Features

ArxSilex MapTools

Maps, offline data, elevation data, projects, navigation and live tools in one Android app.

Overview

What ArxSilex MapTools Helps You Do

Use the core tools for map work, geodata, orientation and field documentation.

Maps, Vector Layers & Raster Overlays

Online and offline maps
Mapsforge, MBTiles and GeoPackage
Raster overlays from GeoTIFF, MBTiles, KML or KMZ
Vector layer, raster overlay and map profile visibility

Elevation Data & Viewrange

HGT, DEM GeoTIFF, ASC and DTED
Point elevation, profiles and barometer context
Hillshade and contour lines
Viewrange with observer height and elevation sampling

Data Center & Smart Import

Automatic detection of suitable import targets
Manage maps, vector layers, raster overlays, POI data, elevation data and map styles separately
Check offline status, active data and import history
Inspect ZIP packages depending on content

Map Styles

Import Mapsforge styles as ZIP
Check compatibility and activation
Combine profiles with map and map style
Respect external theme licenses

Map Objects & Projects

Markers, POI, routes, tracks, circles and areas
Post and fence estimates for areas and circular areas (Pro)
Bearings, distances and intersections
Project browser and filters
.asmaps for backup and exchange

Search Grids & Coverage

Split areas into search cells
Mark visited cells from track movement
Coverage strips with dynamic width
Useful for systematic area work

Live Features

Live groups nearby
Live Center and participant status
Remote ID via BLE, Wi-Fi NAN and Wi-Fi Beacon
Device- and Android-dependent features

Backup & Restore

Create app backups as .asmaps.bak files
Back up projects, settings, profiles and local data selectively
Optional password encryption
Restore as a new project, replacement, merge or selective import

AR / LiveView

Bearings and targets in the camera view
POI, peaks, tracks and search grids as AR references
Sensor and ARCore dependency
Basic and Pro scope differ

Workflow

Workflows with larger data sets

Import, display, QR exchange and backup are designed to keep project data understandable and consistent.

Geodata import

The app analyzes file contents and assigns them to a suitable target: map object, vector layer, POI data, offline map, elevation source or raster overlay.

Display and slots

Map slots, profiles, layers and default styles help prepare map sources and object colors for repeated field use.

Controlled operations

Imports, analyses, POI indexing, backups and restores run with clear assignment and visible progress.

Details

What These Features Do in Practice

See what each tool is useful for and which data or device features it may need.

Feature	Purpose	Context
Viewrange	Calculates visible areas from a point using available elevation data.	Requires suitable elevation data; output depends on resolution and coverage.
Hillshade & Contours	Makes terrain shapes easier to read and complements elevation profiles and point heights.	Use HGT, DEM GeoTIFF, ASC or DTED.
Smart Import	Assigns files to suitable targets: project, map, elevation data, raster overlay, vector layer, POI data, route or track.	For containers such as ZIP or GeoPackage, the content matters.
Point Details	Map points can provide context for roads, POI, elevation, coordinates and imported vector layers or raster overlays.	Detail level depends on map, tags and imported data.
Remote ID	Receives public Direct Remote ID broadcasts via BLE, Wi-Fi NAN and Wi-Fi Beacon, displays them locally and exports history.	Supports Open Drone ID / ASTM F3411, ASD-STAN / EU Direct Remote ID and KML, GeoJSON and CSV for history export.
Live Groups	Local group positions and status nearby without an app-owned server.	Requires matching Bluetooth/Nearby permissions.
Backup & Restore	Saves selected app content as a .asmaps.bak file and restores it deliberately.	Backups can include projects, settings, profiles, POI, groups and local data; optional encryption is available.
AR/LiveView	Shows targets, bearings, POI, peaks, tracks or search grids in the camera view.	Sensor quality and device compatibility are decisive.

Feature scope

Which features are included in Free and Pro?

Some features intentionally have limits in the free edition. The Free/Pro table shows the main differences for projects, objects, routes, areas, imports, exports, offline data, Remote ID and AR/LiveView.

Open Free / Pro table

Terms

Separate maps, vector layers and raster overlays clearly

ArxSilex MapTools uses these terms deliberately. They make it clear whether a file is used as a base map, editable geometry, image overlay or elevation data source.

Term	Short definition	Examples
Maps	Base maps used as the main working view.	OpenStreetMap, OpenAndroMaps, offline .map, MBTiles as a base map
Vector layers	Additional object, line or polygon data above the map. The content consists of points, lines or areas and can often be displayed or evaluated individually.	GPX, KML, GeoJSON, Shapes, KML polygons, GeoJSON areas, GPX tracks as overlays
Raster overlays	Georeferenced image or tile data above the map. They are placed as a finished image surface and are not interpreted as individual objects.	GeoTIFF, MBTiles, image maps, aerial imagery, scanned maps, georeferenced plans
Elevation data / terrain	Data sources for elevation values and terrain analysis. They are not a visible map in the narrow sense, but provide height information.	HGT, DEM GeoTIFF, ASC, DTED
Map style	Rendering rules for vector maps. The style defines colors, symbols, paths, POIs, contour lines and other map elements.	OpenAndroMaps render theme, Elevate Theme
POI data	Search and display data for places and points of interest.	OpenAndroMaps .poi, custom POI files

Vector layers

Vector layers contain individual geometries. They are useful for planning data, boundaries, search areas, routes, tracks and imported project information.

Raster overlays

Raster overlays are finished image surfaces above the map. They are useful for aerial imagery, historical maps, scans or special map views. Opacity is often adjusted so the base map remains visible below.

Show or use

Maps, vector layers and raster overlays can be shown on the map. Elevation data is usually used by tools: point elevation, elevation profile, hillshade, contour lines and viewrange.

Drone Remote ID

Receive nearby drone broadcasts

ArxSilex MapTools can passively receive public Direct Remote ID broadcasts, process them locally and show them on the map, in the Live Center and in exports. The app does not connect to or control the drone.

Reception paths

Supported paths include BLE legacy and BLE extended advertising, Wi-Fi NAN and Wi-Fi Beacon / vendor-specific information elements. Availability depends on phone, Android version, permissions and radio environment.

Protocols

The app parses Open Drone ID / ASTM F3411 and ASD-STAN / EU Direct Remote ID payloads. Service data frames, manufacturer data and Wi-Fi vendor information are used when they contain a valid Remote ID payload.

Live data

When broadcast, the app can display UAS ID, drone position, altitude, height, speed, heading, operational status, Self ID, operator ID, operator or take-off position, EU classification, RSSI, source, protocol and profile.

History and export

Remote ID history is optional and local. Export supports KML for maps, GeoJSON for GIS tools and CSV for spreadsheets.

Data format	Support
Open Drone ID / ASTM F3411	Basic ID, Location Vector, System, Operator ID, Self ID, Authentication and Message Pack.
ASD-STAN / EU Direct Remote ID	EU-compatible Remote ID payloads including classification and operator information when broadcast.
BLE	Open Drone ID service UUID 0xFFFA, manufacturer data and known vendor frames; legacy and extended advertising.
Wi-Fi NAN / Wi-Fi Beacon	Remote ID payloads from Wi-Fi Aware/NAN and beacon vendor IEs, depending on the device.
Export	KML (.kml), GeoJSON (.geojson) and CSV (.csv).

GeoPackage

GeoPackage remains intended for maps, tile containers and vector layers. Use HGT, DEM GeoTIFF, ASC or DTED for terrain features.

Current

Refine bearings, areas and routes more precisely

The current tools support more guided measurement and correction workflows so existing objects do not need to be recreated.

NEW Guided cross bearing for distance work

The app guides the selection of suitable bearings, circles or measurement objects, calculates intersections and can save the result as a marker.

More details

NEW Edit areas later

Polygon areas can be refined through their vertices. Side lengths, interior angles and distances help correct boundaries in the field.

More details

NEW Edit routes later

Route points and segments can be adjusted later. Bearing, distances and direction angles remain visible and understandable on the map.

More details

Intersection calculation from bearing and circle

Editing an area with vertices, angles and distances

Refining a route with bearing and distances

Current Scope

New and expanded features

These capabilities are especially relevant in the current app version and are grouped here.

Guided cross bearing

Bearings, circles and measurement objects can be combined in a guided flow to determine intersections and distances.

Area editing

Polygon areas can be refined later through their vertices while side lengths, interior angles and distances stay visible.

Route editing

Route points and segments can be adjusted later with bearing, distances and direction angles.

Compass and direction work

The outdoor compass supports navigation, bearings, target alignment and map work. Sensor source, magnetic field assessment, view mode and GPS course while moving are shown transparently so direction and accuracy remain understandable.

Remote ID details

Drone reception shows BLE, Wi-Fi NAN, Wi-Fi Beacon, operator/system data, diagnostics and optional export where device and signal source support it.

Custom menu layout

Submenus can be sorted by frequently used tools, making important field functions faster to reach.

GPS & markers

Robustly average and remeasure GPS positions

Fresh GPS fixes are validated, weighted and combined with robust statistics.

Series instead of one fix

Used fixes, reported accuracy, P68, P95 and center stability expose the data basis.

Time-separated remeasurement

Additional sessions are combined through controlled, independent 90-minute windows.

Technical documentation

Coordinate conversion, MAD filtering, accuracy weights, Huber estimation and percentiles are explained step by step.

Calculation details

Field data

Colors, tracks and measurement quality

MapTools stores practical context with outdoor measurements so that recorded data remains understandable later.

Color selection and favorites

Markers, lines, routes, bearings, areas and ViewRange/visibility areas can use a color field, RGB/Hex input and a preview of the current and selected color. Favorites are organized as global object colors plus separate favorites for areas and ViewRange.

Track recording with time data

Tracks can store timestamps, tour duration, pauses via track segments, pause positions and GPS accuracy. Track points show available times, pauses and quality data in the info sheet.

GPS/RTK quality data

When the device provides it, GPS/RTK quality data is stored and displayed for tracks, markers, area points, bearings and ViewRange. Freely placed markers receive a terrain elevation when active elevation data is available.

Follow route

Route guidance and route monitoring

Follow route offers minimal guidance with geometry-derived direction changes or quiet corridor monitoring. Pause, warning acknowledgement and a compact map display are prepared for longer tours.

Map sources

Custom XYZ, TMS, WMTS and WMS services

Public or private HTTPS map services can be organized as a basemap or overlay in map profiles and map slots.

Four source types

URL-based XYZ and OSGeo TMS tiles, plus WMTS 1.0.0 and WMS 1.1.1/1.3.0 with GetCapabilities.

Layers and rendering

Layers, styles, dimensions, order, preview, connection test and overlay opacity are managed on the source or slot.

CRS-aware

EPSG:3857 is rendered directly; compatible additional CRS are locally reprojected through the central engine.

Traceable sources

Provider, licence and usage details are retained; credentials are encrypted and excluded from project files and backups.

XYZ, TMS, WMTS and WMS in detail