparing GIS thematic maps (a sample is here) using LBCS dimensions.

The first of these tools are Legend Files. When using ArcView or Arc/Info, one can import these legend files into a GIS project to get consistent coloring. To see an example of how the legends render on maps, click here.

If you are looking for help in preparing GIS maps using LBCS classifications and color coding standards, look under training and presentations menu items. We will add resources there as they become available.

There are five legend files, one for each dimension, available for download in a ZIP file. Import those legend files into ArcView or GeoMedia. See your software package for more help on how to accomplish this. Check the LBCS website for updates.

Download AVL Legend Files

NOTE: A sample ArcView Project included in the above download file shows the color patches. If you have ArcView or ArcInfo, open the APR file to see the sample project.

SAMPLE DATA USED FOR TESTING LBCS

As part of testing the LBCS codes, we applied the standards to several databases that we were able to obtain from communities across the country. Below are links to some of these data files in ArcView format. These files are provided only for learning and instructions. See a sample map layout showing all five dimensions using this sample data.

We have two datasets in large files (over 40 MB each) for downloading:

• Madison, Wisconsin (using the first draft of LBCS)
• Fort Collins, Colorado (using the final draft of LBCS)

Note that the data was altered for testing purposes and do not reflect current or previous land-use characteristics. Use the data for illustrating LBCS only.

It took about 8 staff-hours to complete Madison data conversion and 12 for Fort Collins.