Deed Calls – Grid – Stakeout updated to version 1.0.6

The Deed Calls – Grid – Stakeout app has been updated for iOS 17 compatibility

About backing up data files

When asked whether a iCMTGIS PRO TestFlight tester backed up his data files, he replied, “I did buy the program awhile back, do I still need to save the files?” (He is using the app with his Juniper systems Geode.)

It is always a good idea to save the data files to your PC from time to time, as some glitches either in the app, in the iOS or in the device itself (such as low battery power) could result in a crash that corrupts the data files. The procedure is outlined in an earlier blog post: https://icmtgis.wordpress.com/2013/11/04/back-up-your-job-data-to-pc/

To be on the safe side, some users also save a back-up copy of their job data on the device itself. You would use the “SAVE AS” function to save the data under a different file name. Beware, though, that after doing so, you should open the original data file to continue working with it. Otherwise, any newly added data would be saved to the back-up file. To check into which file you are currently working with, select MENU > Job > Current Job to see the file name displayed.

Have a Happy New Year!

CMT iOS apps choking on iOS 17.1.1

A Deed Calls & Stakeout user reported crashes after he updated his iPad devices to iOS 17.1.1.

We found out that the new iOS messes up the keyboard calls in our apps. We are looking into this issue. Thank you for your patience.

Stakeout iCMT Updated to Release 1.0.5

This update of the Stakeout iCMT permits the app to be listed in the Files App and under Settings of your device. One user reported a crash while creating a new Job in the previous release. Hopefully it won’t happen with this release.

Importing Shapefiles into Stakeout iCMT

“I suppose in a pinch I could just keep adding shapefiles to the same job.“

You don’t need to create a new Job for each set of Shapefiles you wish to import. You can import more than one set of Shapefiles to the same Job in Stakeout iCMT. The Shapefiles to be loaded must be in the same coordinate system as the Job file. As Stakeout iCMT only uses the WGS 84 LLA system, the Shapefiles must be in the same coordinate system in order to be loaded to the correct location.

The ability to select other datums and coordinate systems is provided by some of our other apps, such as the iCMTGIS III, iCMTGIS PRO, Forester GPS GIS  II and Forester GPS GIS III, which also include the Stakeout functions. Our PC-GIS X provides the ability to set up custom-defined projections, which can then be transferred to the device for use by these apps.

How can I tell if iCMTGIS PRO is using the Trimble R1, or the iPad built-in GPS?

(This is an updated version of an older article that we posted in 2014.)

The iOS devices can only work with GPS receivers approved by Apple.

iCMTGIS PRO is able to get the NMEA data stream directly from a few external GPS receivers, such as the EOS Arrow Gold, the Geneq SXBlue Platinum, Bad Elf GPS and Dual XGPS-150A. For other compatible GPS receivers, it gets the data from the iOS Location Service. All of our other apps only obtain GPS data from the Location Service of the iOS device.

To use the external GPS, make sure you have turned on Location Services under Privacy. Also, on the Location Services page, find iCMTGIS PRO and turn the switch on to make Location Service available for this app. (Do this for the app you are using, such as iCMTGIS II, iGPSGIS II, Utility Data Collection, Stakeout iCMT, Farming GPS GIS, Forester GPS GIS, etc.)

For iOS devices with built-in GPS, how would one know if the app is using the external GPS or the built-in GPS?

The short answer is: Your iOS device will serve the GPS data from the external GPS (such as the Trimble R1) when the internal GPS is not actively being used.

Not to leave you in the fog, here is the long answer:

1. To make use of GPS, Location Service must be turned on under Settings and also turned on for the specific app you are using.
2. The iOS device will automatically use the internal GPS if you turn on GPS within an app while no external GPS is connected.
3. When any app is using the internal GPS, iOS cannot work with an external GPS connected to the device.
4. Therefore, to make use of the connected external GPS, you will want to turn off GPS from all running GPS apps (including the one you are actively using) then turn on GPS within the app you are actively using.
5. It will also help to turn on Airplane mode then turn on Bluetooth and make sure Location Service is active for the app. Then, the next time you turn on Airplane mode, Bluetooth will not be automatically turned off. In newer devices, Bluetooth will not be automatically turned off when you turn on Airplane mode.
6. When Bluetooth connection is lost, then iOS uses the internal GPS. This could happen randomly.

Usually, the first time you turn on GPS in the app, the device will connect with the external GPS. So to make sure the device is connected with the external GPS, turn off GPS (from the menu bar of the app such as iCMTGIS PRO) then turn it on again. Or, reconnect the Bluetooth GPS. The status maybe shown as “Connected”, but just tap on it to make it reconnect again.

What to do about ” is not compatible with this iPad”?

As an iOS update or a newer model iPhone/iPad device becomes available, third-party apps typically must also be updated for compatibility. Unfortunately, the updated app may no longer be compatible with the older device and iOS version.

If you’ve previously purchased an older version of the third-party app and wish to reload it on an older iPad device, you could try the following procedure to see if you will be able to download an older version of the app that is compatible with the older device.

1. Sign in to the App Store with the Apple ID that you used for purchasing the app.
2. Tap the Purchased tab to see the list of apps that you have purchased.
3. Tap the app name and then tap the download icon.
4. You will be asked if you want to download an older version of the app.
5. Confirm by tapping on Download.
6. After the app has been installed, check to make sure that it will run properly on your device.

A crash upon iOS 14.8 update

“We have been running icmtgis PRO with an EOS arrow and ipad for several years. Unfortunately, the ipad was recently updated and the App is no longer opening.” “We are using an Ipad Mini 5, and updated to IpadOS 14.8 (though I honestly don’t know if we missed a cycle or two…).”

Perhaps your iCMTGIS PRO is not up to date. One thing you could try is to delete the app and then reload it. However, be sure to save any existing data files to your PC before doing so. You can use iTunes on your PC to copy the data files to a folder on your PC.

When you are ready to reinstall the app, please first delete the existing copy, and then download the app from the App Store. You own a license for this app and should not have to pay for it again.

If the app runs fine, then exit the app and then copy the cmtgispro.cfg file back to its Documents folder.
If the app still works properly, then copy all the data files back to its Documents folder. The settings of distance unit, angle system, etc. are saved in the configuration file cmtgispro.cfg. However, bits of information that caused the crash may have also been saved to this file. Therefore, if the app does not work properly after the cmtgispro.cfg has been restored, then delete this file from its Documents folder. The app will generate a fresh one to use.

I need to locate the corners of 6 square parcels (5 are 40-acres each and 1 is 160-acres)

You will need additional information besides the fact that these parcels are rectangular.

For example, do you have the LAT-LON coordinates of the corner points? If so, you could enter these into Stakeout iCMT and then let the app help you get to the corner points.

Or, if you have the deed descriptions in terms of the point of beginning and the bearings and distances of the parcel boundaries, then you could use the Deed Calls & Stakeout to plot the parcels and then let the app help you get to the corner points.

How to get back to buried valves next year using iCMTGIS PRO?

“I am working on a new project, Irrigation Valves Map. I have all my main points taken (see picture); I am wonder if the CMT have the option how to know for the next year where those points are exactly without to measure just using the gps as guide. I am using an Arrow 100 with the CMT. The irrigation valves are 7-10 feet deep from the ground, and every year the guys must dig for find them out.”

If you have the GPS coordinates for each of the Valves stored in a Job file in the iCMTGIS PRO app, you can use the Point Stakeout function to help you find those points next year. You can set up the app to beep when it is close to the target location.

How close you can get to the valve position depends on the accuracy and precision of your GPS receiver.
The Arrow 100 claims sub-meter accuracy. Is that good enough for you?

You can try the Point Stakeout function right now while you can see the holes for the valves. This way you can check if your GPS receiver is good enough for this task.

If you need higher accuracy, you could get (buy or rent) an Arrow Gold and use the correction signals from an RTK network to obtain cm-level results. In this case, you would use the Arrow Gold in RTK mode to record the accurate valve positions now. Use the Point Stakeout function to verify that it does help you get to the valve holes. Next year, use the Point Stakeout function again in the same way to get to the surface point of each valve.

How to transfer a job file from your PC to iCMTGIS PRO

“I have removed a pmp file from my ipad device a few years back in an effort to declutter. The pmp file is now stored on a hard drive. What is the best process to get the file back on the ipad to compare work for a project revision?”

If there is a newer pmp file for the same project with the same file name, please change the file name of one of the .pmp job files. This will help prevent a pmp job file to be overwritten by the other one.

1. You can use iTunes to copy files back and forth between your PC and your iCMTGIS PRO on iPad.

The last few revisions of iTunes has “File Sharing” placed on the menu on the left side bar.
Click on File Sharing and then click on the iCMTGIS PRO icon.

You will see a list of all the files stored in iCMTGIS PRO.

To save files to PC, click on the .pmp files you wish to copy and then click on the “Save To” button. Select the PCGISX folder to save the files.

To copy files from your PC to iCMTGIS PRO, click the “Add” button, then select the files from your computer.
You can copy the old pmp job file to the Document folder of iCMTGIS PRO and open one of the two files at a time to compare.

2. You could also email the pmp file to yourself. When you open the email, you can tap on the attached job file and then select iCMTGIS PRO to use for opening this job file. In iCMTGIS PRO you will need to Save the file As some job name for it to be stored in the Documents folder of iCMTGIS PRO.

Unable to select a Feature or a Tool icon using iCMTGIS PRO on iPhone X

An iPhone X user reported that it was difficult for him to select a Point Feature in Map View by tapping on it. When successful, tapping on the Feature Properties screen did not generate a response. Adjusting the 3D & Haptic Touch under Settings > Accessibility > Touch did not seem to make a great deal of difference.

We found out that a quick tap does the trick on the newer devices. Aim your finger at the Point and give it a quick and gentle tap. The symbol representing the Point will be highlighted. Similarly, give the Tool icon a quick, gentle tap, and it should respond promptly.

Ditto for all of our iPhone apps.

If I purchase iCMTGIS PRO, will I be able to use it on both my iPad and iPhone?

Yes, you will be able to use iCMTGIS PRO on both your iPad and iPhone as long as you are signed in on both devices with the Apple ID you used to purchase the app.

Same is true on our other universal apps, such as iCMTGIS III, Stakeout iCMT, Deed Calls & Stakeout, Cruise Angle, Partition & Stakeout, and Contour – Volume – Stakeout.

Some of our apps, such as iCMTGIS II, Forester GPS GIS II/III, Farming GPS GIS II/III, Wetland & Stakeout, Landscape & Stakeout and Utility Data Collection only work on iPad devices.

iGPSGIS II is intended for use on iPhone devices.

How to obtain the GPS coordinates of the corner points in Deed Calls & Stakeout

“Is it possible to determine the GPS coordinates of each corner? Also, is it possible to load the DXF into a handheld GPS unit?”

As you will be using the deed plot to locate the survey pins, please make sure the local magnetic declination in the Orientation field is correct. This will ensure that the plot corners will match the actual locations.

This app is not designed to record the GPS coordinates of the corner points. However, there is a workaround you could try.

First, please use Main Menu > Job > SAVE AS to save the file to a new (test) file name. You will work with this new file so as not to mess up your original Job file.

With the new file open, tap the Pick button on the First Node Page, and then tap on the
Snap to Node icon on the far right corner at the top.

Tap on the node for which you want to know the GPS coordinates, and then tap on the Back button. You will see the Lat Lon values displayed at the bottom of the First Node page.

Now, do Main Menu > Job > Open Job then select “Yes” to abandon the changes, as we do not really want to shift the first node to the new location.

Open the new (test) file and repeat the process to find the coordinates for the other corner points.

You can email the DXF to yourself then download it and load it to your handheld GPS unit that can open DXF files with LAT LON coordinates.

Partition & Stakeout updated to version 1.0.4

Partition & Stakeout version 1.0.4 can now be downloaded from the Apple App Store.