Draw Paddock Polygons

Follow this guide to draw paddock boundaries (against a Satellite image) and assign these to the Paddock Names within your Adviser program. It is also possible to create new Paddocks this way, rather than typing names into the Farm section.

 

Open Background Image for Drawing

  1. Click on Farm tab
  2. Select required Farm in drop down box (if multiple farms exist)
  3. Click on Maps
  4. Click on box under the word Boundary for first paddock (if no Paddocks have been created in this file, click Add New to view this)
  5. Click “Background Project” to bring up newly created image
  6. Click Edit tab
  7. Maximise image for ease of use
  8. Locate boundaries for your first paddock

 

Terminology buster

These settings can help make your boundary mapping much more user-friendly!

Snapping: Allows boundary fences to automatically be shared when creating adjacent paddocks

Snap nodes: Allows nodes or corners to be shared

Node numbers: Allows visual representation of ‘node’ order

Auto Area: Allows program to calculate paddock area based on your image – accuracy depends on your accuracy with image and dropping paddock nodes. Click on or off as required. Ensure two decimal points are being used to increase accuracy by selecting 0.00 in the drop down box below. If this is selected, it will override the area data already existing in your client file

 

Create Paddock Polygon

  1. Zoom in as much as possible for accuracy by selecting one of the two Zoom options from the top ribbon ( or - personal preference)
  2. Click on “Select Mode” from top toolbar when ready to draw boundaries
  3. Click on Create New Polygon above the Edit section of the ribbon toolbar
  4. Click on each corner or node of your paddock, in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction

A polygon will be created. Press Edit or Delete if not correct, or continue if satisfactory. Please note: to make small changes to a polygon it is often much easier if “Snapping” and “Snap Nodes” are turned off.

  1. Click on Select Tool to confirm polygon

 

Assign Paddock Names to Polygons

  1. Click on Select tool
  2. Click on new polygon shape until highlighted
  3. Click in Paddock Name bar
    1. To Add New Paddock:
      1. Type in required name
      2. Click outside of box (or click Enter on the keyboard)
      3. Click Yes to add to Paddock Master
      4. If multiple paddocks exist in the client file, select the appropriate Farm and OK to complete
    1. To nominate boundary to existing paddock:
      1. Click on drop down menu next to Paddocks
      2. Double click on correct paddock name

If this has been labelled correctly, you will now see a boundary and a Paddock Name in the centre of your new paddock. Continue to Create New Polygons for your remaining paddocks.

Note: If paddocks are adjacent and share boundary fencing, this is a good time to turn “Snap Nodes” and “Snapping” on by ticking in their box.

Tip: If creating a very complex polygon it may end up crossing over itself. If this occurs Clear the created polygon and try creating the shape in the opposite direction.

  1. Press Save
  2. Click on  the round circle and Exit to close

Your paddocks have now been successfully imported, and your Paddock Boundaries created. To view these or print image, follow instructions below:

 

View and Customise

Now that your boundaries have been created successfully, they can be viewed within the program or even printed.

 

View boundaries

  1. Click on Mapping Tab
  2. Click on Show Boundaries
  3. Click on drop down arrow beside this, Show Paddock Names

You should now be able to see your background image, with a Paddock Boundary layer. To adjust the appearance of this including fonts, follow instructions below.

 

Customise your Map Layer

The default map settings are nice, but we like to give you a few more options at Back Paddock. Follow instructions below to make your boundaries look the way you want:

  1. Click on “Set Layer formatting and properties”
  2. Click on required tabs to make adjustments
    1. Layer: change Name or Legend Name
    2. Polygon: makes changes to the Paddock Area itself
    3. Labels: makes changes to the Paddock Names including Fonts
    4. Charts / Rendering / Legend: change specific settings for manipulating layers, for example a yield layer.