Blue Marble Desktop Version Notes

In previous versions of the software there were the following separate components: Geographic Calculator, Geographic Transformer and Spatial Connect. These are all now referred to as Geographic Calculator. Please see New in this Version for more information.

New in Version 2.5

  • The data viewer now supports Geospatial PDF files. Users can save the current map as a Geospatial PDF retaining and editing the geospatial information.
  • Any vertical reference files, or other shift files which are provided for free on Blue Marble’s website can now be downloaded from within the software by right-clicking in the datasource dialogue box. Missing files are denoted by red text.  
  • Direct Coordinate Transformations are now included along with standard Datum Shifts. This includes pre-defined concatenated operations, as well as direct conversion with an affine transformation.
  • A new time based fourteen parameter "Helmert Time Dependent" transformation type is now available.
  • A new Point Database operation allows for the creation of custom 3 or 7 parameter datum shifts based on local user benchmark data.
  • The Geographic Calculator now supports read/write of LAS 1.4 for Lidar data.
  • Support for saving out a datum transformation as a GTF file by right-clicking in the Coordinate Transform window and selecting Export to GTF.
  • Support for the latest version of the OGP online registry (Indicio version 2.2.1).
  • Full support for EPSG version 8.0 database.

New in Version 2.4

  • New Web Mapping Service (WMS) interface for remote data connections in all data viewer windows.
  • Well Known Text and PRJ coordinate system matching now preserves base geodetic coordinate system references.
  • Enhanced Envelope logic preserves systems that cross the International Dateline.
  • Updated Audit Trail now tracks the current Calculator user with all changes.
  • Full support for EPSG version 7.9 database

New in Version 2.3

  • Enhanced enveloping system now provides users with the ability to define custom polygon envelopes through the import of a vector file, as well as provide the ability to filter coordinate systems, and horizontal datums, in addition to datum shifts based on data source envelopes, and custom polygon envelopes.
  • Enhanced Esri plug-in to filter based on coordinate system, horizontal datum and datum shifts per user preference.  Also new ability to quickly import and transform data using the Esri projection engine in the toolbar extension
  • Introduction of a new Metadata Editor tool with read and write support for XML based metadata files, including those in standard Esri format
  • Support for accuracy tags to allow users to select the best available transformation for a given application
  • Improved performance of batch processing for large jobs and projects
  • Full support for EPSG version 7.6 database
  • Optimized viewer and drawing functionality for faster loading and viewing of data
  • Support for deprecation tags to allow users to see when an object was removed from EPSG, and to allow administrators to deprecate custom objects
  • Write support for GML coordinate systems
  • Updates to core GeoCalc dialogs to allow users to view and edit all base coordinate system objects more efficiently
  • Support for six new vertical data models, plus the ability to add arbitrary vertical offsets:
    • DVR90 (Denmark)
    • SAGEOID2010 (South Africa)
    • AusGeoid2009 (Australia)
    • NLGEO2004 (Netherlands)
    • OSU91A (early global model)
    • RAC09 and RAF09 (France and Corsica)

New in Version 2.2

  • DGN seed file support
  • EGM 2008 vertical datum is now available for use in 3D conversions
  • Enhanced workspace and settings interfaces for more streamlined batch data processing
  • Full support for EPSG version 7.5 database
  • Updated Process Manager for monitoring batch progress
  • Workspace, project, and job validation tool
  • New Area Calculation Tool allows for the calculation of area based on arbitrary boundary definitions
  • Linear Unit Converter
  • User editable text descriptions for individual jobs
  • Ability to add directories of input files to Point Database Conversion, Vector Data Conversion, and Transform batches and to Mosaic jobs
  • Improved Web Registry with new connection control and additional support for custom systems and transformations
  • Updated viewer now has perimeter and length calculations for linear geometries.
  • Improved support for non-north up raster imagery in the viewer
  • Added support for legacy Map file conversion jobs
  • Extended Administrative access functionality
  • Added ability to refresh the current datasource view using the default view, and to control whether datasource objects are visible or hidden
  • Edit Datasource dialogs now allow for dragging and dropping of folders.
  • New Geoid 2009 model for the NAVD88 Vertical Reference.

New in Version 2.0

  • Spatial Database support
  • Projection Recovery for Raster and Vector data files
  • Windows Explorer application integration available for all major GIS and CAD file types – make Geographic Calculator your default program to open certain formats
  • Expanded the Data Corral (formerly the File Corral) to include spatial data types.
  • Updated Viewer:
    • Area calculation for polygons
    • View attributes for all features in your data layers
  • The full functionality of the Geographic Translator is now available in the Geographic Calculator
  • New Geodetic Datasource View tools to streamline Administrative setup of the data source. Filtering the data source view is dramatically simpler
  • New viewer tools for changing the appearance of vector files in the display
  • Import custom datum transformation parameters from Esri GTF files
  • Now using EPSG database v6.18

New in Calculator 1.0

  • The ability to transform and translate vector, raster and coordinate data in one application interface
  • File Corral tool for quickly working with your common data
  • Improved Administrative Settings tools to define workspaces for users
  • Data Source Audit Trail to track edits to the Geodetic Parameter data source
  • Import and export Geodetic definitions tool to quickly share custom definitions with other users
  • Workspace Export tool makes workspaces more easily portable.
  • Updated progress bars
  • Ability to use any datum as an intermediary for datum transformations
  • New Message window to monitor currently running projects
  • Improved process performance
  • Esri GTF transformation file import