It's cold and wet so I am huddling in front of the computer trying my hand at some GIS. I downloaded QGIS open source software and have been playing with it this afternoon. I need some ideas of what I can do with it. I've had an ArcGIS class in the past and have used some of the AcadMap routines. In the class we were handed datasets and simply had to put the layers together like a cookbook to make a map or run an analysis- very easy.
I've found some USGS datasets to play around with and been able to add DXF and CSV data of my CAD linework and points, but I am out of ideas of what to do with it. I suppose I can use it to make vicinity maps, but will probably not find the base data that I am happy with.
At an old job, I used AcadMap and attempted to link surveyed parcels and job data into an interactive map, however, I stumbled with some of the data linking.
I ask my fellow Surveyors-
Who uses a GIS program regularly?
What do you use it for?
You can import DXF files.
You can import DEMs.
You can use the GRASS plugins to make pretty slope aspect maps.
You can mix and match different SHP files from different datums.
You can do cool buffering stuff, like, buffer all the roads by 1 mile and all the trails and lakes by half a mile, see what's left (theoretically that's where the deer are and the hikers don't go, adjust to taste).
You can use the Garmin tools to import a GPX file from your handheld.
You can use OpenStreetMaps as a background image.
Probably a bunch more. It's a fun toy.
I hear there's a county in Pennsylvania that could use some help...
Indeed. I believe that would be Dauphin county if memory serves.
http://beerleg.com/index.php?mode=thread&id=234255
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I have it open every day.
I work for a local Council so I might have access to more base layers than some.
This includes AsCon, Accurate Aerials, ALS contours and a large manner of other useful layers. (Cadastre is just as innacurate though......)
I use it to perfom a loose georeference of Tiffs.
Show data to other, non-spatial aware, coworkers.
The big one though, is project managment.
All jobs and details are entered.
You can quickly and easily see what jobs were done in which areas and when.
Links back to those specific project files.
Can search on any element of the job (Status, Contact, Surveyor in Charge) "How many jobs are 'In Progress' "
Perform managerial searches 'How many jobs were completed in X month'
Use to estimate/Quote on future jobs. This project of similar size in simalar area costed us '$x' so therefore...
Quick and easy to find where/when/what any job we have ever done (since implementation) and vast amounts of useful job data which is super easy to find.
i have been converting the lidar obtained for the new fema maps to contour shape files, then i bring it into cad map so i can use it.
right, wrong or indifferent, i broke nmas (national map accuracy standards) by contouring 1' intervals. i figure fema did the same when they published flood elevations to the foot, though i guess i should know better.
There is Autocad, and there is ArcGis.
The Twain have never met.
The concepts are so entirely different that is unlikely they will in the near future.
Autocad is the one saying that they can now import this and that and yada. None of that makes Autocad a GIS platform. It is not on the path to become a topologically relational database anytime soon.
The GIS subreddit has a good forum with lots of knowledgeable people. Also someone created a new subreddit for Map Projects, although there isn't much content yet.
