Free GIS Sites and software - Australian Geography Teachers

Free GIS Sites and Software
Alex Robertson
Saint Ignatius’ College, Athelstone
alex.robertson@ignatius.sa.edu.au
Web Manager
Geography Teachers’ Association of South Australia
AGTA – GIS Conference,
Launceston, Tasmania
January 2006
Session Details
• Software definitions (freeware, shareware,
licences: computer and networks)
• GIS: Stand Alone Software
• Freeware – GIS
• Basics
• Web Applications
• GPS
• GIS data: relevant sites
• Advanced tools
• VRML
• Play
Software Definitions
• EULA: End User Licence Agreements
• Licences: various – stand alone, networked
computer and networks etc.
• Open Source – yours to use adapt and share
• Shareware - cost involved
• Freeware – yours to use; not distribute
• Caveat emptor*
• Web-based Programs – no such problem with
these licences as data is “free” to use
NB: Screen dumps & analytical exercises
GIS Software
• The Known: ESRI - Arcview & MapInfo
– Data sources as a problem… Local data
• Other Alternatives:
– Fieldwork (GIS & GPS to create own databases)
– Sites to download data (Aust Government topographic…)
• Freeware:
- University-based/commercial products: Gifted & Talented students for future use
Other programs are ready to use simple stand alone set-ups
- Some programs can be used now without the need for training/assistance
• Online Alternatives
– Constructivist outlook for education: individual programmes
– Data developed by someone else (C21st textbook learning)
– Classroom/examination material
GRASS
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GRASS is GIS Software similar to Arcview
It is an Open Licence software program
Like commercial products, it needs some server installation as well as client
side installation
File types: *.grs file
Modules can be downloaded on an as need basis, gratis
User manuals can also be obtained
Can import/export data from other formats
Disadvantages: no helpdesk style support (email/web forums are available)
Specialisations have been developed by software engineers for end user
purposes: school-friendly ones as well as high end purposes.
Website: http://grass.itc.it/ ;
Also information at Sourceforge: http://grass.sourceforge.net
Genesis II
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Genesis II generates photo-realistic images of landscapes. Images can be
generated in a few mouse clicks using a landscape grid and the program
defaults.
Tutorial1-dtm_model.htm
Tutorial2– bitmap_draping.htm
Commercial and Freeware Versions
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Website: http://geomantics.org/ (associated with a Scots University)
Map Filter
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MapFilter is a simple image processing
application designed for use with
Genesis II software. It provides a
quick and simple way to extract
contour information from a scanned
map (bitmap) image for use by these
programs.
The scanned contour information
allows for contour draping once
contours are defined (with different
colours/values.
It is time consuming to ‘colour’
contours but worth the effort to show a
draped location in Genesis II
Website: http://www.geomantics.com/
Geomatica FreeView
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Geomatica FreeView 9 is a flexible data viewing tool supporting over 100
raster and vector formats for loading, viewing, selection, and enhancement.
FreeView is useful for any geospatial data viewing application, and is freely
distributable.
But:
• Data cannot be edited or saved.
• Data in the interface is marked as read only.
• The viewer does not offer any capabilities for analytical work.
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Good for satellite image interpretation/RGB layer composition;
real vs. false colour imagery: histograms to display colour distribution
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Website http://www.pcigeomatics.com
Canadian Product with other add on features (at cost).
OpenEV
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Application for viewing and analysing raster and vector geospatial data in 2D and
3D
Website: http://openev.sourceforge.net/
Python Language authored
Similar to Geomatica Freeview in viewing of imagery but has MapInfo facility
Flowmap
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Spatial analysis tool focusing in on linear relationships
Website: http://flowmap.geog.uu.nl
Good for small areas but larger areas need more computing power than average
stand alone machines (mainframes)
Web Basics – WWW Sites
• Three Generations of Sites
• Pre – 2000 to 2002 RGB (colour bitmap) mapping
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Limited pan-zoom; no hotlinks; limited features
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Dr Snow’s mapping achievements Waldo Tobler: National Center for Geographic Information and
Analysis: Geography Dept University of California, Santa Barbara, 1994
• 2002 onwards:
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multi-spectrum colour; isoline: choropleth/colour mapping
Hot links; different map imaged for different scales; java scripting & specialisation of
languages;
• Third Generation/Type: Information Database with GIS
component: eg: Atlas of South Australia; OzEstuaries
Charles Sturt University, Australia
Basic Mapping Output
University of Canterbury –
Access Antarctica
Bureau of Rural Sciences
Bushfire Risk – Duffy, ACT
GIS and Databases
Satellite Image Interpretation
• Ozesturaries Site:
http://www.ozestuaries.org
• Not only mapping imagery;
Satellite information available
• Low resolution material;
Imagery usually only a section of the
screen rather than a sizeable portion.
• Supplementary material about
relevant sites/data within the
site/external links.
St Kilda - Port Gawler Site, North of Adelaide
NOAA – Click and Zoom
Forecasting
GIS Web-based Interfaces
• A sample of sites…
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Australian Toilet Map: http://www.toiletmap.gov.au
Estuaries – http://www.ozestuaries.org
Australian Natural Resources Atlas Online:
http://audit.deh.gov.au/ANRA/atlas_home.cfm
Geoscience Australia Earthquake database
http://www.ga.gov.au/oracle/quake/quake_online.jsp
Bureau of Rural Sciences
http://adl.brs.gov.au/mapserv/biomass/index.phtml
Planning SA – Maps Online:
http://www.planning.sa.gov.au/maps_online/index.html
Atlas of South Australia: http://www.atlas.sa.gov.au/
http://www.asris.csiro.au
Google Maps: http://maps.google.com
Multimap: http://www.multimap.com
New South Wales Natural Resources Atlas: http://www.is.dwc.gov.au
GPS Programs
• Purpose of the data: correct GPS Usage with hardware;
coordinate systems; initialisation and waypoint usage
• Correct Datum for your area: local knowledge and
beware for updates of this datum type
• Freeware & Evaluation Versions in a student context –
user friendly and immediately accessible
• Creating a fun environment: harnessing their interest at
school/from home
• Fieldwork for this type of exercise: mapping to a context
– GPS & GIS conversions
EasyGPS
Easy GPS –
Website: http://www.topographix.com; http://www.easygps.com
Abilities to send and receive (upload/download) waypoints with symbols to plot
precise locations; insertion of own symbols/waypoints etc for data
GPS Utility
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Shareware: Freeware (evaluation version) and/or full licence version
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Website: http://www.gpsu.co.uk
Data entry the most convenient feature for manipulating information for
uploading.
GPS Track Maker
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South American (Brazilian) Software:
Freeware and Fully Licensed versions
GPS Track Maker is a GPS data
transfer program, which has drawing
capabilities, a map underlay feature,
trail logs insertions and other features
in the one program.
Website: http://www.gpstm.com
Layer available to underlay a map
image to relevant tracks
Visual GPS
• WYSIWYG GPS for laptop operation
(nb: data ports)
• Reports signal strength; satellite position (astronomical:
azimuth and elevation) waypoint and tracklog positions
• One tool for encouraging e-learning; vehicular basis: camps
& small scale fieldwork: constructivist approach
• Website: http://www.visualgps.net/
Visual GPS
Google Earth
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Commercial Product with freeware component
Keyhole Community (use of infrastructure: eg: message boards)
Three levels: Standard, Plus & Pro
Satellite Imagery (various resolutions) plus pan, tilt, &
overlays
• Educational community:
• Educational Pro: Version 2 Licences gratis until
31/6/2006
Krakatau, Indonesia
Urban View – aerial photograph
Urban View - oblique angle
Satellite Mosaic
Google Earth
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Movie link
Google Earth
GIS Data Resources
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Office of Spatial Data Management: http://www.osdm.gov.au
Geoscience Australia: http://www.ga.gov.au/
(includes licence agreements for use of data;
email address & download bandwidth essential)
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http://www.geocomm.com/
ABS Census At Schools Project – 2006
Also see A4 sheet:
What is VRML?
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VRML allows for 3D objects to be shown and manipulated in a web browser
They require installation files to view their file objects: these include
Cortona (Parallel Graphics)
Contact (blaxxun)
CosmoPlayer
More information can be found with the following sources:
X3D Working Group: http://web3d.org/x3d.html
FAQ: http://web3d.org/TaskGroups/x3d/faq/index.html
Hangzhou Project – Harvard University 2000
VRML
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GeoVRML: http://www.geovrml.org/tools/
Seamless3D VRML: http://www4.tpg.com.au/users/gperrett/seamless3d/
Netscape’s 3D VRML Guide:
http://wp.netscape.com/eng/live3d/howto/vrml_primer_index.html
**Virtual Terrain Project: http://vterrain.org/**
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Google Earth – Major USA Cities
– View layers section