StraboField
Formally StraboSpot2
Free · Designed for iPad. Not verified for macOS.
StraboField is a powerful, all-in-one mobile app designed to streamline your geological fieldwork. Record observations, capture photos and sketches, collect orientation data, create geologic maps and stratigraphic sections — all from a single, map-centered platform.
Easily collect spatially referenced data using point, line, or polygon-based Spots. Work across multiple scales using nested Spots and high-resolution image basemaps. Designed by geologists, for geologists, StraboField supports workflows across subdisciplines including structural geology, sedimentology, petrology, volcanology, and geomorphology.
** Key Features: **
* Capture field data with photos, sketches, and notes
* Collect georeferenced orientation and spatial data
* Use custom or built-in basemaps offline
* Create multi-scale observations with nested Spots
* Organize and back up data locally or to StraboSpot.org
* StraboField is fully functional offline, making it ideal for remote fieldwork. Once online, your data can be synced to the StraboSpot digital data system at StraboSpot.org — an open- source platform supported by the National Science Foundation.
more Templates menu: no longer crashes when a template group holds two or more templates.
To see all the changes in 2.32.0+ see https://github.com/StraboSpot/StraboField/releases#release-v2.32.0
2.32.1 4 Nov
SAMPLES & IGSN
• IGSNs from strabospot.org: IGSNs now come from your strabospot.org account, so the app no longer signs in to or registers with SESAR
• IGSNs on strabospot.org: View IGSN and Get IGSN open the sample's own page on strabospot.org
• Upload first: a sample not yet on your account offers to upload the project, then opens its page when the upload is done
• IGSN edits reminder: editing a sample that has an IGSN reminds you to upload so strabospot.org can update it
• Correct sample location: a sample from an image-basemap Spot gets a real-world location
FORMS & VALIDATION
• Live form validation: errors show as you type and Save stays disabled until they're fixed
• Find the problem field: the tab holding an unanswered field is marked so you know where to look
• Auto dip direction: entering a strike fills in the matching dip direction wherever you type one
• Negative numbers on iOS: type negative values, with a keyboard matched to the field
• Sensible limits: number fields reject impossible values, like negative thicknesses, percentages over 100, or azimuths past 360
• Number pad on iOS: fields that can't be negative open the number pad instead of the full keyboard
COMPASS
• Automatic declination: magnetic declination is recorded and kept up to date in your project data
• Declination without GPS: falls back through your project location and nearby Spots to stay corrected, with clearer warnings when it can't
• Lineation hint: "Align long side with lineation" shows for linear measurements
LOCATION
• Location button spinner: the Geography location button shows a spinner while it waits for a fix
• Location checked first: shortcuts and geolocate check that location is on and allowed before they start, and tell you if it isn't
• Clear location errors: a failed location lookup says why, and shortcuts no longer leave the spinner running
• Location Services off: a separate message tells you to turn Location Services back on in Settings
• Coordinate checks: Geography coordinates must be numbers, so a typo can no longer leave a Spot without a location
MEASUREMENTS
• Bulk strike/dip: calculate missing strikes and dip directions for every record that holds a plane
• Steadier validation: planar+linear and 3D-structure measurements are checked and hinted more reliably
TAGS
• Memos on tags: add, remove, count, and list a tag's memos from its detail page
• Cleaner tag counts: a tag's counts show as icon chips instead of a legend
• Sample tagging: only samples that have their own Spot can be tagged
• Synced tags stay current: saving a tag after an auto-sync no longer overwrites edits made on another device
MEMOS
• Memo authorship: memos record who wrote them and when
• Associated samples: link samples to a memo, including legacy samples, from the Memo modal
• Memos in Overview: a Spot's memos now show in its notebook Overview
NOTEBOOK & PAGES
• Feature labels: every feature list shows a label, filled in on save
• Full Spots list: see the full Spots list when no Spot is selected
• Collapsible More Pages: the More Pages sections collapse like the main menu's
• Tidier Overview: Sedimentary Rocks is hidden from the Overview when no lithology has rock data
LISTS & DATASETS
• Remembered sort: each list keeps its sort order and reverse sort, applied before the first paint
• Active dataset names: lists name the active datasets at the top, with a shortcut to open Datasets
• Map filter for Spots: filter Spots by whether they're on the geographic map or not mapped
• Edited Spots stay put: editing a Spot on the map no longer also adds it to the target dataset, so it can't vanish from its own dataset after an upload
• Fix Spots in two datasets: on the Metadata page, tap a dataset to move a Spot listed in several datasets into just that one
Full notes: https://github.com/StraboSpot/StraboField/releases/tag/v2.32.0
Thanks for using StraboSpot!
2.32.0 28 Oct
PHOTOS
• Taking photos on iPad: taking photos, especially several in a row, no longer crashes the app
MEASUREMENTS
• Steady compass for lineations: trend and plunge are always taken along the top of the screen, which now stays in portrait while the compass is open, instead of sometimes reading 90° or 180° off depending on how the device was held. The live strike/dip and trend/plunge are shown under the compass
NOTEBOOK & NAVIGATION
• Zoom to Spot: zooming to a Spot opened from the Spot Navigator no longer crashes or reopens the navigator
• Notebook tab on phones: the Notebook tab no longer goes blank after opening a project
• Notebook from the image viewer: the Notebook button opens the Notebook instead of a second map
PHOTOS & BACKUPS
• Photo resize errors: a photo that fails to resize shows an error instead of closing the app
• Re-importing backups: images already on the device are copied correctly when a backup is imported again
MAPS & SIGN-IN
• Downloaded custom maps: a custom map without an id no longer stops a downloaded project's custom maps from loading
• Forgot password: when the reset link can't be opened, the sign-in screen tells you where to reset it
Thanks for using StraboSpot!
2.31.8 14 Oct
MEASUREMENTS
• Compass over template: a fresh compass reading now takes priority over an active template
• Strike from dip direction: entering a dip direction fills in the strike instead of writing NaN
PHOTOS
• Photos picked together: several photos saved at once no longer collide and overwrite each other
READ-ONLY DATASETS
• Spots stay out of read-only datasets: Spots can no longer be moved, copied, or created into a read-only dataset
• Locked samples and features: Add Data to Sample, Get IGSN, and Other Feature fields are disabled on read-only Spots
SAMPLES & IGSN
• SESAR sign-in when saving: saving a sample with an IGSN prompts you to sign in to SESAR when needed
• Works with SESAR's new system: signing in, registering, and updating IGSNs now use SESAR's latest API
FORMS & DATA
• Same-day date ranges: an equal start and end date no longer fails validation
• Correct sed choices: "masses" (diagenesis) and "Supratidal" (environment) now save as their own values
• Mineral lookup: looking up a mineral keeps the data already entered, and a mineral with no name shows Unknown
• Template deletions sync: deleting a template marks the project as changed
SMALL TOUCHES
• Map editing: Edit goes straight to the selected Spot when it is on the current map
• Halted collaborations: an owner's project shows in the server list again once its collaboration is halted
• Project screen on tablets: shows as a centered box instead of fullscreen
• Profile photo: a camera or gallery error no longer breaks setting a profile photo
• StraboField naming: permission prompts and support email now say StraboField
Thanks for using StraboSpot!
2.31.5 4 Oct
STABILITY
• Fewer crashes: fixed iOS crashes that could occur when switching between modal screens
Thanks for using StraboSpot!
2.31.3 18 Sept
A major update — everything new since your last version:
SAMPLES & IGSN
• Richer Samples: hold images, measurements and more, just like Spots
• New Add Sample screen to attach images and assign geologic units
• Updated IGSN registration UI, with SESAR sync prompts, offline warnings, and inline checks for required fields
COMPASS
• Works without GPS: uses magnetic declination on devices with no GPS fix
• Hold-aware trend/plunge for landscape and tablet orientation
• Clearer calibration and smoother, more accurate headings
MAPS & DRAWING
• Freehand drawing now on web, with adjustable vertex spacing
• Extend a line by dragging a new endpoint; pick which Spot to select when several overlap; undo a deleted Spot
• New dike symbol, symbol labels (Dip/Plunge/Name), a UTM coordinate toggle, and colored strat intervals
• Import progress for large tile imports
NOTEBOOK & FORMS
• New Outcrop Summaries page (one per Spot)
• Reorganized More Pages menu; added surface-feature quality and notes fields
PHOTOS & SKETCHING
• Save a sketch as a copy or an update; pinch-to-zoom and pan while sketching
LISTS & SEARCH
• Powerful search with grouped multi-select filters
• Lists update live as you move the map
BACKUP, SYNC & SIGN-IN
• Auto-save plus a backup status screen; simpler, more reliable uploads; accurate backup times
• Offline profile sync; Forgot Password; smarter session handling
Plus many smaller fixes and improvements.
Full notes: https://github.com/StraboSpot/StraboField/releases/tag/v2.31.2
Thanks for using StraboSpot!
2.31.2 16 Sept
• Improvements: Fallback to spot date if collection date is unavailable Needed for IGSN registration; Prevent sample registration without mandatory fields and provide inline warnings
2.29.15 28 Aug
• Forms: Apply constraints to a value of 0 and require a positive interval thickness
• Projects: Hide collaborative projects from download list
• Improvements: Clear strat section view when deleted or unavailable in current context
2.29.14 19 Aug
Behind-the-scenes stability and error-reporting improvements. Thanks for using StraboSpot!
2.29.13 15 Aug
Bug fixes with images and sketch
2.29.12 30 Jul
Rotating your device no longer clears text you're typing in Notes and other forms.
Maps
• Labels now display when you're offline
• Fixed the map failing to load on some projects
• Zoom to extent of Spots now works on iPhone
• Symbols no longer hide behind polygons
Photos and backups
• Photos shot in 180° landscape are no longer upside down
• Backups no longer include deleted or duplicate images
Other
• Sample auto-numbering works with any starting number
2.29.11 24 Jul
Minor bug fixes
see https://github.com/StraboSpot/StraboField/releases for specific changes for this and previous releases.
2.29.8 10 Jul
Bug fix with keyboard avoidance when user is filling out a form in a modal.
2.29.6 2 Jul
Minor bug fixes copying a spot, word edits and updates to compass orientation lock
2.29.5 27 Jun
Bug fixes for image deletion and sketch
2.29.4 10 Jun
• QAQC: Run QAQC button is now hidden for read-only projects and datasets, preventing accidental edits (testing only)
• Modals now consistently show a close button whenever a cancel button is visible
• Fixed a bug where a missing server image could cause a crash
• Updated QAQC icons for a cleaner look (testing only)
• Bug fixes and stability improvements
2.29.3 9 Jun
New Features
Photo Compass Data - Photos now capture view azimuth and plunge angle at the moment they are taken, giving your images richer spatial context tied to your field measurements.
Scale Bar Unit Toggle - Switch the map scale bar between metric and imperial units directly from the map actions modal.
Selective Backup - Choose exactly what to include when backing up a project: images, offline tile caches, and custom maps can now be backed up or excluded individually.
Tags and Geologic Units - Searching, sorting, an filtering are added (including Temporal sort for Geologic Units).
Temporal Sort for Geologic Units - Geologic Units pages now sort by geologic age, with support for age modifier fields.
Dike as a Planar Orientation Type - "Dike" is now available as an option in planar orientation forms.
Tappable Empty State Text - Empty list placeholders in the Notebook (e.g., "No Measurements") are now tappable and navigate directly to where you can add data.
Bug Fixes
Fixed a long-standing issue where photos taken in portrait orientation on iOS were saved rotated 90°.
Increased the network timeout from 60 seconds to 5 minutes to prevent false timeout errors when uploading large projects.
More details are available at https://github.com/StraboSpot/StraboField/releases
2.28.4 26 May
Modal UI Refinements. See changlelog at https://github.com/StraboSpot/StraboField/releases/tag/v2.27.10
2.27.10 9 May
Bug fix with images and Tephra page.
2.27.7 4 May
v2.27.5: Enhanced Tagging & Keyboard Layout Fixes. See https://github.com/StraboSpot/StraboField/releases
2.27.5 26 Apr
Strat Section: Drag and reorder intervals directly in the column view. Snaplines now show directional arrows for clearer visual guidance. Added top-down column support for core section type.
Tags & Geologic Units: Import tags and geologic units from JSON files. Back up tags and geologic units independently from your main project backup.
Map: Symbol icons now appear in the Map Symbols overlay.
Bug fixes: Improved keyboard handling on measurement forms fixed form reset behavior on sample save, and resolved a web platform data-loading issue.
2.26.3 11 Apr
Small bug fixes. See https://github.com/StraboSpot/StraboField/releases/tag/v2.25.6 for more detail.
2.25.6 8 Apr
Small bug fixes with image uploads. See change logs at https://github.com/StraboSpot/StraboField/releases
2.25.5 28 Mar
New Features
- Tephra Page — The Tephra data entry page is now live and available to all users.
- Tag Color Improvements — Tag colors are now displayed on the map for all tag types, not just Conceptual Tags. You can also enter tag colors using RGB or hex values for precise
color matching.
- Tag & Geologic Unit Lists — Color swatches now appear alongside tags and geologic units in list views for quick visual reference.
- Offline Maps — A scale indicator is now shown in the zoom level picker when downloading offline map tiles.
- Notebook Quick Actions — Geography, Metadata, and Close Notebook options have been added to the Spot/Sample Actions menu for faster navigation.
- Smarter Forms — Fields that are no longer relevant are automatically cleared when a controlling field value changes, keeping your data clean.
Performance
- Significantly reduced map re-renders for smoother panning and zooming, especially on projects with many spots.
- Improved rendering performance in the spots list and tag-related views.
- Fixed a performance issue in Nesting where thumbnail loading caused the entire page to re-render.
Bug Fixes
- Fixed invisible features when using image basemaps.
- Fixed missing point symbology on the web version after map load.
- Fixed map overlay tiles displaying at incorrect resolution.
- Fixed vertex dragging crash on edited geometries.
- Improved date field validation and date picker behavior.
- Fixed form initialization that could clear default values when switching spots.
- Fixed Strat Section intervals not validating correctly in the Add Interval modal.
- Fixed copying a spot incorrectly including its strat section reference.
- Fixed attributes being reordered unexpectedly when saving.
- Improved error messaging when a project fails to load.
- Fixed guest mode incorrectly showing content that should be hidden.
- Improved microsite download experience: progress overlay appears immediately, the OK button is disabled during download, and the project name is shown in the success d.
message.
- Fixed the information icon alignment in forms on web.
2.25.4 17 Mar
Minor bug fixes. See releases at https://github.com/StraboSpot/StraboField/releases/tag/v2.23.9
2.23.9 13/12/2025
Templates menu: no longer crashes when a template group holds two or more templates.
To see all the changes in 2.32.0+ see https://github.com/StraboSpot/StraboField/releases#release-v2.32.0
more Version 2.32.1 4 Nov
Data Linked to You The following data may be collected and linked to your identity:
Location Contact Info User Content Identifiers Other Data Data Not Linked to You The following data may be collected but it is not linked to your identity: