This tool was created based on the idea from a visit to the USGS. As of June 27, 2002, Microsoft hosts USGS DOQ (Digital Orthophoto Quadrangle), and DRG (Digital Raster Graphics) on their infrastructure called TerraServer. For more detailed information take a look at http://terraserver.microsoft.com/about.aspx?n=AboutFAQ .
This tool provides access to this data repository of public domain data and allows the user to integrate this raster information into ArcMap.
Essentially it does provide access to imagery anywhere in the US. The source code is included.
A new version for ArcGIS 9.0 can be found at http://arcscripts.esri.com/details.asp?dbid=13703
Update (build 1.0.59):
- added support for maintaining the set transparency for DRGs and DOQs
- DOQs keep the currently set stretch renderer for subsequent downloads
(April 15th, 2003)
- Corrected readme.txt to refer to the corresponding file names
(build 1.0.60 - May 27th, 2003)
- Updated TerraServer reference to reflect the newly selected Microsoft domain. Please be aware that this version/build is the only working version. Any previously downloaded versions will report: 'Invalid Response from the TerraServer. Please try to execute the request again!'.
(build 1.0.61 - June 9th, 2003)
- Since Microsoft decided to move the domain again I changed the code to allow for a more flexible approach for the user. There is now a TerraServer.config file that lists the location of the web service. In case the domain moves yet another time you only need to change this file and everything will continue to work.
(build 1.0.62 - August 20th, 2003)
- minor code fixes, please refer to the ReadMe.txt for documentation on the changes.
(August 26th, 2003)
- there were leftovers from a performance testing in the code that could trigger an error message. Sorry about that.
(build 1.0.63 - December 1st, 2003)
- removed the UTM zone limit. If the active view is now spanning multiple UTM zone, the tool will now assemble multiple images, one for each zone.
(build 1.0.64 - June 3rd, 2004)
- remove the late-bound usage of the Windows script object and replace the functionality with WinAPI calls. Some machines had the script object disabled due to security concerns.
NOTE: you will need a LZW license to download DRG at 2m and 4m resolution. This link (http://support.esri.com/index.cfm?fa=knowledgebase.techarticles.articleShow&d=27172)
explains how to request the (free) license.
Enjoy,
Thomas |
