idea Offset by distance/direction in Field Maps in ArcGIS Field Maps Ideas

Offset by distance/direction in Field Maps

IngridHogle — Tue, 30 Jul 2024 22:00:11 GMT

Please add the ability to offset a point or line in Field Maps by distance and direction.

This was possible in ArcPad (along with several other way to offset a point; see attached jpg). It is truly missed in Field Maps, as evidenced by these two posts: https://community.esri.com/t5/arcgis-field-maps-questions/collect-gps-locations-by-angle-and-distance/td-p/1181534, https://community.esri.com/t5/arcgis-field-maps-questions/collect-an-offset-point-need-to-determine-altitude/td-p/1037887.

The equivalent tool in ArcGIS Pro seems to be "Move" (https://pro.arcgis.com/en/pro-app/latest/help/editing/move-a-feature-to-specified-location.htm), but we do not want to have to wait for the feature to be run through post-processing. We would like it to show up in the offset location during field data collection.

We miss this capability because we work in situations where bringing a high-accuracy GPS plus laser rangefinder is not only cost-prohibitive, but is also too much equipment for us to be able to carry when we need to be very agile, such as hopping on and off of an airboat for invasive species control work. The spray hose attached to the airboat can hit features quite a ways from where we are standing. We are often mapping features from a distance while treatment crews run hose out to the patch of invasive plants to treat them. A compass is easy to use, and we can estimate distances.

We can also digitize, but this is hard in Field Maps because there is no scale bar. (We added a 25x25m grid layer over our entire 7 county project area to help staff with estimating locations in Field Maps, at least. But we'd really like to be able to offset.)

Re: Offset by distance/direction in Field Maps

IngridHogle — Tue, 30 Jul 2024 23:00:53 GMT

Getting Spike by ikeGPS to work with Field Maps on Android for offsets would also be helpful.

Re: Offset by distance/direction in Field Maps

MichaelLohr — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 15:03:16 GMT

This is another example of having an ability in a past product, the product is discontinued, and the replacement product does not do all the things that the original product did.

I am in favor of adding the offset capability. Suggest you post this to the Field Maps Ideas forum. ESRI does include ideas from this forum in future updates, if there is enough support them.

ArcGIS Fields Maps Ideas

Re: Offset by distance/direction in Field Maps

IngridHogle — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 18:32:58 GMT

Thanks @MichaelLohr . I believe this post is in the Field Maps Ideas Forum. If you have not already given it a Kudos vote, please do!

Re: Offset by distance/direction in Field Maps

MaxRingler1 — Thu, 15 Aug 2024 08:32:03 GMT

I wonder from where/which reference point you would offset from when working on a boat, without using a GPS?

Re: Offset by distance/direction in Field Maps

IngridHogle — Fri, 16 Aug 2024 18:02:11 GMT

@MaxRingler1 Of course we use GPS. The reference point is where our GPS receiver is during the recording of the feature. The GPS receiver is either internal to our handheld device (a tablet) or external (EOS Arrow, for example, strapped to our backpack) and connected to our device via Bluetooth. We stop the boat, take a compass reading and estimate distance to the feature, then record a point using this offset information (in ArcPad).

Re: Offset by distance/direction in Field Maps

MaxRingler1 — Fri, 16 Aug 2024 18:22:37 GMT

Oh, ok - your post suggested otherwise, as you stated, th t using a (precision) GPS would be prohibitively expensive.

From what I get from the manual, this workflow is already implemented in Field Maps: https://doc.arcgis.com/en/field-maps/ios/use-maps/capture.htm#ESRI_SECTION1_9BEC72E5D0AF40D1941477F56849B3C5

However, what we need is to freely choose (or rather snap to established field markers) the location from where to offset - like in ArcPad.

Re: Offset by distance/direction in Field Maps

IngridHogle — Fri, 16 Aug 2024 18:35:56 GMT

Yes. The offset provider is a $3,000+ setup that requires a Bluetooth laser rangefinder, such as a LaserTech 360 rangefinder (currently unavailable for sale while they work on a newer version, from what I've been told!) paired with a high accuracy external GPS such as an EOS Arrow, paired to Field Maps.

As documented here, Configure the mobile app—ArcGIS Field Maps | Documentation, "Field Maps supports the following offset providers: Bad Elf, Eos Positioning Systems, and Spike."

As of last week, Spike (at only $500) does not actually work for offsets in Field Maps on Android devices...only on iOS devices. We have spoken with the management at Spike, and they have re-started conversations with Esri Field Maps management to re-initiate work on getting this configured to work on Android.

Regardless, we would really appreciate a low-tech option to just use a compass and estimate distance to offset a point feature. Simple offset of line features by user input of distance and direction (left or right) was also a lovely feature in ArcPad that we'd appreciate in Field Maps.

Re: Offset by distance/direction in Field Maps

MaxRingler1 — Tue, 12 Nov 2024 09:50:49 GMT

Sorry, I must have missed this part in front of my eyes - of course you are right!

I am currently preparing for another field season to still use ArcPad, as not the lightest progress has been made into this direction.

Re: Offset by distance/direction in Field Maps

TylerJones — Thu, 20 Feb 2025 14:46:04 GMT

This seems so basic.

Re: Offset by distance/direction in Field Maps

MaxRingler1 — Thu, 20 Feb 2025 14:52:59 GMT

One would think so...

...like a scale bar in the data view of ArcGIS Pro... 🤣

On that note...I just realised, that also the offsetting in ArcPad still has flaws - the "back-sight" option is not working and gives the same result as if the angles from the target to the reference points were entered with the foresight" option. I am pretty certain that this had been fixed with one of the first versions of AP10, but apparently the issue is back, at least with the final version...

Re: Offset by distance/direction in Field Maps

WGIMaps — Fri, 04 Apr 2025 18:18:54 GMT

Support for the Emlid Flow app as an offset provider would be greatly beneficial.

Re: Offset by distance/direction in Field Maps

JoelCusick — Mon, 18 Aug 2025 03:31:35 GMT

Hi Ingrid,

Def. place an idea in Field Maps. The tool your seeking, just to clarify is what TerraSync called Offset - Distance-Bearing. Triple offset and bearing, without a laser would mean the GNSS antenna would remain stationary in 3 locations, and a bearing (actually an azimuth, entered into a subform. Distance as well. Do note, the quality of the offset, with 3 point calc is quite good, even with low end GNSS, but markedly would improve with a decimeter position on each shot.

Ask Trimble too. They could provide a handheld as well.