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Create your Own DataSlate Datasets

The purpose of this activity is to demonstrate that you can create your own datasets to be used with DataSlate. If you can align or rectify a set of pictures you can create your own dataset for DataSlate. In this activity you will be using a pair of images of Hebron, Nebraska taken in 1938 and 1968. After downloading and decompressing the testdata file, a folder called testdata should be created on your computer. This folder will contain all of the images you will need for this activity. You may want to open this folder and examine its components.

Download the test data TESTDATA.zip

Step 1 COLLECT YOUR IMAGES Normally, step one in creating a customized dataset would be to collect your images, but for this activity we have provided you with a collection to use. Images can come from a variety of sources such as web pages, scanned photographs, or digital cameras. Historically, datasets have been space-based images of Earth or Mars but any image can be used. For example, historical images of a famous buildings taken from the same angle or slides of a frog dissection could be used in a dataset.

Step 2 UPLOAD YOUR IMAGES TO JPL Launch Netscape and go to the following website: http://casde.jpl.nasa.gov/sg_server. Be sure and use Netscape on Macintosh computers. Once connected, you will be prompted for a login and password. Use casde for a name and 2infinity for a password then click OK.

Next you will be asked for some information about the dataset you wish to create as well as your email address if problems arise with your dataset. Be sure to follow the directions on the screen as there is limited error checking with the web site. Click the 'Continue' button when all information has been entered.

After clicking the 'continue' button, the next screen will be displayed asking for the first picture you wish to include in your dataset. JPL uses the term 'Theme' for your individual images. Click the Browse button and locate your first image. It is also very important to note the file type of the image you are uploading. File types must be 'JPEG'. Click the Continue button. It may take a minute or so to upload the image. Repeat this process until all of your images have been uploaded.

Once all of your images have been uploaded you will have a chance to review all information before creating your dataset (called a SimpleStruct). Review the information and then click the 'Create SimpleStruct' button.

After a short time your file will be ready as a web link you can download. This file will be a compressed .zip file that can be decompressed with the freeware utility Stuffit Expander. Once the file is decompressed it will be labeled (.). This directory or folder can be renamed with a more appropriate label.

Step 3 USE YOUR DATASET WITH DATASLATE Launch the DataSlate software and wait for it to fully load. Click the LOAD button. A window will appear prompting you for the location of your .lbl file. Navigate to your decompressed folder and locate the file that ends with the extension .lbl. Select this file and open it. After it loads you will be able to examine the various layers as usual.

Optionally…

Images before uploading: Reset the resolution of the image to 200 dpi in a program like Photoshop, Lview Pro, or GraphicConverter in order to be able to zoom in further in the dataset. Use one of the above programs to annotate or edit images.

Datasets: Calculate a scale for the image so accurate measurements can be made (see tutorial). Add pushpin images and information to the dataset (see tutorial). Add latitude and longitude to the dataset (see tutorial).

Scan and align your images using an Excel spreadsheet activity (see tutorial).

Step 2 UPLOAD YOUR IMAGES TO JPL Launch Netscape and go to the following website: http://casde.jpl.nasa.gov/sg_server. Be sure and use Netscape on Macintosh computers. Once connected, you will be prompted for a login and password. Use casde for a name and 2infinity for a password then click OK.
Next you will be asked for some information about the dataset you wish to create as well as your email address if problems arise with your dataset. Be sure to follow the directions on the screen as there is limited error checking with the web site. Click the 'Continue' button when all information has been entered.
	After clicking the 'continue' button, the next screen will be displayed asking for the first picture you wish to include in your dataset. JPL uses the term 'Theme' for your individual images. Click the Browse button and locate your first image. It is also very important to note the file type of the image you are uploading. File types must be 'JPEG'. Click the Continue button. It may take a minute or so to upload the image. Repeat this process until all of your images have been uploaded.
Once all of your images have been uploaded you will have a chance to review all information before creating your dataset (called a SimpleStruct). Review the information and then click the 'Create SimpleStruct' button.
	After a short time your file will be ready as a web link you can download. This file will be a compressed .zip file that can be decompressed with the freeware utility Stuffit Expander. Once the file is decompressed it will be labeled (.). This directory or folder can be renamed with a more appropriate label.