topic Re: unable to open mobile map package in ArcGIS Explorer Questions

unable to open mobile map package

BobChristensen — Sun, 22 Jul 2018 01:48:43 GMT

Hi, I just uploaded a mobile map package, then downloaded to my explorer on an ipad. When the download completed it was labelled as an invalid map and when I tap to open I get this message: "unable to open map the package is required to be unpacked into individual files before use".

I also tried loading the mobile map package using Itunes. I got the same message with that one.

Here is a link to the package. https://ssp-community.maps.arcgis.com/home/item.html?id=bc7959d403824b769d176d7b764c44a1#overview

Please help.

Re: unable to open mobile map package

Anonymous User — Mon, 23 Jul 2018 15:06:48 GMT

Hey Bob Christensen

They reason you're getting this error is because rasters images are not yet supported in Explorer. As a workaround, you can Create Tile Package's out of the raster images. The resulting TPK's would then display in Explorer as expected.

Re: unable to open mobile map package

BobChristensen — Mon, 23 Jul 2018 16:15:05 GMT

Hi Joel, thanks for the help. Is it possible to load a .tpk to my ipad using itunes file sharing? I really need a solution that does not require internet to get started so I can do this kind of thing while out in the field.

I tried copying a map tile package for my project using file sharing but I do not see anything in either explorer or collector and wondering if this is supported or if I need to do something different.

Thanks again.

Re: unable to open mobile map package

Anonymous User — Mon, 23 Jul 2018 18:23:14 GMT

Bob Christensen‌

With current version of Explorer you cannot side load TPKs -- although this may come with a future release. You can side-load MMPKs that contain TPKs (see Make offline maps—Explorer for ArcGIS | ArcGIS for sideloading).

Re: unable to open mobile map package

BobChristensen — Mon, 23 Jul 2018 19:52:40 GMT

Hi Again, Joel. I am a bit confused. I started out with the MMPK file but it did no work because of the raster layers. Are you saying that there is a way to create an MMPK then import individual TPK files into the MMPK?

Re: unable to open mobile map package

MarkBockenhauer — Mon, 23 Jul 2018 20:11:03 GMT

These two blog articles show how to include TPKs in Mobile Map Packages.

https://community.esri.com/community/gis/applications/arcgis-pro/blog/2018/06/30/using-arcgis-pro-22-to-put-the-esri-world-imagery-basemap-in-a-mobile-map

https://community.esri.com/community/gis/applications/arcgis-pro/blog/2018/06/29/using-arcgis-pro-22-sharing-and-the-publisher-extension-to-make-a-public-offline-map-with-hillshading

Basically, add a TPK to an ArcGIS Pro map, like you would any other layer.

Mark

Re: unable to open mobile map package

Anonymous User — Mon, 23 Jul 2018 20:12:12 GMT

Hey Bob Christensen‌,

Sorry for the confusion. You can create your MMPK using TPKs as layers in the map. So although Explorer cannot read a MMPK with raster layers (ie tif files), you can create a TPK from the raster layer and add that to the map prior to publishing.

Re: unable to open mobile map package

Anonymous User — Mon, 23 Jul 2018 22:34:23 GMT

Joel Whitney wrote:
Hey Bob Christensen

They reason you're getting this error is because rasters images are not yet supported in Explorer. As a workaround, you can Create Tile Package's out of the raster images. The resulting TPK's would then display in Explorer as expected.

Hello Joel, I have also had this problem and am attempting to make map tile packages now to see if it will allow me to view imagery. I am however confused as to why the latest entry in the version history for Explorer on the app store clearly says that raster data can be used offline (see below). It just seems a little disingenuous. It also seems silly that Collector can easily download web maps with cached imagery while explorer requires such a roundabout process to view maps offline - do you happen to know if the ability to download maps from ArcGIS Online within the Explorer app is coming or being worked on?

18.1.1

May 10, 2018

- Imagery and other raster data can be used offline
- Various bug fixes and improvements

From: ‎Explorer for ArcGIS on the App Store

Re: unable to open mobile map package

BobChristensen — Mon, 23 Jul 2018 23:01:56 GMT

I feel like such an idiot and that this should be easier.

I tried separating my vector and raster layers into two maps, then exporting TPK of raster map (includes several rasters), then added the TPK to the vector map, but only one raster of the many showed up.... Do I have to somehow export all my rasters as individual TPK files now? I do not see how to export a single raster layer as as TPK without uploading to arcgis online, which I am trying to avoid because I do not always have an internet connection.

Is there a straightforward set of instructions for how to get my own raster layer to display in explorer without downloading from the internet?

Re: unable to open mobile map package

MarkBockenhauer — Tue, 24 Jul 2018 01:37:25 GMT

Bob,

You could create a TPK version of each raster layer that you want to use. However it may be easier to create a TPK of the combined layers. For example you can use the Create Map Tile geoprocessing tool and create a TPK of your DEM base and Current Bear Habitat.

You can the Insert a Basemap into your project, and Add the result TPK as a basemap.

Then you can use the basemap with your other oeperational layers, like Roads and Watershed boundaries, that are in your map.

We do have support for raster files on our list of work to do for the future.

Mark

Re: unable to open mobile map package

MarkBockenhauer — Tue, 24 Jul 2018 01:48:16 GMT

Sam,

Collector as part of the Aurora beta is improving and enhancing the capabilities for taking a map offline. Once that work is completed we will be putting it into a future version of Explorer.

We will also continue to improve the 'roundabout' process of using ArcGIS Pro to create an offline map.

Mark

Re: unable to open mobile map package

BobChristensen — Tue, 24 Jul 2018 16:36:06 GMT

Hi Mark, thanks for the help. I was able to use that method to get a map package built for explorer that includes my project's vector and raster data. It was pretty tedious because I have 15 rasters in the project and each requires that I make a .tpk. Additionally, I think there is a bug in the software because I was unable to queue all these layers up and let them run. When I did that, most of the tpk files did not display the correct raster. Works fine if I wait for each tpk file creation process to finish before I start the next one. Sort of interestingly, I have had the same problem with Tilemill in the past.

Is there any way to retain the legend for the raster in the mobile map package?

What is the benefit of making these raster layers basemaps vs just regular layers?

Do you foresee layer transparency control coming to explorer?

Thanks again.

Re: unable to open mobile map package

MarkBockenhauer — Tue, 24 Jul 2018 17:14:06 GMT

Bob,

Using the TPK is a bit of a workaround. We do intend to support some raster files, but right now a TPK is the only way for explorer to display raster information.

Is there any way to retain the legend for the raster in the mobile map package?

This is a shortcoming of using the TPK, and in a larger sense there probably should be a way to create a custom legend for a map that is independent from the layers and layer rendering in the map. For data like yours some have included a duplicate 'minimal' vector layer with the legend information they want. I have even seen users add a map extent polygon, symbolized 99% transparent, where feature popup is configured with attachment (PDF file) to provide legend and other information.

What is the benefit of making these raster layers basemaps vs just regular layers?

In general it is good practice to have basemap in Mobile Map Packages that you create, though it is not required. In the example I posted I combined the bear habitat with DEM layers which creates a single TPK and saves a bit of space from having 3 separate TPKs. However, if your intent is to have all of the layers in a single map, then by all means a TPK for each as operational layer is the way to go. This allows users to turn the layers on and off in Explorer. Basemap layers are represented as a 'singular background picture' in Explorer and cannot be interacted with.

Do you foresee layer transparency control coming to explorer?

How do you want to use layer transparency in Explorer, or how do you envision your map users using it?

Just in general if you could share a little information on how users are supposed to use your map, or anything that would allow you to communicate with your map more effectively, using Explorer, we would like to hear it.

Thanks,
Mark

Re: unable to open mobile map package

BobChristensen — Tue, 24 Jul 2018 19:52:10 GMT

Thanks again Mark,

I would be happy to provide more detail on our planned uses for this data - generally three primary audiences: youth thorough a map heavy place-based curriculum, hunter-gatherers in rural Alaskan villages (hence the blueberry, devils club, salmonberry, hudson bay tea, deer and salmon maps) and land managers (both data acquisition and ground-truthing/environmental monitoring.

Would it be possible to arrange a phone call to consult on how we would use explorer within these scenarios? I would really benefit from a solid orientation so that I can see more clearly how to use Collector with Explorer and AppStudio apps to build out a functional system. Following that orientation, I would be happy to write up our case study and share with others.

Re: unable to open mobile map package

MarkBockenhauer — Wed, 25 Jul 2018 00:30:17 GMT

Bob

Yes, I will contact to arrange call.

Mark