Software Tools

VRMapper suite of software tools are intended to provide users with an easy means to validate their laser measuring system; perform simple survey calculations (traverse and intersections); input coordinate, distance, direction and elevation difference observations and run a vertical and horizontal least square adjustment using Gama; derive direction observations from panorama's and map visible objects from panorama's. The tools are expected to be developed in three phases. The core processing program for adjusting photo survey networks is the open source GNU Gama least square adjustment program.

Gama Least Square Adjustment (resource centre)- is a robust open source program for performing a least square adjustment of 1D, 2D and 3D survey observations. The project was initiated by Ales Cepek and Jan Pytel at the Department of Mapping and Cartography, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague in 1998. The program name Gama is derived as an acronym from Geodesy and Mapping. Gama has been presented at FIG conferences and received status of GNU license software in 2001. Gama adjusts observed coordinates (with variance- covariance matrix), distances, angles/directions, height differences and 3D vectors in a local coordinate system. The observation data is formatted as an XML (Extensible Markup Language) input file. This makes it easy to read and edit the data. Gama is run simply as a command line program or via the companion GUI Rocinante (written by Jan Pytel) which is very well structured and easy to use. (Most of these software tools are under development)

Phase One

Laser Ranger Validation Sample- The VRMapper laser ranger provides an easy way to measure distances and vertical angles (and therefore control scale) for photo survey networks.  It is important to perform a measuring system validation to ensure derived distances are accurate and free of systematic errors.  I recommend performing a zero baseline validation to validate your measuring system. Laser Ranger Validation Form

Slope Distance Reduction- Excel form allows user to input VRMapper laser ranger slope distance, vertical angle, instrument/target heights to reduce to horizontal distance and elevation difference

Simple Survey Traverse- Form Excel form allows user to enter starting coordinates, bearing and distance to calculate coordinates of traverse points (up to 20 points)

Survey Intersections- Excel form allows user to calculate coordinates of an unknown point from two known coordinates using bearing-bearing/bearing-distance/distance-distance observations.

Gama 2D XML Input File Generator Excel form allows user to create the distance and direction part of a Gama XML input file.  Distance observations are input directly into the form and the X and Y values of each direction point, derived in Photoshop or equivalent image processor, are input into the form and relative directions are determined.  This helps a user build the complete observation input file to run a 2D horizontal leasr square adjustment of a photo survey network.  Also allows user to calculate the coordinates for a point with a full circle bearing and distance to the second point from the first point. Gama 2D XML Input File Generator Form

Phase Two

Phase two is a plan to migrate and enhance the phase one photo survey tools to a web interface to make the tools more user friendly and robust. 

Survey Intersections- Excel form allows user to calculate coordinates of an unknown point from two known coordinates using bearing-bearing/bearing-distance/distance-distance observations.

Slope Distance & Elevation Difference Reduction-
1D Vertical Least Square Adjustment-
2D Horizontal Least Square Adjustment-
Object Mapper-

Phase Three

Phase three is a plan to migrate and enhance the phase two photo survey tools to a plug-in using the uDig framework to make the tools to be a full featured visual photo survey adjustment and object mapping program including all the Geographic Information System features.