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Location Sketch

Annotate a photo with arrows, lines and text to show an object's position

Jimmy avatar
Written by Jimmy
Updated over a week ago

The location sketch is present in both the PGM Manager and Manhole Inspection apps.

It allows users to take a photo of a point of interest such as a ground marker or manhole cover and then overlay information, usually measurements to nearby landmarks, that will then go on to form part of the end deliverable.

Here's a YouTube video of it in action in the field, or the process of how it works can be found below...

First Steps

As you would expect, the first step when using this component is taking a photograph.

However, to make sure that the finished result looks the same using any device, if you happen to be in portrait mode when starting a location sketch, it will ask you to turn the device to landscape first.

Once you've taken your photo, the view will change to show the image with a toolbar overlaid at the top and a compass arrow down at the bottom left.

If the compass on your device has given an accurate reading it should be pointing in the direction of north, but you can rotate where you're stood and see the arrow move in real time if you need to adjust it.

Lock The Compass and Position the Triangle

Once you're happy with the position of the compass arrow, tap on the green padlock icon to lock it in place.

You'll notice that the other buttons in the toolbar then become active.

If you'd like change the photograph at any time you can tap on the camera button to retake it, and tapping on the padlock will toggle the compass on and off.

Place your finger on the red triangle, and as soon as it expands it's draggable to wherever you'd like to place it.

Add Arrows

Once you have the triangle in place, tap on the red arrow button in the toolbar. An arrow will appear on the screen with one end coming from the centre of the triangle and the other near the top left of the photo.

Notice the blue handle at the outer end of the line. As you did with the triangle itself, you can lay your finger on head of the arrow and drag it round to wherever it's required.

You can keep adding as may arrows as you like, and if you find you need to move the triangle afterwards, the ends of the lines will follow it about.

Adjust or Delete Arrows

Once the arrows have been placed, if you need to move one again simply tap on the arrow so it turns purple. In this active state the blue handle will appear and the arrow can be dragged around again.

Tap on the photo to make the arrow inactive again.

If you don't need an arrow any more, tap on it to make it active and then tap the delete button that appears at the top right of the toolbar.

Add a Dashed Line (or lots of them)

The next button along from the red arrow will add a dashed line to the image.

This is independent of the triangle, and when it's active will have handles at each end so it can be positioned anywhere you like.

As with the arrows, tap on the dashed line to toggle its active state, and use the delete button to remove it if needs be.

Add Some Text

Tapping on the button to the right of the dashed line button will let you add labels to the diagram as well.

Once you've entered the text, it can be repositioned in a similar way to the triangle i.e. hold your finger on it until it expands and then drag it around.

Tapping on the text will bring up the keyboard again, and while it's active like that a label can also be deleted if needs be.

See How it Looks Without the Toolbar

The chevron at the left hand side of the toolbar will show/hide it when tapped so you can get a better idea of how the finished sketch will look.

Save The Sketch

Once you're happy with the the diagram, tap on the tick button at the top right to save the location sketch. You can always open it up again afterwards and make any changes that are required.

Drops Straight Into the Deliverable

When you export the data, the location sketch will be uploaded to the SurvAid portal and can be incorporated into your deliverables.

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