How to Calculate the Area of Your Land with Your iPhone's GPS

iMapIt version 3.0 - Export Function Tips

The export function is only available in iMapIt Pro.
The export screen is called by tapping this button:

From version 3.0 the export screen looks like this:

The file format options, as you can see above, are:

• DXF - AutoCAD's Drawing Exchange File - This format is readable by a huge number of CAD and GIS software;
• KML - Google Maps file format;
• GPX - Generic GPS Exchange file format - Also readable a number of CAD and GIS software;

Next option is on Coordinate System.

This is how the latitude and longitude collected by iMapIt through your device's GPS, will be exported to the export file.

If the surveyings you will make with iMapIt are the only data you are going to work with, the choice of the coordinate system is dependent only on the type of file you have selected.

If you are going to work with other existing geographic data it's important that the coordinate system is the same, so that your measurements with iMapIt will fit into the pre-existing data.

The options are:

• Geographical - This format exports exactly the coordinates collected, in latitude and longitude. These coordinates are defined in degrees. No transformation of the coordinates is made. If you are exporting to the KML file format use this coordinate system;
• Actually, when choosing the KML format the Geographical coordinate system is also selected automatically for you;
• UTM - This is a two-dimensional Cartesian projection system used to identify positions on earth's surface. These coordinates are defined in meters. This type of coordinate system can be used in conjunction with DXF or GPX file formats. Dependent on the other data that you will use along with those collected in your measurements with iMapIt. UTM stands for Universal Traverse Mercator;
• For this option there are also options for the Ellipsoid that should be used for the projection conversion. Change the ellipsoid if you need to match existing geographical data;
• Gauss Krüger - This coordinate system is used for a set of Traverse Mercator projections in narrow areas in Europe and South America, specially in in countries such as Germany, Turkey, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia, Finland and Argentina. This is a similar system to the UTM, but the central meridians are slightly displaced in relation to this one. This type of coordinate system can be used in conjunction with DXF or GPX file formats. Dependent on the other data that you will use along with those collected in your measurements with iMapIt; 

The Axis Distribution option you should not change unless you'd like to invert latitude and longitude axis. For each file format the latitude and longitude are placed in different places. iMapIt chooses this option for you automatically.

The File Destination option is how you will pull the exported file from inside your device. The options are:

• USB - Use this option to save the exported file to a shared folder on your device. To get the file you need to connect your device to the computer and use iTunes to have access to the files saved in the iMapIt shared folder;
• eMail - Use this option to have the exported file attached to an email. An sending email screen will be displayed, with the file already attached, and you will be able to fill in the destination address, write a message, and send you message to whomever you want;
• Web - This is a more professional option for sending iMapIt files. Through this option you will be able to send your measurements directly to a server in the internet. However this server must be prepared to receive your file and store it. On this blog there is a specific article on preparing the server to receive the iMapIt file, including sample code.

The File Name is initially created for you, but you can change it for your preference.

When you have all your options chosen, just tap Export to process and send the file.

Advertising video for iMapIt

This is the new video produced to a rapid advertising of iMapIt App.

iMapIt Version 3.0 - Quick Start

In your first use of iMapIt...

The first time you open iMapIt this screen will appear:

Tap “Allow” to allow iMapIt to have access to the device’s GPS and to be able to identify your location and allow you to map what you need. Your location is only used with this purpose. After allowing iMapIt to have access to your location the following screen will appear:

This is the Map Screen.

The blue dot indicates your current position.

iMapIt have already created the first project for you “No Name”, and to start your surveys you only have to:

1) To choose the feature type you want to map:
     a. If you want to map points, just leave this icon as it is;

     b. If you want to map lines, tap the icon above and it will become a line icon:

     c. If you want to map polygons, tap the same button again that it will become the polygon icon:
 

     d.  We will use a polygon for our example, in other words, we will map an area;

2)  Position yourself to start the survey;
     a.  Position yourself at the first vertex of the area to be surveyed;

3)  Start the survey;
     a.  See if the GPS accuracy indication is in the maximum position. If not, wait until the green bar get to the top;
     b. Like this:

     c.  Tap the “Start” button;
     d.  The iMapIt button will appear inside the map, in its right bottom corner;
     e.  Every time you tap the “MapIt” button the application will save your current position as a new vertex of your area polygon. The common method is: mark the starting point, walk up to the next vertex, mark again, walk to the next point and mark again, and so on until you reach the last point. Mark it. When you stop mapping your area iMapIt will link the last point to the first point automatically;

4)  To finish surveying this feature;
     a.  Tap the “Stop” button;

5)  To know the area of the polygon;
     a.  Tap the pin that was placed inside the polygon when you stopped surveying;
     b.  A balloon will show up with an image for the polygon filling type and the size of the area;
          i.  If you want to change the polygon filling type, tap the icon image inside the balloon;
          ii.  If you want to see other details of your feature surveying, including the area in different units, tap the text that is inside the balloon;