AGOL, Collector, and Related Tables

Question

We are using Collector for ArcGIS and our photos are in a related table, the photo field from the related table does not show up in the list of attributes in the AGOL pop-up configuration window?

We would like to learn how to either:

1.       Set up collector without having the photos go to a related table

2.       How to bring the related table information into the AGOL pop-up configuration window

Thank you.

MelanieRosenberg2 · Answer

It is my understanding that the photos are stored as BLOBs (bleh) which should be a part of the actual hosted data store.  Use the method linked above to Create a Replica. The photos will be extracted as blobs. Again, I prefer a more manual process and I trust that process more. Perhaps someone from Esri will chime in somewhere... ahem*

TimHayes1 · Answer

yes, this works! Except, it seems out of date since it does not show Attachment Sync Direction. Maybe because it is out of date. Nonetheless, I set the value to "bidirectional" and it works.

It downloads a File Geodatabase, with a Relationship Class to a Photos ATTACH Table. This Photos ATTACH Table has the actual file names of each photo in it. It is related to the Point Feature Class via the Global ID field and Rel_Global ID field in the Photos ATTACH Table.

I assume then that since the actual photos are not downloaded from AGOL, that these are on the smartphone we used and can be manually downloaded to a folder back in the office?  Is this correct?

MelanieRosenberg2 · Answer

It is my understanding that you do not need to do any preparatory configuration for attaching photos to items in collector. Simply taking a photo through the app tools will associate the picture with the feature you are currently editing. This is by design, so there is no need to make a relate ahead of time. In order to bring all attachments back down to earth (haha) you must follow these instructions: How To: Retrieve attachments from a hosted feature service

Now... Esri is notorious for loosing attachments, in my opinion. So I have always played the safe card and taken a photo, then stored the name of the photo in a field and then fixing up my database back at desktop. I don't necessarily recommend this since there is large room for human error, but I also don't know if Collector supports multiple photo attachment.