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Free Geology Software (27 replies and 3 comments)
I too use QGIS - I like that you are not tied down to one file format, can import and export easily.
I Would like a geological cross section add on though.
QGIS has talked about cross-section functionality for a long time now. If you can't wait, the Interdex software is probably a good option - see the drilling section in same link as above.
Arial Imagery
E-foto – http://www.efoto.eng.uerj.br/en
full implementation of a digital photogrammetric workstation
photo triangulation, stereoscopic modeling, digital elevation model extraction and terrain correction.
tutorials
OSSIM – http://www.ossim.org/
system for remote sensing, image processing, geographical information systems and photogrammetry.
Data Analysis
MatPltLib – http://matplotlib.org/
plots, histograms, power spectra, bar charts, errorcharts, scatterplots, etc
add-ons include a choice projections and mapping toolkits basemap and cartopy, 3d plotting with mplot3d, axes and axis helpers in axes_grid.
GNUplot – http://www.gnuplot.info/
visualize mathematical functions and data interactively
command line driven.
SciPy – http://www.scipy.org/about.html
software for scientific computing in Python, and particularly a specified set of core packages.
SGeMS – http://sgems.sourceforge.net/
Solving problems involving spatially related variables.
User-friendly interface, an interactive 3-D visualization, and a wide selection of algorithms.
Real Statistics using Excel – http://www.real-statistics.com/
Real Statistics Resource Pack: an Excel add-in which extends Excel’s standard statistics capabilities
Advanced worksheet functions and data analysis tools for practical statistical analyses.
SAM – http://sam-spatial-analysis-in-macroecology.software.informer.com/
Package of tools for spatial statistical analysis, mainly for applications in Surface Pattern Spatial Analysis.
Pattern Analysis – http://www.passagesoftware.net/features.php
Pattern Analysis, Spatial Statistics
Point pattern, Contiguous data, Scattered data, anisotropy… and more
V2 still being built.
HPGL – http://hpgl.mit-ufa.com/
High Performance Geostatistics Library.
Simple, ordinary, Indicator and local varying mean kriging, CoKriging, Sequential indicator simulations, Corralelogram SIS and Sequential gaussian simulations.
GRADS – http://opengrads.org/
interactive desktop tool for easy access, manipulation, and visualization of earth science data.
EXCEL add-in for increased statistics.
Power Map – http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/news/features/geoflow_data_viz-041113.aspx
EXCEL add-in for 3D geospatial graphs
bing with excel chart overlays (needs excel 2013+)
Power BI – https://powerbi.microsoft.com/
Microsoft web-based Business Intelligence software
Spatial business intelligence.
1Gb storage on cloud.
MapZen – https://mapzen.com/projects/
Customizable tools for rendering, routing and searching geodata.
Databases and Data Management
XODB Xstract Open Database – http://xodb.xstractgroup.com/
synchronise information between geologists in the field or between servers using Microsoft’s Azure cloud
store detailed exploration data including drilling, QAQC and geophysics.
store geological models
helps with compliance.
adds value in providing detailed reporting and analysis.
DirSyncPro – http://www.dirsyncpro.org/
Synchronisation software
backups from PC to USB/PC or Server.
Scheduling and incremental backups
FreeNAS – http://www.freenas.org/
Data management
FreeNAS is an operating system that can be installed on virtually any hardware platform to share computer data storage over a computer network.
FreeNAS is the simplest way to create a centralized and easily-accessible home for your data.
Zoreto bibliography management – https://www.zotero.org/
easy-to-use tool to help you collect, organize, cite, and share your research sources.
PostGIS – http://www.bostongis.com
Add spatial capabilities to DDBs
SQlite and SQSpatialLite – http://www.sqlite.org/
Implements a self-contained, serverless, zero-configuration, transactional SQL database engine.
Spatial Lite – http://www.gaia-gis.it/gaia-sins/
Adds GIS and spatial data capabilities to SQLite
Naked Geological data platform – http://nkd.io/ – !!Beta!!
Upload and do analytics on LAS, BlockModels, geological and geophysical data. Manage complex mining assays and sampling
Data models from BGS – http://www.bgs.ac.uk/downloads/browse.cfm?sec=5&cat=199
BGS Open Geoscience Data Models aim to provide open, ready-to-use database designs that are free for all.
ParaviewGeo – http://paraviewgeo.objectivity.ca/
Data visualistion
Mine design, planning and scheduling.
Wide range of different files (over 50 formats) that can be imported as source data for your model.
Handle terabyte-size datasets
Pandas – http://www.scipy.org/about.html
library providing high-performance, easy-to-use data structures and data analysis tools for the Python programming language.
Bacula – http://blog.bacula.org/
Network backup software
Backup, recovery and verification
scalable
Amanda – http://amanda.zmanda.com/
Network backup software
Backup, recovery and verification
Secure to tape disk or cloud.
Rsync – https://rsync.samba.org/
provides fast incremental file transfer to server.
CatMDEdit – http://catmdedit.sourceforge.net/
metadata editor tool that facilitates the documentation of resources, focusing on the description of geographic information resources
Peazip – http://www.peazip.org/
File archiver and data compression software
Over 150 file formats supported for extraction
Mendely – https://www.mendeley.com/
Reference and PDF management.
Library searches and cite as you write.
Accumulo – https://accumulo.apache.org/
key/value store in a robust, scalable, high performance data storage and retrieval system
see GeoMesa for geospatial frontend.
Drilling
Interdex and coreview – http://interdex.software.informer.com/8.0/
Drillhole data 3D visualisation
high quality composite 2D maps.
Create ‘solid’ surfaces and calculate volumes.
Create contours in horizontal and vertical planes. Rotate, pan, zoom, adjust transparency, light sources, and surface properties.
DRX – Drilling Reporting Targetting – http://sourceforge.net/projects/drxproj/
Open source visualization package for the exploration and mining industry.
Drilling planning and optimization.
Drones
OpenPilot – https://www.openpilot.org/
UAV autopilot
Dronecode – https://www.dronecode.org/
UAV autopilot
Geochemistry
GCDkit – http://www.gcdkit.org/
A system for handling and recalculation of whole-rock analyses from igneous rocks
Standard geochemical calculations involving major-, trace-element as well as Sr-Nd data
Common plots (binary, ternary, spider diagrams)
Petrograph – http://accounts.unipg.it/~maurip/SOFTWARE.htm
Visualize, elaborate and model geochemical data
Results and graphs can be exported as vector graphics
SGeMS – http://sgems.sourceforge.net/
Solving problems involving spatially related variables.
User-friendly interface, an interactive 3-D visualization, and a wide selection of algorithms
Geology
see GIS
Exploration tools from edumine – http://www.edumine.com/tools/applications/exploration/
Various useful geology tools.
Earth Core – http://earths-core.en.softonic.com/
600 minerals, 300 gems, 200 rocks, around 900 glossary items
Geocience Analyst – http://www.mirageoscience.com/our-products/software-product/geoscience-analyst
3D visualisation of geoscience data.
import, visualize, annotate, save and distribute 3D geoscientific data and models
dynamic link between 3D views and data tables.
Imports ASCII, ESRI, Geo-referenced images, Geosoft and GOCAD Mining Suitefiles/objects
Geophysics
USGS – http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/fs-0076-95/FS076-95.html
Potential Field Software
processing, display, and interpretation of potential-field geophysical data
Madagascar – http://www.ahay.org/wiki/Main_Page
Package for multidimensional data analysis and reproducible computational experiments
Gordon Coopers software –http://www.wits.ac.za/academic/science/geosciences/research/geophysics/gordoncooper/6511/software.html
PNNL – https://e4d.pnnl.gov/Pages/Home.aspx
E4D electrical geophysics software
3D modeling and inversion code designed for subsurface imaging and monitoring using static and time-lapse 3D electrical resistivity (ER) or spectral induced polarization (SIP) data.
OpendTECT – http://www.opendtect.org/
Seismic Interpretation
IGeoS – http://seisweb.usask.ca/igeos/
Integrated processing tasks in a wide range of geophysical data analysis
formerly called SIA
USGS – http://crustal.usgs.gov/geophysics/software.html
gravity, magnetics, radiometrics, electrical & electromagnetic, seismic
DMOZ –http://www.dmoz.org/Science/Earth_Sciences/Geophysics/Products_and_Services/Software/
33 software packages
Noddy – http://www.tectonique.net/tectask/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=23&Itemid=70
rapidly build complex 3D geological models and calculate the resulting gravity and magnetic fields
Fatiando – http://www.fatiando.org/
Python library for modeling and inversion in geophysics
Javaseis – http://www.geo-users.org/javaseis/
Seismic processing and storage
Bruges – http://www.agilegeoscience.com/blog/2015/8/5/introducing-bruges
geophysical processing of seismic reflection and well log data
Resistivity.net – http://www.resistivity.net/index.php?11
forum for everything that has to do with resistivity methods in geophysics (but mainly software)
Geocience Analyst – http://www.mirageoscience.com/our-products/software-product/geoscience-analyst
3D visualisation of geoscience data.
import, visualize, annotate, save and distribute 3D geoscientific data and models
dynamic link between 3D views and data tables.
Imports ASCII, ESRI, Geo-referenced images, Geosoft and GOCAD Mining Suitefiles/objects
Geostatistics and QAQC
SGeMS – http://sgems.sourceforge.net/
Solving problems involving spatially related variables.
User-friendly interface, an interactive 3-D visualization, and a wide selection of algorithms
Coreview – http://interdex.software.informer.com/8.0/
QC front end to Interdex drilling software
Real Statistics using Excel – http://www.real-statistics.com/
Real Statistics Resource Pack: an Excel add-in which extends Excel’s standard statistics capabilities
Advanced worksheet functions and data analysis tools for practical statistical analyses.
SAM – http://sam-spatial-analysis-in-macroecology.software.informer.com/
Package of tools for spatial statistical analysis, mainly for applications in Surface Pattern Spatial Analysis.
Analysis ToolPak – http://www.excel-easy.com/data-analysis/analysis-toolpak.html
Excel add-in program that provides data analysis tools for financial, statistical and engineering data analysis.
R – https://www.r-project.org/
software environment for statistical computing and graphics
StatsToDo – https://www.statstodo.com/index.php
Provide a toolkit, statistical programs that are immediately accessible and easy to use.
Pattern Analysis – http://www.passagesoftware.net/features.php
Pattern Analysis, Spatial Statistics
Point pattern, Contiguous data, Scattered data, anisotropy… and more
V2 still being built.
HPGL – http://hpgl.mit-ufa.com/
High Performance Geostatistics Library.
Simple, ordinary, Indicator and local varying mean kriging, CoKriging, Sequential indicator simulations, Corralelogram SIS and Sequential gaussian simulations.
Free Statistical Software – http://statpages.org/javasta2.html
A thorough list of statistical tools and add-ons.
Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental
GGSD – http://www.ggsd.com/ggsd/index.cfm
mixed commercial and open geotechnical and geoenvironmental software.
GIS
Qgis – http://www.qgis.org/en/site/
Full featured GIS.
Numerous vector, raster, and database formats and functionalities
Excellent online support and training.
Internet oriented (WMS, etc)
Saga – http://www.saga-gis.org/en/index.html
Easy and effective implementation of spatial algorithms
Easy user interface with many visualisation options
uDIG – http://udig.refractions.net/
Full GIS
Standalone but Internet oriented (WMS, etc)
GRASS – http://grass.osgeo.org/
Full GIS
Geospatial data management and analysis,
image processing, graphics and maps production,
spatial modeling, and visualization.
Dapple – http://dapple.geosoft.com/ – unfortuantely going extinct.
View online data from internal DAP servers and known Web server
gvSIG http://www.gvsig.com/en/
Desktop, vector and raster files, databases and remote services.
Good support and training options
ARC Reader – http://www.esri.com/software/arcgis/arcreader
ESRIs free viewer
MapInfo Proviewer – http://www.pbinsight.com/support/product-downloads/for/mapinfo-proviewer
Pitney Bowes free data viewer
GEOmap – https://cran.r-project.org/web/packages/GEOmap/index.html
Routines for making Map Projections (forward and inverse), Topographic Maps, Perspective plots, Geological Maps, geological map symbols, geological databases, interactive plotting
List from Spatial News – http://spatialnews.geocomm.com/features/viewers2002/
16 commercial and open GIS packages and readers
EarthPoint – http://www.earthpoint.us/
Bring grids into Google Earth – DMS, DD, UTM/UPS, MGRS
autoscales down to 10m
Batch import/convert excel into Google Earth
Area, perimeter and centroid on Google Earth Polygons
GeoMesa – http://www.geomesa.org/
spatial – temporal query of GIS data.
ER Viewer – http://download.intergraph.com/downloads/erdas-er-viewer-2014-v14.01
Viewing software from ER Mapper
TNTatlas – http://www.microimages.com/products/tntatlas/index.htm
publish and distribute your maps and geospatial data
ILWIS – http://52north.org/about/52north
Integrated Land and Water Information System
GIS with some strong 3D capabilities (not just DEM)
data animation and stereoscopy tool
GPS
GPS Utility – http://www.gpsu.co.uk/
Manage, manipulate and map your GPS information
GPSbabel – http://www.gpsbabel.org/
converts waypoints, tracks, and routes between popular GPS receivers and programs like Google Earth or Basecamp
Bing – https://www.bing.com/maps/
Global interactive map. roads, satellite info
Vector mapping capability if logged in
Google Earth – http://www.google.com/earth/download/gep/agree.html
Global interactive base data
native .KML vector data capability.
Basecamp – http://www.garmin.com/en-US/shop/downloads/basecamp
Garmin software to map, plan, geotag and share data.
DNRGPS – http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/mis/gis/DNRGPS/DNRGPS.html
transfer data between Garmin handheld GPS receivers and GIS software.
works with ArcGIS 10.x, Google Earth, Most Garmin GPSs, and other NMEA output GPSs
G-Raster – http://moagu.com/?page_id=155
creates raster Custom Maps for your Garmin GPS receiver.
easily convert KMZ overlay files calibrated in Google Earth, chopping them up into smaller tiles fully compatible with Garmin units
Graphics
Blender – https://www.blender.org/
full function 3D rendering.
Monsterous learning curve. Fabulous results.
GIMP – http://www.gimp.org/
An expert quality photo retouching program, an online batch processing system, a mass production image renderer, an image format converter, etc.
Well supported. Good training and tutorial
Inkscpe – https://inkscape.org/en/
Full capability Vector and raster graphics editor
Well supported. Good training and tutorial
OCAL – https://openclipart.org/
Open clip art… I don’t know why either.
Scibus – http://www.scribus.net/
Open Desktop Publishing.
Hugin – http://hugin.sourceforge.net/
Image stitching software
Dia – https://wiki.gnome.org/action/show/Apps/Dia?action=show&redirect=Dia
special objects to help draw entity relationship diagrams, UML diagrams, flowcharts, network diagrams, and many other diagrams.
AutoTrace – http://autotrace.sourceforge.net/
Convert raster images to vectors
HSE
NIOSH site search – http://search.cdc.gov/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&affiliate=cdc-main&sitelimit=www.cdc.gov%2Fniosh+|+blogs.cdc.gov%2Fniosh-science-blog&query=software
Mining HSE software from NIOSH
Modelling and Mining
Recmin – http://recmin.com/WP/ – see note below for english
3D geological modeling work, block modelling, grade estimation, of mineral resources and reserves, mine surveying, mine design surface and groundwater.
for english: http://recmin.com/WP/?lang=en
English help: http://recmin.com/WP/?page_id=130&lang=en
Geoblock – http://geoblock.sourceforge.net/
integrated software for 2D/3D modeling, computational geometry and visualization of spatial datasets.
Also survey, geology and mining modeling, ore reserve estimations
Poor support and training.
ParaViewGeo – http://paraviewgeo.objectivity.ca/
Mine design, planning and scheduling
Commercial software – http://www.3d-geology.de/software/geology_and_mining/
A list of commercial packages.
EduMine Mining tools – http://www.edumine.com/tools/applications/mining/
Various useful geology tools.
MO2Geo – http://www.mo2geo.org/
multidimensional, modular, open source, object-oriented geological modelling tool
Unknown project status??
BRL-CAD – http://brlcad.org/
solid modeling and design system that includes interactive geometry editing
VMine – http://www.vmine.net/vmine/index.asp – BETA
Mine planning and modelling
follow the website for progress
Download is by participation – returning feedback on its performance and errors
Petrology
List from NAGT – http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/petrology/plot_programs.html
Project Management and risk
ProjectLibre – http://www.projectlibre.org/
open source alternative of Microsoft Project.
GanttProject – http://www.ganttproject.biz/
open source alternative of Microsoft Project.
Edumine tools – http://www.edumine.com/tools/applications/management/
Various useful management tools
SimpleRisk – http://www.simplerisk.org/
Enterprise risk management
risk, mitigation, reports – graphical options
demo login is useful.
Freemind – http://freemind.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php/Main_Page
mind-mapping software in Java.
making a move as a high productivity tool.
Calligra Plan – https://www.calligra.org/plan/
Project management application intended for managing moderately large projects with multiple resources
Project Open – http://www.project-open.com/
keeps track of project plans, project progress, budgets, costs, risks, milestones
supporting the administrative and reporting processes in complex PMO environments
allows to track time sheets related to both projects and support services
ProjectForge – http://www.projectforge.org/
project management and financial and adminstrative controlling platform for teams
multi-lingual.
Smartphone (android) support app.
Source http://tinyurl.com/nubv2f9
Recmin is an open software to plan mining operations, and help in the threee-dimensional evaluation of mineral reserves. It is quite powrful and easy to use. http://recmin.com/WP/?lang=en
ParaViewGeo? (http://paraviewgeo.objectivity.ca/) - mine design, planning and scheduling.
I have used paraview briefly before, it would be interesting to know if it works for you. I do know another individual who tried using blender to design 3D ore models and mine workings. I am not sure if he gave up on that, but Blender is definitely an excellent 3d design tool. I think the video functionality of that would be interesting for a mine planning application http://www.blender.org
Using Blender for mine planning would be a bit like the way I drove Autocad out of dBase to make it into a sort of a GIS. Painful and clunky compared with the alternatives. Of course, if it's your dime, the price is dead right.
Blender is a 3D design program used primarily for video game design. It has many 3d graphics and animation applications and has plugins that make it compatible with cad software. I believe my colleague was trying to use it to better design an ore shell of a vms deposit. There are allot of graphics you can make with it that would be allot more artistic then what you can do in Vulcan or datamine however it isn't designed for manipulating data, so you would need to import graphical data from other software.
Thanks for your comments. I meant to inquire about project management software. For planning, budgeting, tasking, resource management, keeping track of activities, critical route, equipment maintenance, raw material managing, spare part tracking, etc. I've seen some people use versions of this software which is specialized for mining operations. Apart from that, I wonder if any of you know about freeware to draw floating bar diagrams such as those produced with the Grapher software. An example of the type of drawing is included on the following link.
Boundaries of each individual bar can be "fed" from a spreadsheet file. For years, I have tried to produce that type of drawings using other software. Unsuccessfully.
For box plots, try this excel statistics add-on: http://www.real-statistics.com/descriptive-statistics/box-plots/ or search "max min bar chart" in excel. Most of these use a sneaky work-arouund to get the result you're after. A clear description is here: http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/windows-and-office/an-easy-technique-for-creating-a-floating-column-chart-in-excel/
I'm not aware of a specific OS mining project management package, but either ProjectLibre or GanttProject (for planning and resource allocation) with ProjectOpen (for operations and monitoring) could come close. Links found here: https://babelflysch.wordpress.com/software/#t
Some other ERP and inventory management options are here: https://babelflysch.wordpress.com/software/#q.
I have QGis on my Amazon Androidish tablet, but so far haven't got it working; I have only just confirmed that the windows version will do all that I want it to do. Re sectioning, what I really want for sectioning in ArcGis or QGis is more of an access plotting module. Have a database of sections, interrogate my borehole database and DEM to make a number of shape files projected in section space. Then I just bring the files into my GIS and up pops a section. Now, if I could then draw to my heart's content all the interp I want in section space, with an attribute identifying the section I am drawing on, then my access app could import that shapefile, project it to 3d coordinates and plot it on sections that cross that one, or send it to a modeller for import into his 3d package.
About Blender
* design package, used for drawing 3d objects in computer games and VR, also used by designers of assorted nicknacks for 3d printing see http://www.shapeways.com for examples.
As I said, a bit like using a cad package for geology, I couldn't easily make it import a whole lot of point, line, polygon and polyform x,y,z files and put things in place, then draw. Frankly, I am happy with plan and section, I just want the zoom, interrogate and turn on and off that I get with a GIS
Thanks a lot for the very interesting discussion. Do someone know about a free software for variogram calculations (to define kriging parameters)?
For (semi) variography, try this link (I haven't used it though) http://www.passagesoftware.net/features.php
You might also want to look at one called VMINE at http://www.vmine.net/vmine/index.asp
That is available for free as well. Maybe also something to add to your website.
I've used Paraview before and found it a bit complicated to start with. But is quite a powerful viewer. Haven't used it for processing data. Also, I couldn't figure out how to import drilling data.
Blender I've used years ago, but not for mining related work. Like John said, it is a very powerful design package focussed on the games and animation industry. It seems very capable to do very cool things. However, I struggled on getting started with it, but at the time I had no experience with 3D CAD.
Have you ever looked at RecMin (modelling software)? link is here: http://recmin.com/WP/?lang=en.
Now anything in Geophysics softwares, like gravity, magnetic, resistivity, Ip etc?
I know this may seem a bit redundant as we all know how to use google, but Wikipedia has a list of open source geology software.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_free_geology_software and geophysics software as well https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_free_geophysics_software
There is also a growing trend of people using python to build their own geoscience tools as outlined briefly in this article
https://steppe.org/python-a-fundamental-tool-in-the-geoscientists-toolbox/
Any suggestion on a free 3D package for wire framing that can be downloaded.
You might want to check the RecMin software mentioned here a few times. There is a link to the english version as well. Otherwise as John has mentioned, Blender is a free 3D CAD type package. Cheers.
For statistical analysis you'll find 'R' has most of the tools you will ever need including those for geostatistics - steep learning curve but extremely powerful with many packages available. The other free tool for geostatistical modelling ins SGEMS.
About free/open software applied to geology, we should start with SO like Linux; office software LibreOffice; for statistical analysis: R; for GIS: Qgis, GVsig, Grass. I did not search about modelling and resources calculation. Important thing is that software are multi-platform.
They tell me it good for resource estimation. If the project develops, you can justify buying an advanced software. It is my plan to try Rec Min
RecMin is a fine plataform to integrate all data from survey, DH and assist on mine planning, but for estimate resources you will need a free geostatistical toll like SGeMS.
From what I have seen and done in RecMin, your 3D oportunities are pretty good.
However, one of the problems that I noticed its that given that Recmin is all made with open language files, you will have some trouble when trying to export 3D results towards a commercial GIS, like ArcGIS, HOWEVER, trans-portability to other mining software has been guaranteed by its creators.
I have worked previously with Datamine and Vulcan, but at the moment I have no valid licenses from them, nor I am updated on their latest versions of the software to test those functionalities, but in the free course that was given from the RecMin facilitators, they explained how to export your results to other mining software. Given this, I really endorse at least some beta testing of RecMin, since it has a very powerful engine for geological modeling, either open pit or underground.
Wikipedia shows these, but I am not using geophysic datasets at the moment, so cannot give you any input on them. My experience with geophysical software was with Geosoft Oasis Montaj, for gammaespectrometry and magnetic surveys of phosphate rock. Hope it helps.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_free_geophysics_software
Unfortunately, the Wikepedia file documents little else than software to process seismic data. There is much more to geophysics than seismic!
For those of you whoe are willing to experiment or that may have access to Goeosoft Oasis Montaj, the USGS developed geopdf's that run under geosoft Oasis Montaj. Those files, alongside other geophysical apps are int this website:
Has anyone mentioned GRASS? https://grass.osgeo.org/
GRASS GIS is a free Geographic Information System (GIS) software used for geospatial data management and analysis, image processing, graphics/maps .
GRASS is included in my QGIS package, what does it do that QGIS doesn't.
With technology today many companies offer Free Geology Software and freeware alternatives to specialized software packages. In this discussion I would like to ask what sort of free or low cost software alternatives are being used in the mineral exploration and mining industry?
I will start off the discussion with one piece of freeware I find useful; QGIS is an excellent free alternative to Arcgis. One of the major advantages of QGIS is it is available on multiple operating systems, which is great for those of us using Mac's. Also there is a massive library of free training available online, which is a refreshing change to the expensive webinars offered by Esri the makers of Arcgis. Please keep this discussion open by sharing your freeware alternatives!