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HTML5 Viewer vs Silverlight advanced editing tools

Permanently deleted user
Folks,

 

I'll play devil's advocate on this one :)

 

Is there anyone out there that want's to join me in asking for feature parity when it comes to the more 'advanced' editing tools in the GVH?

 

I've heard from our local distributor that there are no plans for adding the Cut, ReShape, and Union tools to the GVH.

 

This leaves us in a major bind as we have mapping officers in our Incident Control Centres relying on these tools to help with the vitally important task of mapping Fire and Flood incidents. This lack of parity is stopping us transitioning to the GVH - it's as simple as that. This regression is not acceptable from these mapper's point of view and we are taking flack on this already. We have literally hundreds of mapping staff across multiple Emergency Service agencies that use these tools to their advantage in what can be trying and difficult circumstances in the ICC's...

 

As for the current UX, it is nothing like the GVS. I'm still trying to fathom why I need to hit the identify tool to bring up the Edit option, and then hit the option panel (?) to get to the edit geometry, or delete options. Why aren't these simple buttons on the toolbar - by default??

 

Is anyone else in the same boat here? It would seem that there is based on some of the traffic I've noticed on this forum - an example here (https://support.geocortex.com/essentialsGSCForum?sub-nav=forum&main-nav=essentials&#!/feedtype=SINGLE_QUESTION_SEARCH_RESULT&id=90660000000TS1qAAG)

 

I'm looking for some support in getting LG to think about adding these tools back in, or some explanation as to why they are not there, nor planned (I've sat through the recent conference with no mention of these tools coming).

 

I've been a massive supporter and fan of GE over the years, but this decision has me perplexed, and leaves our organisation in state of flux. We have external consultants currently looking at the feasibility of creating these tools, and this would need to be in the old JS API, and this again raises more issues for us in 12-18months!

 

Any support or ideas appreciated, and yes we have consulted our local distributor here in Australia, and have asked LG direct, for their opinions on this matter also......

 

thanks

 

Gareth

 

 

 
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Comments

29 comments

Date Votes
  • Permanently deleted user
    Hi Gareth

     

    I understand your concerns. The UX for the HTML5 version does not excite me in a world of apps that focused on UX and Functionality. No doubt there is more that I could do myself if I delve into the world of .js and .css only to find that it breaks at the next release.

     

    I am just relieved that I do not have a suite of Editing Users that are going to lose functionality and they are Critical Users in the sense that potentially you are dealing with life or death polygon extents for the actual civilaians and 'Fireys' on the ground.

     

    Regards

     

    Ralph
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  • Permanently deleted user
    Couldn't have put it better myself Ralph. Thanks for dialling in your thoughts!
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  • Permanently deleted user
    Hello Gareth,

     

    I can understand and relate to your concerns especially with your client and the important task your viewers support. Taking this into consideration the reasons cut, reshape and union are not separate tools is because the ArcGIS API for Silverlight includes those tools as built-in functionality, while the JavaScript API doesn't. Geocortex only wraps and exposes ESRI's functionalities.

     

    We have recently transitioned from Silverlight to HTML5 for our client’s application which is external facing for hundreds of users across a wide variety of devices, i.e. mobile, tablet and desktop. Whilst the application is different from Silverlight with some tools being depreciated or wrapped up differently I would argue the benefits outweigh the negatives. Within our HTML5 viewer we have been able to:

     

    · Conduct advanced editing using workflows including cut, reshape and union

     

    · Utilise the esri javascript API for advanced feature editing

     

    · Combine ArcServer, Essentials, GVH and ESRI JS API to provide a suite of externally facing, interactive and easy to use editing tools for the non-GI professional

     

    · Use OFTB editing tools for other clients viewers which are based on HTML5

     

    For editing within our external facing viewer we have series of workflows which have dynamic external activities which call modules that leverage the javascript editing tools and ArcGIS Server workflows tasks. In terms of getting LG support on adding functionality I think it would be good to see latitudes view on this and if there is any future plans for a feature API using the local geometry engine or what are the plans for the javascript API v4.0. If the community is interested we might have the potential to upload a video of the editing.
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  • Permanently deleted user
    Hello Ralph and Gareth,

     

    As it happens, we actually do have an open new feature ticket to add this functionality to GVH.  I can't comment yet on which version it will be added in, but I can tell you that it has been prioritized.  I've added you both as stakeholders on the issue.

     

    The tracking number for your records is GVH-6194.

     

    I hope this helps!

     

    Thanks,

     

    ?Danny
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  • Permanently deleted user
    @Andrew

     

    Thanks for the feedback. I'm certainly interested to see the tools in action. Sounds like you have done some great work in getting the advanced tools up and about; kudos to you. I understand the restrictions of the API available to the Latitude folk, and how the tools cannot simply be added. I'm more concerned with the lack of response for proposals, work arounds, or aknowledgements that there is not PARITY (this is never mentioned), and in particular the UX of the existing tools in the latest GVH.

     

    I'm organising a demo of our local distributor's work in this space, as they too seem to be working around the issue with workflows etc. I guess the question is, why is LG not doing this? Sure it's outside of standard API 'wrapping' but would sure help people out and help them proclaim true Parity.

     

    @Daniel

     

    Thanks for letting us know about the ticket. I'm not sure how to even look at the tracking no. Can this be done from Australia?

     

    thanks guys

     

    GF

     

     
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  • Permanently deleted user
    Hi Gareth,

     

    The tracking numbers are mentioned in the release notes, you can read about what has been added when the new versions are released.  The release notes can be found in the downloads section of the support center.

     

    I hope that helps!

     

    Thanks,

     

    Danny
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  • Permanently deleted user
    Hello,

     

    I was just wondering if there are any updates, on the release of advance editng tools. We are at Geocortex Essentials to 4.6.3 and the HTML5 viewer to 2.7.2 and I have not seen any of above mentioned tools yet. 

     

    Thank you,
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  • Permanently deleted user
    I too would like to know how GVH-6194 is tracking. I've sat through various road-ahead seminars and have not seen or heard it mentioned anywhere :(

     

    @Andrew, is this any chance of taking a look at a video of how you've implemented the edit tools? We have no hard-core programmers on site, and so we are the mercy somewhat of LG and their offerings - hence why we went down the Geocortex path! 

     

    But any insight as to how you've implemented more advanced editing tools would be greatly appreciated.  A workflow even?

     

    regards

     

    GF
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  • Tylor Hardy
    Any updates from the Geocortex team on when this functionality will be avaialable?
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  • Permanently deleted user
    Hi folks,

     

    I've been discussing this with Drew. The next release of the viewer -- 2.8 -- will include some enhancements to editing that should make the process easier: specifically, when you select a feature for editing, both the geometry and the feature's attributes will be editable at the same time. No more Edit Feature and then Edit Shape and then Save for the shape and then Save for the feature.

     

    The cut and union functionality is not something that will be available right out-of-the box in 2.8. It is under consideration for 2.9, but the scope for 2.9 (and Essentials 4.8) have yet to be fully determined. With that said, we did build this functionality into the API as part of a project for Sopra Steria back in the 2.5 HTML5 viewer, and -- as Andrew has indicated, above -- this functionality can be leveraged through, say, a workflow. I know that's not an ideal solution for everyone, which is why we do intend to provide OOTB tools.

     

    In the meantime, I'll see if we can't get some sample cut and union workflows up in the code gallery.
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  • Permanently deleted user
    Jordan,

     

    That would be great if you could get some example tools up in the gallery. I assume that the API modifications have carried through to later versions of the GVH?

     

    thanks

     

    Gareth
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  • Permanently deleted user
    Yes, these features are considered to be core API functionality; they are (and will continue to be) available in the API for viewer releases following 2.5.

     

     
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  • Permanently deleted user
    Thanks Jordan
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  • Permanently deleted user
    I was glad to see this being scheduled for a release. We have literally been shaking our heads at this "parity" claim. Editing in a web map is core functionality and should be treated with as much respect as the analyse tools and layer list.

     

    We need this to mature. Separate the tasks so we can edit geometry without editing attributes and vice versa. Give up some extra shape manipulation tools. make it more intuitive. 

     

    Just my 2 cents. Can't wait to see some decent editing tools guys :)
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  • Permanently deleted user
    Andrew Bell 

     

    If you don't mind, could you please PM me at gareth.finney@delwp.vic.gov.au as I'd like to touch base with you or Brad on the solution you arrived at to fill the void using workflows essentially. If that's ok?

     

    cheers

     

    Gareth
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  • Permanently deleted user
    when will the advanced editing tools be available?

     

    I have told my organization we need to move to html5 as multipoint creation wasn't supported in silverlight, only to find that a user can't edit individual points in a multipoint using the editing function in html5, it deletes all the points.

     

    we have already put the map service into testing in html5 so I am reluctant to move back to silverlight 
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  • Permanently deleted user
    Sylvia,

     

    I've been conversing with senior peeps at Latitude on this directly such is the issue for us getting off Silverlight and onto the HTML viewer. 

     

    They are not committed to any timeframe as yet, and have suggested that we do not wait until the 3.x viewer releases. They do plan on getting the tools into a version later this year, perhaps 2.10 ??, so while this at least sheds some light (perhaps) on the timelines, it certainly does not alleviate the issue we and many are facing. I'm currently writing a RFQ doc for the tools to be written externally at a good deal of expense by us, so we are far from happy where things are at with this. to make matters worse, the 2.x code will need to be re-written to 3.x code for the changes in the JS API and thus further compounding this whole issue!

     

    I'll leave it at that while my spleen is intact :)
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  • Permanently deleted user
    and of course, this is not helping either!

     

    https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/software/mozilla-to-drop-support-for-all-npapi-plugins-in-firefox-52-except-flash/

     

    Can we perhaps get some feedback from others on this matter - well those that would like to see these tools implemented ASAP? Surely there are others out there beyond those on this thread that can weigh in on this debate?
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  • Steffen Helgerod
    I am in the same boat Gareth! We transitioned from Dekho last Feb and my editors were shocked when they couldn’t do basic editing functions like split line etc. We are waiting very patiently here.......!
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  • Permanently deleted user
    I am still after multipoint editing - my users are unable to use the in built editing tools in HTML 5 viewer to create multipoint as it doesn't seem to be supported. I have created a workflow around this but I would prefer both options to be available - create feature cannot be used from the in built tool (but editing attributes and points is fine).

     

    Furthermore, my users create multipoints in ArcMap by drawing a point, then drawing the next point 500m away (arcmap tells them the distance between points as they are drawing). The only thing they can do in geocortex is use the measuring tool before hand to estimate the distance between points, then draw the points. It is very clunky!
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  • Permanently deleted user
    I too would like to see feature parity between the silverlight viewer and html viewer.  We are also in the same boat where we would like to start transitioning off the silverlight viewer but we will be absolutely crucified by our internal and external users if there is any loss of functionality.  They will even be unhappy if they can still achieve the same end result but have to go through a different convoluted/complex process to achieve the same result.  Running a workfow to achieve editing functions is not really an ideal solution.

     

    The users have been using the viewers for a while now and their expectations are at a particular level.  Any upgrade needs to be seen as at least meeting those same expectations and preferably exceeding them, and loss of functionality won't help in that regards.

     

    We have been in the same situation in the past.  We were previously a EView site and held out as long as possible for feature parity between EView and Dekho.  In the end we ended up moving to Geocortex and skipping Dekho due to the lack of parity.  And look where Dekho is now.  It is an extreme example but it highlights that the needs of the end user can't be ignored.  To me feature parity is of higher priority then new features. 

     

    Regards

     

    Steve
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  • Permanently deleted user
    It seems Cut, ReShape, and Union tools will be released in version 2.8 and the ability to edit multi point was released in October 
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  • Permanently deleted user
    Sylvia,

     

    I've downloaded 2.8 and installed it, and cannot see any of those tools you mention.
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  • Chris Roberts
    I think its 2.9 that those tools are scheduled for
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  • Permanently deleted user
    Agree Chris, and I don't see any mention of the reshape tool either. We've created our own suite of tools now in workflow.

     

    Happy to post them up if anyone want's to get going with some edit tools!
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  • Steffen Helgerod
    That would be awesome if you could Gareth? Would be good to have something in the interm.
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  • Permanently deleted user
    I'll see what I can do... need to look after our Dekho buddies :)
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  • Permanently deleted user
    Steffen

     

    I've sent an email off to LG support asking if the tools can be added to the Code Gallery site.. Not sure what quarantine time they spend there, or QA, but hopefully they're on there soon.. 
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  • Kari Randall-Secrest
    Please add Skagit County as a stakeholder too. Thanks.
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