WinKarst
12.5WinKarst
12.5
During the development period for WinKarst2010 the older 12.5 version is now freeware and can be used directly by download this zip file.
Upated geomagnetic parameters for the 2010-2015 epoch. Welcome to WinKarst, home of the best software for the study and mapping of caves. Windows '98, 2000, XP and Vista are supported, complete with context sensitive help and printable online manual. It is available to download for your evaluation as shareware. WinKarst can read data created with other cave mapping programs and has been tested with a wide variety of cave surveys. WinKarst's Help File is available in PDF format for easy printing or online. Read the release notes for version 12.5.
The program enables the user to visualize the cave in three
dimensional space and
provide information as to the quality of the survey. The user can
display, print and export
to other computer applications various representations of the
cave. WinKarst is undoubtedly the
easiest and most powerful software available to map caves.
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Create your
preliminary map NOW with WinKarst Registered Sketches. Scanned
cave sketches can be stitched to the line plot of the cave through
registered stations. A registered station is a station from the survey
shown on the sketch. The station is matched to a (x,y) pixel location
in the image. When two stations are registered, WinKarst can scale and
rotate the image to match the line plot. The integrated editor in
WinKarst provides an point and click method to register the station in
the image. The background color of the images is transparent and where
images overlap, an composite image is created. Up to 100 images can be
loaded at one time.
The images must be created in the PNG image file format. PNG is a open source compressed format superior to the common GIF image format. The PNG format is supported by all image editing programs and internet browsers.
Once all of the sketches are stitched to the lineplot, the lineplot can be turned off to create a preliminary map. The map can be printed or exported to other applications for drafting the final map. The exported image can be up to 4,000 by 4,000 pixels to provide enough resolution to show fine detail.
If the cave has complex, overlapping passages, WinKarst allows the user to assemble sketches in to collections called Sheets. Each sheet can be viewed separately, eliminating confusing "double exposure" views of the cave.
WinKarst can Morph Sketches to match the line plot. In a perfect world, a surveyor's sketches are exactly to scale, the angle and length of each shot precisely drawn. Unfortunately, harsh conditions or skill prevents the surveyor from achieving perfection. In those situations, computers and software can help.
The top half of the figure to the right shows several sketches stitched together that does not exactly match the line plot. The center passage is too low and the junction at C14 poorly connects. After morphing, all passages are matched to the line plot, as seen in the lower half of the figure. The true alignment of the passages is revealed in the morphed view. For reasonably accurate sketches, the morphing is almost un-noticeable.
WinKarst requires more than two registered stations per sketch to morph the sketch. Obviously, the more points per sketch, the longer it takes to morph the drawings. However, the software retains the morphed image in memory and only morphs those sketches in the field of view. The sketches are only re-morphed after a edit cycle, since the positions of the registered stations could have moved. Morphing is automatically applied after loop closure. The dream of creating a self adjusting cave map is possible.
WinKarst can
read and write GeoTiff images. GeoTiff images are TIF images
with geographic parameters embedded in the file. WinKarst can read the
GeoTiff image and place the cave survey within the image as a
background. WinKarst can export the composite image as a new GeoTiff
image for import into GIS programs such as ArcView.
Alternately, WinKarst can display geographically registered images of maps behind the line plot. The background image is fixed to control points and is always shown in correct relationship to the caves, regardless of scale and position of the view. The background images can be any scanned image, topographical maps, property plots, county maps or aerial photographs.
The Survey Editor contains a map page for creating and registering control points. The control points can be express either as UTM coordinates or as Longitude and Latitude. The simplest method is to place control points at grid intersections or map corners. For maps or images without grids, locations such as road intersections, bridges or peaks can be used as control points if their coordinates are known.
WinKarst has complete Three
Dimensional passage modeling.
Each passage segment neatly meshes with its neighbors to create a view
without
gaps. The user can spin the model of the cave with the mouse in real
time. The view can be seen from any angle and each segment has a top,
bottom and sides, yielding a
realistic drawing. The bottom is shaded darker than the sides and the
sides are darker than the top. 3D
visualization and passage
modeling can reveal new aspects to the nature and
structure of a
cave. WinKarst can export a
three dimensional DXF model for rendering in programs such has AutoCAD,
Corel 3d Dream and Bryce.
WinKarst
generates Track and Waypoint export files of cave
surveys for uploading
to your GPS unit. Once the survey has been uploaded to a GPS unit, the
unit can be used to
navigate to possible entrance locations where the cave approaches the
surface. There are
two types of coordinate export that has been tested with Garmin's PCX5
software, WPT and
TRK. Additionally, WinKarst generates a general purpose UTM coordinate
export file that is
plain ASCII text and comma delimited. The UTM export file can be
directly imported to
WayPoint+, a freeware program that interfaces to popular GPS units. The
file type can also
be imported into TOPO!GPS
where
the cave's plot can be merged with a USGS topographical map. WinKarst
can also import
ASCII comma delimited track and waypoint files from WayPoint+ and
display the
track or locations
relative to a cave survey. Importing waypoints allows the surveyor to
catalog and plot
karst features that are part of a larger system.
Get WayPoint+
to connect a GPS unit to your
computer.
WinKarst can automatically
determine the elevation of caves with geographic
locations determined by your GPS unit by processing Digital
Elevation Model
(DEM) data. The USGS has
made DEM data available, at no charge, every 7.5 minute topographical
map of the United States. The data comes in the Spatial
Data Transfer Standard (SDTS) file format. WinKarst can
directly read the SDTS and
older the DEM format. The USGS
file server has a clickable map or an alphabetical list for map
selection. The data files are gzipped and tarred, unfamiliar users
should follow
these instructions
for unpacking the data. WinZip
can
automatically unpack the USGS files.
With DEM data WinKarst can draw contour maps, determine the amount of overburden at a survey station or generate a three dimensional view of the cave under a wire mesh model of the surface. WinKarst has a Locator Map in a child window showing the entire DEM or GeoTiff field. The locator maps shows where the user's control points are and where the field of view of the main window is set. Selecting a different area in the locator map changes the main window to the new area. The locator map shades the DEM with either a setting western sun or by relief and can have either rainbow or earth tone coloring schemes. The Locator Map can also show the region as a shaded topographical relief map by adding a corresponding GeoTiff image.
WinKarst can merge adjacent DEM files into a larger regional model of the land form. Up to eight topographical maps, some 1200 by 900 pixels, covering an area 22 miles wide can be displayed on a monitor at higher resolutions. WinKarst will automatically cut the number of pixels in a large map to accommodate displays with less resolution. The user can export the locator map as a BMP file.
WinKarst can process
Digital Line Graphs (DLG) and display the cave system in a larger
context of roads and water ways. Like DEM files, the DLG files are
available at no charge from the USGS in the SDTS file format. Roads and
streams of different quality are show with different line weights.
WinKarst can tile together adjacent DLG files to create a larger area
of coverage. The DLG data can overlay the DEM data to create a
composite view. WinKarst can process DLG files at either the 24,000 or
100,000 to 1 scales.
The USGS has mirrored the SDTS files to www.gisdatadepot.com and 7.5 minute files are on a slow free or for fee fast server, sorted by state counties. WinKarst can read SDTS files created after January 2001, which contain data in decimal meters.
Warning: If you use WinZip to unpack the SDTS TAR files, be sure to uncheck the "Smart CR/LF" feature for TAR expansion. Look under Options|Configuration and the Miscellaneous tab to find the check box.
WinKarst is shareware and you welcome to try it for thirty days. If you like the program, you must register you license for a fee of $25. Previous registered users can automatically upgrade to version 11.0 if they have registered in the past. WinKarst runs on all recent Windows ('95, '98, NT, 2000, Me, XP) versions and requires a Pentium processors. The installation of WinKarst is simple and easy to accomplish with the downloaded install program. The install program contains extensive examples and help files and the user can download WinKarst as a standalone program if download time is a problem. The installation program is also available on CD.
WinKarst can handle the most complicated, out of sequence and confusing cave survey. Duplicate shots are automatically averaged. Void shots are retained for reference. The program treats cave data as a single quantity, not compromising loop closure by forcing you to artificially preprocess and sort the surveys. After loop closure, the data can be saved under a new name to retain the closed form.
WinKarst can read and write six cave survey file types, SUR, KST, SEF, PLT, DAT and TXT and translate between file types. The native file type is an ASCII file which can be edited with any type of text editor, without any hidden keystrokes. The file's language allows a hierarchy of include files. In this way, several caves can be maintained in separate files, while another file with include statements for the individual cave files can be used to view all the caves.
WinKarst employs a Multiple Document Interface (MDI) which enables the user to view several cave surveys at once. The view shows the plan and/or profile projections of the cave survey's stations from three dimensional space and the shots connecting them. While in this view, the user can enable various options to gain a better understanding of cave's structure and the quality of the survey. The user can compare two versions of a cave survey from different times or processed by different software. Or the user can load two versions of the same cave, one closed and the other not and compare how the closure was performed.
WinKarst implements the standard Windows functions. For example, the user can select several cave files from the File Manager and drag them on to WinKarst to simultaneously open then all. The file types used by WinKarst can be registered with your www browser to open cave surveys that are emailed to you! The user can create shortcuts on the desktop to quickly open their favorite caves. WinKarst maintains a list of last used files for easy access the next time the program is run.
The installation file (download or CD-ROM) includes help file, PDF manual, cave survey examples and database example.
Click on images to download WinKarst drawings
Left
Lechuguilla and Carlsbad with merged GeoTiff images
Right Wind Cave colored by depth
Left
Lechuguilla and Carlsbad with lat/long grid, DEM and DLG data
Right Wind Cave corrected by strike and dip
Left
Rose Diagram of Wind Cave
Right Cave System at Trout Lake
Left
Contours at Big Foot Cave
Right Three Dimensional Surface Big Foot Cave
Left
In cave sketches overlaying line plot.
Right Topographical map as background for famous
cave
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Integrated cave survey editor. Unlike some cave survey programs, WinKarst has an integrated editor. In an integrated environment the user can edit the survey without saving the file to the hard disk. Not only is the considerably faster, it enables trial and error solutions to be explored for correcting errors without corrupting the permanent record on disk. The editor can be invoked by double clicking on caves, surveys or stations in the graphical view and then the editor automatically opens to the selected object. The editor has two methods to view shot data, organized by survey and organized by a single connecting station. Because the entire cave survey is held in memory, the user can obtain information about any cave, survey, station or property within the data, regardless of with file on the hard disk it came from. The has next station prediction, search for data items, cut and paste, link station warnings and data bound checking. For surveys with fore and back sights, corrected backsights are automatically identified and allowed. |
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Morphed Sketches. Display up to 100 images tied to the line plot of the cave survey. PNG image format files are read in using the integrated editor and at least two stations locations are registered in the image before the program can display the image. When more than two stations are registered, then the image can be morphed to exactly match the line plot. The background color of the image is transparent and a composite view is created where the images overlap. |
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Multiple File Formats. WinKarst can read and write SMAPS SEF format as well as each of the COMPASS formats, MAK, DAT and PLT. Keep your favorite survey editor and view the results in WinKarst. WinKarst can also import GPS data as WayPoint+ or Garmin formats and import station property information in dBaseIV format exported from a database program such as Microsoft Acess. |
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Background Maps. Tile together multiple GeoTiff images for cave systems that cross 7.5 minute map boundaries. Large scale topographical or district maps can be scanned and displayed as a background image to the entire cave system. In this case, two intersections of either the UTM or lat/long grid register the image through control points. Images are displayed in color of the original image. GeoTiff images are automatically placed. |
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Merged Digital Elevation Data. WinKarst is the only cave survey program that automatically merges DEM data with the survey. No clumsy third party software or extra steps required. The user can display the amount of overburden for stations within a DEM or plot elevation contours. WinKarst can draw a shadow the cave line plot on the surface calculated from the DEM or draw a surface mesh in the three dimensional view. WinKarst can merge adjacent DEM files into larger model. The user can open an external and linked child window to displays the entire DEM. The software can export contours, surface shadow or mesh as BMP or DXF files. WinKarst will automatically calculate the elevation for control points within a DEM. |
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Merged Digital Line Graphs. WinKarst is the only cave survey program to utilize DLG data files showing roads and water ways layers. Adjacent DLG files are merged into a larger composite view. Roads and streams of different quality are displayed with different line thicknesses on the cave survey plot. |
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Geographic Projections for use with your GPS unit. Cave entrances can be specified in your survey data file by longitude/latitude pairs and plotted in one of five geographic projects using one of twenty datums. No more difficult surface traverses. Perfect for overlaying on USGS topographical maps. WinKarst includes UTM, Trans Macerator, Albers Equal Area, Lambert Comformal and Polyconic projections. The mouse's position in longitude and latitude can be displayed in the status bar. WinKarst can display either UTM grid lines or 2 minute longitude/latitude grid lines on plots for registration on published maps. |
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Automatic magnetic declination calculation when cave survey has a geographic reference point. The declination calculation is valid in the period from 1600 to 2005, anywhere on the Earth. |
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Export your cave maps in either BMP, PNG, DXF, TXT, Garmin TRK and WPT formats, TXT and DBF spreadsheets or ERSI shapefile themes. BMP and PNG image export can be of any pixel dimension size. Exported files have been successfully imported into programs such as CorelDraw, AutoCAD, MS Word, DesignCAD, WayPoint+, TOPO!GPS, Bryce, MS Excel and MS Access. The DXF format includes the wall dimensioning, if enabled, to provide the important step up in drafting your cave map. The Garmin formats allow you to upload your line plot into your GPS unit for use in the field. The TXT or dBase DBF spreadsheet can be imported into a database program, e.g. Microsoft Access, for combining with all cave data needed for resource management. The ERSI shapefile themes include identity, caves, surveys, shots, stations and control points and can be view with ArcView or ArcExplorer. |
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Three Dimensional Rose diagram. Like the traditional rose diagram, the density of survey shots at an azimuth are plotted on a circular diagram. In a three dimensional diagram, the radial distance on the diagram plots the inclination angles of the survey shots. Then at each intersection of an azimuth and inclination angle on the diagram, the color of the intersection indicates the frequency of shots that occur in the survey. The diagram can show bedding plane dip in addition to joint and fracture orientation. |
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Vertical Passage Distribution diagram. The vertical extent of the cave is divided into 256 slices and the passage in each slice is totaled. The diagram displays a histogram of the slice totals. The individual peaks of the histogram are identified, labeled and colored. The coloring scheme is then applied to subsequent color by depth plots. |
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Calculation of Strike and Dip. WinKarst can calculate the best fit strike and dip and apply it to level the cave's station and passage distribution. Often, a cave's development is governed by local geology characterized by a strike and dip. By leveling the cave's distribution, it is possible to determine where the cave is approaching the geologic limits. |
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WinKarst provides the user with immediate access to many cave parameters and statistics. These items include cave length, extremes, shot count, station count, loop count, survey count, loop closure error, expected loop error, loop shot sequences, loop length, number of shots connecting to a station, the location of a station, the shortest distance of a station to the entrance, the length of a survey and much, much more. |
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While viewing the cave plot, the mouse can be used to query stations, loops and surveys. Once selected, a dialog box will appear with information about the station, loop or survey. The box also gives the user the choice to open the survey editor prefixed to the selected object. The user can measure the distance between any two stations with the scale cursor. The inspector cursor causes station names to appear as floating hints above the line plot. The ruler cursor can measure the distance between any two stations. |
CAPS - by
Hubert
Crowell. WinCAPS can be used for caves with up to 100 stations before
registration is
required and is compatible with cave maps created by CAPS. Watch the
CAPS location for
updated versions in the future.
CaveRender
- aus Jochen
Hartig. CaveRender eine Entwicklung der DAV Höhlengruppe
Frankfurt/Main und ist
urheberrechtlich geschützt. Die Weitergabe und Benutzung der
Vollversion ist gegen einen
Kostenbeitrag von 10 DM pro Kopie erlaubt. Registrierte Benutzer
erhalten regelmäßig
Updateinformationen und Hilfe bei Problemen. Kommerzieller Einsatz bzw.
Verkauf ist nicht
gestattet. Erfahrungen, Verbesserungsvorschläge und
Darstellungsprobleme bitte zwecks
Weiterentwicklung zugänglich machen.
Compass - by Larry
Fish.
COMPASS is a software package designed to edit, process, analyze and
view cave survey data
using an IBM PC compatible computer. The programs in the system allow
you to enter cave
data, revise the data, generate statistics on the cave, close loops,
view plots from
various angles on the screen and finally, print finished quality plots
on almost any of
dot matrix, laser, ink jet printer and a variety of line plotters.
Visual Topo - par
Eric David. Bienvenue sur le site Web de Visual Topo. L'objectif de ce
site Web est d'améliorer l'assistance fournie aux utilisateurs.
Diverses ressources ont été mises en place pour vous
aider à résoudre vos problèmes, signaler des bugs
et suggérer des améliorations.
Walls
- by Dave McKenzie,
Walls is a Windows-based program designed to help cave surveyors
organize their data and
prepare maps for publication. The mainframe-based precursor of Walls,
Ellipse, supported
those same projects in the 70s and 80s. The programs features have been
in place since
early 1994 and are documented in the program's help file. These include
data entry and
verification via an integrated text editor, grouping of surveys into
hierarchical project
trees, displayed or printed maps with coloring and annotation based on
named vector and
station attributes, and import/export capabilities.
Survex - by
Olly Betts. Survex is multi-platform, freeware, cave-surveying
software. It has been
designed, rather than simply written, and is based on a certain
philosophy. This article
explains how the software came to be, its intended purpose, what it can
do at the time of
writing (early 1997), and the direction of future developments.
Hades -
de Jean-Pierre Cassou. Un enjeu de taille: Proposer au
spéléologues une solution libre Windows et Linux pour le
traitement des données TOPOROBOT. A l'heure actuelle,
l'excellent outil TOPOROBOT n'existe que sur Macintosh jusqu'à
Mac OS 9 et son développement semble en sommeil d'après
le site officiel.
Toporobot
- aus Martin Heller. Toporobot ist ein in der Schweiz entwickeltes
Computerprogramm zur
Auswertung von Höhlenvermessungsdaten. Es erleichtert die Arbeit
bei der Planerstellung
wesentlich und bietet Darstellungsmöglichkeiten, die ohne
EDV-Unterstützung undenkbar
wären. Daneben ist Toporobot auch eine vereinheitlichte
Vermessungsnotation, welche
sowohl die automatisierte Auswertung ermöglicht, als auch das
praktische Vorgehen in der
Höhle vereinfacht. Die Toporobot-Methode bewährt sich seit
Jahren auf zahlreichen
Expeditionen und ist inzwischen weitverbreitet.
Tunnel
2 - by Julian Todd. Tunnel is a Cave Survey program which
extends the data
format used by Survex by associating a realistic passage volume to the
centerline
survey.
It has its own graphical editor and is able to produce output in VRML
form. Current
developments are working towards a ray-tracing algorithm to render
gray-scale images that
could in theory replace hand-drawn surveys, and stereolithography
output so that an actual
physical model of the cave could be built.
Carto
by Ralph Hartley, is a tool for making cave maps. Carto has two main
parts. One is a mechanism for warping digitized sketches to fit the
survey data, and combining them to form a composite. The other is a CAD
program designed specifically for drawing cave maps.
In 1997
the International Union of
Speleology
(UIS) published the official list of cave map symbols. Download a PDF
version here!
Or go to the interactive
web site and select individual symbols.
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Use RosettaStal to convert your cave data. |
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Lechuguilla Photomap and virtual cave images. |
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Calculate Magnetic Declination with GeoMag. |
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A basic Digital Elevation Model viewer. |
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The Perfect LED Lamp. |
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