Utilizing Garmin MapSource &
Virtual Alabama - Google Earth EC
for Handheld GPS Applications
Agronomy Team Training
December 1-3, 2008
Doublehead Lodge, Town Creek, AL
Amy Winstead
Alabama Cooperative Extension System
Precision Ag
Team
Garmin MapSource
• Trip and Waypoint Manager
– Basic maps included, can purchase more detailed
maps
– Import and Export GPS points & tracks from your
Garmin
– Create new points/tracks for your Garmin
– Share information
– Save and print projects
– Direction capabilites
Precision Ag
Team
Shortcut icons
Toolbar
Data
Map View
Coordinates
Precision Ag
Team
Import data from Garmin
• Select ‘Transfer’ from the
toolbar
• Choose Receive from Device
• Make sure your Garmin unit
is connected to the
computer
• Your device should appear
in the drop down menu
• Select the information to
receive (points, tracks, etc.)
• Click ‘Receive’
Precision Ag
Team
Import data from Garmin
• Click OK once the data
has been imported
successfully.
Precision Ag
Team
View Imported Data
• Select the appropriate
tab on the left hand
menu (map, waypoint,
etc.) to see your
imported data.
• Click on the name to
highlight the point you
wish to view and/or
edit.
Precision Ag
Team
View Imported Data
• Double-click on the
point to view the
properties tab
• You can change the
name, symbol, see
coordinates, etc.
Precision Ag
Team
View Imported Data
• Select More Details to
show further options
for editing
• Select ‘Show on Map’
to view
Precision Ag
Team
View Imported Data
• Click ‘OK’ to save
property edits and
view map
• Use the icons on the
shortcut toolbar to
zoom the map view,
move the map,
measure, add
waypoints, etc.
Precision Ag
Team
View Imported Data
• Select the view tab on
the toolbar
• Click on ‘View in
Google Earth’ at the
bottom of the drop
down menu.
Precision Ag
Team
Virtual Alabama Google Earth EC
Precision Ag
Team
What is Virtual Alabama?
• Project led by AL DHS (Gov. Riley)
• Leverage existing state asset imagery and
infrastructure data into a visualization tool
using internet based applications.
• 3D globe interface retrieves images from
global dataset
• Data is integrated & distributed securely
across the internet
Precision Ag
Team
What is Virtual Alabama?
• Operational August 2006
• Primary partners are AL DHS & US Space and
Rocket Center
• Wide variety of state and local officials and
government agencies
• Nov. 2007 over 1800 users and imagery
available from all 67 counties
Precision Ag
Team
Benefits
• Improve efficiencies and cost savings
• Provides overall visual representation of
state’s data inventory
• Collaborative partnership
• Forum for new data acquisitions
• Cost sharing opportunities
Precision Ag
Team
User community
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Federal, State, and Local Officials
Government agencies
Emergency Management
Public Safety
Economic Development/Planning
Law Enforcement
Transportation
Education
Agriculture
Precision Ag
Team
Applications for Extension Use
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Access to up-to-date aerial imagery
Ability to import data (points, boundaries)
Acreage determination
Add features, mark locations
3D visualization tool
Map creation capabilities
Latitude/Longitude Coordinate information
Direction information
Precision Ag
Team
Shortcut tools (hold mouse cursor over
icon for details)
Toolbar
Navigation
Tools
Search
Panel
Data
added by
user
3D Viewer
Layer
options
Coordinates
Precision Ag
Team
Elevation
Navigation controls
1. Use the tilt slider to change the tilt
of the map. Double click the icons
at the end of the slider to reset the
tilt.
2. Use the joystick to move the
center point of the view down, up,
right or left. Click the center, hold
the mouse button, and move in
any direction.
3. Click the direction arrows to move
the view in the direction you wish.
Precision Ag
Team
Navigation controls
4. Click the north up button to
reset the view so that north is at
the top of the screen.
5. Use the zoom slider to zoom in
or out (+ to zoom in, - to zoom
out). Double click the icons at
the end of the slider to reset the
zoom all the in or out.
6. Click and drag the navigation ring
to rotate the view.
Precision Ag
Team
Search Panel
•Enter your address,
city, or specific places
(Birmingham Zoo)
and click the
magnifying glass to
begin the search
• Check the box to
select the correct
location and then
click on the location
• The map will zoom
to the location you’ve
selected
Precision Ag
Team
Places Panel
•Use this to locate,
save, organize and
revist locations you
have placemarked or
imported
•Click the ‘+’ sign to the
left to expand each
item
•Click on the item to
zoom to it on the map
Precision Ag
Team
Layers Panel
•Use the ‘+’ sign to the
left of each layer to
expand and view the
options available
• Check the box to
select the layer for
viewing on the map
• Make sure All layers is
selected in the View
box
• On some layer options
you may need to zoom
in or out on your map
view to the see the
layer option appear
Precision Ag
Team
View Imported Data
• Find the ‘MapSource’
item on the Places
Panel
• Click the ‘+’ icon to the
left to expand and
view the data
imported from
Mapsource
Precision Ag
Team
View Imported Data
• Make sure the box is
selected next to the
items you wish to view
on the map
• Double click on the
item to zoom to it on
the map
• Use the navigation
tools or your mouse to
zoom in/out
Precision Ag
Team
Edit Data
• Right click on the point
to view edit options –
Select ‘properties’ at the
bottom of the menu
• Use the Placemark box
to edit the icon, color,
name, and obtain
coordinates
• Click on the icon in the
top right hand to change
• Select the boxes beside
color to edit colors
Precision Ag
Team
Adding Points
• Click the Placemark icon
(yellow thumbtack) on the
shortcut menu OR go to ‘Add’
on the toolbar and select
placemark
• Select a name, color, icon, etc.
for your point from the
properties
• Click and drag the icon to the
appropriate location on the
map (You can also enter
coordinates on the properties
tab to locate your mark on a
specific location)
Precision Ag
Team
Adding Polygons
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Click the Polygon icon on the shortcut menu
OR go to ‘Add’ on the toolbar and select
polygon
To draw your polygon, single click on the
starting point
Select a name, color, icon, etc. for your
polygon from the properties menu
In the properties menu select altitude and
change to 1m
Go back to map (leaving properties menu
open) and complete your polygon by clicking
on the next point in the shape. Click and
release to add points to create the desired
shape
To undo a point in the shape right click
Click ‘OK’ on the properties tab when finished
– you should see your new polygon in the
places panel
Precision Ag
Team
Measure
• Click the Measure icon on
the shortcut menu
• Select the shape you wish to
measure & determine the
measurement units from the
drop down menus
• Outline the area you wish to
measure using your mouse
(just like adding a path,
polygon, etc.
• For circles, click your mouse
in the center of the circular
area and using your mouse
move out from the center.
Click again when finished.
Precision Ag
Team
Printing
• Zoom into the map
area you want to print
• Select ‘File’ and Print
to print your image
• Choose the option for
printing and click print
Precision Ag
Team
Save the image
• You can save the map
view as an image and
then insert into Word or
PowerPoint projects
• To save select ‘File’ –
Save and choose Save As
• Select the appropriate
quality and click on Save
• Choose file type (usually
jpeg) and computer
location to save in
Precision Ag
Team
Save Project and Data
• You can save your
current project and the
data you imported
• Useful to share with
others
• Choose File – Save and
Save Place As
Precision Ag
Team