We are currently accepting pictures of those in their MapThis! t-shirts.  If you don’t already have one, you can order your MapThis! shirt from our blog.  All of your pictures will be posted along with any other information you would like to send along including your name, location, event. etc.  Attach your picture and email us @ info@geo-jobe.com

Check out the last MapThis! Shirt picture we posted:

http://www.geo-jobe.com/blog/2009/11/09/map-this-t-shirt-is-scene-again/

Imagine you are tasked with maintaining one or more water GIS datasets and need an easy way to snap laterals between meters and mains, or you want a fast way to easily perform valve isolation traces. For those of you in such a situation or who simply manage water and sewer GIS databases there is hope in esri Team Water‘s Infrastructure Editing Template for ArcGIS 9.3 and 10. This set of FREE tools can automate those tasks for you, and do a whole bunch of other stuff too. I’m going to show you the minimum amount of stuff you’ll have to do to get this running with your data.

Before I get into this I want to explain that this is a crash course, so I will not be providing each and every step involved with getting this going. I am assuming you are a competent GIS editor and are confident with Geometric Networks. There is no way I can “teach” you how to build, and maintain Geometric Networks within one blog post, so if you don’t know about them ask someone who does over at Team Water’s Forum, or read the documentation, or sign up for esri’s Geometric Network class, or get a book and have at it like I did. If you are starting from scratch with Geometric Networks, just know that they are not something you can pick up and learn over night… it took me the better part of a year to get myself to this point. Also, I only have ArcGIS 9.3 so thats what I will be telling you about, configuring this for ArcGIS 10 is different.

Enough, lets get this show on the road.

1. Obtain permission from database admin and IT admin to install software and modify your water geodatabse. For safety sake, and first timers, use a test copy of your database.
2. Install the Infrastructure Editing Template according to the included instructions. Enable the Water Utilities Editing, and Water Utilities Reporting toolbars in ArcMap.
3. Build a Geometric Network, and put connectivity rules in it. Hints: Mains and Laterals are complex edges, include most everything in your network, don’t snap higher than the default tolerance, weights are not important at this point, set Fittings as the default junction subtype for Main to Main and Main to Lateral, and use Pump Stations and Meters as sources and sinks. It is wise to look at the error table placed in the root of the database; fix these for best results. For help refer to the ArcGIS Desktop help.
4. Set up the Network Editing Template config file located at C:\Program Files (x86)\ArcGIS Templates\Water Utilities\Network Editing\EditTools.config . Hint look at every option with “AddServiceLaterals_ blah blah blah” for the lateral snap tool, and look at the options for ”TraceIsolation_blah blah” to config the valve isolation trace tool. Spend some time experimenting with these; I still am.
5. Fire up your .MXD you use for editing, add _Net_Junctions to the Table of contents, save this.
6. Start editing, and begin to use your new toolbars. To get an idea of how they work watch this video from Team Water.
7. Refine your settings and enjoy the new functionality. Hint: set default Fitting type(or subtype) to Tap in your geodatabase for auto laterals.

That should get you pointed in the right direction; now, I know there are many other factors involved in deploying this in an Enterprise environment like SDE Replication, so do some planning and see how it can be done. I do it here at Geo Jobe by replicating all of the data without the Geometric Network, and then build the Geometric Network on my replica after everything is syncing fine; it is working fine for now, and if/when the replicas break I’ll just have to delete the network and start over again… it is not too hard to pick up where you left off with Geometric Networks, unlike Topology. If faced with this situation document your existing connectivity rules, and weights before nuking the old one.

Also, I know some of you wonder how you might load new GPS data into an existing Geometric Network, because you cant use the simple Rt Click>Load Data with them; use Append  under Data Management Tools > General in the toolbox. It will load stuff in there, but you will have to use some of your GIS ninja skillz to get that new data integrated into your existing Geometric Network, just remember to snap everything up and Connect everything when your are finished, and for good measure use the Repair Connectivity Command, Verify Connectivity Command, and Verify Network Feature Geometry Command located on the Geometric Network Editing Toolbar. Be careful when doing this in an versioned environment.

I hope you get this stuff running and it makes your work easier. I was able to snap in about a thousand laterals in less than half of a day for one of our clients, Milcrofton Utility District. If you like this sort of thing check out the Team Water Blog, or you can follow me on

Trimble has just released its latest software upgrade, TerraSync Version 5.00 (along with GPS Pathfinder Office Version 5.00).  The software includes an array of new features, changes, and benefits.  TerraSync  is known as a field software for highly-productive GIS data collection and maintenance and is the leading application for professional GNSS field data collection and asset maintenance.  Version 5.00 has made TerraSync an even more intuitive data capture experience for the field worker, has created better in-the-field quality conrol of data capture, and can be more easily set-up, deployed, and learned.  Trimble’s new versions have taken a great leap into data capture usability, so much so, that I almost want to get back out in the field and collect some data.  I think Trimble’s overall goal was to simplify the data collection experience.  It has given more power to the manager, increased production capacities, decreased chances of erroneous configurations, and reduced training time. 

New Key Features and Benefits of Version 5.00

Version 5.00 displays background maps 25x faster than the previous versions of TerraSync increasing the typical speed by 10x.  It also has the ability to display larger background files that competing data capture applications poorly load, or simply can’t load at all.

Trimble is calling one of their new functions the “Effortless GIS Feature Selection.” Data collectors are provided a quick visual selection of features from a button-panel that is easier to use on the move and when you are wearing gloves.  This means no more frost-bitten fingers, quicker feature selection, and enhanced performance.

New Visual Data Collection Controls include graphical picklists, check boxes, and radio buttons that can be easily viewed and contain pattern recognition.  You can also select attributes from an image gallery providing instant visual confirmation.  You can easily adapt paper forms to the screen and provide collapsible and expandable sections for viewing. 

Intelligent Data Collection enables the user to adapt a form to the data already entered and changes attribute behavior and default values.  You have the opportunity to view/hide  information from the field worker.  Your crew will only see the fields needed to complete the job, providing less clutter and distraction, leading to higher data productivity.  Auto-populate repeated attributes!  If your crew has a long line of (almost identical features to capture, Version 5.00 allows them to repeat upon selection at the attribute level. 

How is it more User-Friendly?  The interface simplifies the TerraSync application for field workers, removes functionality and options that could distract employees, reduces the chance of erroneous configurations, and reduces training time simply by reducing the need to educate users about functionality they will not use.  In addition, features, attributes, and list selection (menu) are no longer contrained by cryptic GIS database terms and has descreased abbreviations by extending their character length to 40-characters. 

Oh, I almost forgot. There is a customizable interface…

ArcPad is designed for GIS professionals who require GIS capabilities in the field. It gives field-based personnel the ability to capture, edit, analyze, and display geographic information easily and efficiently.

In it’s latest version ArcPad 10, ESRI has enabled users access to ArcGIS Online basemaps, improved drawing speed and memory output, created a simple “quick capture” toolbar for collecting features, and made it easier to use and hyperlink cameras/photos.  For more information check out the ArcPad Team Blog.

Are you compatible?

1. The current version of GPS Analyst (v2.20) is not compatible with ArcGIS 10.

2. The current version of GPScorrect (v3.10) is not compatible with ArcPad 10.

If you try to install either of the Trimble software, they will receive an error message stating the version of ArcGIS/ArcPad is not compatible. Trimble is working on the compatibility issues and should have a compatible version out shortly.  In the meantime, we suggest that you downgrade to ArcGIS 9.3.1 or ArcPad 8.  And as always, let us know if you have any questions!

It’s also not too late!… 10 Cool Things for ArcPad Users and Fans to do at the 2010 ESRIUC

After attending this meeting, I felt compelled to go out and create maps to share with the world!  The FREE ESRI Seminar was held in Phoenix, AZ about three weeks ago, give or take two weeks…  The Seminar showed how ESRI can help create easier and faster maps using their tools and sharing information (“But it’s mine!”-my son’s and wife’s favorite line).  If you missed the seminar, go to another one. They have a free series that travels around United States to bring you information for the price of you not being so dang lazy…even though that is the ultimate goal, to have your information resources make the “best” decision for you while you spend the least amount of effort making the decision, win-win, right?.. Okay back to the Seminar. 

The seminar was broken down into sections.  Here is a resource list that might be helpful to those who both did and did not attend based off of the seminars agenda. 

Session 1 Building Basemap

• Map Template Gallery (Download professionally designed templates to make better, faster maps).  http://resources.esri.com/maptemplates
• Best Practices for Working with Map Templates (Free one-hour online training seminar.  Learn tips on creating professionally designed maps using cartographically rich map templates and your data).  http://www.esri.com/training
• ESRI Mapping Center (ArcGIS cartographic tips).  http://mappingcenter.esri.com
• Cartographic Representations (Learn to symbolize your data).  http://www.esri.com/representations
• Labeling with Maplex for ArcGIS (Documentation for Maplex for ArcGIS includes a 60 day trial).  http://www.esri.com/maplexdocumentation
• Creating and Publishing Maps with ArcGIS (Instructor-led training course.  Learn techniques for creating professional quality maps using a standard cartographic workflow).  http://www.esri.com/training
• ArcGIS Community Basemap Program (Contribute or obtain authoritative geographic data from this ESRI-hosted, GIS community map).  http://www.esri.com/communitymaps

Session 1-A Deploying the Map

• Using Data from Different Coordinate Systems http://www.esri.com/article34129
• Managing and Configuring ArcGIS Server (ESRI White Papers).   http://www.esri.com/serverwhitepapers
• Geodatabase Replication  http://www.esri.com/article34131
• Authoring and Deploying Fast Web Maps (Free one-hour online training seminar.  Learn best practices for designing and publishing map services).  http://www.esri.com/training
• How to Plan a Map Cache  http://www.esri.com/mapcache

Session 2 Sharing Content

• ArcGIS Online (Sign up for free) (You will receive 1 GB of free storage, making it easier to share content with others through groups you either participate in or create).  http://www.arcgisonline.com
• How to Get Started Using ArcGIS Online (Online video).  http://www.arcgisonline.com/help/help.htm
• Layer Packages  http://www.esri.com/layerpackages
• Sharing Layer Packages with ArcGIS Explorer (This blog post explains how to create good layer packages for sharing maps and content).  http://www.esri.com/agxlayerpackages
• Creating Models (Online Video).  http://www.esri.com/creatingmodels
• Introduction to ArcGIS Server (Instructor-led training course.  Develop skills in authoring and sharing GIS content on the Web or across your organization).  http://www.esri.com/training
• ArcGIS Explorer (download for free) (Start visualizing, analyzing, and presenting your content now.  http://www.esri.com/arcgisexplorer
• ArcGIS Explorer Quick-Start Tutorial (Free one-hour online training seminar.  Learn the basics of working with ArcGIS Explorer and how to create dynamic geopresentations in ArcGIS Explorer)  http://www.esri.com/training
• Enhance ArcGIS Explorer with Add-on Tools (Click/Search: TOOLS)  http://www.arcgisonline.com

I’m not going to tell you what’s coming in ArcGIS 10. 

Look How EASY I Made It For You.  Let me know if you want me to also read them off and click the links…