GIS Tools

This is a collection of links to a variety of GIS tools used by members of the St. Olaf GIS User Group. It is by no means a comprehensive list of all GIS tools. Please contact the User Group webmaster to add links to useful GIS tools.

This list is updated from the ongoing development of the GIS Tools & Resources Wiki on the GIS User Group Moodle site. Use your St. Olaf user account to log in to the Moodle pages.

Data conversion and processing tools

Web-based GIS tools

  • USGS National Atlas - Download simple physical maps of the U.S. and each state or use the interactive MapMaker site to select a variety of existing layers to customize your map for printing or download to a PDF file. Useful for creating maps for classroom or student use.
  • TerraServer - USGS/Microsoft collaboration of online seamless USGS topographic maps and airphotos (black & white from early 1990s to resolution of 1 m/pixel in most parts of the U.S.). Maps can be printed or downloaded to JPG files. You can also download a "JPG world file" that will geolocate the map/photo in many GIS applications.
  • GoogleMaps - road maps and satellite/air photo imagery for much of the world. In some places (mostly urban areas) the imagery resolution is 1 m/pixel or better. Maps can be printed or downloaded. You cannot annotate the maps significantly unless you learn to use the GoogleMaps API code base.
  • MapQuest - road maps and directions for most of the U.S. There are similar sites in many other countries. Maps can be downloaded or printed. Limited annotation is possible for starting and ending points of routes. Note: GoogleMaps and MapQuest buy their road map database from the same company (Navteq), but often show different road configurations and routing results. An interesting situation.

Desktop-based GIS tools

  • Google Earth - desktop-based mapping utility that allows user to insert images and annotated points. Background map is linked to a variety of online data sources. Free. Note: You can buy a version of Google Earth that allows you to load up to 100 data points into the program. However, if you are comfortable with HTML or XML code, you can simply modify your MyPlaces.kml file to add as many new points as you want using the relatively simple KML syntax.
  • NASA World Wind - a desktop-based tool similar to Google Earth but with more user input/data options available. Free.
  • ESRI - maker of commercial GIS tools such as ArcView, ArcInfo, and numerous other products.
  • GRASS - an open-source GIS software package. Runs only in UNIX/Linux environments, including the UNIX implementation in Mac OS X (Darwin).

GPS Tools

  • MN DNR GPS tool - This is a free ArcView extension that also works as a stand-alone Windows application to communicate with Garmin GPS units. It will download GPS data to a variety of file formats including standard ESRI shapefiles. You can also upload waypoints and routes to your GPS unit.