Uinta - Getting Started

18 Mar 2020

List of topics:

How to install Uinta

  1. Download and run the MSI install file from the Uinta downloads web page.
  2. If Windows Defender prevents the software installation, select Advanced options to Run Anyway.
  3. Once complete, you will have an orange Uinta icon shortcut on your desktop and in the Windows (Start) menu.

How to unlock Uinta

  1. Use the shortcut icon to open the Uinta software.
  2. At the Software Activation window, enter your Software Key. If you have not yet subscribed to Uinta or are wanting to demo the software, please contact sales@junipersys.com to obtain a software key. If your software key has already been entered on two devices, you will be asked from which previous device to remove it. Cancelling or exiting the Software Activation window without entering a Software Key will require you to fully close then re-open Uinta, and will still require you to enter a key.
  3. Select the "I Understand" button to accept the Uinta End User Licence Agreement (EULA). You may then need to fully close then re-open Uinta.

    If you ever need to view or change the software license in Uinta, select the top-right Menu icon > Help > Change License Key.

How to Add New Project

The following video starting at timestamp 12:38 shows how to create a new project.

At the "Add New Project" window that appears automatically (or when you select the orange Plus button in the bottom-right corner), you can then select Device Only, Import Project, or Cloud Enabled. A brief description of each option is as follows.

How to create a Cloud Account

When you select to create a "Cloud Enabled" project, you will then be asked to Create Account, or Login with an existing account name and password. Each license of Uinta comes with a one year subscription which is renewed annually. Since you entered a software key to access the Uinta software originally, you can create an account using that license at no additional cost. The password must be at least 8 characters, contain at least one numeric value, and at least one special case character.

How to complete Project Setup

At the "Project Setup" window, a project name will be shown. In the field asking you to "Create project based on: (choose one)", you can select to use a template based on a previous project, the Basic sample template, or you can select the Plus button to create a new template.

The Basic sample template includes object types of Area, Line, Point, and Record. You can create, rename, and edit any object type.

Each of these object types by default include a set of form fields such as Date/Time, Name, Description, and Attachment. The Area, Line, and Point object types also include a map Location field, while the Record object type does not. You can add, rename, and edit form fields for any object type. Many form field types are available such as Bool (binary selection such as Yes/No), Checkboxes (can select varying number of options in a defined list), and Pick List (can select one option in a list) to name (and describe) a few. Some form fields are or can be automatically populated, such as the Location form field when mapping (when GPS is enabled) or a Sequence Number field (automatically generates the next number in a sequence).

Once you have selected or defined a template, select the green check mark button or the back button to be taken to the main (map or list) screen.

How to setup GPS

This is not required if none of your defined Record (object) types include a Location form field. After setting up a mapping project, you can setup GPS. This is beneficial if you will be mapping objects and will need a more accurate Location of each object than what can be achieved by simply placing objects on the map in reference to background imagery (which is not very accurate). The computer device on which Uinta is running (such as on a Mesa 3 Rugged Tablet) will need to have an integrated GNSS (GPS) receiver, or you can attach an external receiver (such as the Juniper Geode).

  1. At the main map screen, select the top-right Menu icon > Settings > GPS Settings.
  2. If using an integrated GPS receiver, you may be able to select Windows Location Services. If using an external receiver (or a direct serial connection to an integrated receiver), you can select "Auto COM Port" to have Uinta search for the receiver port. If you have previously paired a receiver (or already have a serial port set up for the receiver), Uinta may just allow you to select that existing receiver or port specifically. A direct connection to a specific receiver port often provides better accuracy than going through the Location Services in any operating system.
  3. Select to Connect.
  4. Verify that the position information from the receiver is accurate. You may need to move further outdoors to achieve an acceptable position reading from the receiver.
  5. Tap the X icon to close the "Select GPS Location Source" window.

How to start collecting data

The following video starting at timestamp 22:29 shows how to start collecting data.

After opening a project, the main screen will appear. This screen will appear as a map with background imagery if your project has object (Record) types with a Location form field. If none of your record types have a Location, then the main screen will appear in a List view that is initially empty (blank or gray).

  1. At the main (map or list) screen, select the orange Plus circle in the bottom-right corner. If you have object types with a Location form field, you may be asked to connect GPS (if it is not already connected).
  2. The "Select Record Type" window will appear for you to choose based on what you defined for objects during project setup.
  3. Once you have selected an object type, a New form will appear for you to enter data in each field for that specific record (again based on what you defined for that type of object during project setup).
  4. After completing all form fields, select Save in the top-right corner. If the object had a Location form field, it will now appear on the map in that saved location. If not, then it will appear on the list.
  5. Repeat steps 1 through 4 for each specific Record (object) you want to collect.

How to collect an Area or Line

Selecting an object type that is based on an Area or Line will then ask if you want to add points (also known as vertices) on the outside boundary of the area, or on the line, manually or automatically (using GPS).

Selecting to add points manually will start at your current location then waits for you to move to then select the Add icon for each vertices, or you can select the cross-hairs button to use the touchscreen or mouse to move the target for then selecting Add for each point.

Selecting to add points automatically will give you options for either capturing based on time or distance using GPS. As you move, the points will be added automatically.

Once you have completed collecting all vertices of the object that you are mapping, select Finish. You will then be taken to the New form for the object as described starting in step 3 of the section above.

How to export data

The following video starting at timestamp 29:19 shows how to export data.