In general, you do not want to add large map files - for example, the map of an entire country - to the GPS unit. Ask for help from Spatial Data Center faculty and staff for assistance in preparing map files for upload to your GPS unit.
Load a Map Satelite Image or Shape File onto the GPS Using ActiveSync
If you have a laptop computer from the Spatial Data Center, Microsoft ActiveSync should already be installed on the Desktop of the Computer.
1. Browse the computer to find the saved map document.
2. Right-click on the file you want to add to the GPS unit. Choose Copy from the pop up menu.
3. Open the ActiveSync folder on the Desktop. It will be a folder with a circular blue arrow icon and a name that begins with Geo and ends in a string of numbers.
4. Choose the location in the ActiveSync folder where you would like to copy your file. Right click on any white space inside the folder where you want to store your file. Choose Paste.
5. Put your GPS unit into its dock. Make sure that the unit is fully docked by pressing gently but firmly until the front latch clicks and the light next to the power button lights up. Microsoft ActiveSync will start automatically, and load your file into the mirror file on the GPS unit.
Add a Satellite Image or Shapefile as a Base Map Layer for GPS Data Collection
The GPS unit creates latitude and longitude points in a blank layer file. Adding a satellite image, shape file, or contour image can provide visual context for longitude/latitude readings you take with the GPS unit, so that you can relate your own position in the landscape to the latitude/longitude points you record.
ArcPad automatically opens to the Open Map window. To add a new satellite image or map layer, close the Open Map window by clicking on the red X at the bottom of the screen. This will take you to the main ArcPad screen.
- Tap on the Add Layer pull down menu - it lookes like a yellow piece of paper with a green plus sign at the bottom.
- Tap Add Layer
- In the list of file locations, choose the location in which your satellite image or map layer is stored. When you tap on a storage location, all the files stored in that location will appear in a list with red check marks next to them.
- Uncheck all but the files you want to add to your ArcPad map.
- Tap OK in the bottom, left hand side of the screen.
- If you have not set a Projection for the map layer or satellite photo, ArcPad will ask you if you want to assume the Projection is GCS_WGS_1984. Tap Yes. Depending upon the size of the map file, it may take a while to load.
To Continue Working with a Map Document in ArcPad 8
In the Open Map window of ArcPad, click on the open folder icon at the bottom of the screen.
The Folder option should be set to All Folders
Set the Type option to All Files (.). All of the files loaded onto the GPS unit, including those stored on the SDHC card should appear.
Choose the file you want to use as your basemap.
If you have not set a projection for the basemap or satellite photo, ArcPad will ask you if you want to assume the projection is GCS_WGS_1984. Click yes. Depending upon the size of the map file, it may take a while to load.
Create a New Shapefile in ArcPad 8
If you are going to capture GPS data, you must do so by first creating a new Shape File in ArcPad.
With ArcPad open, click on the GPS device icon just below the Windows icon.
Tap New -> Shapefile
To collect GPS latitude/longitude data, the Type should be set to Point.
Code Page should be set to Unicode UTF-8
You can add new fields by hand that will become Attribute fields in your Shapefile. OR if you have a file from another project that has the fields you want to use, you can import it. To import a file, you must save it as a .dbf file and upload it to the GPS unit using ActiveSync. When you are done adding or importing fields, click OK.
Name your document, choose a folder for it, and choose whether or not you want to save it to the Main Memory or the SD Card. Saving to the SD card allows you to bypass the use of ActiveSync and plug the SD card into a card reader that can be used by your computer to directly download the file from the GPS unit.