iBuildMap app for iPhone and iPad

iBuildMap is a tool to build and view custom annotated maps and surveys.

Maps can be annotated with lines, polygons, cordons, markers and overlay images, with the app performing length and area calculations.

Its then easy to share custom maps and plans with other people. Plans can be shared over AirDrop with any compatible device for quick local sharing or even emailed. The app includes integration with iBuildMap.com where plans can be uploaded and shared with others.

Plans and maps can be created by drawing straight onto the map or marked using the devices GPS capability. Plans can also be built up by importing data from GeoJSON or KML files from a variety of online sources. Marker points can also form the basis for temporary benchmarks. These can be used in any survey to make distance and bearing calculations.

iBuildMap can be used as a viewer for GeoJSON and KML, with the ability to edit the data and combine with other information. Surveys can be shaped using geometry functions, such as make the survey square or into a circle.

The app provides a simple interface to record multiple surveys. Each survey then maps out a portion of real ground according to a set of GPS coordinates. This can be by drawing straight onto the map or by recording the users location using the device GPS facility.

The app also includes auto-mode for larger surveys. Once auto-mode is started the screen can be locked to save battery life and the app records your location as you move. This way huge areas can be mapped out on foot or in vehicles.

Areas of ground can be overlaid with any image bringing about all sorts of possibilities. New construction ideas or plans can be placed on top of satellite images to enable visualisation of the finished project. An example use could be overlaying expected ground dimensions with those found and mapped out... Ensuring the real life property boundary matches what is expected. The users location is shown on the custom map, making it possible to check that the users position is inside or outside the layer or their position within the superimposed image.

Photos of an area can be taken and embedded into the plan. Along with the image the location of the photo and the direction the photo is facing is also stored and included. The app camera display shows the location of the user and bearing and distance from a temporary benchmark, making taking shots of a feature from varying angles easy.

Plans can then be shared device to device without the need for a cell or wifi signal or emailed to other users. Plans are exported in iBuildMaps native file format and the open source GeoJSON and KML formats.

Complex or commonly used plans can be saved into layer collections and reused to make creating large, complex custom maps easy and quick. Also GeoJSON / KML files can be imported and used to create plans or layer collections for reuse.

Locations are displayed with their coordinates in WGS84 format and w3w addressing format.

Disclaimer:

iBuildMap uses a background mode to continue to map out surveys when the user selects auto-mode and the screen is locked.

Not all features in iBuildMap can be represented in the KML/GeoJSON format so the app converts the data so that the KML/GeoJSON resembles the original data as closely as possible.

iBuildMap supports the simplestyle-spec for styling compatibility with other common online systems

An account for iBuildMap.com can be created within the App, which is required to upload plans.

Chat and collaboration features requires an existing XMPP server account. These are freely available across the internet.

Please note
"Continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life."