ArcNews Online
 

Winter 2001/2002
 

E-mail to a Friend

ArcPad 6 Now Includes Customization

Creating a personalized and customized field solution for data collection and updates is essential to ensure the integrity and value of your GIS data. Deploying an effective field GIS solution requires, at a minimum, a customized user interface with custom toolbars, buttons, dialogs, and user-defined forms for data input and validation--all of which are available with the latest release of Esri's mobile GIS technology, ArcPad 6. Version 6 marks a significant milestone in the development of ArcPad with the introduction of personalization and customization. The ability to customize ArcPad 6 enables users to target their applications to meet their specific data collection needs out in the field.

 collage of ArcPad screen shots and a Compaq pocket PC
Create effective field solutions with ArcPad 6 that include custom tools and user-defined forms with image boxes and data validation.

Customization with the ArcPad Application Builder

At ArcPad 6, users are able to personalize and customize ArcPad using the ArcPad Application Builder. The ArcPad Application Builder includes a desktop customization application called ArcPad Studio. ArcPad Studio enables users to create new toolbars that contain built-in and custom tools, design custom forms to streamline data collection in the field, build applets that focus on unique goals, and write scripts that interact with ArcPad internal objects. Users can also develop extensions to support new file formats and positioning services. All customization for ArcPad is performed on the desktop and deployed on the mobile device. The ArcPad Application Builder includes a copy of ArcPad Studio, ArcPad 6, detailed documentation, sample code, and first-year maintenance.

Extended GPS Support

GPS support for basic navigation and GPS data capture at ArcPad 6 is extended worldwide to all receivers that support any of the following GPS protocols: NMEA (National Marine Electronics Association), TSIP (Trimble Standard Interface Protocol), PLGR (Precision Lightweight GPS Receiver), and the Delorme Earthmate binary protocol. In addition, ArcPad 6 includes new options for setting GPS quality controls such as PDOP (Position Dilution of Precision) and EPE (Estimated Position Error) and allows for position averaging for points and vertices.

Additional Enhancements to Key Areas

ArcPad 6 provides additional enhancements to the following key areas: editing, query, navigation, and map display. At version 6, the editing capabilities are extended with tools to add, delete, and move vertices for lines and polygons; tools to append vertices to existing line features; and support for point-mode digitizing with a pen or GPS input. The Find tool includes additional search operators for string and numeric fields, enabling users to focus their queries. The addition of spatial bookmarks and tools to pan and zoom to a specified coordinate improves map navigation capabilities. Map display and symbolization includes support for graduated symbols and colors, labeling of lines and polygons, and raster symbols.

Mobile Client for ArcGIS

Another important enhancement to ArcPad 6 is the creation of ArcPad tools for ArcGIS 8.1. This allows users to extract, convert, and project their data using the ArcGIS Desktop products (ArcView, ArcEditor, and ArcInfo).

Availability

ArcPad 6 and the ArcPad Application Builder will be available in the winter of 2001/2002. ArcPad supports Windows CE 2.11, 2.12, 3.0, and Pocket PC 2002. ArcPad also runs on Windows 95/98, NT, and 2000 platforms.

For more information and to download a free evaluation copy of ArcPad 5.0.1, visit www.esri.com/arcpad. To order ArcPad in the United States, call Esri at 1-800-447-9778, call your Esri regional office, or contact your local reseller. Outside the United States, please contact your local Esri distributor.

Contact Us | Privacy | Legal | Site Map