vGIS Portal - Data mapping essentials (KB-AP012)

Mapping takes the data provided from the data source and converts it into 3-dimensional overlays that can be viewed through your augmented and virtual reality devices. You can view a Data Source’s Mapping Configuration page by either double-clicking the data source row, found on a Data Source Details page or by pressing the “Mapping” at the end of the data source’s row.

The “Mapping Configuration Table” contains a list of all object layers and properties. This table can be sorted by clicking on the headers.

Synchronizing Data

Once you have successfully connected a data source, you will need to synchronize this data to your vGIS account. To accomplish this, press the “Synchronize Structure” button located in the top left-hand corner of the page. You will receive a confirmation message in the portal window, stating that synchronization is complete, and you should now be able to see several object layers listed in your mapping configuration table.

Please note: Synchronizing your database structure could take several minutes, depending on the size of your data source file.

Root Layer

The Root object layer is a set of default configuration values that can be applied to all dependent layers (child nodes). If a child node is missing the configuration for a particular setting, the value will be inherited from the root layer. The following values can be configured at the root layer:

  1. Primary color
  2. Secondary color
  3. Layer group
  4. Default depth/elevation
  5. Elevation type (Additional Details)
  6. Vertical Datum (Additional Details) - Can only be assigned at the root layer and applies to all children nodes.

If your data set has a setting that should apply to all layers within the data set, such as the elevation setting, we recommend configuring it at the root level, leaving 'children node' with 'default' values. It will simplify updates in case you need to change the value in the future.

Folders

Depending on the nature of your data, your object layers can be organized into folders. Similar to the root layer, configuration values assigned to parent folders can be applied to all dependent layers (child nodes). If a child node is missing the configuration for a particular setting, the value will be inherited from the parent layer.

Please note: Vertical datum can only be configured at the root layer.

Common configuration settings

There are four types of objects in vGIS:

  • 3D models
  • Areas
  • Lines
  • Points

The configuration process is similar for all types, as they share many common settings. Some of the settings will be the same for the Root Layer and Folders:

Layer Group: This allows you to group an object layer to a specific layer on the vGIS app. Organizing objects into Layers allows device users to enable, or disable, entire groups of objects from the vGIS app.

Object Type: In most instances, the vGIS system will identify objects automatically, and you will not be able to switch the object type. On occasion, however, the vGIS system may not be able to identify an object layer and it will need to be identified manually. There are five different types of objects: 3D Model, Area, Line, Point, and Unknown.

Header Field: Object headers are displayed when viewing an object through the vGIS 3D Environment. By default, objects will display their object ID when being viewed.

Sub-Header: the value set in the sub-header field will be the second line displayed in the call-out bubble and the infocard. This field uses dynamic values for its attributes. Use the sample data at the bottom of the page to select the relevant value field.

Color: You can assign a color to any object layer by either making a selection from the color chart, manually entering in a color code (in hexadecimal, RGB, or HSL), or it can be selected from the 30 preset colors. It is recommended to set some transparency to colors for large objects (e.g., Areas). The recommended percentage of opacity is 20% to 30%

Default Depth/Elevation: This setting allows you to set a default depth or altitude to an object layer. Zero is considered to be ground level, with positive numbers being above ground (altitude), and negative numbers being underground (depth). You can also choose a unit of measurement by selecting it in the drop-down box adjacent to the Default Depth/Altitude value field.

Depth/Altitude Field: Some data sources may include object values for depth/altitude. After processing your data for the first time, use the sample data at the bottom of the page, find the depth/altitude field and select it from the Depth/Altitude Field drop-down box. Next, select the relevant unit of measurement for your data.

If your system uses positive numbers for below ground (depth), and negative numbers for above ground (altitude), you will need to check the “Invert” checkbox that is located next to the unit of measurement drop-down box.

Please note: if your data source includes Z-coordinates for depth, then vGIS will automatically pull the Z-coordinate. In the absence of the Z-coordinate, the system will use the Depth/Altitude Field, or the Default Depth/Altitude if no Depth/Altitude Field is given.

Elevation Type (Additional Details): occasionally, certain feature layers will require their elevation type to be different than the default root setting. There are three Elevation Type settings:

  • Default - Allows the system to recognize if the data set is z-enabled or not. If z-enabled, the base for the elevation calculations will refer to the sea level and its corresponding vertical datum. If not, it will count as Surface offset.
  • Surface offset - Refers to the selected digital surface as the base for the elevation calculations.
  • Ignore z-value - Ignores z-values within the data set.

Sub-Type Field (Additional Details): In some instances, object layers may have different sub-layers (or sub-types) as defined by the data source. You can create these sub-layers in your vGIS system by using a sub-type field. Using the sample data at the bottom of the page, find the sub-type field you wish to use, and select it in the Sub-Type Field drop-down box. Different sub-type values will appear as child nodes under the parent node on the mapping configuration table. Each child node will have its own primary color, secondary color, forms, and layer configuration settings.

Configuring 3D Model Objects

vGIS can upload complex 3D models, such as buildings and cut-and-fill models, into its AR environment. 3D Model objects will keep the visual configuration from its source and do not need further configuration settings in the Admin Portal.

Please note: 3D models might require elevation settings to be configured correctly. For more information on elevation settings, please review the second section of this document.

Configuring Area Objects

Areas can be used to highlight property coverage and large-scale objects in the vGIS app. With the right configuration, your area objects can highlight flat surfaces or be extruded as 3D prisms.

For more information on the area object configuration settings please follow this link.

Configuring Line Objects

A line object requires you to select one of two object sub-types, you can choose either Pipe or Line. Pipes will appear as 3D cylinder objects in the vGIS app, while Lines will appear as flat 2D objects.

For more information on the line object configuration settings please follow this link.

Configuring Point Objects

A point object can be any object in the real world, such as manhole covers, inlets, street lamps, fire hydrants, etc.

For more information on the point configuration settings please follow this link.

Processing Data

From time to time, you will need to process your data to keep the system up to date with your configuration updates. Data can be processed in two ways in vGIS:

  • Real-Time processing does not store GIS data in the system. Instead, vGIS acquires, processes, and pushes data straight from the source to your device in real-time.
  • Persistent (recommended) data processing will cache some GIS data in the cloud and can be scheduled to take place at your convenience. Below the steps for its configuration.

Processing layer data

Since processing your entire database can take several minutes, the Process Layer Data feature allows you to process the data of a single layer. To process a single layer’s data, select the object layer from the Data Source List, and click on the "Process Layer Data" button in the top right corner of the page.

Processing data sources

Once a data source has been fully configured, the final step is to process it. To do so, click on the "Process Data" button in the upper right corner of the screen.

Please note: Data processing can take several minutes depending on the size of your data source file.

Scheduling data source processing

Administrators can choose to schedule the data source processing to avoid data inconsistencies.

  1. To schedule the data source processing, access the Data Source side menu and click the Edit call-out for the data source you wish to schedule.
  2. Next, click the Scheduling tab, and enable the "Schedule Data source Processing" toggle.
  3. Set the schedule processing frequency.

Please note: Data Source Scheduling will not work with KML or Real-Time data sources

Adding Custom Scripts

The vGIS system allows for the addition of custom scripts. These scripts can be designed to meet specific what-if scenarios that will allow your configuration to reach the level of sophistication that is required by your company.

To access the scripts page, select an item from the mapping configuration table, and click on the "Script" tab.

To learn more about the vGIS Admin Portal scripting language and recommendations, follow this link.

Processing Logs Records

The processing log records for a particular object layer are kept in the vGIS and can be accessed at any time.

To view the processing log records for a specific object layer, select the object layer from the mapping configuration table, and click on the "Logs" tab.

Object Layer Statistics

Detailed statistics are kept on each object layer. To view the statistics for a specific object layer, select the object layer from the mapping configuration table, and click the “Statistics” tab.

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