ArcGIS Explorer Build 1500 Now Available!

The latest version of ArcGIS Explorer has been released and is now available for download!

ArcGIS Explorer is a free virtual globe that is much more than just a fun and easy way to explore the world in 2D and 3D. You can use it to add your own data to your maps and combine it with free data from ESRI. You can also customize your maps by adding photos, reports, videos, and other information.

The latest version, ArcGIS Explorer Build 1500 comes packed with a bundle of updates and new features. Some of these include:

Updated Basemap Gallery

The basemap gallery contains a variety of ready-to-use ArcGIS Online maps that you can choose from to start your map, including imagery, transportation, streets, physical, and more. The basemaps are continually updated, and incorporate content from the best available sources including national and local government sources, as well as commercial providers. All basemaps are free for use in ArcGIS Explorer. Bing ™ Maps (imagery, hybrid, roads) are also included. Newly added is OpenStreetMap. Tools for managing your own basemaps have also been enhanced.

Integration To ArcGIS Online

ArcGIS Online has been integrated so you can search for and add content directly from ArcGIS Online. You can also share map items to your online account. All of your maps, data, and groups can be accessed from ArcGIS Explorer.

ArcGIS Server 10 Image Service Support

ArcGIS 10 image services are now directly supported, with many tools and properties you can use to manage and optimize these services. New tools and properties include:

• Gamma, brightness, contrast
• Compression, resampling method
• Mosaic method and operator

Image services can also be added as elevation layers.

Enhanced Notes Support

Notes are an important and easy way to add non-GIS content to your map that you want to place in a geographic context, such as videos, reports, websites, photos, and more. Notes have been enhanced with the following:

• New note types (arrows, circle, square)
• Enhanced note editing capabilities (replace, move, stamp)
• Share (export) notes to layer packages (.lpk) and KML
• Point notes can be labeled
• Enhanced popup management tools

Updated Popups

Popups are used to display information about features when clicked, and can include videos, photos, and much more. Popups have been improved and enhanced with the following:

• HTML popups for ArcGIS 10 services are now supported
• Handling of multiple hits at a given click location has been improved
• A Create Note tool has been added to the feature popup window, enabling users to create notes directly from any feature on the map.

Improved Analysis Gallery

The Analysis Gallery enables you to easily extend ArcGIS Explorer’s capabilities by connecting to published ArcGIS Server geoprocessing services. The Analysis Gallery has been improved with better management of accessed geoprocessing tools, and extended to support additional returned feature types not supported in previous versions.

Sharing Integration

All map items can now be shared (exported) in several different formats, depending on the item type. The supported formats include layer packages (.lpk), KML, and map content files (.nmc). The shared items can be saved to a file, sent via e-mail, or uploaded to ArcGIS Online.

Enhanced Labelling

Labelling is now supported for 2D and 3D point notes. Labeling for layer packages (.lpk) and layer files (.lyr) has been improved.

Improved KML

KML handling has been improved in both 2D and 3D mode, and regionated KML is now supported in 2D mode. KML interoperability has also been enhanced; notes can be shared (exported) as KML and KML can be shared (exported) as layer packages or converted to notes. The KML file association can be set to ArcGIS Explorer.

Updated Symbols

ArcGIS Explorer symbols have been updated to improve appearance in 2D and 3D modes. Symbol management tools have been enhanced with improved support for custom (user) symbols.

Interoperability

ArcGIS Explorer features new capabilities that enhance interoperability with the ArcGIS system and KML. These features include:

• ArcGIS Online integration
• Support for ArcGIS Explorer Online maps, including presentations and notes
• Share (export) to layer package or KML
• Create notes from features
• Create notes from KML
• Add data directly from Excel spreadsheets

Loads more … Bernie has the complete list of updates and enhancements here: http://blogs.esri.com/info/…

ArcGIS Explorer Build 1500 can be downloaded here:

More information on ArcGIS Explorer can be found here: http://www.esri.com/software/… with detailed download information here: http://resources.arcgis.com/content/…