Photologs

Roadsoft imports a photolog layer much like it imports crash data; however, this data is not supplied by Roadsoft. Instead, it must come from within the agency/company. The photolog dataset must consist of the following two items.

A GIS format file (such as a shapefile) of points where the photos were taken. The GIS file must also contain at least one text attribute which is the path, including filename, for each photo. The paths with filenames must be unique. Roadsoft assumes that photos are stored in a file system not in cloud storage or other web based photo storage location

Roadsoft must have access to the file system. The file system can be local storage, an attached external USB hard drive or a network file system. The paths and filenames of the photos in this file system must correspond to the text attributes in the GIS format files.

The creation of photologs requires specialized equipment (camera with geotag capability, or vehicle equipped for this purpose).

Import a Photolog

In the main menu, select Tools.

Select Manage Photologs from the drop-down list.

In the Photolog Management window, select the green Add New Module button.

Enter a Photolog Name in the provided field (make it easily identifiable based on the purpose of the layer).

Select the folder icon to the right of the Input Layer field.

Select the photolog to import (this should be a GIS file).

Select the Open button.

Optional, make a selection for the Road Name Field using the drop-down list.

Roadsoft can use the road name field to resolve ambiguities when it references photos to the Roadsoft map.

Make a selection for External Photo Field using the drop-down list.

This is the name of the attribute in the GIS file that has the paths and file names of the files.

Leave the Location On Disk radio button selected (Internet URL is not a working option at this time).

Select the folder icon to the right of the Local Photo Store field.

Select the folder containing the images for the photolog.

This is the folder where photos are saved on the hard drive, USB drive, or network drive.

Make any additional selections from the Additional Fields to Import checkboxes.

If the GIS file contains any additional fields to be included with the photolog layer, additional fields depend on what data was gathered with the photolog. They may include the date the photo was taken, the camera direction (left, right, down), and the latitude and longitude of the photo location.

Select the Import button.

Roadsoft attempts to resolve minor variations in paths. For example, Roadsoft will compensate if the photolog was created on a lettered drive (D:\) but now exists on a network drive (\\SERVER\data). The program will display message boxes when it detects such variations. Contact roadsoft@mtu.edu if assistance is needed with these messages.