iDAI.Field is a modern Open-Source-Software to manage field and find data at archaeological excavations. This website offers a list of tutorials that should allow beginners an easier start to the software.
Additional information about the software and the project is available on the following sites: NFDI4Objects (german), github or the project page.
Tutorial overview
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Tutorial 1
This tutorial will show you how to create a new project. There will be a short explanation of the main configurations of your project, how to create new resources and tips for important fields. At the end you will create a manual backup of your project.
How do I create a project in Field? How do I create a new resource? Can I create more than one resource at a time? Can I copy supercategories? How do I create a backup?
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Tutorial 2
In this tutorial the basics of the import function will be explained. The most important aspects for preparing a table for the import and its most common mistakes will be targeted and explained.
How can a table be imported to field desktop? What should I look out for? How do I move resource? How can I export data?
Weiße Schrift "Tutorial 3 Update data" vor Blau-braunem Hintergrund. © DAI, Zentrale // Fabian Gapp
Tutorial 3
In this tutorial you will learn how to update existing resources in Field Desktop and what the important aspects are.
How can I update my already existing resources? Do I have to fill in every single field? What are problem that could occur while updating/importing?
Weiße Schrift "Tutorial 4 Image management" vor Blau-braunem Hintergrund. © DAI, Zentrale // Fabian Gapp
Tutorial 4
In this tutorial you will learn how to import images to Field Desktop and what you can do with them.
How can I import images to my Field Desktop project? How can I link my images to a resource? Can I change the default on my resource if there are multiple linked resources?
Weiße Schrift "Tutorial 5 Map layer" vor Blau-braunem Hintergrund. © DAI, Zentrale // Fabian Gapp
Tutorial 5
In this tutorial you will learn how to add a map layer in Field Desktop, make it visible and what points you have to look out for.
How can I add a map layer to Field Desktop? Why is my map layer not visible?
Weiße Schrift "Tutorial 6 Geometry" vor Blau-braunem Hintergrund. © DAI, Zentrale // Fabian Gapp
Tutorial 6
In this tutorial you will learn how to add geometry to your resources in Field Desktop, how to edit them and what points you have to look out for.
How do I import a shape- or GeoJson-file? What do I have to look out for while importing/exporting?
Weiße Schrift "Tutorial 7 Project configuration 1" vor Blau-braunem Hintergrund. © DAI, Zentrale // Fabian Gapp
Tutorial 7
In this tutorial you will learn how to indivualise your project, resources and fields in Field Desktop and what you have to look out for.
How can I create new resource categories and fields? What types of fields exist?
Weiße Schrift "Tutorial 8 Project configuration 2" vor Blau-braunem Hintergrund. © DAI, Zentrale // Fabian Gapp
Tutorial 8
In this tutorial you will learn how to create composite fields and conditional fields in Field Desktop and what you have to look out for.
How do I import/export my individual categories? Can I import/export my individual project configurations?
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Tutorial 9
In this tutorial you will learn how to use the type management function in Field Desktop and what you have to look out for.
How do I create a type catalog? How can I link my resources to types? Can I import and export my type catalog?
© DAI, Zentrale // Fabian Gapp
Tutorial 10
In this tutorial you will learn how to use the inventory in Field Desktop and what you have to look out for.
How do I create an inventory? What kind of inventory resources are in Field by default? How can I link resources to the inventory?
© DAI, Zentrale // Fabian Gapp
Tutorial 11
In this tutorial you will learn how to use the workflow in Field Desktop and what you have to look out for.
How do I create a process? How can I document a workflow? What are the possibilities to connect a process?
Project background
Thanks to the sponsorship of the Einstein Foundation Berlin a focus on digital methods in archaeology can be taught students from the Berlin Graduate School of Ancient Studies (BerGSAS) as well as MA- and BA-students from the archaeologies in Berlin. A practical and easy to understand lecturing style were the main goal. A bigger emphasis was put on open source software to document, polish and evaluate archaeological data. A hands-on approach with photogrammetry using modern cameras or your own mobile phone led to the first 3D-models of students during the lecture. Another main focus is the Software Field Desktop (iDAI.field). This Open-Source-Software is individually adaptable and can fit many purposes, so you can use it not only for archaeological excavations. To give an easier access to the software this tutorial series was initiated to cover all the relevant themes from creating your own project, individually adapting single resources and fields and the most frequent problems.
The tutorials were created by Fabian Gapp. If there are any questions or remarks please write fabian.gapp@dainst.de.
