HELP
Help File Contents:
- Live Mapping Mode
- Draw Mode
- Compass Mode
- GoTo Mode
- GPS Setup
- Create New Layer
- Create New Layer Group
- Load existing layer
- Load existing image
- Unload existing layers
- Selecting a Layer
- Saving Layers
- Create New View
- Load Existing View
- Zooming
- Zoom To
- Attributes
- AgMapper Options
- Live Mapping
- GPS
- Map
- System
Live Mapping Mode
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 Start Live Mapping
There are 2 requirements to start live mapping:
1. You have successfully setup your GPS connection and the 'Status' label shows 'GPS OK!'.
2. You have created, or selected a layer of the type: Line or Polygon.
The Live Mapping screen will show 'Draw Object: Line' or 'Draw Object: Polygon' if you have been successful.
The Add Point Mode is shown also: '(Automatic)' or '(Manual)'. When in manual mode, the map area will need to be tapped to add points to the current live map object.
To finish the current live map object and start a new one, simply tap the 'Stop' button and tap the 'Start' button again.
 Stop Live Mapping
Tap this button to finish the current track. This button does not stop the GPS and you can tap 'Start' again to continue with a new line.
 Create Point
If the Status label shows 'GPS OK!', tap this button and a point will be automatically dropped at the current location. You do not need to be live mapping to do this.
With the option 'Prompt for all labels' unchecked a layer will be automatically created with an original layer name so that existing unloaded layers are not overwritten. Automatically created layers will be saved to the current save directory in a folder called 'Way Points'.
With the Live Mapping option 'Prompt for all labels' checked, when ever you drop a point on the map, you will receive this screen, allowing the selection of the way point prefix and the layer to place it on. Should there be no existing label layers loaded, one will be created automatically.
 North Indicator
Shown in the bottom right corner of the screen.
Regardless of which direction you are traveling, the line in the indicator circle will always point north. This indicator is reliant on movement and an active GPS connection. This feature may be switched on or off in options.
 GPS Activity Indicator
Shown in the bottom left of the main screen. This feature may be switched on or off in options.
 GPS is not connected, or there has been no GPS fix for 10 seconds
 There has been no GPS fix for 3 seconds
GPS is active
Shown in the bottom left corner of the screen.
The speed indicator indicator is reliant on movement and an active GPS connection. This feature may be switched on or off in options.
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Draw Mode
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 Attributes Function
Show attributes for the currently selected layer
 Properties Function
Depending on what object type you tap (polygon or line), you will be shown the area and perimeter, or the length of the selected object.
 Measure Function
Activate the 'measuring tape' where you are able to create a temporary line on the map showing the area and perimeter of the line
 Centre Screen Function
Tap the map to centre on the selected position.
 Position Function
Move your stylus around the map to show the co-ordinate under the stylus
 Delete Function
Tap the object you wish to delete when this function is set.
 Create Function
Depending on what layer type you have currently active, you are able to create polygons, lines, points and labels. Tap the screen to create new points.
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Compass Mode
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Select the Compass mode to show the full screen electronic compass.
The electronic compass relies on an active GPS connection and movement.
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GoTo Mode
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Using the Mode / GoTo menu:
Select your layer containing labeled points. All labeled points within this layer will be available in the drop down 'POI' (Point Of Interest) menu at the top of the screen.
With a live GPS connection, the GoTo mode will display a directional arrow that is independent of the on screen display pointing you to your chosen POI.
You will also be shown the distance to that POI in your preferred measurement system (U.S. or metric)
Once within 1 meter (about 3 feet) of the POI the directional arrow will change to an 'X' to show that you have reached your destination.
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GPS Setup
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Using the Tools / GPS menu:
There are 2 things to configure for the GPS unit (bottom right part of the setup screen):
1. The Port that the GPS device is connected to, best leaving this at Auto. In the case of Blue Tooth devices, you will need to run through the Blue Tooth set up before connection here as there may be authentication required.
2. The Baud rate of the GPS device, best leaving this at either Auto, or 9600 in most cases.
Tap 'Start' and if the co-ordinates start rolling in then things have gone well.
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Create New Layer
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Using the Layers / New Layer... menu:
1. Enter the name of the new layer. This name needs to be an original name for this layer group and of those currently loaded into AgMapper.
2. Select the type of layer. Due to the .SHP file format, we can only save one type of object in each layer (although we are able to save as many of that type in the layer as we like). If you are going to be live mapping, make sure you select the line type.
3. Select the layer group for the layer you are creating. If you need to create a new one, you can do that here also. This is the folder the file will be saved to.
Tap OK and the created layer is automatically selected on returning to the AgMapper main screen.
A note about layers: the layers are loaded to reflect the the order that they are visible in the layer manager, that is, if the layer is at the top of the list in the layer manager, then it will be at the top of the layer hierarchy on your map. The Layers menu also reflects the order of the layers with the topmost layer being at the top of the list.
With this in mind, you can order your layers by using the names of the files they are saved to ie:
01 Farm 1 Boundaries
02 Farm 2 Boundaries
03 Farm 3 Boundaries
04 Farm 4 Boundaries
Alternatively, you can load you layers one at a time (eg: load the bottom layer first and stack the rest on top).
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Create New Layer Group
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Layer Groups can be created via the Layers / New Layer... menu option, or when creating a new layer .
Layer Groups may also be created by creating new folders with the Save Maps Path directory of your Pocket PC.
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Load Existing Layer
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Using the Layers / Load Layers... menu:
The Save Maps Path directory on your Pocket PC is shown in the Layer Manager. By checking the boxes next to existing layers and tapping OK in the top right of the screen, these layers will be loaded into the map.
If you select a layer group, all of the layers within the layer group are automatically selected. Loaded layers names are added to the Layers menu on returning to the AgMapper main screen.
By holding your stylus down on a layer, you can copy, cut, paste, delete or rename existing layers. You can also create new layer groups.
A note about layers: the layers are loaded to reflect the the order that they are visible in the layer manager, that is, if the layer is at the top of the list in the layer manager, then it will be at the top of the layer hierarchy on your map. The Layers menu also reflects the order of the layers with the topmost layer being at the top of the list.
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Load Existing Image
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Using the Layers / Load Image... menu:
The Save Maps Path directory on your Pocket PC is shown in the Image Manager. By selecting the image and tapping OK in the top right of the screen, the image will be loaded into the map.
Images loaded into the AgMapper software on the mobile device first need to be converted using the AgMapper Image Converter utility that can be found via the Start/Programs/AgMapper/ menu on your desktop PC.
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Unload Existing Layers
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Using the Layers / Unload menu:
Select the 'Current' option to only unload the currently selected layer
The currently selected layer is cleared, there is no data written back to file.
Select the 'All' option to unload all of the currently loaded layers
All loaded layers are cleared, there is no data written back to file.
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Selecting a Layer
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Using the Layers / Manage menu:
Loaded layers names are added to the Layers menu on returning to the AgMapper main screen.
Simply select the Layers menu and then tap on the layer you would like to make active.
If you are in the Draw Mode or the Live Mapping Mode the layer type (Polygon, Line, or Point) will be shown as the 'Draw Object' type.
A note about layers: the layers are loaded to reflect the the order that they are visible in the layer manager, that is, if the layer is at the top of the list in the layer manager, then it will be at the top of the layer hierarchy on your map. The Layers menu also reflects the order of the layers with the topmost layer being at the top of the list.
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Saving Layers
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Using the Layers / Save menu:
Select the 'Current' option and file type to only save the currently selected layer.
The currently selected layer is saved. Existing files are updated.
Select the 'All' option and file type to save all of the currently loaded layers.
All of the currently loaded layers are saved. Existing files are updated.
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Create New View
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Using the Views / Manage menu:
Views allow you to setup pre-selected and ordered sets of layers for loading onto your map. Rather than hopping into the layer selector time after time, set up a view and automatically select any number of layers with one screen tap!
Views:
 Add a new View by select the add button to the right of the Views list.
 Delete a view, by selecting it and tapping the delete button
Layers:
 Move a layer up in the view, tap the up arrow
 Move a layer down in the view, tap the down arrow
Add a layer to the view by tapping the add button, the layer explorer will be show to select layers
Remove a layer from the view by selecting the layer tapping the delete button
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Load Existing View
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Using the Views menu:
All existing views are automatically listed on the views menu, simply tap the view to load the saved layers in order.
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Zooming
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Zooming in AgMapper is done via the up & down hard buttons on the device
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Zoom To
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Using the Layers / Zoom To menu:
Select the 'Current' option to zoom to the currently selected layer.
Select the 'All' option to zoom to all of the currently loaded layers.
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Attributes
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The shape (.shp) file format used by AgMapper allows data to be kept on objects (polygons, lines etc..) stored in the shape files.
Use the attributes functionality to keep information on your maps.
Using the attributes function in Draw mode, you will show the attributes screen:
Here, you are able browse existing attribute values and tap in a cell to edit the values.
You can create new attributes and delete existing ones.
Preset attribute lists may be setup in Options on the Map/Settings 2 tab
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AgMapper Options
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Using the Tools / Options menu:
All options are saved and do not need to be set again.
LIVE
- Zoom to object bounds:
This option shows the map zoomed in to the current live map object
- Offset:
Set the potion offset distance in either metres, or yards (depending on which measurement system you have selected. Then select the offset orientation, either left or right. This function comes in handy for fence lines where you want to map the actual position of the fence (say 2 metres/yards to the right).
- Show Offset Position:
This option draws your offset position on the map as a RED circle with an active GPS connection. You can also set the size of the offset marker.
- Add Point Mode:
Select 'Manual' to create points manually by tapping in the map area when live mapping.
In Automatic mode, you may select for points to be added during live mapping automatically either by the distance traveled, or change in direction.
- Continue Object:
This allows you to continue the last map object on the current layer. Set the option to 'Prompt' to get the option to continue the last map object on the current layer when the 'Start' live mapping button is tapped.
For example, you have been mapping a boundary and have stopped live mapping for a break, you can continue the last map object when starting live mapping again.
- Auto save:
When live mapping you can have the current layer automatically saved to file every x number of minutes.
- Auto label prefix:
When live mapping, you are able to click the Create Point button to automatically drop a point at the current (or offset) location.
'Create labels': Select to enable labels for points created. Labels created have BLUE text and have a label that starts with this prefix and is appended with the number of points on the layer ie: 'WPT - 1'.
'Auto Label Prefix': Select the pre configured way point prefix, or click the button to the right of the prefix selector to add and remove preset way point prefixes.
'Prompt for all labels': Select this option to be able to show the Way point name text entry & Layer selector when creating way points.
'Auto add increment': With this option checked the way point label with be appended with the number of points currently on the layer (keeps names unique).
GPS
- Rotate display to direction of travel:
This option changes the orientation of the screen when live mapping to show the direction of travel. Without this option set, North is always to the top of the screen.
- Centre to current position:
This option has the current position at the centre of the screen. With out this set, the current position is simply at the end of the live track being made.
- Show North:
This option shows the North indicator in the bottom right hand corner of the screen when in Live Mapping mode and there is an active connection to the GPS.
- Show Speed:
This option shows your speed in the bottom left of the screen when in Live Mapping mode and there is an active connection to the GPS.
- Show Position:
This option draws your position on the map as a BLUE circle with an active GPS connection
- Show GPS Activity Indicator:
This option shows the GPS Activity Indicator on the main screen
- Log GPS:
This option creates a .csv file with lat, long, altitude (sea level), in the folder GPS Log within your maps directory when ever there is an active GPS connection.
MAP
- Zoom In/Out steps:
Change the number to alter the speed of zooming. The larger the number, the faster you zoom.
- Show Scale Bar:
Shows scale bar on map
- Text Font Size:
Set the font size for all labels loaded, or create in AgMapper
- Preset Attributes:
Set up preset attributes to save time entering attribute values and for continuity
- Prompt for label attribute field
During the import of point type files, AgMapper can prompt your for which field to use for labels
SYSTEM
- Default Save Map Path:
Using this option you are able to set the default path where all mapping data is saved. By default, this is set to : \My Documents\AgMapper\Maps\. You may want to set this to an SD Card for easy transfer of mapping data to your desktop computer.
- Measurement System:
The default is 'Metric', 'U.S.' may be selected for imperial measurements.
- Import Coord System Defaults:
Set the default coord systems for importing files, or check the box 'Prompt for all' to select the coord system for all files loaded into the map.
- Keep Existing Application Log:
This option will keep a log of all activities within the software '\My Documents\AgMapper\Log.txt'. Leave this option unchecked to save space on your Pocket PC.
- Disable Device Suspend Mode:
With this option enabled, the device will be unable to enter suspend mode whilst the AgMapper software is running
- Backup & Restore configuration information
Use this to save your settings, views and way point prefixes.
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