Introduction to ArcGIS Collector

 

Figure 1: ArcGIS Collector

Image Source: https://www.esri.com/en-us/arcgis/products/arcgis-collector/overview

Introduction:

In this post I will be going over the ArcGIS Collector application for IOS and Android, I am using the Android version on a Samsung Galaxy Note 8. ArcGIS Collector allows the user to collect ground control points and GIS data from their mobile device, uploading it directly to the cloud. The application allows a user to collect points, and then quickly map them with a users own added images, with the option of adding information. The objective of this assignment was to learn how to use ArcGIS collector for application in coursework, and to gather data to be used to create our own map. I will first be going over the tutorial for ArcGIS Collector, and then creating my own map.

Method:

Firstly we will be covering the tutorials.

"Try Collector" Tutorial:

https://www.esri.com/arcgis-blog/products/collector/field-mobility/try-collector/

The First of two tutorials covered in this assignment does not require a user to log in, so anyone interested in trying this software without wanting to pay for a subscription can try this tutorial.

Firstly, download the ArcGIS Collector app from the IOS store or Google Play store depending on what hardware you are using.

Figure 2: Try Collector tutorial

For the first tutorial we are looking over an example of marking a Park. First for the tutorial you add a point by clicking on the ADD+  icon, from there you click on the bench icon. After this you will be given your point on the map, then you are prompted to take a picture of the bench, which you can then add notes to.

Figure 3: Tutorial part 2

Figure 4: Maps tab on phone

Next you are prompted to collect the data for a concrete path. Doing so is simple, you will stream the data set by clicking on Overflow and then clicking on Start Streaming. After you stop streaming you can optionally add a photo and notes again.

Figure 5: Tutorial part 3

Gif 1: Streaming a path

This is the end of the first Tutorial.

After this tutorial you need to log into ArcGIS with either a personal or enterprise login.

Making Your Own Map-Discussion:

As  you can see from the tutorial above, using ArcGIS Collector is very easy. After this I went through the process of making my own map with ArcGIS Collector. Following the same steps as the tutorial above, I blocked out my apartment complex on a map. It was a lot easier to do the apartment complex, as I had easy access back to my laptop to work with the desktop section of this software.

My only complaint with this software, is that you need computer access when using it. By this I mean that if you run into an error with your map when working in the field, you need to be able to access your desktop to fix your error. This would not be an issue to an organization that has a dedicated computer with internet access in the field, as part of their ground station. All in all, I think this is a great piece of software, as it is easy to pick up and use to gain experience with mapping, combining this with UAS applications has a lot of uses.

Future Plans and Conclusion: 

Obviously, a tutorial is not the greatest way to show off all the applications of this software, and how it can be combined with other ArcGIS software and peripherals. As such, I am planning an outing over the upcoming winter break to try out this software more by mapping out some areas of my hometown, either some farm land, or some of the rivers and swamps of my hometown. I will be using ArcGIS collector, my DJI Mavic Mini, and an additional software that I will be deciding on based on advice from other classmates and UAS professors.

UPDATE: I will be using Pix4D Mapper to make a Orthomosaic if I am permitted to do so.