When you receive a new aerial image check what the file format is. It could
be in bitmap (bmp), .tif, .jpg or .gif format. Farm Map can open
images in .bmp, .jpg or .gif. Other images such as .tif must
be converted to one of the other formats using an image editing
program. MS Paint does this file conversion using Save
as and changing the
format.
It is recommended to save new image files using a
new file name so the original is not accidently overwritten. Save
mapping images to the directory C://Program files/Livestock
Targets/Farm Map for Farm Map (or C://Program files/Livestock
Targets/Feedpad Pro for Feedpad QA).
Some images can cover a bigger area than you
require so use the image editing program (e.g. MS Paint) to
crop the section you need or
resize a section of aerial image to fit the
screen. The boundary should fill the screen as much as possible to
allow you to see the most detail. You may draw maps in a zoomed
position (enlarged or reduced size) but it is suggested that you
commence a drawing with image in the non-zoomed display.
This way the aerial and drawing load in the correct size when
you first open the program and start a
session.
Aerial images usually face north. Aerial images
rotated in multiples of 90 degrees may be loaded into Farm Map. If
they are orientated with West or East at the top be sure to set
the option setting accordingly in the opening screen.
Set the map scale (see section in the knowledge
base on setting the
scale). The scale must be set before you start drawing any
paddocks. References coordinates may or may not be required
depending on how you wish to use the program. References may
be applied by entering the coordinates using 2 known reference
points. These may be using conventional lon/lat or decimalised
coordinates and the menu Tools>Set map
coordinates.
Once you commence drawing be sure to check out the
program features, particularly the use of the closeness setting
for drawing adjacent paddocks using common angles. Also check out
the edit features for repositioning paddock angles and
recalculating
areas.