Import & Export GIS Data

Lokate supports importing data in GPX and GeoJSON formats, both common standards for Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data interchange. Lokate has been optimized to work with data exported from CalTopo and SARTopo, but accommodates other formats as well.

Lokate offers compatibility with external applications such as CalTopo/SARTopo or Garmin tracking systems. You may want to view additional geographical elements — Areas, Tracks, or Markers — alongside your own data and canine tracks.

When importing Area boundaries, you can designate a mission assignment Area as "active," enabling Lokate to compute relevant metrics for that area.

Lokate supports importing data generated by third-party applications — your own data, canine tracking information, or flanker data. All imported data is stored in GeoJSON format and associated with a specific Assignment as "Map Items."

These instructions apply to CalTopo/SARTopo and other applications that export GeoJSON. Lokate can import data while recording or when reviewing an assignment.

1. In Lokate, be recording a new assignment or reviewing a stored one. The map needs to be visible.
2. In CalTopo/SARTopo, open "Map Items" then select "Export"
3. Select items you wish to export and click Export
4. In the share sheet, select Lokate (scroll and add it via "more" if needed)
5. Items are imported and attached to the opened assignment

Alternatively, import from an already stored file:

1. Open the Files app on your iPhone
2. Navigate to the file location
3. Tap and hold the file icon, then tap "Share"
4. From the Share Sheet, select Lokate

You can import multiple files into a single Assignment, supporting both GeoJSON and GPX formats or a combination. While you can export a large amount from CalTopo, it is advisable to export only the necessary data.

Among imported Map Items, one Area can be designated as "active." The HUD then displays distance-to-area and bearing-to-area. Outside the active area, distance is negative; inside, positive. The bearing always denotes the closest area boundary.

Importing handler or canine track data from Map Item paths/lines will overwrite existing handler or canine data. Imported track data is color-coded according to your preferences and set to hidden status in Map Items (can be overridden).

You can import tracks directly from a Garmin GPS by connecting it to your iPhone with a USB cable. For Lightning iPhones, use a "Lightning to USB Camera Adapter with Charging Port." For USB-C iPhones, a direct USB-C to USB-mini cable works.

Import is available when starting a new assignment (with recording paused) or during assignment review.

1. Connect the Garmin to your phone — it should appear as a storage device
2. Open the tools menu (•••) and tap Import from Garmin
3. Follow prompts to select the GARMIN device and folder

Lokate displays the Garmin's Current.gpx file as the handler file. If the DogTracks folder contains tracks for more than one dog, Lokate shows a table to choose which dog's data to import.

Garmin files may include data from multiple exercises. Lokate groups location data into separate entries if there is at least a 1-hour gap. Select the groups you wish to import and tap Import.

Lokate exports in CSV, GPX, or GeoJSON formats. CSV is for log data only; GPX and GeoJSON are for GIS data. GeoJSON is the preferred format for CalTopo.

To import into CalTopo, save the file locally first as CalTopo does not support direct imports. Then in CalTopo, open your map, select import, navigate to the saved file, and use CalTopo options to determine which elements to import.