Notes from the Director
DeLorme Releases XMap 7
The XMap team at DeLorme is pleased to announce that the XMap 7 suite is now available. Over the last several months, the software design, development, and testing groups have been working long hours to craft what we feel is the most significant upgrade to the XMap product suite to date.
As with all previous XMap releases, much of the impetus behind the new feature list can be attributed to current XMap customers and users. You asked for more powerful field data collection, we developed XMap Forms for laptop- or GPS-based information gathering; you asked for a world base map, we created the first seamless, consistent, global vector dataset; you asked for improved interoperability between XMap and the handheld Earthmate PN-40 GPS receiver, we redesigned the map cutting process and provided direct exchange of GIS layers with the device; and much more.
Read on to find out about several significant new features and improvements to some of XMap’s core functionality and you could even win your own Earthmate PN-40 GPS receiver and a copy of XMap 7 Professional.
Geoffrey Ives
Director of Professional Sales
What's New in XMap 7?
The XMap 7 suite includes a wide array of new and improved mapping and GIS functions in the desktop software and on the Earthmate PN-40 GPS receiver.
New Features
- XMap Forms:
New data collection and editing tool for XMap and Earthmate PN-40 (for more information, click here)
- Two-way data synchronization:
Automatically send data to XMap users in the field and integrate edits and additions into a corporate GIS database
- Advanced document embedding:
Assign a file to a GIS object on the map; open, edit, and save the file before synchronizing it back to the data administrator (for more information, click here)
Attribute Management Improvements
- Attribute Constraints:
Establish rules that govern which attribute values can be assigned to an object when gathering or editing data
- Improved attribute field creation:
Choose simple, formula, or constrained field
- Initial value for a new field:
Simplify data input by establishing default attribute values for each new object in a layer
- User-defined decimal precision:
Select the number of decimal places when creating or editing a number field
- Data type editing:
Change the data type for any compatible attribute field
- Many-to-one attribute linking:
Import additional attributes and assign a recurring attribute to multiple objects in a layer
- Unlinked record reporting:
Save information on unmatched or duplicated records when linking external attributes
Tab Tip—Using XMap Forms to Collect or Edit GIS Data in the Field
The all-new XMap Forms feature is without doubt the single most important addition to the XMap 7 suite. Designed as a simple and affordable tool for viewing, collecting, and editing GIS data in the field, XMap Forms can be created for use on a PC or on the Earthmate PN-40 handheld GPS receiver.
An XMap form provides a user-friendly interface for displaying the attributes assigned to an object in a GIS layer or for recording new point locations and their associated attribute information. To simplify this data collection process and to ensure data accuracy and consistency, the data administrator can establish drop-down lists or check boxes as an alternative to manual text entry. Field-collected or edited data is automatically merged or integrated into the originating GIS layer through XMap’s innovative two-way synchronization process or the PN-40’s Exchange function.
XMap Forms is fully compatible with all versions of XMap 7 including the affordable XMap Professional. To enable form-based data viewing or collection, the XMap Professional user must purchase a separate XMap Forms license. This license, which is available by calling the XMap sales team at 1-800-239-2389, significantly increases the value of the software by transforming its GIS functionality from simple data viewing to powerful data collection.
XMap Q & A—I have been using the embedded document tool in XMap 6—what's different in version 7?
The most important distinction between the document embedding functionality in XMap 6 and XMap 7 is that in the newer version documents can be opened, edited, and saved in the XMap OpenSpace database.
Document embedding was first introduced to the XMap suite in version 5 and it was intended as a tool for assigning a file, such as a photograph or a schematic diagram, to an object on the map. To accommodate this process, a new type of attribute field was developed that offered the option to upload the document or file and store it in the database.
Anyone with access to this layer—either locally, through OpenSpace file transfer, or synchronization—could open the file by clicking the appropriate cell in the attribute table. This one-way file distribution process did not permit the file to be edited and embedded again, so the recipient of the layer would be required to manually send any updated files to the data administrator as an e-mail attachment.
During the initial discussions of the feature requirements for XMap 7, embedded document editing was one of the first items added to the must have list. Additionally it was decided that the management of embedded documents should not limited to the attribute table but should also be available by clicking an object on the map. A new right-click feature now offers the option to upload, open, edit, save, or delete a file that is associated with the selected point, line, or polygon.
This list of options is available in all versions of XMap 7, so that even a field worker using XMap Professional can upload an image or complete a spreadsheet report and save it to a local database in preparation for synchronization to the data administrator.
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Where on Eartha
August’s Where on Eartha challenge paid a visit to the world’s newest country, East Timor and its capital city Dili. The first randomly drawn correct response belonged to Roger Wingate from the U.S. Forest Service's Pacific Southwest Research Station, Silviculture Laboratory. Roger will be receiving a copy of XMap 7 Professional along with an Earthmate LT-40 GPS receiver and a copy of the latest USA Topographic data.
This month, as a tip of the hat to our newly released XMap World Base Map data, we’re using a vector map to denote the latest stop on our global tour. Using XMap’s Customize Map Features tool, we’ve removed certain features such as roads and place names that would have made the challenge less challenging. The pushpin is once again lodged in a national capital and your task is to determine its name and the country within which it lies.
If you think you know the answer, send your response in an email to contest@delorme.com before November 30, 2009. The first randomly drawn correct entry will receive a copy of XMap 7 and, to celebrate the release of XMap 7, an Earthmate PN-40 handheld GPS receiver. Good luck!
Try XMap 7 for Free
If you are new to XMap and you want to see what all the fuss is about, why not take it for a test drive? DeLorme now offers a free downloadable trial version of the Enterprise version of XMap 7 that will that will let you kick the tires and check under the hood for 30 days before you buy.
At the end of the trial period, the software will automatically expire; however, you can easily install a full version and all of your XMap projects created during the trial period will remain intact.
Download Now
New Software, New Website!
Have you visited xmap.com recently? Stop by and you’ll see that DeLorme software developers aren’t the only ones who’ve been working hard recently. The Web crew have redesigned, reorganized, and reconfigured the site to streamline access to information and simplify the purchase process. Comments or suggestions? Drop us an e-mail and let us know what you think.
Canadian Topographic Maps Now Available from the XMap Map Library
Since DeLorme unveiled the Map Library service over a year ago, the response has been overwhelming. Countless XMap users have taken advantage of the unlimited downloads of aerial imagery, USGS maps, NOAA charts, and more— all for under $30 a year. This remarkable deal just got even sweeter. Now Map Library subscribers can download detailed Canadian topographic maps that have been geo-referenced and converted into XMap format. These maps are fully compatible with any version of XMap and they can be easily transferred to the Earthmate PN-40.
Did you know...?
Did you know that you can use your XMap Map Library subscription number to download aerial imagery and other datasets directly from DeLorme’s data archives at data.delorme.com? This online service allows you to add layers to your PN-40 even if you don’t have access to a copy of XMap. Because it is a browser-based system, it even allows you to download data and transfer maps to the device using a Mac or any other operating system.
We Want to Meet You!
Visit us at these upcoming events:
Water and Wastewater Technical Conference, Exhibition & Meeting
December 8-9, 2009
Freeport, ME
ESRI Petroleum User Group
February 22-24, 2010
Houston, TX
ESRI Federal User Group
February 17-19, 2010
Washington DC
Stop by the DeLorme booth at any of these events and enter to win a drawing for a DeLorme product.
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