Bad Elf Flex: Configuring ArcGIS Field Maps for Laser Offsets

Bad Elf Flex: Configuring ArcGIS Field Maps for Laser Offsets

Overview

ArcGIS Field Maps added new metadata fields for laser offset workflows in the June 2025 update.  Documentation on the Field Maps implementation of field names, data types, and domains can be found here→. 

To add the laser offset fields to a feature class, Bad Elf offers a geoprocessing toolbox on Github (BadElfToolboxForArcGIS.tbx)→. This tool also adds Bad Elf Ortho Everywhere fields that store elevation information via the Flow Points to 3rd Party App feature on the Bad Elf Flex app.  Find more information on these fields here→.

ArcGIS offers the Add GPS Metadata Fields geoprocessing tool→ included in ArcGIS Pro 3.5+ for local feature classes stored in geodatabases.  For appending fields to cloud hosted feature services, Jupyter notebooks→ written in Python are shared by the Field Maps team via GitHub.  These can be run in a notebook on ArcGIS Online or in a ArcGIS Pro notebook window.

Alternatively, Field Maps Designer has the option to add laser offset metadata fields→ to new feature services as of the June AGOL update.

What You’ll Need

To successfully collect offset metadata with ArcGIS Field Maps and the Bad Elf Flex, make sure you have the following:
  1. Bad Elf Flex→
  2. Bad Elf Flex app→
  3. ArcGIS Online License
  4. ArcGIS Field Maps app
  5. iOS or Android tablet/phone
  6. LaserTech or Haglof laser rangefinder
  7. ArcGIS Pro 3.5+
  8. Toolbox from the Bad Elf Github→

Adding the Bad Elf Flex Toolbox to ArcGIS Pro

Notes
You must be the owner of the point feature layer or an organization admin user.
Notes
While not required, we highly recommend enabling Z-values for 3D visualization capabilities for your feature class upon creation. 
Warning
This tool is not compatible with ArcGIS Enterprise feature services.
  1. Download the toolbox from the Bad Elf Github.→
  2. Drag and drop the .tbx file into your ArcGIS Pro project's toolbox folder found within the Catalog window, or right click and Add Toolbox.
  3. Open the tool.

Adding fields to a feature class

  1. Select the feature class with the drop down menu under Feature Class in the Add Bad Elf and Field Maps GNSS Fields tool.   

  2. Check the box to add Laser Offset Metadata.
  3. Run the tool.  Adding fields will take significantly longer with a feature service compared to a locally hosted file.
Notes
IF UPDATING ARCGIS ONLINE FEATURE SERVICE: If you do not have admin privileges, you will not be able to add domains to the metadata fields for feature services.  Metadata fields will still populate without domains. Domains can also be added manually to the feature class by navigating to the feature class's item details page > Data > Fields > Click the relevant field > Create List.
Alert
This script modifies the input feature class or feature service by adding fields and domains. It does not alter existing fields, but it will permanently change the schema of the feature class or service by adding new fields and domains.

Field Maps Configuration

  1. Open the Profile menu to view settings.


  2. Under Offset, select Bad Elf Flex.
  3. To collect an offset point in a map, tap ••• within the form, and select Offset from Location.  
  4. Complete the checklist in the Bad Elf Flex app→, then select Send point to Field Maps.
  5. Fill out any remaining required fields, and submit.

Troubleshooting

If you run into issues while adding fields or during data collection, try the following steps.

Trouble connecting rangefinder?

  1. Consult our documentation → 

Tool will not add fields?

  1. Reference the error in the geoprocessing window.
  2. Try an alternative like the built-in Add GPS Metadata Fields geoprocessing tool, Field Maps Jupyter notebooks, or creating a new layer within Field Maps Designer.

Need Help?

  1. Email: support@bad-elf.com
  2. Field Maps Settings: Guide→ 
  3. Explore: Bad Elf Flex Documentation →