Global Mapper Overview

Global Mapper is more than just a viewer capable of displaying the most popular raster, elevation, and vector datasets. It converts, edits, prints, tracks GPS, and allows you to utilize GIS functionality on your datasets in one low cost and easy to use software package. The new 6.xx release adds the ability to directly access the entire TerraServer database of USGS satellite imagery and topographic maps from within Global Mapper and to view elevation data in true 3D!

GlobalMapper Your data files can be loaded as layers, for example a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) can be loaded with a scanned topographical map to create a 3D view of the map. A digital aerial image can be draped on the surface together with vector contour mapping to create a stunning and informative graphic. The results can be printed, or the workspace can be exported to a high resolution raster image for use in a presentation or report.

GlobalMapper Have you ever received a dataset that does not match the projection of your current project? Simply load the dataset into Global Mapper, change the projection, and save the file to match your coordinate system. If the dataset is larger than the area you are interested in, export the data using the crop feature and change the projection and format of the data at the same time.

GlobalMapper Global Mapper is more than just a utility; it has built in functionality for distance and area calculations, raster blending and contrast adjustment, elevation querying and line of sight calculations as well as advanced capabilities like image rectification, contour generation from surface data, view shed analysis from surface data, and triangulation and gridding of 3D point data. Repetitive tasks can be accomplished using the built in scripting language or comprehensive batch conversion functionality.


 

 
Quick Summary of Global Mapper Features
  • Supports viewing of dozens of the most common data formats, including DLG-O, DRG, DOQ, DEM, DGN, DXF, SDTS DLG, SDTS DEM, ECW, MrSID, ESRI Shapefiles, E00, MapInfo MIF/MID, MapInfo TAB/MAP, GTOPO30, TerrainBase, SRTM, ETOPO2, ENVI DEM, JPG, PNG, BIL, BSQ, BIP, XYZ, Tiger/Line, Arc Vector Coverages, VPF (VMAP, DNC), S-57, CADRG, CIB, JPEG2000, GIF, NOS/GEO, Garmin PCX5, OziExplorer WPT/PLT, Zmap Plus Grids, etc.
  • Provides direct access to the complete TerraServer satellite imagery and topographic map archive for the entire US for free within the application!
  • Supports true 3D viewing of loaded elevation data including draping of any loaded imagery and vector data over the 3D surface.
  • Crop, reproject, and merge any combination of raster data, including DRGs.
  • DIGITIZING SUPPORT! You can digitize new vector (area, line, and point) features by drawing them with the mouse. You can also edit existing vector features. Newly created and editing features can be saved to any of the supported export formats.
  • GPS SUPPORT! You can track a compatible GPS device connected to your computer's serial port in real-time over any loaded data. In addition, you can mark waypoints at the current GPS location and record a tracklog of where your GPS device has been while connected, all seamless with your loaded map data!
  • EXPORT SUPPORT! You can export both vector, raster, and elevation data to a variety of formats (see below). You can merge any combination of data sets, regardless of source scale, type, and projection. See below for a list of supported export types.
    • Vector Data (i.e. DLG's, Shapefiles, DXF, etc.)
      • AutoCAD DXF format
      • CDF format
      • ESRI Shapefile format
      • Garmin PCX5 TRK and WPT formats
      • InRoads ASCII format
      • Landmark Graphics format
      • MapGen format
      • MapInfo MIF/MID format
      • MatLab format
      • NIMA ASC format
      • PLS CADD XYZ Grid file format
      • Simple ASCII Text format
      • Surfer BLN format
      • SVG (Scalable Vector Graphic) format
      • Tsunami OVR format
      • USGS DLG-O format
    • Raster Data (i.e. DRG's, DOQ's, etc.)
      • BIL/BIP/BSQ formats
      • ECW format
      • GeoTIFF format
      • JPG format
    • Elevation Data (i.e. DEM's, etc.)
      • Arc ASCII Grid format
      • BIL format
      • DXF (3D-point, 3D-mesh, and 3D-face) formats
      • Float/Grid file format
      • GeoTIFF DEM format
      • Leveller Heightfield file format
      • MapMaker Terrain file format
      • PLS CADD XYZ Grid file format
      • RockWorks Grid format
      • STL format
      • Surfer Grid (ASCII and binary) formats
      • Terragen Terrain file format
      • USGS DEM format
      • VRML format
      • XYZ ASCII Grid format
      • Zmap Plus Grid format
  • IMAGE RECTIFICATION! You can graphically rectify (georeference) any JPG, TIFF, or PNG image and save the results to a new fully georeferenced image.
  • CONTOUR GENERATION! You can create contours for any combination of elevation data. You can also specify the contour interval to use. The generated contour data can then be exported to any of the supported vector export formats (see previous item for a list).
  • Automatic triangulation and gridding of 3D point data sets, such as ASCII XYZ files. This allows you to convert a set of elevation samples into a fully gridded data set, which can then be used for contour generation, line of sight analysis, and view shed analysis, among other things. The data can also be exported to any of the supported elevation grid formats, such as USGS DEM.
  • Advanced screen capture. You can capture the contents of the screen to a BMP, JPG, PNG, or (Geo)TIFF file of user-specified resolution.
  • Batch conversion of almost any input data data files to any compatible export type.
  • Auto-clip collar for DRG's. You can now have the collar of USGS DRG files automatically clipped off. This allows you to seamlessly view a collection of adjacent DRG files.
  • Supports opening SDTS DLG, SDTS DEM, and most other file types directly from .tar.gz and .zip archives. This saves the major headache of decompressing each SDTS transfer into a separate directory.
  • Comprehensive view shed analysis using loaded elevation grid data from a user-specified location, transmitter height, and radius.
  • 3D Path Profiling and Line of Sight (LOS) capabilities, including receiver/transmitter heights, minimum clearance, and earth curvature options.
  • Advanced measurement capabilities, including multi-segment path lengths and headings and enclosed area.
  • Support the latest DEM and SDTS DEM formats, including decimeter DEMs.
  • Supports opening DLG-O and DEM files directly from gzipped archives. This means that you can save space and hassle by not having to decompress the data after you download it.
  • Slide over text. When you move your cursor around the screen you'll get a description of the nearest feature automatically displayed in the status bar.
  • Supports keyboard navigation. You can pan about with the arrow keys and zoom in/out with the page up/page down keys.
  • Search by name for all loaded vector data.
  • And much more!