SACS logo
Survey and Cartography Section
of the National Speleological Society
 
Digital Cave Surveying Presentations on Zoom



Cave surveying is transitioning from a manual process to one incorporating various levels of modern technology to facilitate both in-cave data collecting and sketching, and actually drawing cave maps electronically.

The schedule below is for a series of Zoom presentations on discussing various aspects of digital cave surveying.
Anyone interested in cave surveying is welcome to attend.

THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2025 at 7:30 PM Eastern (EDT)
Presenter: Bert Ashbrook
Topic: Overview of Paper vs. Electronic Book/Sketch for Cave Survey
•    Foundations: Start sketching on paper, or jump right into digital?
•    Is digital for you? Advantages (and disadvantages, too!).
•    Gear you’ll need.
•    What to expect: Differences in cave survey team operation.
•    What to expect: Differences in bookkeeping and sketch.
•    What to expect: Differences in data management and cartography.
Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86268965930?pwd=E7bhIHNi9fbUxu3HbatDtK2JrSOFmn.1

Wesnesday, APRIL 9, 2025 at 7:30 PM (EDT)

Presenter: Derek Bristol
Topic: Digital Sketching vs. Paper Sketching
•    Comparison of digital and paper sketching quality.
•    Common issues with digital sketches (lack of spatial awareness, artistic ability, etc.).
Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88642233120?pwd=cVTcg6eDwsqWpviu0G28rCcLTIlqSN.1

THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2025 at 7:30 PM (EDT)

Presenter: Aaron Bird
Topic: Data and Sketch Preparation with Cave Survey Software and AI
•    Preparing data and sketches using Walls, Compass, Topodroid, Illustrator, Python.
•    Using AI (Claude Sonnet, ChatGPT) for cave survey data.
Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83766923975?pwd=WEPakdFg8iy2bmOISLtM10V1wNAGn5.1

THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2025 at 7:00 PM (EDT)

Presenter: Beau Gergel
Topic: Paper to Digital Transition
•    Lessons learned from transitioning from paper to digital sketching.
•    Using TopoDroid and Illustrator for post-processing digital sketches.
Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83651221828?pwd=N1cO4a3NrAn81cn8JyyvCUHJXLbkDN.1

THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2025 at 8:00 PM (EDT)

Presenter: Christian DeCelle
Topic: Sketching in Topodroid for Therion
•    Overview of sketching in Topodroid for Therion.
•    Managing large maps (e.g., Helms Deep) in Therion.
Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87284198602?pwd=aXath8A3uQlzjsJgiXV2BTzVp1r9PE.1

THURSDAY, JUNE 5, 2025 at 7:30 PM (EDT)

Presenter: Dane Garreau
Topic: Advanced Topodroid Tips and Tricks
•    Advanced techniques and tips for using Topodroid more effectively.
Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84621503174?pwd=pvCaWahhcBc1sb74iwxiT7OwyQfGgX.1

THURSDAY, JUNE 19, 2025 at 8:00 PM (EDT)

Presenter: Jon Zetterberg
Topic: Project Planning and Management
•    How to set standards before the project begins.
•    Structuring data collection to ensure consistency and organization.
Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88073703339?pwd=MEa7mPFZgz3yMpwWxSKHlGwSxBZNL8.1

Last updated or validated on March 28, 2025