What major new features are included
in Didger 3?
We have compiled a list of the top new features in
Didger 3. This list is only a small sampling of the new features added to Didger
3.
Import Georeferenced Bitmaps into
Vector Projects
Didger 3 makes it even easier to display all your
data. Import a georeferenced bitmap into a vector project, and overlay it with
vector and data files, or tile it with other georeferenced bitmaps!
This map shows two georeferenced
bitmaps overlaid with a vector file
showing state outlines and a data file
showing some of the major cities.
GPS Digitizing
Use your GPS directly with Didger 3! Enable the GPS
to plot data directly on a map in Didger or save the GPS data to a text file.
View the GPS settings in the GPS Commander dialog box.
View your current elevation, see the current
position of the satellites that are being used for a lock,
display the raw data
being sent from the GPS, and set the GPS input datum in the GPS Commander dialog
box.
Image Warping
Warp or rectify a bitmap in a raster project!
Calibrate the image in a raster project, then use the Warp Image command to
rectify the image to match the calibration points.
Warp your image to fit any
calibration. Image warping (also called rubber sheeting)
is an important feature
in Didger 3. Image warping can correct map or image
distortion.
Add a Graticule or
Grid
Make the locations of your maps easy to determine by
adding a graticule or grid to your vector project. The map below shows North
America in the Mercator projection.
Add a graticule or grid to your
vector project.
Enhanced Layer Manager
Increase the organizational potential for creating
and maintaining different layers with the enhanced Layer Manager. The Layer
Manager is "always on" to make accessing the layers simple.
Having the Layer Manager on the side
of the Didger window makes accessing the layers simple and easy.
Coordinate Manager
Display all the coordinates of a selected object in a
raster project in the Coordinate Manager. If you are in a vector project, you
can also edit the coordinates within the Coordinate Manager.
Edit the coordinates of selected
objects in a vector project using the Coordinate
Manager.
Convert the Projection of Your
Bitmaps
Didger 3 allows you to convert the projection of a
bitmap in a raster project.
Import a bitmap into a raster
project, calibrate it, and then convert the projection into any of the 23
supported projections.
The map above was calibrated in Unprojected Lat/Long and
then converted to the Albers Equal Area Conic
projection.
New Bitmap Clipping
Options
Bitmap clipping greatly enhances the ease-of-use when
working with bitmaps. Two new bitmap clipping options are introduced in Didger
3. USGS DRG files often have map collars, which contain
information about the bitmap. When two or more of these bitmaps are imported
into a vector project, it may be undesirable to see this information. Simply
select the bitmap and clip the map collar.
Clip the area outside of the main map
on a bitmap in a vector project.
You can also define any polygon on a bitmap and then
use that polygon to clip the bitmap.
This is helpful in showing specific areas
of interest and reducing the file size of the Didger project.
Define a polygon on any bitmap and
use it to clip the bitmap.
New Import/Export
Formats
Didger 3 has added some new import/export formats to
the already extensive selection of import/export formats available:
Vector File Import formats: Golden Software Interchange (*.gsi), and Windows Metafile
(Enhanced) (*.emf)
Raster File Import format: Portable Network Graphics Bitmap (*.png)
Data File Import formats: Excel Spreadsheet (*.xls), Microsoft SYLK (*.slk), Lotus
1-2-3 and Symphony (*.w??), Atlas Boundary (*.bna), and Golden Software Blanking
(*.bln)
Export format:
LAS format, Golden Software Interchange (*.gsi)
Additional New
Features
Export bitmaps from vector projects when using the
Create Surfer Base Map command.
Export a project in any of fourteen coordinate
units!
Use the "And/Or" functionality with Criteria
Select.
Use the new Create Post Map option when importing a
data file.
Select up to 256 colors to specify as transparent
for a bitmap.
Use the new Pan tool to move the plot around in the
plot window.
Use the new Zoom Realtime tool to zoom in and
out.
Create one polygon from multiple selected
polygons.
Use one of the two new projections added to the
projection library.
Define the datum for the UTM projection.
Use the Golden Software on the Web command to
connect to the Golden Software web site, go to the Didger web page, or check the
Didger FAQs.
Use the Check for Update command to check for
product updates.
Use the Feedback command to report problems, send
suggestions, or request information from Golden Software.
Beta Tester's Comments
"I do aerial photography and I am enthralled by the
warping/rectification abilities of Didger. That is a very useful tool that I
will make good use of. To me, that alone is worth the price of the
package."
"Digitizing directly from real-time GPS data is a
great new feature among an impressive list of Didger 3 capabilities."
"The Coordinate Manager will be extremely useful for
correcting tablet-based features for which real world coordinates are actually
known. I will use it often!!
"I really like the ability to convert the projection
or a raster project and the ability to choose a UTM datum when projecting a
file."
"The Layer Manager is the great tool in Didger, and
now it is even easier to work with."
"I will definitely use the Graticule and Grid
feature. I usually use State Plane coordinates and this allows me to identify
the 10,000 ft grid lines I normally use."
"Didger has to be one of the most user-friendly
programs I've ever dealt with. It's ease of use for digitizing over ArcView or
AutoCAD is phenomenal!"
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