Nov 28, 2018 From the developer: DNRGPS is an Open Source update to the popular DNRGarmin application. It provides users the ability to transfer data between handheld GPS receivers and GIS application. This program integrates GIS applications (ESRI’s ArcMap, Google Earth) with GPS units. DNRGPS is an Open Source update to the popular DNRGarmin application. It provides users the ability to transfer data between handheld GPS receivers and GIS software. Users will be familiar with most of the functions in DNRGPS because they were also found in DNRGarmin. Download the new DNRGPS to resolve this issue. The workaround, if you use DNRGarmin with ArcMap 10, is: File-Save To-File and File-Load From-File. Users can save to a shapefile and add it manually to ArcGIS 10.Users can also reverse the steps above to load shapefiles created/modified in ArcGIS 10 into a GPS. Purpose of this Application. DNRGPS download file is only 39.4 MB in size. DNRGPS was filed under the Geography category and was reviewed in softlookup.com and receive 5/5 Score. DNRGPS has been tested by our team against viruses, spyware, adware, trojan, backdoors and was found to be 100% clean. We will recheck DNRGPS when updated to assure that it remains clean.
Tufts Technology Services manages and supports several Geospatial software. Please see the following for information on:
- ESRI ArcGIS Desktop: ArcMap & ArcGIS Pro
- ESRI ArcGIS Web Based Tools
- QGIS Software
- GeoDa Software
- ENVI Remote Sensing Software
- ERDAS Imagine Remote Sensing Software
- Google Earth Pro Software
- Sketch Up Pro Software
- DNR GPS Software
For more information on software availability, please see the Tufts Technology Services Software Page or email the Data Lab at DataLab-support@elist.tufts.edu. Click to see a full list of software that is installed in the Data Labs.
ESRI ArcGIS Desktop: ArcMap or ArcGIS Pro
ArcGIS Desktop is the industry standard GIS software for users to create maps, perform spatial analysis, and manage data. The two primary desktop applications for ArcGIS users are ArcMap and ArcGISPro, which include the following extensions:
- 3D Analyst
- ArcPad Data Manager
- Data Interoperability
- Data Reviewer
- Geostatistical Analyst
- Network Analyst
- Publisher
- Spatial Analyst
- Spatial Statistics
- Tracking Analyst
To install ArcMap or ArcGIS Pro software on your personal computer or Tufts owned computer, please email DataLab-support@elist.tufts.edu and we will provide further instructions. Please identify whether you are a student or faculty/staff in your email.
Tufts Technology Services holds a university-wide site license. It is installed in the Medford and Boston Data Labs, in addition to most Windows computer labs throughout campus. It is also available on the TTS Virtual Lab. ArcMap or ArcGIS Pro can be installed on any Tufts-owned or faculty personal computer. Additionally, we provide a 1-year free student version via a digital download key. The software may only be used for educational, research, and academic purposes, and not for commercial use or resale. The software only runs on a Windows OS. Click to see a list of Tufts computer labs with ArcGIS installed
Resources for Installing ArcGIS Desktop
- How to Install ArcMap 10.X on your Windows Computer
This guide includes information on how to install ArcMap 10.x on your Windows OS. There is also a video here for that goes through the process. - How to Install ArcMap 10.X on your Mac
This guide includes information on how to download and install VMWare Fusion and Windows 10 on your Mac OS. It also goes through the process of installing ArcMap 10.x within Windows OS. - How to Install ArcGIS Pro on your Windows Computer
This guide include information on how to install ArcGIS Pro on your Windows OS - How to Install ArcGIS Pro on your Mac
This guide includes information on how to download and install VMWare Fusion and Windows 10 on your Mac OS. It also goes through the process of installing ArcGIS Pro within Windows OS. - How to Access ArcMap and ArcGIS Pro on the TTS Virtual Lab
This guide includes information on how to access the TTS Virtual Lab (VDI) both within a browser and through the VMware client. It also goes through the process of opening ArcMap and ArcGIS Pro in the VDI. - Choosing the right computer for ArcGIS Desktop Tip Sheet
This tip sheet provides information on processors, RAM, hard drive, and resolution suggestions for the best ArcGIS experience.
ESRI ArcGIS Web Based Tools
Esri ArcGIS has many different and popular web-based applications available to Tufts University students, faculty and staff through our Tufts Organization Account for your mapping, spatial analysis and storytelling needs.
The list to the right are some of the most popular ESRI ArcGIS web-based tools used at Tufts University. To see a full list of available ESRI products, visit: https://www.esri.com/en-us/arcgis/products/index
Click to view instructions on how to log into these applications using the Tufts Organization Account.
QGIS Software Information
QGISis a free and open-source desktop geographic information system (GIS) application that supports viewing, editing, and analysis of geospatial data. It can be installed on Windows OS, Mac OS and Linux platforms. QGIS integrates with other open-source GIS packages, including PostGIS, GRASS GIS, and MapServer.
How to access and install QGIS from home
This guide provides information on how to access QGIS for your Mac OS or Windows PC. QGIS is available on the Tufts Virtual Desktop Interface (VDI) and is installed in the Medford and Boston Data Labs. For QGIS learning resources, please visit our QGIS page.
GeoDa Software Information
GeoDa is a free and open source software tool that serves as an introduction to spatial data analysis. It is designed to facilitate new insights from data analysis by exploring and modeling spatial patterns. GeoDa runs on Windows, MacOSX and Linux (Ubuntu).
How to access and install GeoDa from home
This guide provides information on how to install GeoDa on your personal Windows, Mac or Linux computer. Geoda is available on the Tufts Virtual Desktop Interface (VDI)and is installed in the Medford and Boston Data Labs.
ENVI + IDL
ENVI is a remote sensing software used for processing and analyzing geospatial imagery. ENVI software combines spectral image processing and image analysis technology.
If you are interested in using ENVI’s remote sensing software for class or research, please email the DataLab-Support@elist.tufts.edu to request access to the software for your Windows or Mac computer. ENVI is also available on the TTS Virtual Lab.
ERDAS Imagine Software
ERDAS Imagineis software designed for processing, interpretation, and analysis of remotely sensed imagery.
ERDAS is installed in the Medford Data Lab. Tufts Technology Services owns five floating licenses of ERDAS Imagine. To install ENVI on your Tufts owned computer, please email DataLab-support@elist.tufts.edu and we can assist.
Google Earth Pro
Google Earth Pro is a free geospatial software application that displays a virtual globe, which offers the ability to analyze and capture geographical data.
Google Earth Pro is available to download for free on your personal Mac OS or Windows PC. Google Earth Pro is available on the Tufts Virtual Desktop Interface (VDI) and is installed in the Medford and Boston Data Labs.
SketchUp Pro
Sketch Up Pro is a 3D modeling computer program for a wide range of drawing applications such as architectural design, interior design, civil and mechanical engineering, film, and video game design.
SketchUp Pro is installed in the Medford and Boston Data Labs. Tufts faculty can get SketchUp Pro installed on their Tufts-owned computer. Please contact IT@tufts.edu for help installing and accessing the software. We do not currently have a student version of the software but a lighter version of the software is available for free.
DNR GPS Software
DNRGPS is an open-source software built to transfer data between Garmin handheld GPS receivers and GIS software.
DNRGPS is available to download for free on your personal Windows PC. DNRGPS is available on the Tufts Virtual Desktop Interface (VDI) and is installed in the Medford and Boston Data Labs.
Additional Software
Dnrgps For Mac
TTS provides several single-use and limited software and GIS tools and extensions in the Data Lab. These software are not available for individual download. For the full list of all software installed in the Data Lab, please see our Software Page
Global Positioning Systems Reveal Precise Position
GPS Collection Devices
Selecting GPS capabilities you will purchase and use will be based on computer processing capabilities of the unit. This is combined with the antenna it will use. All GPS units access data from the same satellites in orbit around the earth. The Global Positioning System (GPS), originally Navstar GPS, is a satellite-based radio navigation system. It is owned by the United States government and operated by the United States Air Force. The signals are provided to all users, free of charge. They use a radio based system to communicate from satellites to GPS units.
This is where user-collection-techniques raise to the highest levels of importance. A staff with a top mounted antenna, wired to the GPS device delivers the highest position location quality. The staff keeps the unit fixed and stable for a period of time to record a point averaging position. This technique increases the accuracy of the position recorded. The antenna mounted above the operators head-level also reduces multi-path propogation– allowing unobstructed view from antenna to satellite.
Other techniques to limit multi-path interference involves off-setting position recording from poor reception locations to clear-view points. These are the techniques each operator should learn, experiment with, and use on every GPS data collection project.
Mark Your Grade
Our first recommendation is to consider the accuracy needed based on the use of the data collected. This concept is introduced on this site, GPS Investigations, and we focus on it because it makes financial differences. It also impacts the time of data collection and processing. Time and money go hand-in-hand, and this is no exception. There are generally three grade categories of GPS Receivers:
- Recreation Grade
- Map Grade
- Survey Grade
Unit Auxiliaries
A “real-life” example”
Take for instance the timber cruiser who needs to collect timber cruising plot center points with the GPS receiver, then collect tree data on several trees per plot. Contrast this with the professional surveyor who is collecting the positions of section corners, or property lines.
In this situation, the timber cruiser may not be able to meet timber cruising production levels while carrying an external GPS staff or backpack for the GPS antenna with a cable capable of catching on branches. But he may find himself working in rainy conditions and hiking up and down steep terrain far from a support vehicle. This user may require a unit of high durability, with replaceable batteries in case one drains in the field, but external antenna connections are not necessary since an increase of accuracy may not be justified for a timber cruise’s plot center locations. On the other hand, the mapping of proposed road center lines through the forestlands with a support vehicle within a short distance may meet the justification for an external antenna. But replaceable batteries are unnecessary if the user has an in-car charger; and the durability is a non-factor since this user is on fairly level ground. But considering a surveyor may collect over 500 seconds of data for a single point means the user will need as much data storage space as possible in the GPS receiver.
Data Augmentation
Cost Options “GPS-O-Nomics”
Dnrgps For Mac Os
Some Sources we are familiar with
GPS Receiver vendors supply a variety of options for the user for all grades mentioned here. We recommend two specific brands of GPS receivers for most users involved in field collection efforts, who engage in natural resources work.
Recreational to Map Grade
For over two decades, we have been using Garmin 76 and 60 series GPS receivers with great satisfaction for the durability, versatility, and reliability of the units. Their operations are intuitive; they are weather resistant; and they run on two AA size batteries for easy replacement in the field. There is an external antenna port for times when an external antenna is desired, but the internal antenna serves the purpose well.
These units are classified as recreational grade, but the user can implement field collection techniques to move the quality of the data into the Map Grade realm. To accompany this aspect the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources developed a program to transfer GPS data from the Garmin series of GPS units to the computer and back again.
This program is offered for FREE to users and even moves the GPS data into ESRI ArcMAP programs (including version 10.x) for mapping. Sorry, no MAC support.
The 76 series GPS unit has been discontinued by Garmin, but the 60 series is still available. Other models we have used (and recommend) include the 62 series and the 78 series receivers. We recommend you look for an external antenna port and microSD card slot.
Unit photos courtesy of Garmin
We have purchased our Garmin GPS receivers and accessories from gpscity.com for over a decade and found their service and reliability to be excellent (they are not paying us for the recommendation!). They have been cost competitive and are located at: http://gpscity.com
Garmin Beginners GPS Guide: by Garmin for the Garmin units Get the PDF
Garmin GPS Map76 Series Field Exercises: made for the field-tech to record positional data to move to a GIS program Get the PDF
Garmin GPS Map76 Guide: made to show how to use the unit Get the PDF
Map to Survey Grade
When higher accuracy needs are required, we have turned to the Trimble family of receivers with the Juno and GeoExplorer meeting our field collection needs. These two units are what some field staff may refer to as “data collectors” rather than simply “GPS units”. These units are, in practicality, handheld computers with features like Windows Mobile operating system, web browsing, Bluetooth connectivity, mobile software like Microsoft Word or Excel, as well as a very powerful built in GPS antenna.
Due to the sizeable difference in cost between the Trimble Juno series ($800-$1,200) and the GeoExplorer series ($2,000-$10,000) the major deciding factor between which Map Grade unit(s) to purchase is the accuracy required by the user. The Juno series is capable of 1-3 meter (3-9 feet) accuracy using good data collection techniques, while the GeoExplorer series are capable of near 10-50cm (0.3-1.3 feet). Both the Juno and GeoExplorer units come in varying levels of accuracy and/or add-ons. Of course as add-ons and accuracy increase, so will the price.
The rule of thumb when looking at a Trimble Map Grade GPS unit is: If the work requires sub-meter accuracy (within 3 feet precision) then turn to the GeoExplorer series; if not, then the Trimble Juno is a great value and wonderfully flexible unit.
The Trimble web site is located at: https://www.trimble.com
With the Trimble Store found at: https://store.trimble.com
Remember, once you get those Excellent points and lines on your GPS, you need to get them into your GIS system and know how to make them meaningful.