BioBase Data Use in ArcGIS 10x

Tutorial 2: Creating transects in ArcMap or Google Earth and transferring to .gpx

for import into Lowrance

© Navico, Inc. 2014

Create “Fishnet” (ArcToolbox – Data management)

Transect Spacing

Start editing and delete all undesired rows or columns

Use Editor, Select, Rotate, Move, and Copy Paste Tools to optimize transect orientation (if needed)

Rotate editing tool

Clip to the study boundary

Update and calculate Transect Distances

Right click on Shape_Leng and Calculate Geometry to update polyline lengths after clip.

After field has been updated right click and get statistics (sum). Add the distance from N to S (e.g., the length of the lake since you’ll be driving between transects). Estimate speed to pre-plan a trip

Editor, select all features, merge polylines to create a single .gpx track

Arc Toolbox, data management tools, projections and transformations, project to WGS 1984

Try Creating Transects with Google Earth

Use measure tool to get visual for appropriate spacing

Add a path

Right click on the path and Save As .kml (Keyhole Markup Language)

Creating a .gpx file and importing into HDS

• MN DNR GPS Application Converts .shp to .gpx

• http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/mis/gis/DNRGPS/DNRGPS.html

Open DNR GPS and “ load from file” a .shp or .kml ; Save to a .gpx

Save track to .gpx and transfer to a SD card to load into your Lowrance™.

If the transects do not automatically load, import the file