GPS
Points, lines, polygons, and tracks
Collect features from live GPS or the map crosshair, measure distance and area, save GPS tracks, edit geometry, move vertices, and attach notes and attributes.
Ology field app · iPhone version 2.3.5
Record the fieldwork while it happens.
Ology on iPhone brings offline maps, survey tracks, structured site recording, photographs, terrain views, and GIS into the field. Recon supplies the crew project; Intelligence can supply a separate offline master library for authorized reference.
Field collection
Record the actual survey, not just a dot.
IMG
Photos and 3D documentation
Attach field photos to features and capture iPhone LiDAR scans with PLY, LAS, and high-quality photo export options.
CHK
Field dashboard and data checks
Review survey status, map readiness, GPS status, new features, missing notes, missing photos, GPS accuracy, and features needing review.
- Feature templates
- Attribute editor
- Photo points
- GPS averaging
- Track filtering
- Coordinate copy/go-to
- Metric/imperial units
Site forms in version 2.3.5
Keep observations, geometry, and people connected.
Guided forms help record useful detail in the field while preserving unknowns and disagreements for office review.
FORM
Prompts that fit the find
Artifact and feature prompts respond to period and material. Record count basis, diagnostic details, preservation, setting, visibility, limitations, and follow-up needs without losing earlier answers.
LINK
Linked map evidence
Connect the form to a site feature and inventory items. Map data can fill blank location and dimension fields while preserving tape or handwritten measurements. Changing units converts entered numeric measurements.
TEAM
Team site recording
Use shared job, site, and visit identifiers across phones. Recon brings crew contributions together, retains conflicting observations, and flags them for professional resolution.
Where a GIS name matches more than one feature, the recorder selects the intended feature explicitly.
Archaeology
Archaeological recording and lidar-aware survey.
Ology includes quick templates for Maya mounds, lithic scatters, ceramic scatters, walls and alignments, trails and roads, looting pits, disturbances, and photo points. Features can include condition, confidence, visibility, notes, photos, and review status.
Archaeology tools already in the app
- DPR 523A, B, C, D, E, I, J, K, and L form workflows
- DPR autofill support for county, quad, PLSS, UTM, elevation, geometry, and location context
- Transect missions with off-line vibration and sound alerts
- Transect array generation from lines, tracks, bearings, and project areas
- Buffers around lines and tracks for coverage or survey corridor documentation
- Archaeological site sensitivity modeling using terrain, distance to water, vegetation, training sites, and weighted factors
Offline maps and imports
Prepare the project before you lose service.
The app is built around field packages and local files, so a crew can work with useful maps and reference data away from cell service.
PDF
GeoPDF and calibration
Import georeferenced PDFs, view map frames, and manually calibrate maps when needed.
KML
KML, KMZ, and GeoJSON
Import and export field layers, polygons, points, and tracks. Time-stamped KML tracks retain their separate paths, available timing, elevation, and other source attributes.
PKG
Offline field packages
Build project packages with basemaps, elevation, reference layers, terrain visualization, forms, and field layers.
- USGS topo
- USGS imagery
- Historical topo
- Apple satellite preview
- Custom ArcGIS raster service
- GeoTIFF
- Project DEMs
LiDAR and terrain
Terrain visualization in your pocket.
Ology can import local LiDAR-derived DEMs, download elevation for the map area, clip external DEMs to the project, and create field-ready terrain overlays or basemaps.
Terrain outputs
- VAT Hillshade / RVT blend
- Multidirectional hillshade
- Custom hillshade
- Sky-view factor and SVF × hillshade blend
- Positive openness
- Local Relief Model
- Multi-scale Topographic Position
- Slope, slope over 30 degrees, and slope over 30 percent
- Terrain profiles along selected lines
Geology, biology, and public reference data
Bring in the layers field specialists keep needing.
GEO
USGS geology
Download rock units, faults and contacts, and geologic point features for the current map extent. Useful for formation context and toolstone mapping.
MAP
Geologic map catalog
Search the NGMDB catalog for geologic maps covering the project area, then open or import map resources when available.
BIO
Biology and agency layers
Use online layer tools for public ArcGIS services, CDFW BIOS-style secured layers, OpenStreetMap, Forest Service, parcel, PLSS, county, and quad reference data.
- OpenStreetMap roads/trails
- Waterways
- Buildings
- Public land
- Historic/public landmarks
- USFS roads
- USFS trails
- Wilderness
- Fire perimeters
- APN parcels
GNSS and measurement
Better field positions and better notes.
Ology supports internal device GPS, external GNSS receiver workflows, NMEA-style receiver status, GPS averaging, coordinate display settings, UTM, decimal degrees, degrees/minutes/seconds, and measurement units.
Settings and field controls
- Recorder name automatically added to saved features
- Coordinate display: decimal degrees, DMS, or UTM WGS84
- Metric or imperial distance units
- Track recording by distance or time interval
- GPS averaging with target fix count
- Magnetic or true bearing display with declination setting
- Layer sorting, transparency, blend modes, comparison, and quick presets
- App lock and option to exclude sensitive data from backups
Office handoff
Send the whole field return back.
The complete project package carries structured forms, photos, layers, and tracks for Recon review. A form PDF or map export alone does not carry the editable field record. Each contributor can return a separate package without overwriting another phone's work.
Separate reference and project data
An Intelligence master library is an optional offline reference snapshot for searching records and linked PDFs. It does not change a crew project, its forms, photos, or survey tracks.
Status
Ology is in active development.
The app is currently being shaped around real field needs and private/beta testing workflows. The long-term goal is a polished field mapping tool for archaeology, biology, geology, environmental survey, lidar, and remote sensing work.