Edit Forms - Design and Usability

When the ArcPad Data Manager creates Default Edit Forms for editable layers in your project during Check-Out, the controls will be arranged in a simple grid layout on the form in the same order of the fields (l-r) in your data.

Once you have checked-out your data, you can use ArcPad Studio to open your Edit Forms and customize their look and feel.

Here are some simple tips and tricks to make your ArcPad Edit Forms more beautiful and easier to use.

Color/Style: Color and Style are effective tools to create strong visual cues within your forms. They can be used to build an aesthetically pleasing Form, as well as create contrast and indicate importance for each Control. Some examples of effectively using color and style include:

• Bold, Red Font to indicate Required Fields
• Different colored backgrounds to delineate Form Pages
• Pictures/Symbols in place of Descriptions
• Larger Text for Headings

Organization: When determining the layout of your Forms, think carefully about the Data Collection Project and organize your Controls accordingly. This may include Ordering, Grouping or a combination of both. Some techniques you can use to organize your Controls are:

• Location: This can be used to Group Controls based on the Spatial Proximity of the Data Collection Task e.g; Measurements above and below Line-of-Sight, Inspections made inside and outside of a building.
  

• Alphabetically: This will arrange the Controls on your Form in Alphabetical Order (A-Z)

• Time: This determines the Chronological Order of the Data Collection Tasks and arranges the Controls accordingly.

• Category: This will Group your Controls into Categories where Controls share similar characteristics e.g; Date and Time, First and Last Names.

• Continuum: This will Order your Controls along a continuous scale eg. Easiest to Hardest Task or Smallest to Largest Control Size.
  

Choose the technique or combination of techniques that is best suited to your Data Collection Project.

Alignment: Ensuring that the Controls on your Form are aligned will make your form both look good and feel good to use. The Form Designer in ArcPad Studio uses a point grid background to assist with the alignment, symmetry and proportion of your Controls. Controls can also be Aligned and Re sized to match existing Controls easily in ArcPad Studio using the 'Control' Menu.

Remember the Aesthetic Usability Effect - A more attractive form is easier to use than an ugly one!

ArcPad 8 and ArcPad Studio 8 Training in Portland, OR - Registration still open

ArcPad training workshops in Portland, Oregon

Time is running out. Register for one or both classes.

ArcPad 8 Bootcamp - March 15/16

ArcPad Studio 8 -March 17/18

The 2-day hands-on ArcPad 8 Bootcamp™ is a must for new ArcPad users or users migrating to ArcPad 8. It is also great for GIS administrators who manage and support field crews using ArcPad.

The 2-day ArcPad Studio with Enterprise Management Tricks and Tips workshop is the only one of its kind for ArcPad power users and Mobile GIS administrators wanting to maximize the success of their Mobile GIS projects by harnessing the customization capabilities and advanced deployment techniques in ArcPad 8.

The workshops are led by instructor Craig Greenwald of GeoMobile Innovations Inc., a 7 year veteran of the ArcPad Team. The training will be conducted in Portland, Oregon at the Metro Regional Center (600 NE Grand).

Students can sign up for one or both classes. The cost of each 2-day workshop is $795.00 and includes course materials and media to take home. A special rate of $1490.00 is available for students who sign up for both classes which run consecutively for a total of 4 days (May 15 -18th) of information packed ArcPad training.

Time is running out for registration but there are seats available in both classes. Those interested are encouraged to register quickly.

For more details, please visit:
http://www.geomobileinnovations.com/training/arcpad-8-bootcamp-mar15-16

http://www.geomobileinnovations.com/training/arcpad-studio-class-mar17-18

or, email:
training@geomobileinnovations.com

Set Layer Icons for AXF layers

Customizing ArcPad 7.1 with ArcPad Application Builder




In ArcPad Studio, you can set the layer icon for an AXF layer. It is an easy way for you to make the default UI of ArcPad clearer and meaningful for your field user. The layer icon that you choose will automatically appear in the UI wherever your data is listed (e.g. Add layer dialog, Table of Content). You can find all kinds of icons on the internet or create your own. Sample icons are also included in ArcPad 7.1 samples folder.

The following video demo consists of 4 steps:

1. Open AXF file in ArcPad Studio;

2. Right click on an AXF layer and choose "Set Layer Icon...";

3. Navigate to the sample icons folder: C:\Program Files\ArcPad 7.1\Samples\Layer Icons;

4. Select the icon file; click OK to close the dialog. Done!