1 Data Transfer Using The Dnrgps Application: Garmin Gps To

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Data Transfer Using the DNRGPS Application: Garmin GPS to ArcGIS (ESRI) Shapefile These instructions are for transferring data from a Garmin GPS unit into an ESRI Shapefile using the DNRGPS application, developed by the Minnesota DNR. These instructions assume you are working on a computer on the UWSP network and that you want your data to be in the Wisconsin Transverse Mercator (WTM83, NAD83 (1991)) coordinate system. For more information on the Wisconsin Transverse Mercator (WTM83, NAD83 (1991)) coordinate system, see the Wisconsin DNR’s explanation at: http://dnr.wi.gov/maps/gis/wtm8391.html You may also use these instructions as a guide if you want to export data in a coordinate system other than Wisconsin Transverse Mercator (WTM83, NAD83 (1991)). These instructions are also for using the DNRGPS application in a standalone manner independent of ArcGIS. The DNRPS application is available from the UWSP Application Center on the UWSP network and is also free for download at: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/mis/gis/DNRGPS/DNRGPS.html Objective: Transfer location data (waypoints and/or tracks) from a Garmin GPS unit directly to an ESRI Shapefile format for use in the ArcGIS software. 1. Connect the Garmin/PC interface cable to a serial port or USB port on your computer (dependent on your cable type) and to the Garmin GPS unit. Turn the GPS unit ON. 2. Start the DNRGPS program from the UWSP Application Center: Start > All Programs > UWSP Application Center When the UWSP Application Center starts, you can scroll down the list of ALL programs to find DNRGPS or type DNRGPS in the search bar at the top right to locate the DNRGPS program. Once displayed, click on the Run button to start the program. 1 3. Once the program starts, establish communication with your Garmin GPS device by clicking on GPS > Find GPS If the program is able to find and communicate with your Garmin GPS device it should display the device information below the menu as shown below: 4. If it is the first time the program has been started it may display Projection: No Projection in the lower left-hand corner as shown below: 2 You will want to set the projection to the Wisconsin Transverse Mercator (WTM83, NAD83 (1991)) coordinate system by using the following steps: a. Click on File > Set Projection b. Click the down-arrow to the right of the Datum field and scroll down and select NAD83/HARN c. Once NAD83/HARN is selected, a list of available Projections will be displayed. Scroll down the list and select Wisconsin Transverse Mercator and then click on OK. 3 d. The Projection in the lower left-hand corner should now read Wisconsin Transverse Mercator. e. If the initial projection was not undefined but instead set to something other than what you desire, you can use the above process to set it to what you want. 5. Once the device is connected and the projection has been set we are ready to download our data (waypoints and/or tracks). Click Waypoint > Download 4 The waypoints from the GPS unit will be transferred to the program in the form of a table and you will get a message when the records have been received. (see below). Click OK. 6. The program by default creates numerous attributes that may or may not be important to you. At this point you may delete waypoint records (rows) that you may not want exported by highlighting them and then using the red “X” (delete button) on the left side (see examples below). 5 7. Once you have removed any records (if necessary) you are ready to export the table data to an ESRI shapefile that can be used with ArcGIS. Click File > Save To > ArcMap > File from the main menu (shown below): The Save To File window will appear. Navigate to the folder where you want to save the data file. For the File name: use any name you wish. For the Save as type: Select ESRI Shapefile (3D) (*.shp) then click Save (example below). 6 Once the file has been saved successfully a message will appear (see below). Click OK. 8. Use the same process as in steps 5 thru 7 above to download the tracks by selecting Track > Download from the main menu 7 8 Use a similar process to step 7 to save the downloaded track file. When prompted to select the Save to Shape/GPS Types select the type that meets your needs. You can save multiple times selecting a different Save to Shape/GPS Types each time if you wish. Bring your new Shapefile(s) into ArcGIS and display as you normally would. 9