Hello,

I have a beta for a plugin that allows creating a shapefile from jpegs that are tagged by GPS enabled cameras (Coordinate System assumed WGS84 for now)

The shapefile maintains the the following attributes:
Photo ID (Jpeg name)
Longitude
Latitude
Full Path

Please let me know how to upload to the plugin site.
This beta is meant for you to try.
Suggestions for improvements are welcome.

Thanks

Cheers

Christian Degrassi, MA
Geographer
GIS Analyst/Developer



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/28/2010 04:53PM by cdegrassi.

All,

the plugin is ready [www.mapwindow.org]

It is very simple and I would appreciate suggestions for improvements and for additional functions.

I used this plugin to document the location of pictures taken during a water utility inventory project using a GPS enabled camera.

Let me know

Cheers

Christian Degrassi, MA
Geographer
GIS Analyst/Developer

Hello everybody

I have published a new release for the JeoPeg (0.0.2 Beta) plugin tool.
[www.mapwindow.org]

Additions:
1) Option to convert the path to a file link path.
This option allows to click on the file path in the attribute table and preview the image with the default image viewer.

2) Image and coordinates preview.

3) Link to open the location in Google Maps

If you have any suggestions, please forward to cdegrassi@envorg.com

Cheers

Christian Degrassi, MA
Geographer
GIS Analyst/Developer



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 12/09/2009 01:04PM by cdegrassi.

I like it. I do find myself wanting more features after playing with this a little bit.

It would be nice if the window was resizable so I could make the photo part of it larger.

It would be nice if the window was not modal so I could click on the map while it is open. This could lead to having the window stay open after the shapefile is on the map. Then you could automatically display a photo when it is selected on the map or pan the map to a photo when it is selected in your window.

I also find myself wanting the option of using thumbnails of the photos as icons on the map. I wonder if anyone has done this kind of point renderer for MW?

I see you have a link to open Google Maps. You can take a look at mwLaunch in
[svn.mapwindow.org] to see how to open other things if you are interested.

Are you thinking of publishing the source code? If you do, then people like me who are programmers and interested can add features. For example I could have made it resizable pretty quickly instead of just wishing for it.

What camera are you using and do you like it? I am interested in a camera that does this. My phone takes geotagged photos, but it is not great as a camera.

Someone might want to combine this plugin with my GPX class to create the shape file from a combination of the photos and a GPS log if they have a separate GPS and a camera that does not geotag.

Hi Mark,

thank you so much for the feedback.

>>> It would be nice if the window was resizable so I could make the photo part of it larger.

Well, it was a last minute decision to add an image preview. I like your suggestion and I might go that way.

>>> It would be nice if the window was not modal so I could click on the map while it is open....

I like this suggestion very much. The tool was originally designed to be a feature class factory, with the only purpose of creating the point shapefile.
I like your idea and it will require re-designing the plugin to make it more of an interface panel versus an importing tool. I am thinking about separating the two: a simple import form, and then add a new floating form for navigation and image preview.

>>> I also find myself wanting the option of using thumbnails of the photos as icons on the map...

I am trying to work on a popup (hint style) control that shows up when you hoover or click on the point. Other GIS environment offer base classes for it, but I am not sure MapWindow has anything integrated yet. The icons are a great option, I haven't looked into it yet, but I think it's possible.

>>> I see you have a link to open Google Maps. You can take a look at mwLaunch in
[svn.mapwindow.org] to see how to open other things if you are interested.

The google link was another last minute test :) I will definitely get deeper into this. I am planning to have a KML (Google Earth) link/factory as well.

>>> What camera are you using and do you like it?

I am using a couple of devices but the one I like the best is the Ricoh 500SE GPS-Enabled Digital Camera. It comes with a digital compass as well as a digital clinometer.

>>> Someone might want to combine this plugin with my GPX class...

We should work on a platform to implement GPS/Locations Sensor related interfaces to develop consistent and interchangable code for these type of applications. By the way, Windows 7 is bringing in a lot of these interfaces that could be used and implemented in MapWindow. We should start looking into this as a new project for MapWindow. I am open to help :)

This is awesome. Thanks again!!!!

Cheers

Christian Degrassi, MA
Geographer
GIS Analyst/Developer

Hello All!

I eventually made it to beta 0.0.3!

This version has been renamed to "JeoPeg Manager" since I have and I am planning to add more options and tools to work with geo-tagged jpg's.

Major changes:
1) Implemented a "Navigator" viewer that allows to:
a. Link to a shapefile created with the import or use any POINT shapefile that contains an image name/id and a path to it.
b. View the jpegs and allow browsing using a toolbar
c. Respond to shape selection. if a point is selected the viewer will show the corrisponding image.
d. A number of options are available including AutoPan, Go to location, Open Image folder, View image in default viewer and Go to Google Maps.

Minor changes:

1) Import: Jpeg's list was switched to "simple selection" and requires ctrl or shift + click to select multiple images (used only for removing jpeg's from the list, really)

Please TEST TEST TEST. your feedback allowed me to work on these changes to make it a better tool.

I am open for suggestions and ideas for improvements.

Let me know

Christian Degrassi, MA
Geographer
GIS Analyst/Developer

I've been toying with this plug-in quite a bit. We'll be using MapWindow and this plug-in for some things at work and have found one hiccup in ease of use...

My question is this, is there a way to automatically add the FileOrUrl field to the attributes when importing? This seems to be the easiest way to get a point on the map that can be clicked and have the picture open. I could be missing something, I'm relatively new to GIS, MapWindow and Windows in general being a Mac guy at home.

Anyway, have found this plug-in quite useful and hope it continues to develop.

Thanks!

Hello ccrgr12,

thank you for your feedback.

When you import the jpegs and create the shapefile, you can check the checkbox that says "Create file link...". the path stored in the attribute table will be of URL (file://) forma.t Upon clicking the link in the attribute table, it will open the image in your default image viewer.

Also, the new navigator allows you to preview the image while you select a feature on the map, and if you right click the image in the navigator, a menu will prompt you to open it in the default image viewer.

Have I answered your question?

Please let me know how you are planning to use the plugin. I am interested in extending its capabilities and functionality.

Cheers and Thanks again for your feedback

Christian Degrassi, MA
Geographer
GIS Analyst/Developer



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/31/2010 09:26PM by cdegrassi.

Hi Chris,

OK, I had not noticed the change in the plug-in and have now updated to the latest version with the Navigator. I'm not sure if I'm not getting something right, but I am unable to get a navigator window to appear. I have imported several tagged photos and the shapefiles have been created, but it dead-ends there.

Here is what I am trying to do:

1.) Create a shapefile that is itself clickable to open the photo attached to it.
2.) Eliminate the need to a:manually add the FileOrUrl field with the path copied into it; b:open the attribute table to click on the path to open the photo.

I had (with the last version of the plug-in) imported a tagged photo, opened the attribute table, added the FileOrUrl field as a string and copied the file's path into it. I can then using the select tool (and having the correct layer selected, another thing I'll have to find my way around at some point) click on the point shape on the map and have the photo open in the associated software (ie: MS Office Picture Manager or the like). I can still do this, but need to manually add the FileOrUrl field.

Please let me know if it would be OK to contact you directly via the e-mail provided as the description of the end result I'm looking for in the project will be pretty lengthy.

Jeff

Hi Jeff,

sure, no problem. I will be glad to help you.

cdegrassi@envorg.com

Once you have created the shapefile, add it to the legend.
Open the attribute table and make sure that the path has "file://....". This will be available if you imported the jpegs with the "Create file link..." option checked.
If you have everything right, use the identify tool "i" on the MapWindow toolbar. Once you click on one of the points on the map, you'll get a window with the attributes. Click on the Path attribute and the photo will open in your default image viewer.

I am not sure why the navigator is not working for you. Please send me more details.

Cheers

Christian Degrassi, MA
Geographer
GIS Analyst/Developer



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/05/2010 11:04PM by cdegrassi.

Jeff,

How are you?

Thank you for your email. I will try to answer all your questions and I a would be happy to try helping you.

1) Does there need to be more than one photo in the shapefile layer?
Well, you can have one point per shapefile, but it would make more sense to create a shapefile of points of related photos. Managing too many shapefiles can became confusing. It's really up to you. The general rule is that a shapefile should contain a collection or related features and attributes.

2) Having the shapefile be clickable to view the attached photo....
If you wish I can enable functionality in the plugin that would allow you to do the same click/view without using the "Document Launcher" plugin.
What I mean is that you'll be able to select/click the point on the map and the default viewer (your default image editor) would open. This way you don't need to create the FileOrURL field, not use the Document louncher, but just use the imported data as it is. Please let me know if this would work for you.

3) I'd like to be able to hover/right-click/something over the point and have a preview of the photo
I am working on this possibility and it would be awesome. It would not be ready immediately though. I can update and republish the plugin fixing (2), and the next version might include the hover option.

Lastly, I am not sure why the navigator is not working for you, Can you please give me some more details on what happens when you click the menu "Navigator"? See, that tool would give you preview on selection and also the possibility to select any other image in the shapefile and pan to it, open it in editor, etc.
If you give me some details on what is not working, I can try to figure out why.

In the mean time, please let me know if implementing (2) would help you continue your project.

Thank you again for the input. I am really interested in helping you so I can provide a better tool for the community.

Cheers

Christian Degrassi, MA
Geographer
GIS Analyst/Developer

All,

I have posted an updated version because a number of you were having issues with the Navigator. In particualar, upon clicking the menu, nothing would happen.

Please remove the current DLL and download and install this newer version
[www.mapwindow.org]

Note: it contains 2 DLLs. Put them in a folder under Plugins.

Let me know if you have any questions.
I apologize for the inconvenience.

Cheers

Christian Degrassi, MA
Geographer
GIS Analyst/Developer



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/08/2010 11:31PM by cdegrassi.

Christian, As I said in the e-mail just now, this is incredible. It will be extremely useful! Thank you for helping with the problems!

Jeff