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(Copyright 2015 by Resource Supply, LLC) 1
Resource Supply, LLC 11607 SW Winter Lake Drive Tigard, OR 97223 503-521-0888 Jon’s cell: 503-707-6236 Tyler’s cell: 503-547-3756
Using Geo-referenced PDF Maps
Geo-referenced PDF maps are easy to create, easy to share because file sizes are small, and easy
to use. There are multiple applications available for the mobile environment as well as the office
desktop. For information on creating Geo-PDFs, click here.
PDF Maps from Avenza is a free application available for both Android and iOS devices,
PDF Maps is used to view geo-referenced pdfs with the additional ability to record locations
based on the devices internal GPS. PDF maps allows users to zoom, rotate, pan and place markers
based on their GPS location.
Adobe Acrobat Reader also suppor ts geo-referenced PDFs! While not as flexible as Avenza PDF maps Acrobat
Reader is still useful when analyzing a geo referenced PDF. There are three tools that deal with spatial data; The
Measure tool, the Object Data Tool, and the Geospatial Location Tool. Measure distances within the PDF by select-
ing the measure tool and clicking two different points on the map. Acrobat reader will also calculate areas. The Ob-
ject Data Tool allows the user to select a data point within the PDF
Avenza PDF Maps
PDF maps is an app for iOS and Android devices. There is no desktop component to it. You can load maps into PDF
Maps using three different methods. The first method is to import a PDF map from local storage. The map can be
stored in the internal memory of the phone or SD card. The second method is to connect PDF Maps to an FTP serv-
er. While I don’t use this method personally, I’m glad they incorporated this method for the enterprise users. The last
method (the one I use) is to connect PDF Maps to a Dropbox account. The concept is basically the same as FTP but
most people don’t have an FTP site, they do however, most likely have a Dropbox account. I primarily use this
method because of it ease of use. Once I am done creating a geo-referenced PDF on my PC , I can drag and drop it
into my Dropbox folder; then access it immediately within PDF Maps. Lets look at how to connect PDF Maps to
your Dropbox account.
1. In Avenza, Click on the “+” to import a
map.
2. Select “From Dropbox” from the menu.
By: Tyler Gakstatter - Resource Supply, LLC
(Copyright 2015 by Resource Supply, LLC) 2
3. Enter your Dropbox account login details and then
click “Log in”.
4. Press the “Allow” button to grant PDF Maps access to
your Dropbox account.
5. You will now see all of the PDF files available for you
to import from your Dropbox account. PDF Maps does
not automatically import the maps from your Dropbox
account. You will need to click on each map individual-
ly if you want to import multiple maps.
(Copyright 2015 by Resource Supply, LLC) 3
A map opened in PDF Maps (Android)
Click to show your position on the map based
on the GPS location of the iOS/Android de-
vice.
Click to “drop a pin”/put a marker on the
map. You can place it manually by tapping
anywhere on the map or you can use your
device’s location.
Current location of the cursor in Latitude and
Longitude
Show list of features on the map. This in-
cludes markers, gps location trails, and exist-
ing layers exported with the geo PDF.
Tools. In this menu you can….
-Find by Coordinates
-Find Places (by keyword)
-Plot Photo locations
-Record GPS Tracks
-Measure Distance or Area
-Open View in Google Maps
The map can be rotated, zoomed, and panned
with the touch of your fingers.
Point features from shape
file exported with the geo-
referenced PDF map.
(Copyright 2015 by Resource Supply, LLC) 4
Adobe Acrobat PDF Reader
Adobe Acrobat is a low key tool for analyzing geo referenced pdfs on your laptop or desktop computer. I don’t see
Acrobat as being used daily as a geo-spatiall analysis tool but I can see it’s value for the times when you have a
PDF map open and want to grab a coordinate of a feature, or get a rough distance measurement between two
points, or want to know the acreage of a certain area. It a great tool for grabbing bite-sized bits of information in a
very short amount of time. Let’s look at how you can accomplish some of these tasks.
This is what a pdf map looks like when opened in the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader. To access the geo-
spatial tools click on the “Tools” tab.
There are many different tools available in Adobe Acrobat
Reader, we are interested in the Measure Tool. Click Open
underneath it.
(Copyright 2015 by Resource Supply, LLC) 5
After opening the Measure Tool you will be taken back to the map view and there will be a new tool bar at the top
with three geospatial tools available to use.
The Measuring Tool with in the Measure Tool allows you to measure linear distances or areas of polygons drawn
by placing points on the map. When using the measuring tool you will see a gray box in the lower right hand cor-
ner that will display the distance/azimuth of the current line and
the geospatial position of the cursor.
The Object Data Tool, when selected, will highlight all GIS features (points, lines, polygons) and display a table
of contents on the left hand side of the screen. This is a great tool for looking at attribute data for GIS features on
the map.
(Copyright 2015 by Resource Supply, LLC) 6
The Geospatial Location Tool is a simple tool for determining the coordinate of a point anywhere on the map.
Click on the Geospatial Location Tool, then click anywhere on the map with your cursor. In the bottom right hand
corner of the screen you will see a gray box that displays the latitude and longitude of the point.
That is the extent of the geospatial ability within Adobe Acrobat Reader. A few simple tools that allow you to per-
form very basic GIS tasks within a light weight, widely used, and free application.
Between the two of these applications there is a lot of functionality for using geo-referenced PDF maps. Whether
it’s in the field or in the office.
If you have questions, call me at 503-521-0888
Tyler Gakstatter
Resource Supply, LLC 11607 SW Winter Lake Drive Tigard, OR 97223 503-521-0888 Jon’s cell: 503-707-6236 Tyler’s cell: 503-547-3756