Option settings (KB-AM015)

There are a several configuration and preferential settings that are key to operating the vGIS Utilities mobile application (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1

Fig. 2

Display Mode

Display Mode determines how underground objects are shown in augmented reality. It is important to note, however, that above ground assets are still shown as 3D objects. The Display Mode setting is saved between sessions.

The setting options are:

• 3D with Surface Lines (default) will represent underground objects with a dashed surface line, and a 3D object at the appropriate depth.
• 3D underground objects will be shown at depth without surface lines.

• Solid Surface Lines will represent underground objects with a solid surface line only. The object at depth will be shown only when the surface line is selected by the crosshair.
• Solid Lines with Width will represent underground objects with a solid surface line of the same width as the object it represents. For instance, a 0.3 meter (1 foot) diameter pipe will be represented as a 0.3 meter wide solid surface line. The object at depth will be shown only when the surface line is selected by the crosshair.
• Dashed Surface Lines will represent underground objects with a dashed surface line only. The object at depth will be shown only when the surface line is selected by the crosshair.

GNSS and Positioning

The GNSS and Positioning setting determines the user’s default positioning method.  This setting is saved between sessions.

The setting options are:

• vGIS (default)
• Low-Precision GNSS
• GNSS/RTK

Azimuth Mode

The Azimuth Mode setting determines the user’s default calibration method. This setting is only available with High-Precision GNSS enabled devices. This setting is saved between sessions.

The setting options are:

• vGIS
• Walk (default)

For a detailed explanation on each method, see Calibrating Your Device > High-Precision GNSS Calibration Method.

Map

The Base Map setting determines the user’s default aerial map source. While the user’s selection will be saved between sessions, a default map source is determined by the company administrator(s). 

The setting options are:

• ESRI Maps
• Bing
• Custom Map

Units of Measurement

This setting determines which units of measurement are used throughout the vGIS Utilities mobile application. While the user’s selection will be saved between sessions, a default setting is determined by the company administrator(s).

The setting options are:

• Imperial
• Metric

Display Transparency Slider

Enabling the Display Transparency Slider setting will add a transparency slider to the augmented reality screen. Moving the slider down will make 3D objects more transparent, while moving the slider up will make 3D objects appear less transparent.

It is important to note that objects may have a preset transparency set to them by the company administrator(s). The transparency slider can only alter an object’s transparency relative to its preset. For example, an object that is preset to 50% transparent will only have 25% opacity when the transparency slider is set halfway between the two poles.   

This setting is disabled by default, and not saved between sessions.

Display Compass

Enabling the Display Compass setting will display a compass at the user’s feet. To view the compass, point the crosshair straight down.  This setting is saved between sessions.

Display GNSS

Enabling the Display GNSS setting will display the position of a GNSS device relative to the device user’s location. This setting is saved between sessions.

Launch Screen

The Launch Screen setting controls what screen appears first when the app is launched.

The setting options are:

• Map launches the application on a fully featured 2-dmentional map. The user can switch to the AR (Augmented Reality) mode by clicking on the AR button.
• Augmented Reality brings user directly to the AR mode without showing the map first. Depending on the calibration settings, the user may need to calibrate the app before entering the AR mode.

 

Fixed Height

Enabling the Fixed Height setting will lock the vertical position of objects and lines relative to the device elevation.

In normal operating circumstances, the position of objects and lines are given by either their relative distance from ground level, or by their elevation from sea level. With Fixed Height enabled, surface objects and lines will always appear at the user’s feet regardless of their changing elevation.

 This setting is disabled by default, and not saved between sessions.

Enable Topography

The Enable Topography setting is responsible for downloading topography into the vGIS system and projecting holographic overlays relative to the downloaded data.

If disabled, the system will project holographic overlays relative to a flat ground surface.

The user may choose to disable topography in instances where the areas topography is too confusion, or incorrect.

This setting is enabled by default.

V-Drift Auto Correct

V-Drift (or Vertical Drift) Auto Correct ensures that the vGIS system maintains landscape at the device’s elevation, instead of from the downloaded topography.

In instances where the topography may not be correct, objects may appear to drift vertically (v-drift) from the device’s relative position in the real world. This is caused by the system misinterpreting the incorrect topography as an elevation change.

This setting is enabled by default.