Mobile Data Collection with Avenza PDF Maps
Installing the App
The Avenza PDF Maps app v2.0.1 should already be installed on your device. If not, you can search “Avenza” in the App store to install it. Please find a TA if you need help with this.
Finding and loading a map
• Tap the PDF Maps icon to start the app. • PDF Maps should open to the Store page by
default, if not, select the Store icon at the bottom of the screen.
From here you can browse through the map catalog by category or switch to Find Maps to see maps around your current location and search for maps by name, extent, keyword etc.
• Select Find Maps to see maps near your location.
Panning and zooming the map changes what maps show up the Maps in this area list below.
• Zoom the map into your current location until you see the
Stanford University Parking Map listed under Maps in this area.
• Tap the Free button, then Install Now to add this map to your map library.
• Once the map is installed you can select it from the Maps
library on your device (bottom left icon). • The map will open to its full extent.
• Tap the GPS button in the lower left corner of the map screen to re center the map around your location.
Note: on iPhones and GPS enabled iPads the app
uses the built in GPS chip to determine location. On non GPS enabled iPads a wireless connection is required to determine location. Accuracy, indicated by the blue circle around your position, will depend on your connection type. GPS locations DO NOT require a cell signal or an active data plan.
For wireless only iPads the GPS coordinates will not update dynamically as you move around the map, but will update if you temporally close the app with the iPads home button and then immediately re open it. The app will open to the map location you just left with your current location and coordinates shown.
The Map Interface
At the bottom of the map screen is the map tool bar with the GPS, Drop Placemark, Map Features, and Tools
buttons, as well as the coordinate read out.
GPS: You have already used the GPS button to find your current location. Pressing the button a second time or panning the map will turn off the GPS. Just press again to re center on your current location (or briefly turn off and then re-open the app if using a wireless only iPad).
Find your coordinates: The coordinates for the point under the map target are displayed at the center of the
bottom tool bar in latitude and longitude. The display format can be changed to WGS 84, Northing/Easting, or Military Grid Reference System by tapping on the coordinate read out.
Drop a Placemark: You can set a new Placemark on the map at your current location by pressing
the Add Placemark icon. A new Placemark pin will drop onto the map at your location. • Press the blue arrow next to the Placemark name to view and edit its attributes. • In the name field, replace Placemark 1 with “Branner Library” then enter a quick
description in the field below.
• Click on the Photos field then click the plus button in the top left of the new window and select Camera to open the iPads camera. • Take a picture and select Use to attach it to your Placemark. Note: you can also open the Photo Library to use an existing picture if desired.
The Attributes field can be left off for now. This is where you can collect more information about your Placemark or use an existing attribute
the Using Folders section below.
Tools: Press the wrench icon at the lower right to bring up the
Tools menu.
From here you can look up specific location on your map by their coordinates; search for places by keyword; plot geo-tagged photos from your photo library; record GPS tracks; measure distance and area; view the compass; or open your current location in the Maps App or Google Maps.
Feel free to explore these tools on your own for a few minutes.
Using folders and Attribute Schemas
The PDF Maps app uses folders to help you organize your Placemarks. You can set up any number of Placemark folders and sub folders, each with their own pre-defined attribute
schema.
• Press the Map Features icon to open the folders list.
The default Placemarks folder should contain any Placemarks you have already created.
• Select Edit and the new folder button to add a new folder to the Map Features list.
• Press the blue arrow next to the New Folder to edit its attributes.
• Set the folder name to Trees.
• You may set the Default Icon if you like. This determines the icon color for each new Palcemark added to this folder. • Choose Set To Current Folder to make this the active folder
for all new Placemarks.
• Tracks and Lines are only active if using the Record GPS Tracks function. This tool will not work with non GPS enabled devices.
• Under Attributes, select Add a New Attribute Field.
In the Edit Attributes menu that opens up you can set the attribute name, the attribute type (string, integer, Boolean, real), and create a pick list of predefined values to choose from for the new attribute.
Pick Lists help control errors by restricting the available entries to a predefined list of values. • Name this attribute Tree Type (common)
• Set the type to String.
• Under Pick List select Add a New Pick List Value and enter Oak.
• Now add new Pick List values for Olive, Palm, Redwood, Orange, Maple, Other. • Return to Edit Folder and select Add a New Attribute Field again.
• Name this field Diameter and set the Field
Type to Integer.
Import a KML schema
In addition manually setting up the attribute folder in the app you can import and export folders as KMLs. You can choose to import or export the schema only or the entire folder and its contents. We’ll import a prepared KML schema for collecting art installations:
• Open the Map features tool and select Import. • Select Import Schema Only.
• In the From the Web box enter the URL:
*
For this exercise go out and collect at least 5 points for your particular type data (Art or Trees). Once completed follow the instructions below to email the results a central location so we can all share our results.Feeling adventurous?
Using the information above to create your own folder and schema for collecting Wildlife data! Include photos and at least one pick list.
Export your Placemarks
Once you have collected a set of Placemarks you can export them to KML for use in Google Earth or ArcGIS.
• Select the Map Features button to see your folders and select the Trees folder. Now select Export
• Choose Export Data (KML/GPX).
• Change the name of the export file to Trees [your name]. • In the Export Data window, set export type to KML and
Export to Mail.
• If you have photos attached select the export image size. • Mail will open a new blank email with the attached KMZ file. • Send the email To: [email protected]
o Password: StanfordGIS
