Tree management in Singapore using ArcPad

The "Garden City" of Singapore Manages More Than One Million Trees with GIS Technology

Singapore's busy Orchard Road is well known for its traffic, shopping, and trees.

To read how ArcGIS Server and ArcPad are used in this project see: http://www.esri.com/news/arcwatch/0808/feature.html

ArcPad 7.2 Beta 2 Is Available

ArcPad 7.2 Beta 2 can now be downloaded from http://beta.esri.com. ArcPad 7.2 Beta 2 is available for ArcPad and ArcGIS Server ArcPad Extension.

ArcPad 7.2 Beta 2 includes the complete implementation of the newly designed icons, the GPS status and GPS dialog and the new ArcPad Data Manager extension which allows you to configure project for Geoprocessing, author for ArcGIS Server publication as well as to get data for ArcPad.

In addition, videos that demonstrate the various funcitionality of ArcPad 7.2 Beta 2 are also made available for download at the Media page on ArcPad 7.2 beta website at http://beta.esri.com.

ArcPad at EMEA 2008

To learn first hand about the great features of ArcPad 7.1.1 and get a sneek peek at the upcoming Arcpad 7.2 catch up with Elvin at the European Middle East and Africa User Conference, London U.K. next week.

There are two main ArcPad sessions:

Wednesday 29th Oct. 2008

" What's new and the Road Ahead " track

13:30 What's new for ArcGIS Mobile and ArcPad

Damian Spangrud and Elvin will give you a first hand run down on all that is new and special in ArcGIS Mobile and ArcPad.

Thursday 30th Oct. 2008

" ESRI Solution Products " track

08:30 Building mobile solutions using ArcPad

Elvin and Mark Shaw (ESRI UK) will provide an overview of building mobile solutions with ArcPad, ESRI's software for mobile GIS and field mapping. The emphasis being on the current release of ArcPad, 7.1.1, and the upcoming ArcPad 7.2 release.

Synopsis at : http://www.gisforeverydaylife.com/agenda/technical.asp#18

ArcPad at OZRI 2008

Stuart Cassin will be travelling to Canberra to bring you upto date with the latest news about ArcPad and to present the following session:

Wednesday 29th Oct. 2008
Session B Fitzroy Room
8:30 Putting technical knowledge into place
ArcPad, Improving your Location Intelligence
Stuart Cassin - Maptel

ArcPad at EMEA & OZRI Conferences

Look out for the ArcPad team at next week's EMEA 2008 , London, UK and OZRI 2008 , Canberra, Australia.


As well as local ESRI UK ArcPad team members , Elvin Slavik (pictured) and Damian Spangurd will be attending the EMEA 2008 User Conference.


As well as the local ESRI Australia ArcPad team members, Stuart Cassin will be attending the OZRI 2008 User Conference.

Look out for Elvin and Stuart , go up and say 'Hi!' and get first hand information of the latest releases of ArcPad.

Arcpad 7.1.1 highlights:

• Streetmap Desktop Data Extractor,
• Performance Improvements with StreetMap
• Enhanced Relational Database Support
• Satellite Objects Added
  

ArcPad 7.2 highlights (currently in beta) :

• New User Interface ‘Look and Feel’
• Improved GPS User Interface
• Improved ArcPad Data Manager Extension
• Introduction of ArcGIS Server for synchronizing edits
• New search method in StreetMap

Using a ToolBox Model to create a customised ArcPad Check Out (PART 2) continued...

Some of you may have noticed a flaw in the model that I showed for creating an automated check out in my post

http://arcpadteam.blogspot.com/2008/08/using-toolbox-model-to-create.html

It would probably be smarter if you copy the newly created data to your device, rather than the template ;)













Now, somebody did ask on that posting, for more info on the Destination string for this model. The destination string needs to be of the form "dev:\foldername". So, if I was to double click on CECopy in my model, I would see the following dialog box. the Source_FileSpec field is automatically populated with Target AXF (that comes from the model) and I simply added dev:\ to the Destination field to copy the file to the root directory on my mobile device.

Mobile GIS Speeds Inventory

A sidewalk and curb inventory using ArcPad was undertaken by the City of Seattle, Washington, to fulfill multiple planning and compliance goals.

Check out the article at

http://www.esri.com/news/arcuser/0708/seattle-sidewalks.html

to see how the City completed such a large project, incorporating photos, in under the allotted 6 month time schedule.

Customizing ArcPad Applications for the Utilities Industry

Alan Girten, Project Manager for Utility Data Contractors, discusses the customization of ArcPad for utility inventory and field inspections.

Listen to the podcast [14:28 6.66 MB]

http://www.esri.com/news/podcasts/audio/speaker/bpc08/bpc08_udc.mp3

Using a ToolBox Model to create a customised ArcPad Check Out (PART 2)

In one of my previous posts
http://arcpadteam.blogspot.com/2008/04/using-toolbox-model-to-create.html

I descibed how to use model builder to automate your check out in ArcPad 7.1. I also eluded to (at the end of the help document) the fact you can add a step to deploy your files to your mobile device.

To do this you will need to download Microsofts CECopy tool which is a part of the Windows Mobile Developer Power Toys:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=74473FD6-1DCC-47AA-AB28-6A2B006EDFE9&displaylang=en

To add this to your model, you will need to create a script file which invokes the application, and add this as a 'script' tool to your toolbox (mine's called CECopy, see below)






The content of the file CECopy.vbs that this refers to looks like this:

dim WshShell
Source_FileSpec = wscript.arguments.item(0)
Destination = wscript.arguments.item(1)

a = "C:\Program Files\ArcPad 7.1\Desktop Tools\Samples\AXFCopy\CECopy.exe"
b = Source_FileSpec
c = Destination
d = chr(34) & a & chr(34) & chr(32) & chr(34) & b & chr(34) & chr(32) & c

Set WshShell = WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Shell")WshShell.Run(d)

Before the script tool can be used in toolbox, parameters need to be defined in the tool (in addition to being defined in the script) - this will allow you to interactively chose the input files, either in an edit box (if you run it standalone) or as the output from another tool. Right mouse click on the script in ArcCatalog and choose 'properties'. you will need to define two input parameters and ensure that their data type matches what you are actually moving (ie: if you use this in a model and your output from a previous step is a file - then the data type for source_filespec must be 'file').









You should now be able to create a model that looks something like this:














Which will perform a 'fresh' check out of the Riverside sample data (gdb), copy the layer definitions from the sample Riverside AXF (ie: custom forms), and copy the resultant AXF to a connected windows mobile device.

NB: Two new toolbox tools have been designed for ArcPad 7.2 which will eliminate the need for the scripting shown here. 'ArcPad Saved Check Out' will allow to repeat a check out previously configured in ArcMap, and 'Arcpad Deployment' will allow you to deploy data to your device. To try these new tools, sign up for the ArcPad 7.2 beta program.

Set Layer Icons for AXF layers

Customizing ArcPad 7.1 with ArcPad Application Builder




In ArcPad Studio, you can set the layer icon for an AXF layer. It is an easy way for you to make the default UI of ArcPad clearer and meaningful for your field user. The layer icon that you choose will automatically appear in the UI wherever your data is listed (e.g. Add layer dialog, Table of Content). You can find all kinds of icons on the internet or create your own. Sample icons are also included in ArcPad 7.1 samples folder.

The following video demo consists of 4 steps:

1. Open AXF file in ArcPad Studio;

2. Right click on an AXF layer and choose "Set Layer Icon...";

3. Navigate to the sample icons folder: C:\Program Files\ArcPad 7.1\Samples\Layer Icons;

4. Select the icon file; click OK to close the dialog. Done!

UC2008 VerySpatial Podcast

It's now a time honoured tradition for us to participate in the very special VerySpatial Live! Podcasts held each year at the ESRI UC. (Ok.. it's the second time we've particpated).

You can find this year's at : http://veryspatial.com/?p=2312

This year the main topic is mobile GIS ... of course :) :)

Click to directly download MP3
Click to directly download AAC

We're about 1/2 way in :)

Sweetwater Authority - Best Software Integration

Well done to Eman L. Ramos and the Sweetwater Authority for their 3rd placing in the "Best Software Integration" category in the 2008 ESRI UC Map Gallery for their "Meter Data Collection Project ArcPad Field Application".

The map gallery poster is impressive and innovative in how it combines a map presentation with the details of the customised ArcPad application, including script code extracts.

Take a look at it at : http://mapgallery.esri.com/2008/727/swa_map_poster_large.pdf

GISuser.com Video: A Sneek Peek at ArcPad 7.2

Read Glenn's UC2008 report from GISuser.com at
http://www.gisuser.com/content/view/15334/

Sign up for the ArcPad 7.2 beta 1 program at beta.esri.com

ArcPad Street Map for Hawaii and Puerto Rico

You can now download the latest Hawaii and Puerto Rico Streetmap dataset for ArcPad 7.1.1 from the following link:

http://support.esri.com/index.cfm?fa=downloads.patchesServicePacks.listP

This dataset contains the latest streetmap premium dataset from Tele Atlas for Hawaii and Puerto Rico. It can be used with ArcPad 7.1.1 streetmap for geocoding, reserve geocoding and routing.

ArcPad 7.2 Beta 1 is open

ArcPad 7.2 Beta 1 program is now open to accept applications at http://beta.esri.com

What’s new in ArcPad 7.2?
• A Fresh new Look! - new modern icons are used in ArcPad 7.2, which allows ArcPad to take advantage of different screen resolutions
• New Open Map Dialog - the open map dialog has been enhanced for easier navigation of map documents
• ArcPad Toolbar Manager - a new graphical interface for creating custom toolbars without the need for ArcPad Studio
• Dynamic Toolbars - the new toolbars take less space on the screen and can be docked wherever you prefer
• Improved GPS User Interface - The GPS can be displayed as either a semi transparent window over your map or as a full screen GPS Dialog
• The ArcPad Data Manager has additional capabilities - You can now use the ArcPad Data Manager to configure an ArcPad Check for repeated future Check Outs and also to publish to ArcGIS Server
• ArcPad Extension for ArcGIS Server - this ArcGIS Server Extensions enables the creation of an ArcPad enabled Map Service will allows data synchronization between ArcPad and the Enterprise GIS
• New geocoding method in StreetMap - This new method uses lookup index to find addresses, which helps to speed up the process of text entry. It now also supports intersection and POI lookup.

More documentation about ArcPad 7.2 is available at the ArcPad 7.2 Beta Wiki site. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please share with us at the ArcPad 7.2 Beta Forum site.

Enjoy!

The ArcPad Team

Where is my Documentation?

At the ESRI UC in San Diego last week, I was 'gently' reminded how few people 'read the manual'. Yet.... almost in the same breath, i was told that more documentation was needed :)

I asked one particular audience - 'where would you prefer us to document things? (in the manual, on the blog, in the readme etc?) No definitive answer was given, so... for now, we're sticking to 'all of the above'. As a reminder,

The definiative ArcPad resources installed with ArcPad. They are located in:
\\Program Files\ArcPad 7.1\Help\ArcPad_UserGuide.pdf
\\Program Files\ArcPad 7.1\Help\ArcPad_RefGuide.pdf

The best place for an overview of setup, whats new in the latest release and known issues is:
\\Program Files\ArcPad 7.1\ESRI ArcPad ReadMe.htm

Whats New in ArcPad 7.1:
http://www.esri.com/library/whitepapers/pdfs/whats-new-arcpad71.pdf

Help for the ArcPad Data Manager can be found in:
\\Program Files\ArcPad 7.1\Help\ArcPadDataManager_Desktop.chm
\\Program Files\ArcPad 7.1\Help\ArcPadDataManager_Developer.chm

For questions and answers head straight to:
http://forums.esri.com/forums.asp?c=34

For samples:
http://arcscripts.esri.com/

If all of these are 'just too much' for you, then keep an eye on this blog. As well as adding entries on new cool stuff, we will soon be posting bite size chunks of documentation that you may have skimmed over in the above listed documents.

Grandfather of mobile GIS?

Since Dr. Roger Tomlinson is considered to tbe the "father of GIS", I guess that might make him the "grandfather of mobile GIS". Good thing too, as he also appears to love ArcPad.

Jack Loves ArcPad

The picture says it all.

ArcGIS 9.3 - ArcToolbox " Create Mobile Basemap"

You will be excited to learn that this new tool in ArcGIS is designed for our ArcPad users!

Today I gave it a run. I created a Streetmap readable file for Australia. The dataset was from the 1:250,000 dataset of Australia. It includes Towns, Rivers, Roads, Highways, Urban Areas and Lakes. The dataset as shapefiles was 25Mb and was compressed to 5Mb as SDC format layers using the new ArcGIS tool. An important point is to first set symbology, labeling and scale dependencies in ArcMap and save the MXD file.

On the desktop this SDC dataset works well in ArcPad. On the PDA (ArcPad 7.2 Beta Build 32 ) the available memory dropped to 6Mb on loading and held at that level while panning and zooming. Note that the data can only be used as a background dataset as geocoding is not supported with this ArcGIS Tool.

This capability is ideal for deploying a multilayered vector data set as a single file where querying and editing is not required. Activating an ArcPad Quick Project over the top enables a rapid start to data capture!

The ArcGIS Help File Topic is shown below:

Create Mobile Basemap:

Creates a basemap dataset that is optimized and ready for use with ArcGIS Mobile applications. Given a defined extent, the Create Mobile Basemap tool extracts selected vector map layers from an ArcMap map document and converts them into a folder of highly compressed vector data that can then be deployed to mobile devices. In addition, a new ArcMap map document is created that includes only those map layers that were not extracted using the tool. This map document can then be published as a map service with mobile data access capabilities.
NOTE: Tool is only available for use with Microsoft Windows operating system.
Usage tips
· The input ArcMap map document should contain references to all data layers (operational and basemap) to be used by the mobile device. Operational data refers to data that will be synchronized between a mobile device and a server; basemap data refers to data used for reference/orientation purposes only. The purpose of this tool is to extract and convert basemap data to a format usable by the mobile device.
· The tool only supports the conversion of vector data; any raster layers referenced in the input ArcMap map document are not eligible for extraction (see Generate Mobile Service Cache Geoprocessing tool).
· Annotation layers are not supported.
· The output folder must exist prior to tool execution.
· Only data from one data frame can be extracted at a time. If the Data Frame parameter is not used then layers from the active data frame will be extracted.
· The spatial reference of the data frame determines the spatial reference for the extracted data (that is the extracted data will be reprojected to the data frames' spatial reference).
· There are two options for extracting a subset of data:
· The Extract Extent parameter is used to specify an extent by manually entering coordinates or by browsing to an existing dataset from which the dataset extent defines the extract extent. By default, the extract extent coordinate controls are populated with the data frames' full extent coordinates values.
· The Extract Boundary parameter can be used to specify a polygon feature class used to clip the input data layers.
· If both Extract Extent and Extract Boundary parameters have been specified, the Extract Boundary parameter will supersede.
· If no extraction parameter has been specified then all features within the input data layers will be extracted.
· By default, if the Layer parameter is not used then all layers within the specified data frame will be extracted.
· In instances where multiple feature layers are referencing the same data source, only one output SDC dataset will be created.
· Query definitions or selection sets defined on input layers are not respected during feature extraction.
· If multiple layers have the same name as a layer specified in the Layer parameter, all layers matching the specified layer name will be extracted.
· If a group layer name has been specified in the Layers parameter, all child layers of the specified group layer will be extracted.
· Metadata is not modified by this tool. For example, if a clip is implemented during the extraction the geographic extent metadata tags are not updated to reflect the new extent coordinates.
· Output from the tool consists of the following (all files deployed to mobile device, except where noted):
· One or more Smart Data Compression (SDC) datasets (.SDC) containing the extracted vector data.
· One XML based symbology file (.navmap) containing a reference to all extracted layers and the associated rendering characteristics (symbology, layer scale ranges, etc)
· One ArcMap map document containing all non-extracted layers and layer properties from the input map document. Because the map document is not deployed to the mobile device it is written to the parent of the output folder. If all layers from the input map document are extracted then no output map document will be created.
· (Optional) One SDC based Network Dataset which has been rebuilt for the extracted area.
· (Optional) One or more SDC based Location Services and Address Locators which have been rebuilt for the extracted area.
· This tool does not accept any Environment Settings that have been specified.

It's a VerySpatial time

The cool people at VerySpatial are again doing a live show at the ESRI UC this year.

Some members of the ArcPad team, desperate to gain media stardom, are again going to be on the show to face a grilling from Sue & Jesse.

Join the AVSP live show on Tuesday, 5 August at 5:30 in Room 13 of the SDCC.

Show some ArcPad lovin' ...

A little bling for your hard working ArcPad unit ...

Wear your heart on your Windows Mobile device with this little ArcPad theme.

It's easy to install, just download it from

http://arcscripts.esri.com/details.asp?dbid=15704

and then follow the simple instructions included.

ESRI UC2008 ArcPad Sessions

It's another year and another ESRI User Conference, and we've got plenty of ArcPad content lined up for you.

ArcPad Team members will on hand presenting the sessions and manning the Mobile GIS Island in the exhibit hall.

In addition to covering the existing ArcPad 7.1 release, we will also be previewing the forthcoming ArcPad 7.2 release. You will get to see some of the very exciting enhancements we've been working on, including an upgraded user interface and direct data synchronization with ArcGIS Server.

Below you can find a summary of the ArcPad sessions.

We look forward to seeing you.

Preconference Seminars	Date	Time	Room
Using ArcPad 7.1 for Mobile GIS	Sat, Aug 2	8:30am - 5:00pm	29 C
Deploying ArcPad 7.1 Field Solutions	Sun, Aug 3	8:30am - 5:00pm	29 C
Conference Technical Workshops	Date	Time	Room
ESRI Mobile GIS Solutions Overview	Tue, Aug 5	8:30am - 9:45am	10
	Wed, Aug 6	1:30pm - 2:45pm	10
ArcPad 7.1 - An Introduction	Tue, Aug 5	1:30pm - 2:45pm	10
	Thu, Aug 7	8:30am - 9:45am	10
ArcPad 7.1 Customization	Tue, Aug 5	3:15pm - 4:30pm	10
	Thu, Aug 7	10:15am - 11:30am	10
ArcPad 7.1 - Advanced Customization	Wed, Aug 6	8:30am - 9:45am	10
	Thu, Aug 7	1:30pm - 2:45pm	10
GeoCollector - Field Data Collection Techniques	Thu, Aug 7	8:30am - 9:45am	15 A
GeoCollector - Field-to-Office Workflows and Analysis	Thu, Aug 7	10:15am - 11:30am	15 A
Moderated Paper Sessions	Date	Time	Room
Mobile Solutions for Forest Land Management	Tue, Aug 5	8:30am - 9:45am	30 D
Special Interest Meetings	Date	Time	Room
ArcPad and ArcGIS Mobile User Group Meeting	Tue, Aug 5	12:00pm - 1:00pm	9
Laser Offsets 101: Map More. Move Less	Wed, Aug 6	12:00pm - 1:00pm	30 D
Mobile GIS Software Showcase Island Demo Theater (Exhibit Hall C)	Date	Time
Introducing ArcPad 7.1	Tue, Aug 5	10:00am - 11:00am
	Wed, Aug 6	11:00am - 12:00am
Editing related tables in ArcPad 7.1	Tue, Aug 5	11:00am - 12:00pm
	Wed, Aug 6	12:00pm - 1:00pm
	Thu, Aug 7	12:00pm - 1:00pm
What’s new in ArcPad 7.2?	Tue, Aug 5	2:00pm - 3:00pm
	Thu, Aug 7	10:00am - 11:00am
ArcPad Data Manager Extension for ArcGIS	Tue, Aug 5	3:00pm - 4:00pm
	Wed, Aug 6	1:00pm - 2:00pm
Using the GeoCollector Solution	Tue, Aug 5	12:00pm - 1:00pm

ArcPad 7.2 Project Development

We are often asked about the secrets of our development process.

So here is an insight as to how our Project Manager, Marika is able to guide the development team towards the upcoming ArcPad 7.2.

Marika knows the goals and with a firm hand sets the rules and direction of play.

Whilst there may be lots of debate and discussion during the development team meetings, once Marika makes the decision the umpire's call is respected.

Look out for Marika at ArcPad sessions and around the Mobile GIS Island at next week's UC2008 in SanDiego

Remember QuickProject?

No it’s not dead and it hasn’t been discontinued or deleted. In fact QuickProject is in rude good health! With the release of ArcPad 7.1 and then 7.1.1, a lot of the attention of users has been drawn to features such as AXF and the Geodatabase, enhanced querying capabilities and even the new ArcPad Data Manager extension for ArcGIS Desktop.

With all this focus it’s easy to lose sight of QuickProject, a “ready to use” data capture project tool. For many users, especially those new to ArcPad, sometimes there is a need to go into the field—sometimes with no pre-existing data—and start capturing data as quickly and easily as possible. QuickProject was designed specifically for this scenario and is a handy and effective tool for providing a simple and efficient method for capturing data into new shapefiles.

QuickProject is available from both the ArcPad Startup dialog box, which appears when opening ArcPad for the first time as well as in the new submenu, Open ArcPad > New > QuickProject

The QuickProject tool has a number of really great features that make creating a new data capture project easy. Once activated the tool:
• Closes the existing map, or gives you the option of including your existing layers in the new project.
• Creates a uniquely identified project folder featuring a date / time stamp in the title – perfect for identifying your project later
• Creates three basic shapefiles (point, line and polygon) inc. a map projection – this can be the QuickProject default (WGS 1984) or a user selected projection.
• Creates a custom edit “Quick Form” complete with 5 generic data fields and associated attributes in the categories field. These categories are fully editable for description and symbology, plus you add additional categories and symbology as required.
• Finally – the QuickProject tool wraps it all up in a Quick Project .apm and loads it onto ArcPad ready for editing and / or use of the Identify tool.
What could be simpler!!

This addition to ArcPad is a really quick and handy method of getting basic data collection projects underway in no time at all and a real bonus to any new users still finding their feet in the world of MobileGIS.

Further Information
A full explanation of QuickProject and how it works can be found in the ArcPad User Manual as part of Chapter 6: Creating New Data.

Hands-On ArcPad Pre-Conference Sessions

The 2008 ESRI International User Conference is fast approaching.


In addition to the main conference technical sessions, this year we will also have two "hands-on" pre-conference sessions :-

• Using ArcPad 7.1 for Mobile GIS
• Deploying Arcpad 7.1 Field Solutions

The pre-conference session are a great opportunity for you to interact directly with the ArcPad team presenters. As the audience numbers are smaller than the main conference technical sessions, they are more inimate and offer you the ability to explore ArcPad and learn how you can best deploy it in your own organisation in greater depth and with a more personal interraction.

With the sessions being hands-on this year, you will have the extra dimension of not only watching, but also participating yourselves by working with ArcPad and ArcPad Studio during the seminars.

The numbers for the pre-conference seminars are limited and closing soon, so please register now to come and join us and not miss out.