Archive for April, 2010

XMap at Work – Using XMap in the Field of Wind Energy Development

April 21, 2010

The rapid growth of the alternative energy sector, and of wind energy companies in particular, over the last decade was initially of little interest to DeLorme. XMap had garnered a loyal following in many traditional industries and our time and resources were directed towards servicing those seemingly lucrative markets. Fast forward a few years and, to use the cliché, the winds have shifted.

It is worth noting that the widespread adoption of XMap by wind energy companies was not because DeLorme proactively sought out this opportunity but rather that wind power companies sought out XMap. It was a perfect fit. XMap offered just the right level of GIS functionality, it was affordable, and it could be quickly learned by anyone with basic computer knowledge. As the word spread, XMap became the mapping application of choice for hundreds of wind energy companies in the U.S. and beyond.

Far from being specialists in the industry, DeLorme has learned a lot from working with wind energy companies. Much of this learning comes from direct contact with our customers and from asking the fundamental questions about how they use the product. The following applications, summarized from customer conversations, are typical for XMap in the wind energy industry.

Wind Potential Analysis
The most important consideration when planning a wind energy project is the availability of wind at the appropriate strength and consistency. This wind potential has been analyzed and mapped by wind resource specialists and the resulting data is usually available in shapefile format. The National Renewable Energy Lab offers a version of this data for most U.S. states at no cost. Shapefiles can be imported into XMap and the classification tool can be used to develop thematic maps showing areas of maximum potential.

Property Research and Acquisition
Property ownership information is becoming increasingly important for a wide variety of GIS applications. Local governments are responding to this demand by developing and updating digital parcel databases. When planning a wind energy project, the ownership and status of the targeted and adjacent properties are crucial considerations that could potentially derail a project before it starts. XMap offers two alternatives for creating a property layer. In those areas where digital files like shapefiles are available, you can simply import the layer. Unfortunately, many wind projects are planned in more remote areas where such data is not available; the alternative is to scan any available paper maps and use XMap’s ImageReg tool to create a geographically referenced raster or image layer as a base map.

Terrain Analysis
In the wind industry, terrain is an important factor in the project planning process. Topography can have a marked impact on the local wind patterns, which can cause problems with turbine installation. Also the terrain has a direct impact on some of the logistical decisions related to transportation, construction, and other project challenges. The topographic base map in XMap includes a digital elevation model which allows the representation of terrain through contours, shaded relief, 3-D modeling, and linear profiling all of which contribute to a more complete picture of the project site.

Optimal Turbine Placement
Factors to consider when choosing a turbine site include surface and sub-surface geology, proximity of obstructions, access to transmission infrastructure, accessibility for maintenance, and much more. XMap’s GIS functionality allows the simultaneous consideration of numerous layers of relevant information to aid in this problem solving or decision making process.

Impact Analysis
While harvesting the wind is generally considered to be a clean source of energy, it still exerts an impact on the environment and often on the surrounding community. Fragile ecosystems are sometimes threatened during construction and operation, turbines are installed close to avian migration paths, for some, the visual or audible impact can be problematic. XMap’s buffer tool is used extensively in this type of analysis where a defined area around a project or conversely, around an adjacent habitat can be mapped and potential problems addressed to help mitigate any disputes.

Infrastructure Planning
The visible aspect of the construction of a wind project is obviously very conspicuous; however, the wind turbines are only half of the story. Developing a wind farm also entails developing roads, local transmission lines, maintenance facilities, and more. XMap’s CAD tools provide a straightforward way to map this infrastructure and to share the maps or data layers with contractors or construction crews

Community Outreach and Collaboration
A vital aspect of any wind energy project is engaging the local community. Often this outreach effort involves the presentation of the project details through maps and other printed materials. XMap’s printing functions provide the tools necessary to produce professional quality maps of any size incorporating imagery, GIS layers, topographic maps, and any other available data.

Compliance
After speaking with many wind energy companies, it has become abundantly clear that one of the biggest hurdles to the success of a wind project is regulatory compliance. XMap plays a role in overcoming this obstacle by providing the means to import, overlay, and analyze the appropriate data to ensure compliance. It also offers efficient presentation and data delivery tools to ensure that the supporting documentation and reports are supplemented with the highest quality maps.

Project Management
After construction is complete and a project is brought online, XMap continues to play a role. Turbine performance, maintenance schedules, and repairs can all be managed using XMap’s spatial database functionality. The new embedded document tool is ideally suited for this type of work. Reports, schematics, photographs, and virtually any other type of file can be assigned to a specific point on the map and can be retrieved, edited, and saved as needed.

Industry Research
At a much higher level, XMap is a perfect tool for conducting research on the wind industry itself. For example, it can be used to analyze the distribution of wind farms across the country and to visually represent the production capacity in each state. Information garnered from such studies can help pave the way for future wind energy development.

At DeLorme, we continue to learn from the expertise of our customers in the field of wind energy and in many other industries. This knowledge inspires us to design and develop products that provide value, encourage productivity, and promote efficiency.

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XMap Q&A – What is the difference between XMap’s Synchronization and Check-Out/In processes?

April 21, 2010

XMap GIS Enterprise offers two powerful tools for deploying data within a company or organization and, consequently, for collecting field data edits and integrating them into a central GIS database. Both Synchronization and Check-out/in involve the transfer of OpenSpace GIS layers from an Enterprise database to remote XMap users; however, the two data transfer processes and the functionality they enable for the recipients are significantly different. This article will cast some light on these two powerful functions of the XMap GIS suite and will help you decide which would be a more appropriate solution for your data deployment needs.

Synchronization
XMap’s synchronization process provides a simple tool for field personnel to automatically receive updates to GIS layers to which they have subscribed. The initial setup involves assigning access to the Enterprise database for each required user or each member of a designated Windows® group. This process is managed using XMap’s Database Manager application, which can be accessed from the Workspace in the GIS tab. A subscription file is generated and sent to each user for the purpose of establishing synchronization between their local XMap database and the central database. This process is initiated by simply double-clicking the file after it has been received.

Each user or group can be assigned a unique combination of layers by the data administrator and this selection can be modified at any time without the need to update the subscription file. For instance, if a field worker is reassigned to a new territory, the data administrator can simply clear the check boxes for the layers to which he or she was previously subscribed and then select the layers that are appropriate for their new assignment. Next time synchronization is initiated, the old layers will be removed and the new layers will be added to their Workspace.

Synchronization was originally designed as a means for field technicians to receive continually updated layers in a read-only format. In other words, regardless of which version of XMap is being used, the database that is automatically created to receive the synchronized layers does not offer editing functionality. However, the process does enable a redlining function that allows onscreen mark-ups to automatically be submitted to the Enterprise database during synchronization. These redline layers are essentially draw layers that can be scrutinized by the GIS manager to help ascertain if the referenced GIS data should be updated.

With the introduction of the optional XMap Forms capability in XMap 7, synchronization has assumed a higher level of functionality. If XMap Forms is enabled for a database user and a preformatted form is deployed along with a synchronized layer, the field worker can edit or collect new data points and can assign attributes based on any constraints that have been imposed by the data administrator. Edits to the data are then automatically applied to the original layer in the Enterprise database during synchronization. XMap Forms transforms synchronization from a remote data viewing function to a full data collection tool.

Data Check-Out/In
The data check-out and check-in process was developed to provide multiple XMap users the means to concurrently edit a single layer by assigning a specific geographic territory to each user. Multiple check-outs can be created from a single layer however their geographic coverage cannot overlap. When an individual is working within a defined territory, no one else can update any of the GIS objects within that area until that section is checked in.

The act of checking out a portion of a layer creates a new subset of the original layer that can be copied to a remote database while locking the assigned territory in the original layer. The new layer inherits all of the properties of the original including the available attribute fields, the classification and symbolization settings, and any queries that have been created. Most importantly, the recipient of a checked-out layer has full control over the geometric characteristics and the attributes of the layer and can add, delete, or edit points, lines, or polygons. For this reason, the check-out/in process typically involves the transfer of data between the Enterprise and Editor versions of XMap. There is limited value in checking out a layer to a user of XMap Professional because that application does not provide the requisite editing functionality.

The data check-out process is managed using the Check-out/in function in either the Enterprise or Editor versions of XMap, although the originating layer must be in an Enterprise database. A scalable grid is used to select specific tiles of data on the map and after the new layer is created, the assigned grids are highlighted to indicate their contents and cannot be edited or concurrently checked out to another XMap user.

The checked out layer must be assigned to a database other than the one containing the original layer. A data administrator can either create a new database on the same SQL server or, with the appropriate permissions, can create the layer in the local database of the end user. After this new layer has been created, the remote XMap user can update the geometric and attribute values of the layer within the assigned geographic limits.

Before an updated section of a layer is checked in, the data administrator can add it to their workspace to ascertain the quality of the work. If it is deemed acceptable, they can simply click the Check-in button to replace the original data with the updated features from the checked out layer. If it is not acceptable, they can click the Cancel button, which restores the layer to its original form and unlocks the formerly locked area. In either case, the checked out layer is automatically deleted from the remote database.

Which Data Distribution Mechanism Works Best?
There are advantages to both data transfer processes and the decision as to which to choose depends on several factors:

Synchronization may be a better solution if:

  • The number of targeted field users is relatively large as data can be simultaneously distributed to many individual users
  • There is likely to be more than one person working within a specific area
  • The field workers are using XMap Professional
  • The data layers in question are frequently updated
  • The data manager wishes to control the editing of the layers through the deployment of XMap Forms
  • The administrator wants to enable the field workers to initiate the transfer process when they are in a connected environment rather than manually assigning and collecting the appropriate layers from each user

Check-out/in is worth considering if:

  • The number of users is relatively small and the transfer process can be initiated manually
  • The data manager wishes to provide full editing control for all data types
  • The field workers have access to either XMap GIS Editor or Enterprise
  • There is a need to protect the data while one individual is working in an area to avoid potential conflicts
  • The administrator wishes to see and verify the data edits before the field-collected information is merged into the original layer

    What these components of XMap have in common is that they were both designed to streamline the flow of information within an organization and ultimately to make the task of sending and receiving data significantly more straightforward for GIS managers.

    Posted in Uncategorized, XMap Q&A | Leave a Comment »

    Tab Hint – Customizing the Topographic Base Map in XMap

    April 21, 2010

    DeLorme is justifiably proud of its pioneering endeavors in the field of digital mapping over the last 25 years. Those of us old enough to remember the early versions of Street Atlas USA® will recall the sense of amazement when we learned that virtually every road in the entire U.S. could fit onto one of those new-fangled CD ROMs. The basis for this amazing feat was the simple fact that all of the features on the map were efficiently stored in a database and rendered on the screen only when required. This vector-based approach to mapping is still the foundation of most of DeLorme’s software and data products, including the new World Base Map.

    The delivery of maps in vector format offers several advantages over raster data products, such as aerial imagery or scanned paper maps:

    • The data is much smaller so a wider geographic coverage area can be delivered per megabyte of storage
    • The data is updatable so periodic edits and corrections are relatively straightforward
    • The data display can be manipulated by the end user

    XMap users have several customization options that can be utilized to create a base map that is tailored to the needs or requirements of the project at hand:

    Map Features

    The Map Features tab in the Option dialog (accessible from the toolbar) offers two levels of control depending on the degree of customization required.

    • The main window offers a concise list of map feature types that can be checked on or off as needed. This list includes points of interest, minor roads, and map grids.
    • By selecting the Use Custom Map Features option at the bottom of the window, the base map contents can be fine tuned to a greater degree. Individual types of lines, points, and polygons can be displayed or hidden using the appropriate check boxes. A common approach to map feature customization is to initially disable all objects in the base map by selecting the None button and then individually turning on the features that are needed.

    Map Features settings are recorded in the current XMap project so it is possible to create template maps containing various combinations of features by creating and saving several projects.

    Contour Display

    In the topographic base map in XMap, contours are dynamically generated from the underlying digital elevation model. If required, the contours can be removed from the map using the Map Features settings as noted above. Alternatively, the interval or space between adjacent contours can be adjusted to accentuate the elevation in relatively flat terrain or to reduce the concentration of contour lines in mountainous areas. Note that the contour interval is automatically optimized at different zoom levels so it is usually not necessary to make manual adjustments.

    If necessity dictates, the contour properties can be adjusted in the Map Data tab by expanding Reference Data, then expanding Topography and right-clicking on Contours. In the resulting window, the first setting allows the selection of Low Density, High Density, or Custom contour spacing as well as the selection of the zoom level at which contours first appear. If Custom is selected, the next window provides the opportunity to set the contour interval within specified zoom levels. It also offers the option to establish the major contours at each zoom level, which stipulates which contour lines are labeled on the map.

    The next window in the Contour Properties dialog box offers the option to adjust the overall zoom level range for contours. The final window is used to select the map views in which the contours will be displayed.

    Shaded Relief

    The pattern of shaded relief or terrain shadow is employed by XMap to emphasize the topography and, as with contours, it is generated dynamically from the digital elevation model. The shaded relief pattern can be adjusted to imply an alternative light source position so the simulated shadow falls on a different side of each mountain or hill.

    To make this adjustment, right-click Shaded Relief in the Map Data tab and click Properties. The first screen in the Shaded Relief Properties window has settings to change the sun bearing and inclination or angle above the horizon, as well as the brightness range for the shadow effect. As with the contour settings, the next screens provide the option to choose the zoom level range and map selection within which the shaded pattern will appear.

    Map Colors

    Under the Display section of XMap’s Options window, there are three Map Colors options. Topo Colors, the default setting displays all topographic features as well as land cover information; Street Colors mirrors the map view in DeLorme’s Street Atlas USA—with no contours, shaded relief, or land cover—for a simple street view; the High-Contrast Colors option renders the map with darkened features and is intended for in-vehicle use, especially when driving at night when the brightness of the screen can be distracting.

    Magnification

    Also contained within the Display Options window, the Magnification drop-down list can be used to alter the size of the features, text, and symbols on the map. The most common use is to increase the magnification so that objects appear larger and text is easier to read, especially on a small screen with a high screen resolution. Note that on the GPS tab in the Options dialog, a check box offers the option to automatically magnify the map when GPS tracking is enabled.

    Layering

    There are two ways to adjust the layering hierarchy on the map depending on whether the layer in question is raster or vector. By default, the layering sequence starts with base map vectors at the bottom followed by raster layers such as aerial imagery, and GIS and draw layers on top. Often it is necessary to display specific features from the base map on top of a raster or a GIS layer or to adjust the layering hierarchy of specific GIS layers.

    To adjust raster layering, locate the layer in question in the Map Data tab and right-click to select Properties. If necessary, click Next to display the Data Positioning window and, using the drop-down list, select the feature class that you wish to display on top of the raster layer. Note that because of the hierarchical structure of the base map data, the chosen selection will also include those objects that appear above it in the list. For instance, if Roads is selected, Town Borders, Business POIs, etc, will also appear. If these additional features are not needed, they can be filtered using the Map Features settings noted above.

    By default, this layering behavior will be applied to the selected data throughout its entire zoom level range; however, it is also possible to establish a different layering sequence for a specified zoom level range.

    GIS layering is controlled from the Layering section of the GIS tab. As each new layer is imported or created, it is assigned a z-level value of 4500. By increasing or decreasing this value, the position of the selected layer can be moved up or down relative to other GIS layers or to features in the base map. The process of adjusting the layering can be performed by simply typing a new z-level value or by clicking and dragging a selected layer in the layering list and dropping it at the appropriate position in the hierarchy.

    The inherent flexibility of XMap’s topographic base map means that it is possible to create a truly unique map view as a foundation for clearly representing and emphasizing user data layers.

    Posted in Tab Tips, Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

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