To generate a report in Global Mapper 17, you can use built-in analysis tools or scripting commands, though the specific "free" version (likely the limited trial or the free Global Mapper Mobile) may have restricted functionality. 1. Using the Scripting Command If you have access to the scripting environment, the GENERATE_REPORT
command is the standard way to create detailed data summaries. Blue Marble Geographics : This command generates a CSV text report Data Included
: It provides counts for area, line, and point features, as well as total lengths and combined area coverage based on specific attributes or types. Blue Marble Geographics 2. Manual Export for Analysis Reports
For specific analysis results, you can export reports through the following tools: Volume Reports : If performing terrain analysis, navigate to Analysis > Calculate Cut and Fill Volumes
. After the calculation, you can review the volume report (total volume, cut, and fill) and export it to a Attribute Reports
: You can view the metadata and attribute tables of any layer by right-clicking the layer in the Control Center and selecting View Attributes
. These tables can often be exported to CSV or other text formats for external reporting. 3. Reporting in Free/Trial Versions Standard Free Trial 14-day free trial
typically allows full access to these tools, but once expired, the software functions as a data viewer only, disabling export and reporting features. Global Mapper Mobile
: The base version is free but focuses on field data collection rather than complex desktop reporting. It allows you to record attributes and notes in the field, which can then be exported as a package for analysis in the desktop version. Summary of Report Options Report Type Output Format Feature Summary GENERATE_REPORT Script Command Volume Analysis Analysis > Calculate Cut and Fill Volumes CSV / On-screen Attribute Data Right-click Layer > View Attributes CSV / Shapefile specific type
Global Mapper 17: How to Access Features and Free Options Legally
Global Mapper 17, released by Blue Marble Geographics , introduced significant upgrades to the GIS landscape, including a multi-view map interface and enhanced cartographic layout tools. While this specific version is now a legacy release, many users still seek "Global Mapper 17 free" to handle geospatial data. However, finding a truly "free" version requires navigating between official trials and limited-functionality modes. Is Global Mapper 17 Available for Free?
There is no permanent "free" full version of Global Mapper 17. The software is a commercial product, but you can access it through the following official methods:
14-Day Free Trial: Blue Marble Geographics offers a fully functional 14-day trial of the software. This allows you to test all features, including data exports and 3D viewing, before committing to a purchase.
Unlicensed Mode (Limited Functionality): If you download and install the software without a license, it operates in a restricted mode. This "free" tier is useful for basic viewing but has major limitations:
No Data Export: You cannot save or export your work to any format. File Limits: You can only load up to 4 data files at once. No 3D Viewing: Viewing elevation data in 3D is disabled.
Limited Tools: Analysis tools like Line of Sight, View Shed, and Cut-and-Fill calculations are unavailable.
Global Mapper Mobile: A base version of Global Mapper Mobile is free for iOS and Android. It allows for field data viewing and basic collection, though advanced features require a Pro license. Key Features of Global Mapper 17 global mapper 17 free
If you are looking for version 17 specifically, it was a landmark update that introduced: Download Global Mapper - Blue Marble Geographics
In the world of GIS (Geographic Information Systems) professionals, the release of Global Mapper 17 in late 2015 was a game-changer, introducing the powerful LiDAR Module
and advanced 3D feature extraction. For a young cartographer named Elias, finding a "free" version of this software became an obsession. The Quest for Version 17
Elias was working on a conservation project to map ancient forest trails. He needed Global Mapper 17 specifically for its new ability to create multi-view ports, allowing him to see his maps in 2D and 3D simultaneously. However, his project had zero budget.
He spent nights scouring tech forums, looking for a way to access the software without the heavy price tag. He encountered the usual obstacles: The Trial Version:
He first downloaded the official 14-day trial, which offered full functionality. He worked tirelessly, but the two-week window closed before the project was finished. The "Crack" Trap:
He found several websites promising a "Global Mapper 17 Free Download with Crack." Thankfully, his antivirus flagged the files immediately—they were riddled with malware that could have wiped his entire research database. The Turning Point
Just as he was about to give up, Elias reached out to the Blue Marble Geographics support community. He explained his conservation work. To his surprise, he learned about two legitimate paths he had overlooked: The Academic/Non-Profit Grant:
Because his project was for forest conservation, he qualified for a significantly discounted license that his local university helped sponsor. Global Mapper Mobile:
He discovered that while the desktop version was paid, he could use the basic mobile version for free to collect data in the field, which he could then process using older, free open-source tools like QGIS. The Lesson
Elias eventually finished his maps. He realized that while "free" versions of premium software often come with the high price of security risks or limited time, the GIS community
itself often provides the resources needed to bridge the gap. He stopped looking for "cracks" and started looking for collaborations specific features
that made Version 17 a landmark release, or are you looking for free alternatives like QGIS?
Global Mapper 17 is widely recognized as a versatile GIS software that bridges the gap between basic mapping and professional-grade spatial analysis. While the full suite is a paid product, users often seek the "free" version, which primarily functions as a feature-limited viewer time-limited trial Accessing Global Mapper 17 for Free
There are two primary ways to use Global Mapper 17 without an initial purchase: Evaluation Mode (Free Viewer):
By downloading and installing the software without a license, it operates in a restricted mode. This is useful for viewing existing data but lacks critical output and analysis capabilities. Trial License: Users can request a 14-day free trial Blue Marble Geographics To generate a report in Global Mapper 17,
to test the full range of professional tools, though exports are typically limited during this period. Free Version Limitations
If used without a valid license, the software imposes significant restrictions: No Data Export:
Users cannot export data to any of the 300+ supported formats. File Loading Caps: You are limited to loading a maximum of 4 data files simultaneously. No 3D Visualization:
The ability to view elevation data in a 3D environment is disabled. Disabled Analysis Tools:
Advanced functions like Line-of-Sight, Viewshed analysis, and cut-and-fill volume calculations are locked. Limited Data Access:
Users cannot download data from WMS, OSM, or TMS map servers. Key Features of the v17 Platform
For those evaluating the software during a trial, version 17 introduced several major performance and UI upgrades: Enhanced Speed: Raster display, redraw, and export speeds are up to 10 times faster than previous versions. Multi-View Map Display:
Allows side-by-side viewing of different layers or data types within the same interface. Map Layout Editor:
A dedicated tool for creating high-quality, printable map layouts with scale bars, legends, and north arrows. Advanced Terrain Analysis:
High-speed LiDAR processing and tools for generating contours, watersheds, and ridge lines. Global Mapper Mobile For field work, a separate Global Mapper Mobile app is available for iOS and Android. The base version is free
and allows for viewing vector, raster, and terrain data, as well as simple data collection using your device's GPS.
from version 17 to the latest version, or are you looking for open-source alternatives like QGIS? How to Create Map Layout in Global Mapper Pro
The "free" version of Global Mapper is technically a limited-functionality trial. You can download the software directly from Blue Marble Geographics to explore its interface, but critical professional features are locked.
View-Only Capability: You can load up to 4 data files simultaneously to view them.
Massive Format Support: Even in free mode, you can open and inspect nearly 300+ formats, making it a great "Swiss Army Knife" for just checking what is inside a strange GIS file.
No Exporting: The biggest hurdle—you cannot export or save data to any format. Summary A free edition of Global Mapper 17
Locked Analysis: Features like volume calculations, viewshed analysis, and 3D viewing of elevation data are disabled. Key Features of Version 17
If you have access to a licensed version of V17, it introduced several major upgrades that still make it functional for lighter workloads:
Multi-View Map Interface: You can view several map windows at once, which is helpful for comparing different layers side-by-side.
Redesigned Map Layout: It improved the ability to create high-quality printed maps with customized scale bars and coordinate grids.
Speed Improvements: V17 was noted for being up to ten times faster in raster display and redraw than previous versions.
3D Symbols: Support for assigning 3D models to point features was a highlight of this release. Pros and Cons
Interoperability: Reads almost any file type (vector, raster, LiDAR).
Free Version Limits: No exporting and a 4-file loading limit. Ease of Use: Much lower learning curve than QGIS or ArcGIS.
Cartography: Known for poor symbolization and print layouts compared to rivals.
Performance: Very efficient at handling large surfaces and LiDAR.
Outdated: V17 lacks modern tools like "Pixels-to-Points" (photogrammetry) found in Global Mapper Pro. Global Mapper Advanced GIS Mapping Software
Global Mapper has long been the gold standard for GIS professionals who need a lightweight yet powerful tool for viewing, editing, and converting elevation data, LiDAR point clouds, and raster imagery. Version 17, released in the mid-2010s, is often sought after by users running older hardware (Windows 7/8) or those looking for a "free" entry point into professional GIS.
But when you search for "Global Mapper 17 free", you enter a minefield of cracked software, expired trials, and misleading download buttons. This article clarifies what "free" really means for Global Mapper 17, where to get a legitimate older version, and the best free alternatives if your budget is zero.
A free edition of Global Mapper 17 would provide essential GIS viewing and basic processing capabilities aimed at hobbyists, students, and professionals needing lightweight tools for quick visualization, simple analysis, and limited-format conversion without the full advanced toolset.
If you have a project that needs to be done quickly, you can download a fully functional trial.