Global Mapper Mobile is a powerful GIS data viewing and field data collection application for iOS that utilizes the device's GPS capability to provide situational awareness and locational intelligence for remote mapping projects.
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Global Mapper Mobile Overview
A perfect complement to the desktop version of Global Mapper, the Mobile edition can display all of the supported vector, raster, and elevation data formats and offers a powerful and efficient data collection tool.
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Provides field access to all of your GIS data
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Offers straightforward, GPS-based field data collection
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Includes an array of digitizing or drawing tools
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Enables the assignment of attribute data
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Allows simple and efficient data deployment and return
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Uses self-contained map storage and display - No data connection required
Used in conjunction with the desktop version of Global Mapper, Global Mapper Mobile is capable of displaying over 250 formats of raster and vector spatial data without the need for a continual data connection. Data is transferred to the device via iTunes or email in the form of Global Mapper Mobile Package Files which efficiently compress multiple layers into a single file and allow large amounts of data to be stored and displayed.
On-device data collection is made simple and efficient with preconfigured collection parameters assigned using templates to the target layer before transferring the file from the desktop version of Global Mapper to the device. This ensures consistency and accuracy through the use of pick lists, required entries, etc.
Beyond simply creating waypoints or track files, Global Mapper Mobile offers a full suite of digitizing tools for manually drawing lines, points, and polygons and for managing the attributes associated with these features. There is even an option to assign a photograph to a collected point and this association is retained when the field collected data is uploaded to the desktop software.
The transfer of data to and from the application is effectively handled using the File Sharing function in iTunes or via email. Using these simple procedures, Global Mapper Mobile Package (GMMP) files can be deployed to one or more compatible devices. On returning from the field, the modified files are quickly uploaded into the desktop version of Global Mapper where the data can be merged, edited, analyzed, and, if necessary, exported in one of dozens of supported formats or written into a spatial database.
Global Mapper Mobile, along with the desktop version of the software, provides a powerful and efficient utility for expanding the reach of an enterprise or organizational GIS to those who need it most: the field technicians or front line operators who carry out the critical work of remote data collection and verification. Through its extensive format support and compatibility with all common spatial database formats, Global Mapper serves as the stepping stone between your enterprise GIS infrastructure and your field operations.
Global Mapper Mobile is currently available at no cost from the App Store and includes some sample datasets for evaluation. To transfer any additional data to or from the mobile app, you need to have a licensed copy of Global Mapper version 17.2. An Android version will be available in the near future.
Global Mapper Mobile Features
Support for a Wide Variety of Data Formats
Because Global Mapper Mobile is intrinsically connected with the desktop version of the software, all of the supported file formats as well as map layers originating in a spatial database or Web Map Service can be embedded within a Global Mapper Mobile Package (GMMP) file for transfer to the device. All data will retain the display and rendering characteristics that were applied in Global Mapper.
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Data Transfer
All data displayed in Global Mapper Mobile is prepared in and exported from the desktop version of the software as a Global Mapper Mobile Package file. There are several options for transferring this file to the device:
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Using the file transfer process in iTunes
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By emailing the GMMP file to an account that is accessible on the device
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Through a file sharing service such as Dropbox
Field-collected data is first saved locally as a GMMP file, which can subsequently be transferred back to the desktop software using any of the above methods.
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GPS Support
Global Mapper Mobile utilizes your device's GPS functionality to provide real-time location information as well as location-specific data collection capability. During the initial installation, you will be asked to grant permission for the application to use you device's location data and, while some of the basic operations of the application will be available without this capability, is strongly recommended that you enable this service.
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Data Collection
One of the more powerful components of the application is its data collection capability, which can entail a variety of workflows from simply recording a point based on the current location to filling out a preconfigured attribute form with pick lists, required fields, and other attribute elements. The advanced data collection process begins in the desktop software where a template layer can be created to define the field data collection requirements. This layer is then transferred to the device within a GMMP file.
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Digitizing
Global Mapper Mobile offers a complete suite of field digitizing tools for manually creating or editing points, lines, and area features on the device. Several options are available for creating points or sequential vertices based on manually tapping the screen, on the GPS location, or on a defined time or distance increment while moving. The editing function allows individual points or vertices in a line or area feature to be inserted, moved, or deleted.
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Geotagging Photographs
One of the most powerful point management tools in Global Mapper Mobile is the option to assign a photo from your device's internal camera or photo library to the current GPS-derived location. Not only will this image be tagged on the device, but the association with the tagged location will be retained when the GMMP file, including any associated photos, is transferred back to the desktop version of Global Mapper.
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Tracking & Heads-Up Navigation
Sometimes referred to as situational awareness, the GPS functionality on your device allows you to display your current location and progress in relation to any loaded data. Beyond simply referencing your movement against a traditional street map, this allows you to navigate to features or assets that are not as apparent. For instance, you can monitor your progress on a geological map to ascertain what landforms or bedding planes are present under foot.
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Layer Management
Comparable to the Overlay Control Center in the desktop version of Global Mapper, the mobile edition offers an efficient layer management tool in which loaded layers can be turned on or off or can be reordered to expose features from an underlying layer. The Overlay Control Center also provides access to the metadata for a selected layer.
3D Data
Global Mapper works as easily with 3D data as it does 2D data. It supports several 3D formats such as 3D PDF, Collada, Wavefront, 3DS Max and more. The user has the ability to link the 2D and 3D viewer so panning, zooming, and adding vector features will automatically replicate in both windows. This powerful functionality also includes the ability to select and measure features in the 3D viewer. These tools are initiated by selecting the Digitizer tool or Measure tool on the 3D viewer toolbar. Any selections are shared by both the 2D and 3D viewer, and the right-click menu allows you to perform many Digitizer operations on the selection.
There is a toolbar and support for setting up and recording HD 3D fly-through videos of your 3D projects. Additional fly-through features include a handy setting for UAV or Aerial tracking playback option to display a video file synced to any line feature with per-vertex times. Support has been added for features such as draping vector data, GPS tracking and Skyboxes for rendering a sky simulation in 3D. Support has also been added for 3D textures and meshes in GMP files. When recording a fly-through video file, the video file will automatically be associated with the fly-through feature so you can easily play it back from the Feature Info or Digitizer Tool.
There is now a new 3D navigational aid, the pivot axis, which shows the scene rotation pivot location. This may be toggled on or off using the 3D right-click context menu or by using the Ctrl+Shift+P hotkey.