One of the most significant new functions of the XMap 7 suite is XMap Forms. This innovative mobile GIS tool provides the opportunity for field technicians to view, edit, and collect GIS data using a laptop computer or an Earthmate PN-40 GPS receiver. After returning from the field, edits, additions, or other modifications can be automatically merged into an XMap GIS layer.
On the PN-40, XMap Forms functionality offers the ability to:
- Record the location of field assets
- Collect attribute data using preformatted drop-down lists, check boxes, and simple text entry
- Verify the positional accuracy of current data layers
- Modify the attributes for existing point locations
- Move a point to a new set of coordinates
- Delete existing points
- Save collected data in GPX format
- Store multiple forms, each containing their own data collection parameters for a variety of field applications
There are several considerations that should be addressed before deploying XMap Forms on the PN-40 for your mobile GIS operations:
- To build an XMap form, you must have access to a copy of XMap 7 GIS Enterprise to create the requisite XMap 7 Enterprise database. XMap 7 GIS Editor includes the necessary tools for creating and managing forms, but not for creating the appropriately formatted database.
- The PN-40s on which XMap Forms will be used should be upgraded to the latest Pro firmware.
- The devices must be equipped with an SD card.
- A GIS layer on which the form is built should be imported or created in the XMap 7 Enterprise database. Any data collected using a form is automatically appended to this layer.
- It is not necessary to assign all attribute fields associated with a layer to a form.
- Multiple PN-40s can be employed to collect data that is later integrated into a single GIS layer.
- The process of merging collected data does not require each PN-40 to be connected to the host computer running XMap. There are several manual file transfer options that allow field-collected data to be submitted from a remote location.
- Using XMap Forms on the PN-40 requires no additional forms license or locally installed software and the device itself requires no hardware upgrade.
Creating, Transferring, and Collecting Data on the PN-40 Using a Form
Step 1—Configuring a GIS Layer
As noted above, an XMap form is associated with a GIS layer in an XMap Enterprise database and therefore the first step in creating a form is to ensure the layer in question contains the required attribute fields. A form can be created using an imported GIS layer or a using a layer that is designed and developed in XMap specifically for this purpose. In either case, it will be necessary to establish certain field constraints to enable accurate and efficient data entry on the PN-40. Applying constraints to a field establishes limits on the data or values that can be entered when collecting or editing field information.
For an imported layer, the Attribute Design View in the GIS tab allows existing fields to be edited and constraints to be applied. To achieve this, simply right-click the attribute name in the Design View and click Edit Field. Depending on the data type, constraints can be applied that limit the number of characters that can be entered; that define an upper and lower range for the numeric values; or that specify a finite list of text entries that are acceptable. If an imported layer is pre-populated with existing points and attributes, the Suggest Values button will automatically create the list of value constraints based on what is currently contained in that field. This list can be manually supplemented with additional values if it is assumed that certain field-collected points will be attributed with data that is not included in the current list.
When creating a new layer for the purpose of collecting data on the PN-40, each field will be created manually. XMap 7 offers three options for creating fields:
- Simple Field
Use this option if you want manual text or number entry on the device without any constraints. Simple Field also offers the option to create a Boolean field which is manifested as a simple check box on the PN-40 - Formula Field
Formula fields, which are derived from a formula applied to an existing field, are not compatible with the PN-40 and cannot be used in a PN-40 form. - Constraint Field
As noted above, this allows limits to be applied to the values that are added to a form. When creating a constraint field in a new layer, the Suggest Values button is not available as there are no preexisting values—therefore, the list of expected values must be manually typed. It is a good idea to include “Other” as a value constraint and to add a following simple text field to the form to allow text entry in the event that field observations do not match the constraints.
A Constraint Field can be assigned an initial value which will automatically be inserted with each new record. This option is usually applied if the vast majority of field-collected records have the same value and it eliminates redundant steps in the data collection process.
When symbolizing a layer from which a PN-40 form is created, be sure to use the Earthmate PN-Series symbol set. This ensures that the points displayed on the device will look the same as they do in XMap. If a layer is classified, all classes including the Null class must be assigned an Earthmate PN-Series symbol.
Step 2—Using XMap’s Form Builder
After the requisite GIS layer has been created and formatted with the necessary constraints, it’s time to build your XMap form. The form builder window is accessed in one of three ways: from the XMap Forms button in XMap’s toolbar; by right-clicking the appropriate layer in the Workspace and choosing Forms; or by clicking the Tools menu above the Workspace table and selecting Forms. Whichever method is chosen, click the Create option.
In the Create New Form window, there are several required steps for creating a form for the PN-40:
- Enter a name for the form in the Form Name field. This is automatically populated with the name of the corresponding layer, but it can be edited if needed.
- Change the Form Type dropdown to PN-compatible Form. XMap-only forms will not work on the PN-40.
- If the PN-40 is being used to collect as well as view data, set the Form Operations selection to Add Data. Note that this setting will also allow points to be edited or deleted on the device.
- If necessary, type a description for the form.
- Under Attributes, add the fields you wish to include in the form using the arrow buttons and if required, adjust the order in which they appear.
- To ensure that the correct Earthmate PN-Series symbols are assigned when points are displayed on the device, make sure you transfer the classification field to the form. This will be listed as a non-editable field.
- To manually lock specific fields, ensuring the data cannot be deleted or modified, check the box next to the appropriate fields.
When creating a form for the PN-40, you may notice certain fields from your layer are not available in the attributes list. The reason for this is because certain types of data that are supported by XMap, such as document, URL, and currency fields, are not compatible with the device.
After all of the form parameters are set, click the Create button.
Step 3—Transferring a Form to the PN-40
A GIS point layer containing a PN-compatible form can be sent directly to a connected PN-40 from the Workspace in XMap’s GIS tab or it can be saved in a user-specified location and distributed via e-mail or manually copied to one or more SD cards. Simply right-click the layer name or choose the Send to PN-Series Device from the Tools menu to display the Export Points dialog box.
If the source layer contains existing data, these points along with their corresponding attributes will be copied to each PN-40 device that either directly or indirectly receives the form. If no preexisting data is present, such as in cases where the form is being used exclusively for data collection, an empty layer will be sent.
If the points and the form are being saved locally, two folders will be created at the specified location: a forms folder and a GPX folder. It is important that the recipient of these files replicates these folders on their SD card before inserting it into their device.
Another method for distributing XMap Forms to multiple PN-40 users is to use XMap’s data synchronization feature. This process transfers the entire source layer to a local version of XMap from where the form and data can be directly transferred to the device using the process described above. For more information on synchronization, refer to the XMap 7 Administration Guide.
Step 4—Collecting or Editing Data on the PN-40
The process of transferring the form and data to the PN-40, as described above, creates the necessary files on the SD card within the PN-40. Before using the form, these files must be loaded into the internal memory of the device. This process is initiated from the Waypoints screen on the device by clicking the MENU button, selecting File, and selecting Open. After choosing the appropriate layer, a list of existing points will be displayed in the Waypoints list. If the layer is empty a blank waypoint screen is displayed.
Collecting Data – To create a new point, press the Mark (pushpin) button at the bottom of the PN-40. The preconfigured form will be automatically displayed allowing the user to enter the appropriate data pertaining to that point. Use the arrow buttons to scroll between the available fields. When the form is complete, there is no need to save the point as it is automatically stored in the internal memory of the device. Instead, simply press the QUIT button to return to the previous screen or press the Mark button to create a new point.
Editing Data – To edit the attributes for an existing point, use the up or down arrows on the PN-40 to highlight the point in the Waypoints list and press the ENTER button on the device. Alternatively, move the cursor on the PN-40 screen to hover over the required waypoint and press the ENTER button. Initially, the attributes will be displayed as a read-only list. To enable editing, press the MENU button and select Edit Waypoint. All the attribute fields are now editable.
Deleting Points – Be careful when deleting points that were transferred to the PN-40 because when the data is later merged back into the source layer in XMap, the original point in the GIS layer will be deleted as well. To delete a point, select it from the Waypoints list or from the map as described above and press the ENTER button. After verifying from the attributes list that the point in question is no longer needed, press the MENU button again and select Delete Waypoint.
Moving Points – To move an existing point, enable the editing function as previously described and select the coordinates in the Position field. Note that these coordinates are assigned by the PN-40 and may not necessarily reflect the coordinates in the original data in XMap. After pressing the ENTER button, use the left and right arrow buttons to highlight each individual number in the coordinates and press the up and down arrows to adjust the values as needed.
After the data collection or editing process is complete, press the MENU button when displaying the Waypoints Page, select File and then Save. This copies the collected points back to the GPX file on the SD card in preparation for transfer into the original GIS layer in XMap. Note the same form can be used over again so there is no need to transfer a new version to the PN-40 for each data collection event.
Step 5—Transferring Field-Collected Data into XMap
The GPX file that was created when the form and accompanying points were transferred to the PN-40 retains its association with the original GIS layer so the process of merging collected data into XMap automatically adds the new points to the layer. Furthermore, any attribute edits or point deletions are also applied to the original layer.
To merge collected data, right-click the layer name in the Workspace in XMap or choose the Import from PN-Series Device from the Tools menu to display the Import from PN Series Device dialog box. The import process automatically recognizes the data layers on a connected PN-40 and displays the associated GIS layer for each data layer. This dialog box also offers the option to browse to another location if the GPX files have been emailed or manually transferred from remote PN-40 users.
To update the source layer with the new data, click the Merge button.
Employing XMap Forms functionality on the PN-40 significantly increases the value of the device by transforming it from a field data viewer into a fully functional GIS data collector. No comparably priced GPS receiver offers this level of functionality and provides access to such a wide variety of data at the jobsite, wherever that may be.
