Creating Templates

If you have purchased the Scouting (or VRA) module, each time that you log data you may create a database template that is linked to the log file. This means that in addition to mapping paths, points, and boundaries, you are able to add attribute data. Templates can be created before beginning a log file. Previously created templates can be assigned to a log file at the time the new file is created.

To create a new template:
  1. Go to the Configure tab and open the Settings area and select Database Templates.
  2. A list of previously created templates will be displayed. These templates may be edited or deleted, if desired. Select New to create a new template.
  1. When creating a new template, enter a template name. This name should describe how the template is to be used. Examples would include, "Weeds" for mapping weed areas or "Fields" for mapping field boundaries, along with information about each field.
  2. The Attributes area will display a list of the items that will be recorded in the database.
  1. Select Add to add a new item to the list, then enter a Description. The descriptions pertain to individual items included in the database. Examples for a weed layer could be Type of Weed, Intensity, and Notes.
 
  1. Select a data Type for each data item being recorded.
    1. Data types include Number (for numeric data), Text (for general text) and Date (to record the date information was collected). Additionally, any previously created pick lists can be selected as a data type. In the weed example: Type of Weed would have a data type selected as the name of the pick list created for the different weed types, Intensity could be either Text or Number, and Notes would be Text.
    2. Selecting a Text data type provides an option to select the quantity of characters. This value will default to 40 but can be edited.
  Note: If selecting pick list as the data type, the attribute name will be changed to the name of the pick list.
  1. If a Default Value is entered, the program will fill in this value each time that a point or boundary is logged. This value can be changed when necessary. This should be used if most of the data being logged will have the same value.
  2. Select Add to create additional attributes to the template. The template may include as many different items as you like. You will need to create an attribute for each piece of information you would like to record. For example, if you need to identify more than one weed variety within a define area, an attribute will need to be created for each identified weed type.
  3. Select OK when finished.