Output Options

Select output formats

GPS-Photo Link allows you to create many types of output. Different output styles are indicated in the check-boxes on the lower left and include:

Watermarked photos (shown as “photoname_tag.jpg” files)
Web pages (.html files)
Text file (.csv file to use in spreadsheets)
GPS Exchange (.gpx to use in multiple programs including Garmin’s MapSource)
Google Earth (.kml or .kmz to use in Google Earth)
Word Report (.doc file to use in Microsoft Word)
ESRI shape files (.shp file to use in ARC GIS products)

Output Format Tabs

After selecting the types of output you want using the check-boxes in the lower left, use the Tabs to determine the format of your output. Tabs include:

Web Output Tab

Show Background Maps - GPS-Photo Link automatically downloads background maps for your web page if you check the box beside Show Background Maps.

Map Source - Allows you to select which internet maps to download; choose from public Google Maps, Tiger maps, USGS Topos, USGS Aerial Images or USGS High Res Urban Photos, MS Windows Live.
Zoom Level- Sets the maximum zoom level to allow for different resolutions in different areas.
Size of Maps – Allows you to select the size (in pixels) of the background maps. The Overview map will be twice the size of the photo specific map.
Show overview maps - Create s an overview map, showing where all the photos were taken.
Download map images to local file - Select this option to download the map images in the output folder instead of linking to them. This allows the creation of stand-alone maps that do not need an internet connection to view. It also allows the map images to be used in ArcGIS (a world file is created for each map).
Use Icon on Maps - Allows you to select the icon you would like to show where photos were taken. You may choose from the standard icons or select your own icon using the Icon File button. Icons may be .jpg, .bmp or .gif files.

Rotate Icon Based on Heading - If you select the arrow or airplane icon, it will automatically rotate the symbol to point in the direction indicated for each photo on the Data Entry screen. If you use your own icon make sure it is pointing “up” so that it will point the correct direction when rotated.

Output Attributes Table - Includes a table showing attributes of each photo.

Web Page Options

Link to Internet Map Sites - This option will enable links to Google Maps, Tiger maps, USGS Topos, USGS Aerial Images, USGS High Res Urban Photos, or MS Windows Live maps so that you can view the maps on those sites.
Link to original photo - Select to link the original photo in the web page output, so that if you click on the watermarked photo, the original photo will be shown.
Use web page file templates - Uses HTML templates for web output. See Using HTML Templates in the help file.

NOTE: If you process the photos and the background maps are blank, it can mean one of two things. In some cases there are no maps are available for your coordinates using this map source. In that case, choose a different map source and reprocess the photos. The other reason for blank maps is that the zoom level is set too low. Change the zoom level to see if maps appear.

Web Page Options

Link to Internet Map Sites - This option will enable links to MapQuest, TopoZone, Lost Outdoors and Terra Server on the web page.
Link to original photo - Select to link the original photo in the web page output, so that if you click on the watermarked photo, the original photo will be shown.
Output Attributes Table - Includes a table showing attributes of each photo.
Use web page file templates - Uses HTML templates for web output. See Using HTML Templates in the help file.

File Renaming Options

You may change the format to rename the watermarked photo, associated web pages and original photo using different time/date patterns, comments, or memos associated with your photos. This may make specific photos easier to find.

Watermark Tab

The options on this screen allow you to manipulate what will be displayed on the processed photos as a watermark on the photo itself or “outside the photo” as a label underneath. You may adjust the color of the labels, create a halo or other highlight, or adjust the size of the text. You may also indicate what information to display on the photos. For each item you include, you may select the placement of that item on the photo. Two lines at the top and two at the bottom of each photo are available.

If you choose to include your logo (up to two), you must indicate the location of that file on your computer. GPS-Photo Link will import the logo “as is”. You may then adjust the logo to be more transparent if desired. NOTE: If you wish to include your logo on the photos, make sure the file is in the correct size for the photos before importing it.

Finally, you may choose to resize the photo and determine the quality for the watermarked photo.

Google Earth Tab

GPS-Photo Link automatically creates two files: .kml and .kmz. The .kml file automatically launches and displays your photos in Google Earth with live links to the original photos, watermarked photos and web pages. The .kmz files are a compressed of the version of the .kml file that includes photos so that you can easily email or post this file for others to see.

This screen allows you to select how your data will be displayed in Google Earth.

Icon Options - Select the icon that will represent your photo in Google Earth. You may use a thumbnail of the photo itself or choose a symbol from the drop down menu. If you choose an arrow or an airplane, GPS-Photo Link can automatically rotate the symbol to face the heading indicated for each photo on the Data Entry screen. You may also determine the size of the icons. Google Earth includes a label associated with the icon. Use the Label drop down list to determine how your icons will be labeled.

View in Description Box - When you click on an icon in Google Earth a description box appears. You can determine what information to include by checking boxes in the section of GPS-Photo Link. If you want the photo to appear you must select which photo (thumbnail, watermarked or original). The three “link to” options will only work in .kml files. These files allow you to see any of those files while in Google Earth.

Output Options allows you to include track logs in Google Earth along with the photos. Please note: Track logs are only available for standalone GPS units. Cameras and cell phones with embedded GPS do not capture track logs.

Google Earth can display information in 3d. Because GPS coordinates are less reliable for elevation, you may wish to select Lock Points to Ground if your photos were taken from the ground (not Aerial photography).

Show Field of View - Allows you to display the area included in the photo. A default width will be assigned. The area can be shown in 2d (pie piece shape) or 3d (cone shape). The heading and distance used for this option must be adjusted using the

Heading/Distance tab. That will determine the length and direction of the shape.

NOTE: To use the Google Earth output, you must first download Google Earth to your computer. Go to http://earth.google.com/downloads.html. Google Earth is free, however upgrades are available for purchase.

Troubleshooting Google Earth output:

The links to pictures aren't working (The links on thumbnails displayed in Google Earth won't link to original or watermarked photo).

In the Output Options screen, under the Google tab, make sure “Link to Watermarked” and “Link to Original” picture are selected. Also, the original picture (*.JPG), and watermarked photo (*_tag.JPG), need to be in the same directory as the picture.kml file. This is also true if you send the file to someone else. The .kml file will show the points. .

How can I share Google Earth files with others?

If you want another person to see the photos you will need to send the .kmz file. In this file only the photo type indicated in the View in Description Box screen will be included.

If you want others to see any of the photos (thumbnail, tagged or original) you may send them the .kml files along with all the photos. Make sure the other person stores the photos and .kml file in the same directory. Once you process your photos using GPS-Photo Link you will have three different versions of each photo. The original photo (*.jpg), the watermarked photo (*_tag.jpg) and thumbnail photos ( *_small.jpg). If you want the viewer to see the icon with thumbnails send the thumbnail photos. If you want them to view the complete description when they click on the icon you will need to send an additional photo. Which photo you send will be determined by what you selected under " View in Description Box". If you included the watermarked photo then send the *_tag.jpg photos. If you linked to the original photo send those instead.

Miscellaneous Tab

This page allows you to format fields that are used in many forms of output including Lat/Lon, grid, elevation, date, time, and time zone. It also allows you to determine the size of the thumbnails created.

File Renaming Options allows you to change the format to rename the watermarked photos, associated web pages and original photos using different time/date patterns, comments, or memos associated with your photos. This may make specific photos easier to find.

Start Photo Numbering At – Allows you to set the numbering in the web output and watermark beginning with the number you select.

Heading/Distance Tab

Heading: Heading shows the direction that the camera was facing when the photo was taken. T here are 4 options:

GPS Track – Uses the movement of the GPS to determine heading. Make sure you moved in a straight line toward object before taking photo. Does not work with Nikon P6000 or iPhone because they don’t store the movement of the GPS.
Compass – Only available for the Ricoh 500SE with the optional compass module.
Memo – If you used the Ricoh 500Se, you may have noted your heading as a memo field when the data was collected. Selecting this option will retrieve that data from the memo field and use it to position the icon. Use the drop down box to indicate which memo field contains heading information.
Manual - Manually type in a heading . This allows you to indicate a particular direction that will apply to all photos. Use this option only if all photos were taken facing the same direction. Indicate that heading as degrees in the box.

Distance to Object : This indicates the distance between the camera and the object in the photo. There are 4 options:

None - Do not use a distance.
Laser - Use distance from the Laser Rangefinder that was connected to the Ricoh 500SE via Bluetooth while taking a photo.
Memo - If you used the Ricoh 500Se, you may have noted your distance as a memo field when the data was collected. Selecting this option will retrieve that data from the memo field. Use the drop down box to indicate which memo field contains heading information.
Manual - If you did not capture distance when you took the photo, you may estimate your distance to all objects with this option. The same distance will be used for all photos. Use this to adjust the length of “pie wedges” that will be displayed.

Calculate new position - Allows you to place the icon at the location of the object, based on the heading and distance information entered above (normally the icon is placed where the photo was taken).

Heading Options - Allows you to shift all headings right or left by the degrees you indicate. This option should only be used in cases where all photos are taken facing a different direction than you are traveling. Example - If you are taking photos out of the right window of a car or airplane, then use this option to shift all directions to the right.