GIS Programs-low cost
GIS Programs-low cost
(OP)
I would like to get recommendations for a program to use for mapping. What we want to do is import data (Excel or Access) into a mapping program, and have the locations mapped. The data includes the coordinates of the locations. We would not use the program much, so I am hesitant to spend $1500 on one seat for Arcgis.
Anyone have experience with fairly simple programs of this type? (non-engineers will likely end up using it, not me)
I appreciate any insights you can offer.
Anyone have experience with fairly simple programs of this type? (non-engineers will likely end up using it, not me)
I appreciate any insights you can offer.





RE: GIS Programs-low cost
http://opensourcegis.org/
I hate Windowz 8!!!!
RE: GIS Programs-low cost
RE: GIS Programs-low cost
If all you want to do is plot coordinates in space, just use Google Earth. There are a thousand excel to KML converts on the web, you can probably even create your own. KML is just a text file listing data in a specific format. I've used DNRGarmin a lot in the past to convert data between coordinate systems and file types, text to KML to shp. It is an ArcGIS extension, but also works as a stand-alone. I've also used GPSU which has more possible file types than DNRGarmin, but fewer coordinate systems, and is more limited to the number of points.
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/mis/gis/tools/arcview/e...
http://www.gpsu.co.uk/features.html
For opening and editing shapefiles, I used QGIS a lot before I had ArcGIS. It's been a while, and changed a lot since then though.
http://www.qgis.org/en/site/
RE: GIS Programs-low cost
If you need to use shape files then it does seem to get a whole lot more expensive.
My motto: Learn something new every day
Also: There's usually a good reason why everyone does it that way
RE: GIS Programs-low cost
Hydrology, Drainage Analysis, Flood Studies, and Complex Stormwater Litigation for Atlanta and the South East - http://www.campbellcivil.com
RE: GIS Programs-low cost
I use global mapper. Price is going up, but it has a ton of functionality.