Import from Web

The Import from Web feature allows you to connect to the internet to download free data - images, elevation data etc. If you have an internet connection, this is an easy and convenient way to acquire this type of data. The data is made available for free by various entities who provide web services. Each XMS programs has a number of available data types they can retrieve.

GMS	SMS	WMS
TerraServer aerial photo TerraServer urban TerraServer topo	TerraServer aerial photo TerraServer urban TerraServer topo	NED data - USGS SRTM data - USGS & NASA Land use data TerraServer aerial photo TerraServer urban TerraServer topo NID data USGS stream data MesoWest data

This feature is found via the File|Import from Web command. This command results in the following series of dialogs.

1. Warning

   If your current coordinate system is 'Local', you will get the following warning dialog. The data that will be downloaded is georeferenced so your project coordinate system must be something other than 'Local'. Selecting OK will change the current coordinate system.

   Warning about Local Coordinate Systems

2. Virtual Earth Map Locator

   Use the map in this dialog to go to your location of interest.

   • You can zoom in or out using the controls or the mouse wheel.
   • You can pan using the controls or by clicking and dragging. You can also enter the latitude and longitude to jump to a specific location.
   • Use the Map Options menu to turn on the floating controls in the map (search, pan and zoom).
   • Use the Map Style menu, or the floating controls, to change the map between Road, Aerial, and Hybrid.

   

3. Data Service Options

   Here you select which type of data you are interested in.

   

4. Save

   Now you are asked where you want to save the data. You only need to specify one file name, even if you've selected more than one type of data in the previous dialog. The files will all be given the same prefix but different suffixes.

   Save dialog

5. Confirm File Creation

   You may be asked to confirm that you want to create the files.

   Confirmation of file creation dialog

6. Initialize Connection

   The following dialog is shown while the connection is being made.

   Dialog shown during initial connection

7. Select Scale

   Smaller numbers (larger scales) will result in better resolution, but longer download times.

   Select Scale dialog

8. Downloading

   This dialog reports the download progress. If you click Abort, your image will exist but will be only that portion that you've downloaded so far.

   Dialog showing download progress

Steps 6-8 will repeat for each data type you selected in step 4. After everything is finished, the data (images etc.) will appear in the Project Explorer.

See also

• Image Pyramids
• Registering an Image
• SMS Web Menu