Open Stream View – How To

Open Stream View is a web-based mapping application that allows users to upload, organize, visualize, and export geospatial photo data.

With OpenStreamView, users can:

• Upload geotagged photos (JPEG or TIFF)
• Group photos into datasets (also called series)
• Explore photos on an interactive map
• Filter, style, and manage datasets
• Export map data such as points, lines, and camera field-of-view (FOV)

Upload permissions are controlled by site administrators.

• Logged-in users can upload by default.
• Guest users can upload only if Allow Public Uploads is enabled in Settings.

If uploads are restricted, visitors will be prompted to log in before uploading.

When the page first loads, you’ll see a progress panel titled “Streaming Streams.”

This panel:

• Shows loading and indexing progress
• Displays a progress bar
• Automatically disappears once all map data is ready

Choose between:

• Streets (OpenStreetMap)
• Imagery (satellite tiles)

Show Photo Points

• Master toggle to display dataset photo markers
• Default: Off

Show Series Lines

• Displays connecting lines between photos in a dataset
• Default: On

Show FOV Polygons

• Displays camera field-of-view polygons (if available)
• Default: Off

FOV Range Multiplier

• Adjusts the depth/size of FOV polygons
• Range: 0.2 – 8.0
• Default: 1.6

Fit All Data

• Automatically zooms and centers the map to all loaded photo points

Datasets

• Opens the dataset browser panel

The dataset browser allows you to filter, view, and manage datasets.

Dataset Filters

You can filter datasets by:

• Location
• Stream
• Watershed

A Clear Filters button appears when filters are active.

• A checkbox to show or hide its points
• A color picker to change dataset symbol color
• A color swatch for quick visual reference
• The dataset name and photo count

Important behavior to know:

• Clicking a dataset row:
  • Selects the dataset
  • Opens dataset details
  • Automatically enables its points (if off)
• Multiple datasets can be enabled at once
• Colors are dataset-specific
• Color selections are saved in the browser for returning users

• Zoom to Dataset
• Add Photos (if uploads are allowed)
• Export Lines
• Export Points
• Export FOV

Open the upload panel by selecting Add Photo to OpenStreamView.

How can I select files to upload?

You can:

• Drag and drop files into the drop zone
• Click the drop zone to browse files
• Select an entire folder for batch uploads

Supported file types:

• JPEG
• TIFF

Yes.

• Maximum per batch: 300 files
• If more than 300 files are selected, only the first 300 are queued

You can set:

• Series Name
• Append to Existing Dataset (optional)
• Title
• Stream Name
• Watershed Name
• Organization Name
• Description

This is designed for large uploads split into multiple batches.

Typical workflow:

1. Upload the first batch with a new dataset name
2. For subsequent batches, select the same dataset under Append to Existing Dataset
3. The Series Name is auto-filled to keep metadata consistent

Can I add photos directly from a dataset?

Yes. From the dataset detail panel, click Add Photos to:

• Open the upload panel
• Automatically reuse dataset metadata
• Maintain consistent naming across batches

What if my photos don’t contain GPS data?

If EXIF GPS data is missing:

• Manual Latitude and Longitude fields will appear
• You can:
  • Enter coordinates manually, or
  • Click on the map to auto-fill coordinates

The dataset photo viewer includes:

• Previous / Next image controls
• Zoom Out, Zoom In, and Fit
• Fullscreen toggle
• Optional View 360 button (for panoramas)
• Download image link
• Zoom level indicator

Additional features:

• Mouse-wheel zoom
• Click-and-drag panning when zoomed in

You can export GeoJSON from the dataset detail panel:

• Export Points
• Export Lines
• Export FOV

Exports apply to:

• The selected dataset (recommended), or
• All currently visible data if no dataset is selected

If points aren’t visible:

• Enable Show Photo Points
• Check the dataset checkbox

If the map looks cluttered:

• Disable unneeded datasets
• Turn off FOV polygons

If uploads fail:

• Confirm file type is JPEG or TIFF
• Check server file size limits
• Split large uploads into 300‑photo batches

If a photo has no location:

• Enter coordinates manually or click the map during upload