LIS6GPS Operations Manual

Table O' Contents
LIS6GPS Overview
The LIS6GPS Project Screen
The LIS6GPS Menu
The LIS6GPS Environment
Converting DXF files to Shapefiles
Converting DXF files to Shapefiles, Part Deux
Working in the GPS View
More Working in the GPS View
Editing in the GPS View
Further Editing in the GPS View
Perusing the GPS Points
Editing Whilst Perusing
Editing Whilst Perusing #2
Peruse-Editing Results
Snapping to a GPS Point
A Point Snapped
A Handy Field Trick

LIS6GPS Overview

LIS6GPS is a custom extension for ArcView 3.x. It is intended to help you convert your Garmin GPS points into an ESRI Shapefile. It also assists you in perusing and editing the converted GPS points. Fundamentally, the GPS workflow is:

Download your Garmin data to the computer and save as a DXF file.
Convert the DXF file to a Shapefile using the LIS6GPS converter.
Create a GPS View and load the appropriate data.
Open the GPS Editor window and specify the necessary data themes.
Peruse your GPS data points one by one (if you wish).
Either create new points from OR snap existing points to your GPS work.

In what follows, you will see the terms, "Theme" and "Layer." These terms are interchangable and they simply refer to the data sets that you see in the view. For instance, the left side of each map view shows the table of contents of the map. Each of those items listed are data themes and are rendered as layers on the map. I suppose I could have chosen just one term to use consistently, but I didn't. Adapt and overcome.

The LIS6GPS Project Screen

As shown below, LIS6GPS works with the LIS6 and LIS6Tools extensions.

The LIS6GPS Menu

Click the [LIS6 GPS Tools] menu to pop up the choices shown below. The items that pop up for you should be rather obvious. We will cover each item soon.

The LIS6GPS Environment

From the project window, click [LIS6 GPS Tools] [Set Environment] to open the environment dialog. Simple. All you need to specify is your personal GPS data folder and the legend file that will be used to symbolize your new GPS points.

Converting DXF files to Shapefiles

After you set your environment properly, the Handy DXF Converter knows where to go to retrieve your files. When you double-click the GPS Data File text box, a file dialog will open to a CAD folder under your personal GPS folder.

Converting DXF files to Shapefiles, Part Deux

After you define your desired GPS file (the .dxf) click the Convert GPS File button. Boom, done. Then you can finish up your GPS activities within the confines of what we call the "GPS View."

Working in the GPS View

From the project window, click [LIS6 GPS Tools] [Make a View for GPS Work] to open the GPS View - this map should look familiar.
Click [LIS6 GPS Tools] [Load a GPS Theme] to load your newly-converted GPS Theme. A file dialog will open to the appropriate folder. From the left side of the dialog window, double-click your desired file.

More Working in the GPS View

Your GPS Theme is loaded into the map. (The little green stars are your GPS points.) Click [LIS6 GPS Tools] [GPS EDITOR] to begin mucking with your data.

Editing in the GPS View

Since our last talk, I have loaded a new data theme into the GPS View Before you can edit things, you need to specify your Target Layer. We will choose Groundwater Monitoring Points from the list box that pops up.

Further Editing in the GPS View

After the GPS Editor window opens, you will need to specify the GPS Theme to use - your View might contain a number of point themes that can be used as "GPS Themes." Double-click the GPS Layer text box to choose from a list of point themes currently in the view. Select the theme from the ensuing list box. Choose wisely. You may also cancel and select a new GPS Theme from your personal GPS folder.

Perusing the GPS Points

When you select your GPS Layer, you can then commence editing your Target Layer. A good first step is to peruse your GPS Points. Click the Peruse GPS Points button to open the GPS Layer's attribute table. The first record of the table will automatically select along with its associated mapped point. (The selection will be highlighted in yellow.) You can click the Next and Prev buttons to peruse - note that the map will pan to each newly selected point.

Editing Whilst Perusing

The most common function you will perform is creating a new (target layer) point from a GPS point. The tool labeled, "Transfer a GPS Point into the Target Layer" is what you will use for this. Select the tool then drag a modest-sized rectangle around your desired GPS point. The GPS point you choose DOES NOT have to be the selected point in the map. Also, make sure you drag across only one GPS point - unless you actually want to create a new point whose position is the average position of the multiple selected GPS points. It is a good idea to zoom in somewhat tight on your map before you begin perusing. Then you can easily distinguish between any gobbed up GPS points. Don't worry, the map will pan to each next or previous perused point.

Editing Whilst Perusing #2

Not that I needed to, but I have perused my way to record 5 of 13. As commanded above, I selected the Transfer tool and dragged a rectangle across a GPS point - in this case, the selected point. After being asked to confirm the move, a list of table headings in the target layer popped up. This is the field that will get the description that was entered into the Garmin GPS in the field. I will choose to store the information in the "Name" field of the Groundwater Monitoring Points file.

Peruse-Editing Results

As you can see below, a new Groundwater Monitoring point was created on top of the selected GPS point. As well, everything became unselected. You can click the Next or Prev button to select (and pan) to the next record.

Snapping to a GPS Point

As you can see below, I have created a Groundwater Monitoring point out in the field. Let's assume that this point needs to be snapped to one of the GPS points. We will use the tool labeled, "Snap Target Layer Point to a GPS Spot" to accomplish this. Select the tool and drag a rectangle around the Target Layer point (the point that you want to move). Then drag a rectangle around the GPS point that you want to snap to. Again, make certain of your point-grabbing tidyness.

A Point Snapped

You may now be excited to see that your point has snapped to your desired GPS location. REMEMBER THIS: when you select a GPS point to snap a Target Layer point to, take care to select only what you want. (This is a good reason to zoom in to a comfortable level.)

A Handy Field Trick

You might, at times, wish to use a cluster of GPS points in order to perform the following handy field trick: GPS the same thing (such as a GWM pipe) 5 times in one sitting. In other words, mark the item 4 more times after you enter the information for point 1. Let's pretend that there is a GWM pipe near the corner of State St and S 9th. We will mark the pipe and enter its name just like always. Then we will stay there and mark the pipe 4 more times without worrying about entering the name. When we process the data we will have a cluster of points as shown below. When it's time to drag around the GPS points, we will drag around the cluster.

In this case, we will use the Transfer tool to create a new GWM point. After confirming that you really want to perform this stunt, a list box appear. Choose the appropriate description from the list then move along. Next, another list box will appear asking where to put the description. Choose the appropriate table field then move along.

A new point (or snapped point should you choose to Snap Target Layer Point) will appear amidst the cluster of GPS points. The position of this point is the average position of the GPS cluster points. This is handy because, in theory, the position will be more spatially accurate than using a single GPS point.