Ag Leader SMS Basic and Advanced Manual - Manual (Page 65)

Mapping and Viewing Data
Mapping Data
The software allows you to create multiple maps that can have multiple layers within each map. Mapping in the
software is point-and-click orientated. Selections in the Management Tree (if it has GPS data) can be used to create a
map or added to a current map as another layer.
Map projection is another important feature of the software. A map datum and projection ensures that your data is
properly displayed for your specific location on Earth. Data is almost always collected with the datum WGS84 with a
Lat/Lon projection. This can create maps that may not be spatially correct for your farm when mapped, so selecting a
proper datum and projection for your region is a good idea. The software will automatically recommend a datum and
projection for your data when you make your first data map unless you have already manually set them by selecting a
Grower and then Edit Item.
Select one of the following topics to see more information on mapping in the software:
Map Window
Using the Layer Window
Map Options
How to set your map projection.
How to make a map.
How to Add a Layer to a Map
Map Backgrounds
The software allows you to set background layers for maps. Background layers are intended for reference purposes
only and are not selectable or viewable in the Management Tree and can not be ordered or controlled through the
Layer window. Multiple backgrounds can be set for display. Backgrounds can currently be imported from the following
sources; Image files (BMP’s, TIFF’s, GeoTIFF’s, MrSid, etc), ESRI Shape files, MapInfo Mid/Mif files, and TIGER files.
Backgrounds can also be linked to an existing Farm or Field for display whenever the Farm, its associated Grower, or
a Field is selected to map. To link Backgrounds, edit the Farm or Field from the Management Tree or via the
Management List Editor under the Tools Menu. In addition options are provided for assigned/linked backgrounds in
terms of where and how they will be displayed and used.
Background layers can also be created by copying a selected dataset from the Management Tree via the Copy
Dataset to Background List option in the Management Tree menu
In addition background layers can also be saved back to the Management Tree as normal datasets via the
Background Layer Utility under the Services Menu.
If you have an internet connection available, a special internet based background layer can be enabled for your current
map as well. The Internet Based Background is available for all maps and provides the option to show aerial only, road
map only, or a combination of aerial and road map as a background layer. You can still have the backgrounds
described above as well but the Internet Based Background will always display as the bottom layer below all other
layers. The Internet Based Background is not saved into your software and updates as needed and will automatically
try to display the highest accuracy information that it has access to from the internet.
Lastly, special options are provided for including backgrounds on print layouts that allow control of displaying
background layers with other map data that is being printed.
Select a topic below on map backgrounds:
Set Background
Select Background
Background Settings
Farm/Field Backgrounds
Background Layer Utility
Background Layer Edit
How to geo-reference an Image .
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