DeLorme Professional Weblog

The all-new XMap Forms feature is without doubt the single most important addition to the XMap 7 suite. Designed as a simple and affordable tool for viewing, collecting, and editing GIS data in the field, XMap Forms can be created for use on a PC or on the Earthmate PN-40 handheld GPS receiver.

An XMap form provides a user-friendly interface for displaying the attributes assigned to an object in a GIS layer or for recording new point locations and their associated attribute information. To simplify this data collection process and to ensure data accuracy and consistency, the data administrator can establish drop-down lists or check boxes as an alternative to manual text entry. Field-collected or edited data is automatically merged or integrated into the originating GIS layer through XMap’s innovative two-way synchronization process or the PN-40’s Exchange function.

XMap Forms is fully compatible with all versions of XMap 7 including the affordable XMap Professional. To enable form-based data viewing or collection, the XMap Professional user must purchase a separate XMap Forms license. This license, which is available by calling the XMap sales team at 1-800-239-2389, significantly increases the value of the software by transforming its GIS functionality from simple data viewing to powerful data collection.

Creating an XMap Form
An XMap form is generated from a GIS layer that has been created in or imported into an XMap Enterprise database. Therefore, before beginning the process of developing or managing XMap Forms, you need to have access to a copy of XMap 7 GIS Enterprise.

The process of designing a form begins by creating or importing a GIS layer and adding all of the required attribute fields. XMap’s new attribute constraints functionality can be applied to new or existing attribute fields to ensure that only predetermined values can be entered during the data collection process. Depending on the data type, constraints can take the form of a drop-down list, a check box implying true or false, or a numeric range. Any data that falls outside the constraint limits will be flagged as invalid allowing the data administrator to edit the data or modify the constraint as needed.

When all of the required attributes and constraints have been established, the XMap form is created in the Create New Form dialog box. This window is accessed from the Tools menu in the GIS Workspace by right-clicking the appropriate layer or by using the Forms button in the toolbar. When creating a form, there are several configuration settings that need to be established:

• Will the form be used in XMap or on the PN-40? A PN-40 form cannot be used in XMap or vice versa.
• Is the form for adding new points or just for updating existing attributes?
• Can existing objects be deleted using a form?
• Which attributes from the layer should appear on the form and in what order?

When creating a form for use on the PN-40, only point layers are supported and there are certain attribute field types, for example, document fields, which are not compatible and will therefore not appear in the available attributes list.

Each XMap form is individually named and saved as an extension of the corresponding openspace GIS layer so any edits, additions, or deletions made using the form either in XMap or on the PN-40 will eventually be applied to the host layer.

When using an XMap form for data collection, as opposed to data editing, the layer from which the form is created is typically empty to begin.

Transferring a Form Using Database Synchronization
For individual use, an XMap form can be employed to add or update information in a local database using either XMap GIS Enterprise or XMap GIS Editor. In such a case, updating the attributes using a form has the same effect as making edits directly to the attribute table in XMap. To enable remote data collection or editing, the data administrator must utilize XMap’s synchronization process to automatically send a copy of the layer and the corresponding form or forms to one or more XMap users, to whom an XMap Forms license has been assigned. Refer to the XMap Admin Guide for more information on setting up the synchronization process.

When enabled, data synchronization is initiated by the recipient of the data, typically before heading into the field. A simple click of a button in XMap’s toolbar initially downloads the contents of a layer and each time thereafter, checks for any changes or additions that have been made to the layer.

Sending a Form to the Earthmate PN-40
XMap forms and the corresponding GIS layers are transferred from XMap to the PN-40 using a direct exchange procedure within the GIS tab. Either right-click the layer name or click the Send Layer button in the toolbar to transfer the file to the SD card in the device, making sure that the Connect to Computer setting on the PN-40 is first set to Transfer to SD Card. Alternatively, the layer and form can be saved to local folder and manually copied to an SD card which can subsequently be sent to a PN-40 user.

On the PN-40, the XMap form is activated from the Waypoints screen by pressing the Menu button, selecting File, and then choosing Open.

Collecting Data using a Form
The procedure for collecting data is very straightforward using either XMap or the PN-40. In XMap the form is displayed as a floating window and includes buttons to place a new object at the current GPS position, at the map center or manually. When an object is added or an existing object is selected, the attribute fields in the form are activated and the appropriate data can be entered.

On the PN-40, clicking the Waypoint button creates a new point at the current GPS location or at the position of the cursor on the map screen. The editable form then automatically appears and the required data is entered in each available field. When the data collection task is complete, it is important to save the collected or edited points back to the SD card in preparation for merging into the host layer. The process is performed by pressing the Menu button when the Waypoints screen is displayed, selecting File, and then choosing Save.

Integrating Field-Collected Data into XMap
The data synchronization process has been upgraded in XMap 7 to allow the transfer of data both to and from remote XMap users. Consequently, the action of clicking the Synchronize button previously described will automatically integrate data collected using an XMap Form into the originating layer.

The process for downloading data from the PN-40 is equally straightforward. In XMap, simply right-click the name of the host layer and choose Import from PN-Series Device or click the Import Layer from PN button in the toolbar. Any additional points or data edits will be applied to the OpenSpace Layer.

The XMap Forms functionality significantly enhances the value of XMap at every level. Corporate data administrators can now efficiently update GIS databases with direct input from remote users; standalone GIS managers can simplify data input ensuring accuracy and consistency; field workers can collect pertinent information at the jobsite using a simple onscreen form in XMap Professional or on the PN-40 and can quickly submit their findings to the data manager.