Tracing polygon features from a google satellite image and uploading them to GPS receiver using DNRGPS

Overview
Our previous post dealt with a similar process but instead of polygons we were uploading routes. This post will demonstrate how polygon or area features can be digitally traced out on a google satellite image in google earth, saved as KML and then uploaded and stored as tracks in a GPS receiver.

Task
- Digitally trace out a polygon feature from a google satellite image in google earth and
Save the place as a Kml file format.
- Load it into DNR GPS and convert it to GPS Xchange file format(*gpx)
- Upload it as Tracks to the GPS receiver.

Procedure

1. Launch google earth and locate your polygon of interest. Pick the ADD POLYGON tool and digitally trace out the area. Give it a name in the dialog box and check that it is in the Places window (red boxed). Right Click on the polygon (area feature) >Save place as. The Save as dialog box will open; make sure it is save type as KML.


2. Launch DNR GPS and Go to File>Load From> Google Earth> My Places


3. An Open database dialog box will come up. Go down to Google Earth My places, click on it and click ADD (red boxed)


4. Fill the dialog box and OK to access the data in google earth my places and Press OK. A loaded data complete message will appear and the data will be loaded into DNR GPS.


5. Select name as the TRIDENT which simply means Type identify. Our Type identity is area feature


6. The kml file area feature will be loaded into DNR GPS


7. Go to File>Save to> File. In the Save as dialog box, save type as GPS Xchange Format



8. In this dialog window, Check Tracks as polygons are stored as Tracks in a GPS receiver. A message box will notify that the file has been successfully saved.


9. Connect the GPS receiver, Go to Tracks>Upload


10. Window will open to prompt you to name the uploaded data, click OK. A message box confirming Upload complete will pop up.


Check the GPX folder of the GPS receiver Drive in C. for the uploaded track.

Esri 60 day trial for ArcMap and ArcGIS Pro- A window of GIS opportunity

After our post on Georeferencing in QGIS, we received a couple of feedbacks by core Esri fans. In their feedbacks, they brought up the fact that since for the mean time the popular applications of ArcGIS and MapInfo still held sway in Nigeria, I should also put up demos on ArcGIS as this would enable a level playing ground for readers to examine both applications.


So the more pertinent question? How can I lay my hands on ArcGIS software to practice the lessons without having to purchase a pirated copy? I get that question from a lot of students and graduates. Well it is simple but it comes with a price tag, yes.


Esri has made available free download of a single license edition of ArcInfo and ArcMap or now called Arcmap and ArcGIS Pro- on its international website but before you shout hurray, here comes the price tag. It is only a 60 day free trial version!! Don’t despair because for any serious minded person, believe me, two months and a dedicated use of online resources can make a big difference in your proficiency in the use of ArcGIS software. You can always proceed in the bliss of QGIS when the trial is over but with the confidence that if challenged with ArcGIS, you won’t wither.

let us remember that the problem with most of us is that we do not adhere to a dedicated software study plan. Instead we leave it to the vagaries of time. Working with a trial software demands that one should make the best possible use of it in the trial period. I have watched with sadness as students use free school wifi to download gigabytes of films and TV series instead of enriching their knowledge of IT, especially professional softwares that will enhance their skill base. So will you blame the school when computer graduates cannot write ordinary html. Javascript etc?

Back to the topic at hand. For the serious minded ones, please follow the steps to download Esri ArcGIS to your laptop or desktop. This are outlined in the link below
https://www.dropbox.com/s/rm6phhhw1cbj0c6/Downloading%2060day%20Free%20trial%20of%20ArcMap%20and%20ArcGIS%20Pro.docx?dl=0
Note the following hardware and software requirements-

• Be sure your laptop has at least 2G of RAM. ArcGIS allocates almost 1gig of RAM for processing. Check your PC configuration.
• ArcMap requires Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 and Microsoft Internet Explorer version 7 or newer.

Hope you are already downloading as the next few posts will deal on working with ArcGIS.
Am expecting your feedbacks folks. Just go to the feedback page and roll them in.