Field mapping for the ology world

One app for people who work outside.

Ology is being built for archaeology, biology, geology, environmental survey, lidar mapping, and the field crews who need offline maps, accurate data collection, and real scientific context in one place.

Explore the app Why I built it
  • Archaeology
  • Biology
  • Geology
  • GIS
  • Remote sensing
  • LiDAR
  • Offline fieldwork
Ology terrain map showing lidar relief, amber contour lines, and a blue GPS position marker Live from the app — lidar terrain + GPS

Built from field experience

Designed around the work, not around a generic map.

After years of making archaeological and biological maps, testing field apps, carrying paper forms, switching between GPS tools, and processing lidar back at a desk, Ology brings the core pieces together for real survey work.

01

Collect defensible field data

Record points, lines, polygons, tracks, photos, notes, templates, coordinates, GPS quality, measurements, and review status in the field.

02

Work offline

Prepare map areas, download imagery, topo, elevation, public reference layers, and field packages before heading away from service.

03

Use lidar and terrain

Import DEMs, download elevation, and generate terrain visualizations that help reveal mounds, scarps, roads, terraces, drainage, and landforms.

Ology new feature editor with template, color, notes, and attributes
Structured recordingTemplates, attributes, photos, review status
Ology offline field package builder with high-resolution survey area option
Ready before you leave serviceOne project-based offline package
Ology map layer stack with VAT hillshade blend and multi-scale topographic position over imagery
LiDAR in your pocketVAT hillshade + MSTP, blended live

Choose your workflow

Click an ology to see the tools built for that work.

Ology is one app, but every discipline gets its own workflow. Pick yours below.

New: desktop model trainer

Train site-sensitivity models on your own LiDAR — predict offline in the app.

The Ology Model Trainer is a desktop GUI that learns from your known sites and your own LiDAR DEM, then exports a single model file that imports straight into the app. Train once on ground you know; predict anywhere — no cell signal, no cloud.

Explore the Model Trainer Read the user guide (PDF)
Archaeology prediction model workflow diagram: a training area with known sites over lidar terrain feeds a model builder combining slope, elevation, water distance, and vegetation into a trained model, which produces a new-area sensitivity heatmap
Known sites + terrain predictors in, a portable prediction surface out.

The idea

Everything the “ology” world keeps needing in the field.

Ology is not meant to replace professional GIS. It is meant to make fieldwork better before the data ever gets back to ArcGIS, QGIS, CloudCompare, or a report. The goal is simple: fewer disconnected apps, cleaner observations, stronger field context, better exports, and maps that actually work when you are offline.

12+years GIS and remote sensing experience
8+years field archaeology experience
3DiPhone LiDAR scan support
Offlinemaps, terrain, layers, and forms

Use cases

Made for survey crews, researchers, and field specialists.

Ology is especially useful when the same project needs map navigation, structured observations, photos, GPS tracks, lidar-derived terrain, agency layers, landforms, geology, and final export data.

  • Archaeological reconnaissance and site documentation
  • Biological resource mapping and environmental field notes
  • Geologic outcrop, unit, terrain, and landform context
  • LiDAR terrain review for mounds, roads, terraces, scarps, and depressions
  • Offline survey in forests, deserts, coastlines, mountains, and remote project areas
  • Field packets that can be shared with crews or exported for GIS