topic Re: ArcMobile 10 Newbie in ArcGIS for Windows Mobile Questions

ArcMobile 10 Newbie

KennethCheng — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 21:10:44 GMT

Hi All,

I'm new to ArcGIS mobile 10 and been trying to figure out how to create my first project.

I've installed ArcView 10 on my desktop pc and ArcMobile 10 on a windows tablet pc.

In Arcview 10 I've created a map document ("mxd") with several different shapefiles stored locally on my desktop pc.

What tool do I use in ArcToolbox to export my mxd file to arc mobile format to use as a "basemap" or "operational" layer? I don't have ArcServer yet, so I'm trying to do this via ArcView --> Arc Mobile. (I'd like to export to an arc mobile format that I can save on my tablet pc via a usb memory stick)

I looked around the forums without any specific details. Any guidance would be much appreciated.

Re: ArcMobile 10 Newbie

DeniseKing — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 13:05:13 GMT

Hi Kenneth,

Your data will need to be in File Geodatabase format and have GlobalID field to be editable in the field. A great resource for ArcGIS Mobile 10 users is ArcGIS Resource Center and ArcGIS Mobile videos. I recommend the first 3 in the list, http://resources.arcgis.com/gallery/video/arcgis-mobile.
Using ArcGIS Mobile with ArcGIS Desktop
How to Create a Mobile Project
What is Mobile Project Center

A helpful document is the 'How to design and create mobile maps using ArcGIS Desktop' which should help you get started in this process, http://help.arcgis.com/en/arcgismobile/10.0/help/index.html#/How_to_design_and_create_mobile_maps_using_ArcGIS_Desktop/007v00000006000000/.

Thanks,
Denise

Re: ArcMobile 10 Newbie

KennethCheng — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 15:36:12 GMT

Thanks Denise,

I couldn't quite understand the presenter in "Using ArcGIS Mobile with ArcGIS Desktop" as she was moving thru the slides quite quickly and it didn't help she had an accent as well.

Anyhow, I'll convert to a file geodatbase and then add the global ids...and try again.

To anyone who's trying this for the first time like me....you will need to install a global id patch for arcview desktop. (http://resources.arcgis.com/content/patches-and-service-packs?fa=viewPatch&PID=17&MetaID=1654)

Ken

Re: ArcMobile 10 Newbie

KennethCheng — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 16:34:24 GMT

Finally got an operational layer working....

1) Converted shapefiles to a file geodatabase and added global ids
2) Design mxd file using file geodatabase
3)) Use Mobile Tools > Create Mobile Map (make sure you close your mxd file before selecting and create the mobile map) Create Mobile Map appears to error if you have the mxd file open.
4) Copy mobile cache to mobile device.

Now got to figure out how to create a base map?

Any suggestions anyone?

Re: ArcMobile 10 Newbie

KennethCheng — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 16:02:19 GMT

Okay..I'm having trouble with creating a mobile base map.

I don't have arcserver 10 running...so I need to create and load the basemap using arcview or arcinfo...via a usb memory stick.

Is there anything in ArcTools that creates a mobile basemap layer to use in Arcmobile 10?

I've read several different forum posts on this issue and it appears I'm not alone.

Anyone?

Re: ArcMobile 10 Newbie

MatthewProkuda — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 00:43:54 GMT

Did you successfully deploy a mobile app to a device? If so, which location on the device did you copy the files to (assuming you did it with ActiveSync) and which files did you copy over?

Keen to hear any success stories from people using ArcGIS Mobile v10 with ArcGIS desktop.

Re: ArcMobile 10 Newbie

JulianWard — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 23:52:39 GMT

This may be a bit of a junkie way of going about it, but its how I finally got some maps going on a HP iPAQ 212 mobile device using ArcGIS Mobile from the desktop

On the Desktop:

- Set up your datasets in a File Geodatabase and enable GUI's on the datasets you plan to edit (you only need GUI's on the datasets you are editing as they are used for the edit checking process)

- Create your ArcMap document (.mxd) with the symbols you want to use (keep it simple, especially with labelling)

- Using the "Create Mobile Map" tool under "Mobile Tools" in ArcToolbox, create a "MobileCache" (a directory containing all of the spatial data in a compressed format)

- Set up your "Mobile Project" using the "Mobile Project Center" and save the project file (.wmpk)

- Using Microsofts Activesync, transfer the project file to the Mobile Device (try and put it onto the main memory under "My Documents" > "ArcGIS Mobile")

On the Mobile Device:

- Doubleclick on the project file (this should launch ArcGIS mobile on the device, as long as it's installed of course, and start loading the project)

- If an option on where to store

- The loading SHOULD fail with a cannot access MobileCache error, however it should create the folders required for the project including an empty MobileCache directory

-Exit ArcGIS Mobile

On the Desktop:

- Copy and replace the MobileCache on the mobile device with the MapCache created from the .mxd

On the Mobile Device:

- Re-Launch ArcGIS Mobile, it should now open the project correctly with the data as supplied in the MobileCache

As I said this is a junkie way of doing it, but hopefully it helps,

Jules

Re: ArcMobile 10 Newbie

AnthonyFarndon — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 12:02:00 GMT

This may be a bit of a junkie way of going about it, but its how I finally got some maps going on a HP iPAQ 212 mobile device using ArcGIS Mobile from the desktop

An alternative flow:

On the Desktop:

- Set up your datasets in a File Geodatabase and enable GUI's on the datasets you plan to edit (you only need GUI's on the datasets you are editing as they are used for the edit checking process)

- Create your ArcMap document (.mxd) with the symbols you want to use (keep it simple, especially with labelling)

- Using the "Create Mobile Map" tool under "Mobile Tools" in ArcToolbox, this will create a "MobileCache" (a directory containing all of the spatial data in a compressed format) and .amp project file

- Using Microsofts Activesync, transfer the folder/contents from above containing the .amp project file and MobileCache to the Mobile Device (try and put it onto the main memory under "My Documents" > "ArcGIS Mobile")

You should then have two required items on your device
-- \My Documents\ArcGIS Mobile\MySampleProject\MobileCache\
-- \My Documents\ArcGIS Mobile\MySampleProject\MySampleProject.amp

On the Mobile Device:

- Doubleclick on the .amp project file (this should launch ArcGIS mobile on the device, as long as it's installed of course, and start loading the project)

This works for me, and negates having to do anything via Mobile Project Centre (it does however give less control (you cannot then use MPC to further specify which layers are editable, which fields show, which fields are identifiable etc) but you can achieve this by setting up the layer properties correctly in ArcMap.

Is there anything in ArcTools that creates a mobile basemap layer to use in Arcmobile 10?

I've read several different forum posts on this issue and it appears I'm not alone.

Anyone?

Ability to create basemaps from static raster datasets is a real miss, I have searched and searched and cannot find a solution in 10, it seems the only options are either a streamed in ArcGISOnline basemap (which is not always suitable for field applications in rural areas and/or with non connected devices like a Juno SC) or getting hold of Server to create a basemap cache. 😞

Re: ArcMobile 10 Newbie

AlexProtyagov — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 13:01:45 GMT

Also, the GlobalID column can be created with python script call to

arcpy.AddGlobalIDs_management(layerName)

Re: ArcMobile 10 Newbie

AnthonyFarndon — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 22:16:42 GMT

An alternative flow:
Ability to create basemaps from static raster datasets is a real miss, I have searched and searched and cannot find a solution in 10, it seems the only options are either a streamed in ArcGISOnline basemap (which is not always suitable for field applications in rural areas and/or with non connected devices like a Juno SC) or getting hold of Server to create a basemap cache. 😞

I have found a solution for rasters without server now. You can add individual raster tiles to the mxd and they will come through into the mobilecache as an operational layer.

However, a word of warning, if you have 1000 tiles, they come through as 1000 operational layers in mobile, there is no way to group them or bring them through as one catalog. If you have the time and space then creating a super tile for your area of interest works.

Also, to solve this whole .wmpk extract workaround issue, another solution I have found is to copy the .wmpk and mobile cache folder onto the device into an empty folder eg \my documents\arcgismobile\newfolder\

When the .wmpk extracts it sees the mobile cache folder already there and doesn't create a blank one instead

Re: ArcMobile 10 Newbie

shanemoore — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 14:15:27 GMT

I have found a solution for rasters without server now. You can add individual raster tiles to the mxd and they will come through into the mobilecache as an operational layer.

However, a word of warning, if you have 1000 tiles, they come through as 1000 operational layers in mobile, there is no way to group them or bring them through as one catalog. If you have the time and space then creating a super tile for your area of interest works.

Also, to solve this whole .wmpk extract workaround issue, another solution I have found is to copy the .wmpk and mobile cache folder onto the device into an empty folder eg \my documents\arcgismobile\newfolder\

When the .wmpk extracts it sees the mobile cache folder already there and doesn't create a blank one instead

Has anyone had a problem with "error opening mobile cache" when using the above instructions?

Re: ArcMobile 10 Newbie

MartinCopping — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 17:23:04 GMT

Kenneth,

Start out by taking a look at this document that outlines How to Deploy an ArcGIS Mobile Project with ArcGIS Desktop.

Cheers,

Re: ArcMobile 10 Newbie

MartinCopping — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 17:25:06 GMT

Additionally, you can checkout this FORUM posting.

Re: ArcMobile 10 Newbie

MiguelGarriga1 — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:44:35 GMT

Martin, This PDF document is an awesome resource - thanks for posting it.

I do wish I had found it sooner. It should be promoted higher as a "how to use ArcGIS Mobile" resource within the Esri web site.

Kenneth,

Start out by taking a look at this document that outlines How to Deploy an ArcGIS Mobile Project with ArcGIS Desktop.

Cheers,

Re: ArcMobile 10 Newbie

MartinCopping — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:57:19 GMT

Thanks Miguel! We'll continue to provide better documentation for all our products. At the 10.1 release, deploying an ArcGIS for Windows Mobile project with ArcGIS for Desktop will be even easier.

Cheers,

Re: ArcMobile 10 Newbie

CandaceFallon — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 17:27:55 GMT

Hi Martin (or other ESRI specialist),

Do you have a version of the PDF you originally posted here that deals with this same topic for ArcGIS 10.1? I've noticed that no .amp file is created with the new "Create Mobile Cache" tool, only the schema.

Thanks.

Re: ArcMobile 10 Newbie

HenrikSvenningsen — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 05:26:32 GMT

You don't need the amp file anymore......Just add the cache to your Project in ProjectCenter and add a basemap directly into the project. It then creates a "complete" folder for you to deploy.

Much easier in now than earlier versions.

Re: ArcMobile 10 Newbie

CandaceFallon — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 15:51:15 GMT

Hi Henrik,

I added the cache and a basemap in the Mobile Project Center, but the layer I need to edit in the field is read-only. When I initially created my .mxd I made sure this layer was housed in a geodatabase and that it contained global IDs. I'm not sure why it's coming up as read-only. Any ideas?

Thanks!