SurveyPicFree

From site photos to a report

1. Add the survey title, site, date and surveyor on the Info tab.
2. Select or drop JPEG photographs onto the Map tab. SurveyPic reads GPS coordinates from each image’s EXIF data and starts a pin label from its filename.
3. Move labels clear of one another; the location dot stays at the recorded GPS point. Add map lines or text to mark routes, boundaries and observations.
4. For a drawing overlay, add map base points, import a PDF or image, and match two well-spaced known points. Fine-tune the layer and lock it once aligned.
5. Add notes and optional highlight colours in the picture grid, review the map and photo pages, then print an A3 landscape report or save it as PDF.

Map and inspection features

• Switch between OpenStreetMap styles and experimental Esri aerial imagery. Map labels, north arrow, scale bar, linework and text can be tuned for the inspection.
• Multiple PDF, PNG and JPEG underlays each keep their own alignment and visibility settings while sharing the project’s map reference points.
• The picture grid links each photograph to a note and optional red or green highlight; the report places the labelled map before photographs arranged six per page.
• Save and reload a project file containing the map view, photos, labels, underlays, annotations and report information.

Location accuracy and privacy

GPS positions come from the photograph metadata, so confirm camera time, GPS quality and the point shown on the map. British National Grid coordinates are approximate orientation values, not survey setting-out data. Imported plans need suitable control points and may use a local grid.

Photographs are processed in the browser and are not uploaded by SurveyPic. Online base maps are supplied by their map providers; check attribution and provider terms before using imagery in a formal report.

In-app help

SurveyPic help

Inspection information

Enter the report title, site, survey date and surveyor on the Info tab. These details are saved in the project and included in the report.

Photographs and map labels

On the Map tab, select or drop multiple JPEG photographs. GPS coordinates are read locally from their EXIF metadata. Each filename becomes its initial label, without the .jpg or .jpeg ending.

Each label starts over its GPS point. Adjust the label-size slider, then drag labels into position. A black dot remains at the GPS location and an arrow appears when its label is moved. Drag the arrowhead to change its extension.

PDF and image underlays

You can establish reference points before importing a drawing. Click the Base Map to preview Google Maps, WGS84 and approximate British National Grid coordinates in a popup, then choose Add base point. Saved Base Points appear in the table beneath the map and remain available to every imported plan.

Import one or more PDFs, PNGs or JPEGs on the PDF underlay tab. For an exact fit, choose Match beside a Base Point, click the identical location on the imported plan, then repeat with a second well-separated point. Each plan retains its own matches while sharing the project’s Base Points.

British National Grid eastings and northings are generated locally using an approximate conversion and are intended for orientation rather than survey setting-out. A drawing may instead use a local site grid; those values cannot be inferred from a map click without additional calibration.

Use Fine tune to move, nudge, rotate or scale the selected layer. Turn on Move overlay and drag across the map. Click a fine-tune button for one precise step, or press and hold it to repeat with increasing speed; hold Shift from the start for a larger step. Lock a finished overlay to prevent accidental changes. The current X, Y, rotation, scale and opacity remain visible and are saved with the project.

The imported-layer list provides a visibility tickbox, transparency slider and Delete button for every underlay.

Use the Base map selector in the top bar to switch every map view between OpenStreetMap line mapping and the experimental Esri aerial/satellite imagery. OpenStreetMap also has high-contrast black-and-white, red, green and blue line-art treatments. The selection is saved with the project.

Esri aerial (trial) uses Esri World Imagery through its currently public, anonymous tile service. It needs an internet connection but no SurveyPic key or token. Provider attribution is retained on the map and in printed reports. Availability and licensing should be reviewed before relying on it as a permanent commercial service.

Dark mode darkens the complete working interface and OpenStreetMap views while leaving Esri aerial imagery, imported plans and printed reports in their original colours. The preference is remembered on this device and saved with the project.

Lines and text

Choose Line, click each corner, then press Done or Enter. Press Escape to cancel. Click a completed line to select it, drag its control points to reshape it, use the arrow keys to nudge it, or press Delete to remove it. Hold Shift while nudging for a larger step.

Enter the wording, choose Text, then click the map. Drag placed text to reposition it or click it to edit, rotate or delete it.

Picture grid and reports

The Picture grid is a live report preview. Add or edit the note beneath each photograph. Use None, Red or Green to highlight notable photographs; the same colour appears around their map circle and in the printed photo record. Reports contain the labelled map first, followed by photographs arranged six per page.

Each GPS-tagged picture includes a Google Maps-compatible coordinate field in degrees, minutes and seconds. Single-click to select the complete coordinate, or double-click the field to copy it directly.

Print report opens an A3 landscape report through the browser print dialog using size-optimised photographs. Choose a physical printer or the browser’s Save as PDF destination.

Saving and privacy

Save project stores the map view, photographs, labels, underlays, alignments, annotations and report details in one .surveymap file. Use Load project to continue later.

Photo processing is performed locally in your browser. SurveyPic does not upload the images.

Tips and field guidance

Rotate

Rotate anticlockwise — click once or hold to accelerate

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