WebApp to convert an Applanix smooth best estimated trajectory (SBET) binary file to comma-separated value (CSV) file

An Applanix (https://www.applanix.com) smooth best estimated trajectory (SBET) binary file is a common file you may encounter when working in field LiDAR, and aerial photo data collection. It is basically a refined trajectory of the real time navigation of the path taken in the field data collection process.

I wrote an online WebApp tool (https://dominoc925-pages.appspot.com/webapp/sbetcsv/default.html) to convert an SBET file (typically with an extension *.out) to a comma-separated value (CSV) file, and compressed to a ZIP file for easier transportation. The extraction, conversion and compression processes take place inside a Web browser locally only; there is no requirement to upload to a web server so that will save on the time and data connection costs.

To use this converter, simply visit the web site https://dominoc925-pages.appspot.com/webapp/sbetcsv/default.html with any modern web browser.

Then, just drag and drop an SBET file, e.g. SBET.OUT onto the indicated area. Or click the Browse button and select the SBET file. Then click Open.

A process indicator will be displayed while the conversion is taking place. After the conversion has completed, a download link will appear as shown below.

 

Click the link to download the zip file and extract out the converted CSV file. An example of the result of the conversion is shown below. 

 

Display CSV (with WKT geometry field) files on Google Maps with this Mapplet

If you want to display a Comma Separated Values (CSV) file with an embedded geometry field in Well Known Text (WKT) format with just an Internet browser, then this Mapplet may be useful to you. Just go to this url https://dominoc925-pages.appspot.com/mapplets/vcsvfile.html with any modern browser such as Chrome, or FireFox. All the processing is done within your browser, that is the CSV file is never uploaded to a server for processing.

1. To load a CSV file, click on the Import CSV button (in blue color) as shown in the screenshot below. 
   
   
   
   The Import Comma Separated Values (CSV) file dialog box appears.
   
   
2. To load in a CSV file from a local drive, click the Choose File button. Then browse and select a CSV file as shown below.
   
   
   
   Note: You can also copy and paste WKT text into the CSV file field's text area. Or click the Use Sample Data drop up button to load demo WKT data into the text area.
   
   
3. Click Open.
   
   The file is read and displayed in the text area below the Choose File button. The WKT Geometry column button is populated with the header fields from the CSV file.
   
   
   Note: If necessary, choose an appropriate Coordinate System and projection.
   
4. Click Start Import.
   
   The CSV file is loaded and rendered as overlays on the Google Maps backdrop. The name of the file is added to a CSV files combo box.
   
   
5. Optional. Click on the CSV Command drop up button and choose a command to apply to the current CSV layer.
   
   
   Fit - Display the current CSV layer within the map
   Fit All - Display all loaded CSV layers within the map
   Toggle display - Toggle the CSV layer display on or off
   Display off - Don't display the current CSV layer
   Display on - Display the current CSV layer
   Remove layer - Unload the current CSV layer
   

Using QGIS to export CSV files with Well Known Text geometry

QGIS can export feature layers as comma separated values (*.CSV) files with a geometry column in  Well Known Text (WKT) format. This can be very convenient if you want to exchange a small amount of data from one GIS system to another GIS system.

To save a vector feature layer to a WKT CSV file, do the following:

1. In the legend pane of QGIS, select a layer to export, e.g. forest. Then press the right click of the mouse.
   
   A pop up menu appears.
   
   
2. In the pop up menu, choose Save As.
   
3. The Save vector layer as dialog box appears.
   
   
   
4. In the Format combo box, choose Comma Separated Values (CSV). In the File name field, click the  Browse button and type in the output file name, e.g. forest.csv.
   
   
   
5. In the Layer Options group box's GEOMETRY combo box, choose AS_WKT. Click OK.
   
   The selected vector layer is exported out as a CSV file with a geometry field as WKT format as shown below in a spread sheet.