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What is new in GISsurfer v 3.0
Some of these features have appeared in GISsurfer over the last few months and are now being documented.
1. GISsurfer documentation.
All the documentation has been reviewed and updated as needed.
Near the top of the GISsurfer help page is a section with links to several PDF files with detailed documentation. Several new PDF files have been added. One of the new PDF files shows how some (but not all) ArcGIS MapServer data can be restyled using dynamic layers so it is easier to see on the map. This is extremely useful and simple to do once you know the syntax. The GISsurfer Help page also includes a description of the features available under the "Menu" button and a brief description of the basemaps built into GISsurfer.
2. Make georeferenced screenshots that adjoin.
This is potentially the most useful update in the 10+ years that I have been producing GISsurfer and its predecessor, Gmap4. Georeferenced screenshots can display almost any GIS, GPX or other data that GISsurfer can display.
A screenshot is 'georeferenced' when you know the latitude longitude for the area covered by the screenshot. GISsurfer now lets you (1) make georeferenced screenshots that are 100% map and (2) shift the screen exactly one screen worth up/down/left/right. Using that feature, you can make a series of screenshots that exactly adjoin and therefore are easy to stitch together into a composite JPG or PNG image. GISsurfer provides the georeference data.
Here are several ways that these georeferenced images can be used.
First, the main reason I added this feature for taking georeferenced screenshots that exactly adjoin is so these JPGs could be used by the GeoJPG web app as offline maps on both iOS and Android devices. GeoJPG lets you view your own custom maps offline with NO ads, NO tracking, NO signup and NO fees. For more information please see the GeoJPG website.
Second, another way to view these georeferenced images is with the situational awareness software ATAK(Android), ITAK (iOS) and WinTAK (Windows). This free software was originally developed by the Department of Defense and is becoming increasingly popular in the world of first response, including for wildland fires. You can make georeferenced JPG or PNG images consisting of one or more screenshots and that highlight multiple GIS layers. A georeferenced PNG overlay with a transparent background can be displayed on top of any basemap. Instructions are provided for including georeferenced images in KMZ files for use with these programs.
Third, KMZ files containing georeferenced images can also be opened with Google Earth, QGIS and various other programs.
Fourth, georeferenced JPGs can be 'tiled' with free software and then used as custom basemaps in Garmin devices.
For complete details on making georeferenced images along with examples and instructions for including these images in KMZ files, please see this pdf.
https://mappingsupport.com/p2/help/GISsurfer-georeference-images.pdf
3. Support added for WMS servers.
You can now make a GISsurfer map link to display basemaps and/or overlays with data that is hosted on WMS servers. See the data parameter PDF file for more information.
4. Support added for XYZ tile servers.
You can now make a GISsurfer map link to display basemaps and/or overlays with data that is hosted on XYZ tile servers. See the data parameter PDF file for more information.
5. Data parameter.
There is a new PDF file that documents how to use the &data parameter.
https://mappingsupport.com/p2/help/GISsurfer-data-parameter.pdf.
The &data parameter can now be used to specify more information for the map to show. The documentation refers to this as delimited data. Additional features for the &data parameter will be added in a future update.
Currently you can use the &data parameter to specify any of the following.
Map title
GIS basemaps (in addition to the built-in basemaps)
GIS overlays (in addition to the built-in overlays)
Multiple markers
Multiple lines. Set line width/color
Multiple GPX files with route data. Set line width/color
Multiple georeferenced JPG and PNG files
Multiple TXT files that specify any of the above items
Instead of having a GISsurfer link with an extremely lengthy &data parameter you can (1) put the information for the &data parameter into a txt file and set the &data parameter to the address of the txt file. These txt files can be nested one layer deep.
Anyone can place txt files, GPX files and JPG files online at no cost. The PDF documentation for the &data parameter (see link above) shows you how to do this.
6. The NOAA marine map has returned.
This map has been remade to reflect changes on NOAA's GIS server. To find the link, open any GISsurfer map and click Menu ==> Recreation maps. There are now two versions of this map so be sure to read the "Map tips" after you open the map.
7. Map scale.
The map scale can display feet/miles or meters/kilometers.
a. The Menu button now has a choice to change the scale.
b. Use the &scale= parameter to set the scale in the GISsurfer map link.
c. If you turn geolocation on then the geolocation accuracy value will be displayed in either feet or meters based on the current scale type.
8. Improved display of contour lines.
Two of the built-in overlays display contour lines for the USA. Since these overlays exactly match the contour lines on certain basemaps you can try turning these overlays on to emphasize the contour data.
9. Right click and mobile simulated right click.
a. On a larger screen the right click data now displays in a sidebar.
b. If you are online when you right click then the USA elevation (except in Alaska) and worldwide declination will display. Regarding elevation, the USGS reports that "[t]he elevations provided by the Elevation Point Query Service are Orthometric Height (that approximate Mean Sea Level). They are not Ellipsoidal Heights."
10. Touch screen and list of overlays.
When you are using a touch screen and turn an overlay on/off the list of overlays no longer automatically goes to the top of the list. This will make it easier to turn multiple overlays on/off with less scrolling.
11. Geolocation.
When geolocation is 'on' and you tap the location symbol the display now also includes a button that will copy the coordinates and accuracy value to the clipboard.
12. "USA imagery" basemap.
This is a new basemap and will usually display faster than the "USA NAIP aerial" basemap.
13. "USA scanned topo" basemap.
This is a name change. The old name was "ESRI scanned topo". GISsurfer map links with the old name will still work. New map links should use the new basemap name. This basemap displays the 1:24,000 paper topographic maps that the USGS stopped producing.
14. "USA forest service topo" basemap.
This basemap is produced by the U.S. Forest Service and covers all national forests. This basemap can be improved by adding GIS overlays to show tree cover, highlight the trails and trailheads, show closed roads, etc. To see an example, open any GISsurfer map and click Menu > Recreation maps. Scroll down to the map link titled "USFS trails with USA forest service topo". That map with those GIS overlays covers all national forest land. This basemap was added to GISsurfer a few months ago under the name "USA forest service topo".
15. "World topo" basemap.
This is a name change. The old name was "ESRI topographic". GISsurfer map links with the old name will still work. New map links should use the new basemap name.
16. "World street" basemap.
This is a name change. The old name was "ESRI streets relief". GISsurfer map links with the old name will still work. New map links should use the new basemap name.
17. "World imagery" basemap.
This is a new basemap.
18. Open Street Map basemap.
If you like the OSM map then you can turn on the basemap "ESRI open street map".
19. Deprecated link parameters.
The link parameters &inline, &txtfile and &textfile have been deprecated. Existing GISsurfer links that use these parameters should still work. However, future GISsurfer links should use the &data parameter instead.
20. Old Gmap4 map links will open a GISsurfer map.
There are some limitations to this feature. GPX files will be displayed by GISsurfer however KML files are not currently supported by GISsurfer.