November 7, 2019

Top 5 New Features of Global Mapper v21

The release of version 21 of the affordable and easy GIS software Global Mapper came with several enhancements, but here are the top 5 features of Global Mapper v21:

Data from Global Mapper loaded into MangoMap — Multi-layered maps can be published to an online MangoMap account directly from Global Mapper v21.

1. Bring Global Mapper online with the MangoMap Extension

In order to provide a simple and efficient way to share web maps directly from Global Mapper v21, Blue Marble Geographics partnered with MangoMap — an online mapping service.

Users who set up a MangoMap account within Global Mapper have the ability to create a Global Mapper Map Portal; share multi-layered GIS content with customers; and publish spatial data to share projects with their coworkers. MangoMap web maps include legends and querying tools, providing a dynamic way of viewing shared geospatial information.

Here is a sample of a Global Mapper map published to a MangoMap site.

In Global Mapper v21, users can try MangoMap for free by creating an account. Learn more here.

A long list of layer loaded into Global Mapper displayed sequentially. — The new layer animation toolbar in Global Mapper v21 automatically displays layers in a sequential flow, illustrating change over time.

2. Layer animation tools for automatically displaying a sequence

The new layer Animation toolbar in Global Mapper v21 helps with spatio-temporal data analysis by automatically displaying layers in a sequential flow, illustrating change over time. Depending on the nature of the data, users can control the speed and duration of the playback of their data layers by using the keyframing buttons.

Labels on parcel data in Global Mapper. — Improved label formatting in Global Mapper makes producing high-quality maps easier and faster. The screenshot above shows the repositioning of individual labels in a label layer.

3. Improved feature label creation and management

Professionals working in cartography say that the format and layout of a well-designed map always needs some level of human input. This is why the ability to manually create and edit labels was dramatically improved in Global Mapper v21. Vector labels can now be assigned to their own layers, which makes formatting, moving, rotating, and deleting individual labels much easier.

A contour map overlaying a DEM with yellow and blue triangles notating peaks. — The option to find local peaks and depressions is a new feature in the contour tool in Global Mapper v21.

4. A tool for identifying local peaks and depressions in a terrain layer

Also new in Global Mapper v21 is an option for finding local peaks and depressions using the contour tool. This option generates point features that represent high and low points in terrain data, which is ideal for some hydrology analysis such as flood containment monitoring, and for planning engineering projects such as radio transmitter placement.

A flythough path as notated with a line feature floats above a DEM — Global Mapper users can now “draw” a fly-through path by recording their movements in fly-mode and walk-mode in the 3D Viewer.

5. The ability to record a fly-through path using the fly-mode and walk-mode in the 3D Viewer

Since version 16, Global Mapper has been able to record fly-through videos, which involved drawing a fly-through path using the Digitizer tool. In version 21, users can now “draw” a fly-through path by recording their movements in fly-mode and walk-mode in the 3D Viewer.

Since the fly-through feature in Global Mapper is an easy way to create videos of 3D data and terrain, it’s commonly used for real estate and property management, planning drone or UAV flight paths or simply creating a compelling presentation of your GIS data to stakeholders

There’s much more to Global Mapper

Global Mapper comes with many more data-creating, editing, rendering, and analysis tools, ranging from digital terrain model generation to viewshed analysis. A two-week free trial of this all-in-one and affordable GIS software can be downloaded here.