CropTrak Web Version 9 Asset Digitizer Changes

This article covers the changes to the asset digitizer in CropTrak Web Version 9. These are changes to the functionality and user interface of the asset digitizer that improve the user experience.

To access the asset digitizer we first have to open up a worklist, select a form to work on, and then select the asset digitizer option:

The first new change to be found is the mode selection button. There are three options within this button:

1. Select - used to select polygons and move the map
2. Add Region - used to add/draw polygons to the map
3. Add Circle - used to add/draw circles to the map

Improved Asset Digitizer - Add New Asset

To add a New Asset/Polygon:

1. On the select menu, select Add Region
2. On the Map, left click to place each vertex
3. Press Apply in the Digitizer
4. Press Save on the Form

Improved Asset Digitizer - Edit Name

To edit the name:

1. On the Select menu, ensure Select has been selected
2. On the Map, left click on the existing asset
3. Press the Edit Name button
4. Type the new name in the dialog box
5. Press Save on the form

Improved Asset Digitizer - Delete Asset

To delete an asset:

1. On the Select menu, ensure Select has been selected
2. On the Map, left click on the existing asset
3. Press the Delete icon (trash can icon)
4. Press Apply in the Digitizer
5. Press Save on the Form

In the video example we use the "Add Region" option to add multiple polygons to the asset. Note that even though there are multiple polygons, they all represent ONE field/asset when you create polygons this way. Note too how the box next to the Mode Selection Button now gives you a graphic representation of the regions you've added.

You can use the "Uncombine" option to separate these polygons into individual pieces to create a clearer workspace, but they still only represent one field/asset with multiple polygons. This Uncombine option can create some issues with naming conventions, so it is advised that once you have finished working on the individual polygons, that you "combine" the polygons.

To recombine the polygons, select them, and then select "Combine".

Improved Asset Digitizer - Edit Functions

In addition to the UI changes, there are some new tools for handling what happens when polygons intersect. When a polygon intersects another polygon you now have a number of "Merge" strategies that can be applied to the results:

The five options here are:

1. Union, combine polygons - adds and combines the intersecting polygons into one bigger one. This is the simplest Merge Strategy and the option that you will choose 99% of the time.
   
   
   
   
2. Combine, covert a Feature Collection into MultiFeature - leaves you in edit mode. What you would use if you weren't quite ready to commit yet.
   
   
   
   
3. Intersection, the common part - removes everything except the common intersecting area of the selected polygons.
   
   
   
   
4. Remainder, clipping the new polygon so it fits the remainder area - takes the selected polygons and clip them so that they are lined up precisely with one another - not actually combine them. This is a rare use case - you're much more likely to use the simple Union merge strategy and combine the polygons into one multi-polygon.
   
   
   
   
5. Clip, clipping the existing polygon - the newly drawn polygon cuts out the intersecting portion of the polygons. This would be useful for removing a pond in the middle of a field for instance.
   
   
   
   

IMPORTANT - once you are done with your editing, you must select Apply in the lower right hand corner of the map window, and then Save on the form to save your changes.