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Field boundaries and obstacles - PIX4Dfields

This article explains how to work with field boundaries and obstacles in PIX4Dfields.

IN THIS ARTICLE

Why do I need field boundaries and obstacles? 
Import field boundaries and obstacles
Draw field boundaries and obstacles
Copy/convert field boundaries and obstacles
Save Magic Tool detections to boundaries and obstacles
Trim layers with field boundaries
Edit field boundaries and obstacles
Delete field boundaries and obstacles
Visibility of field boundaries and obstacles

Note: Try PIX4Dfields now! Register for a free 15 days trial, and download our Example datasets to learn how easy it is to draw and import field boundaries and obstacles in PIX4Dfields.

Why do I need field boundaries and obstacles?

Field boundaries serve the purpose of:

  1. Trimming layers and creating holes enables focused analysis of a specific area within a defined region.
    By dividing and cropping the Orthomosaic and Indices with boundaries, users can concentrate their analysis on a targeted section, resulting in increased efficiency and precision in their work.
  2. Delimitating the region of interest when downloading Satellite data, using Magic Tool or creating a Targeted Operation. Note that is mandatory to have a boundary to use any of these features. 
Obstacles are needed when creating targeted operation maps to mark poles, trees, and areas that farm machinery should avoid.

Import field boundaries and obstacles

Different file formats can be imported into PIX4Dfields like Shapefiles, KML, GeoJSON, and more.

  1. Click Boundaries on the left sidebar above the layer list to enter the boundaries mode.
  2. To import a field boundary, click Import shape on the Boundaries menu on the right-hand side.

    ImportShape

  3. Select whether to import the shape as a Boundary or Obstacle.
  4. To read the name of each boundary/obstacle, the column should be called "name".
  5. Navigate to the folder containing the file and select it.
  6. Click Open.
  7. To trim a layer with your boundary: Click Use to trim in the open edit dialogue of the boundary on the map or click trim on the selected boundary list item on the right board.
    TrimLayers
  8. In the TRIM LAYERS menu select the layers you want to trim and click Trim to do so.

Draw field boundaries and obstacles

Click the Boundaries layer on the left board above the layer list to enter the boundaries mode.

  1. To draw a field boundary or obstacle, click the Draw boundary icon in the left corner of the map.

    DrawBoundaries.png

  2. Select Boundary or Obstacle.
  3. Left-click to start drawing.
  4. When drawing and the third vertex is created, a toolbox appears:

    boundaryDrawing.png

    drawingostacle.png

  5. Click the Add Holes icon when creating a boundary to take out any unwanted objects inside your field boundaries.
  6. Draw the hole inside the Boundary and click the Checkmark. The area designated as a hole will be visually indicated as a solid pink shape on the map.
  7. Click the Add Sub Polygon icon when drawing boundaries and obstacles to create a sub polygon.
  8. Name your newly created file.
  9. To trim: You can use the boundary immediately to trim directly from the edit dialogue. Just click Use to trim (the boundary will be saved automatically) and you enter the Trim layers mode.
    OR
    If you want to trim later, save manually and then select the boundary in the list on the right board and click the Trim button to enter the Trim layers mode.

Save Magic Tool detections as boundaries and obstacles

In the final step of the Magic tool, it's possible to convert the detections to Boundaries or Obstacles:

Copy/convert field boundaries and obstacles

To copy or convert:

  1. Select the boundary/obstacle you want to duplicate/convert in the list on the Boundaries menu and click the Copy icon.
  2. Choose Duplicate, Convert to Obstacle or annotation:
  3. A new field boundary is duplicated and appears automatically in edit mode. The original file you duplicated from stays untouched.

Trim layers with field boundaries

The trim function allows users to crop the Orthomosaic into smaller, more manageable areas. This feature is essential for concentrating analysis on specific fields, enhancing both focus and precision in data interpretation. To trim layers with an imported file or custom-drawn field boundary:

  1. Double-click the boundary you want to use to trim in the boundary list on the right board. The edit dialogue opens. Then click the Use to trim button OR Select the layer you want to use to trim in the boundary list and click the Trim button.
  2. The Trim layers menu opens. Select the layers you want to trim and click Trim to do so.
Note: The layers that have been trimmed still remain as original. All the layers have a trash bin icon next to them which you can use to delete a layer permanently.

Edit field boundaries and

obstacles

To edit them:

  1. Double-click the boundary/obstacle you want to edit in the list on the right board. Or click the edit icon.

    edit.png

    Editing icon.

  2. Click the edit geometry button in the opened edit dialogue.
  3. Drag the white dots to modify the field boundary.
  4. Click the "plus" sign to create more corners (dots) and vertices.
  5. To remove a vertex, drag the dot of the vertex that you would like to delete on top of any other dot. Wait until a red halo appears around the selected vertex, then release the mouse button.
  6. Click the check mark to accept the edited boundary’s geometry or click the X to cancel and leave the boundary unchanged.
  7. Save the edited boundary with the Save button.

Delete field boundaries and obstacles

To delete field boundaries/obstacles:

Click the trash bin icon of the file you want to delete from the list on the right board. Or double-click the file and click the trash bin in the opened edit dialog of the boundary/obstacle you want to delete.

Visibility of field boundaries and obstacles

Even when the boundary/obstacle layer is not selected, you can still turn the boundary visibility on and off. To do so, click the eye icon on the boundary layer item on the left sidebar.