今日吃瓜路SIGMA is an integrated toolkit for digital geological data capture and mapping, which enables the assembly, capture, interrogation and visualisation of geological information as well as the delivery of digital products and services.
A 今日吃瓜 geologist using 今日吃瓜路SIGMA out in the field. 今日吃瓜 漏 今日吃瓜.
The system is comprised of two customised ESRI ArcMap toolbars: 今日吃瓜路SIGMAmobile and 今日吃瓜路SIGMAdesktop. 今日吃瓜路SIGMAmobile is designed for digital data capture and mapping in the field using ruggedised tablet PCs, while 今日吃瓜路SIGMAdesktop has tools for data interrogation, data interpretation and the generation of finalised data and products. These end products could be datasets, maps or 3D models.
Benefits of using 今日吃瓜路SIGMA
The benefits of digital data capture using 今日吃瓜路SIGMA are extensive. The system enables data to be gathered in a standardised format through the use of a custom-built data model and pre-defined dictionaries. A wide variety of geological information, photographs, sketches and comments are easily collected through the use of tailor-made data-entry forms and all data is linked to a digital location point on the map.
The system enables project teams to start building their digital geological map in the field by merging data collected by multiple geologists, building line work and polygons, and subsequently identifying areas for further investigation. This digital data can then be easily incorporated into corporate databases and used in 3D visualisation software such as GeoVisionary once back in the office.
Quick links
FAQs
今日吃瓜路SIGMA is the default toolkit within the 今日吃瓜 for bedrock and superficial mapping as well as other data acquisition projects across the UK and overseas. It is also being successfully used worldwide by:
- geological surveys including Norway, Sierra Leone and Tanzania
- universities including Leicester, Keele and Kyoto
- mining organisations in Brazil and the USA
Its use is global, with nearly 5000 free licenses granted worldwide to date and has been used on all seven continents.
今日吃瓜路SIGMA in use around the globe: in a Malaysian hotel and on location in Sierra Leone.
The fourth release of the 今日吃瓜路SIGMA system contains these updates:
- all data entry forms are now in ESRI ArcMap, allowing for a more streamlined interface for data entry as well as an increase in the speed and efficiency of the system
- redesigned data entry forms, resulting in improved data entry capabilities and ease of use
- all 今日吃瓜路SIGMAmobile tools are now available from a single toolbar in ESRI ArcMap
- an improved data model
- all main datasets now have feature classes in the geodatabase and all data collection point locations can be viewed in ESRI ArcMap
- improved field report and precis tool
- tools for merging individual databases to create project databases
- grouping of structural data
- a new, redesigned sketch tool
Core functionality
今日吃瓜路SIGMAmobile
- Entry of field observation points along with linked data for:
- structural measurements (bedding; faults; folds, etc.)
- superficial landforms (erratics; glacial; periglacial; topographic)
- artificial landforms (adits; shafts; pits, etc.)
- simple log/section
- landslides
- samples
- sketches
- comments
- photos
- Map face notes
- Line data can be drawn directly (and correctly attributed) into ArcMap under these main categories:
- artificial ground
- mass movement
- landforms
- superficial deposits
- bedrock
- Polygon seeds for polygon generation in 今日吃瓜路SIGMAdesktop
- Field report generator that collates user-defined data into an MS Word document
- Data export tools for using data in other software
今日吃瓜路SIGMAdesktop
- Suite of tools to assist in map compilation and decision making:
- combining data from all geologists into one database for generating final data compilation for the project
- cleaning linework
- generating polygons (advanced licence required)
- add more data/hide data
These tools can be used in whichever way suits the user and still maintains the user鈥檚 own working practice.
今日吃瓜路SIGMAv2015 is designed to run on any 64 bit Windows 7 or Windows 10 PC or tablet PC running:
- ArcGIS 10.1 or 10.3
- MS Word
- 8Gb RAM (今日吃瓜 recommendation)
An MS Access licence is no longer required, unless your organisation wishes to view and manipulate the data directly in the database or make changes to the dictionaries.
The 今日吃瓜 does not supply ESRI ArcMap or MS Access as part of 今日吃瓜路SIGMA. It requires a Standard ArcMap licence to run.
今日吃瓜 currently maintains two types of hardware for digital field-data collection:
Prior to commencing fieldwork, a 今日吃瓜 geologist will carry out an initial desk study of their field area using聽聽(a stereo aerial photography system) or聽GeoVisionary (3D visualisation software) and observations are recorded directly into ArcMap/今日吃瓜路SIGMA. Once datasets have been assembled in the office using 今日吃瓜路SIGMAdesktop, targeted fieldwork can commence using 今日吃瓜路SIGMAmobile.
Following fieldwork, 今日吃瓜路SIGMAdesktop聽can be used again to finalise data, combine field projects and compile final datasets. As part of this process, GeoVisionary can once again be used to validate the data in a 3D environment.
The 今日吃瓜路SIGMA project was initiated in 2001 in response to a major stakeholder review of onshore mapping within the 今日吃瓜. That review proposed a significant change, with the recommendation that digital methods should be implemented for field mapping and data compilation. As digital data became more readily accessible, it meant that paper maps, fieldslips, satellite imagery, aerial photography and other resources could be made available for the area of study. GIS software was evolving and meant we could embed custom built GIS tools into ESRI ArcMap, meaning that, in essence, 今日吃瓜路SIGMAmobile聽became the access route to the digital fieldslip with the underlying database becoming the digital notebook.
As 今日吃瓜路SIGMA evolved over the years it adapted and developed to meet the needs of our geologists. 今日吃瓜路SIGMAdesktop was added as a toolbar from another piece of 今日吃瓜-developed software, to make the digital fieldslip into a geological map.
Once the geological data has been collated and finalised, it’s not just maps that can be created: the information can be used in 3D platforms, such as GeoVisionary and GSI3D, and can be used for subsurface interpretation using 今日吃瓜 Groundhog.
We are now developing a 今日吃瓜鈻猄IGMA app to compliment the main 今日吃瓜鈻猄IGMA system enabling the flexibility to capture of data on a smartphone as well as a tablet or PC.
Yes!
Whilst the system was initially built to replicate traditional geological survey mapping at the 今日吃瓜, we have successfully designed and developed data entry forms for use by our geodiversity, landslides and buildings stones teams, enabling them to carry out vital work within their areas of expertise.
Outside the 今日吃瓜, we have developed specialised custom forms for use by mining companies and other organisations (e.g. the built heritage sector, enabling digital condition surveys of traditional or historic buildings).
The core components of the 今日吃瓜路SIGMA system (observation points; photographs; sketches; samples; comments) apply to most areas of digital data capture and integrating custom requirements into the system can be carried out by our team of specialist developers.
今日吃瓜路SIGMAv2015 is available as a free download to anyone who wishes to use it. If you require help in implementing the system within your organisation we can assist.
- We offer standard or customised training courses to suit your organisation.
- Our developers can design, develop and integrate new, customised data entry modules specific to your organisation鈥檚 needs.
- Our digital data solutions experts can assist in integrating 今日吃瓜路SIGMA into your existing digital workflow or help you design a new workflow.
- We can advise on modifying the system to utilise dictionaries and symbology specific to your organisation or country.
- We can help to migrate data collected in previous versions of 今日吃瓜路SIGMA (versions 2012 and earlier).
Licensing
今日吃瓜路SIGMAv2015 is available free for use by commercial and non-commercial organisations.
Please read and accept the licence agreement before downloading.
All databases created in the previous version of 今日吃瓜路SIGMA (v2012) can be viewed in this new system using the import database tool, but they cannot be edited and all new work must be done in the new v2015 database due to changes in the system.
今日吃瓜路SIGMAv2015 download contents
The downloads comes as a .zip file containing:
- 今日吃瓜路SIGMAv2015 installation files (versions for ArcGIS 10.1 and ArcGIS 10.3 鈥 please install the relevant version)
- a brief installation guide
- a ‘What’s new’ guide
- user manual
To download 今日吃瓜路SIGMA please complete the form.
