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Drawing circle geometry

Create custom circles around small obstacles for safer field operations

The Circle tool allows you to quickly mark circular obstacles on your field maps without needing to drive a vehicle around them. This feature is perfect for identifying obstacles like poles, stand pipes, holes, or shrub and tree clusters that your autonomous vehicles should avoid.
 

When to Use the Circle Tool

Use the Circle tool to mark these types of circular obstacles:

Best Use Cases

  • Water Features: Ponds, stock tanks, water reservoirs, retention basins
  • Storage Structures: Grain bins, silos, circular storage tanks
  • Natural Obstacles: Circular tree groves, large isolated trees with wide canopies
  • Equipment Areas: Center pivot bases, fuel tank locations
  • Infrastructure: Stand pipes, electrical poles and towers

When to Use a Different Tool

  • Irregular Obstacles: Use the Polygon tool for rectangular structures, or irregular shapes
  • Transit Paths: Use the Line tool for routes between fields
  • Single Points: Use the Point of Interest tool for waypoints or end points
 

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Open the Drawing Tools

  1. Navigate to your field in Mission Control (web-only)
  2. Select the "geometry" tab
  3. Click the "Add Geometry" button or the "+" button on the map
  4. The "Add Geometry" modal will appear with tool options


2. Select the Circle Tool

  1. From the modal, click "Circle"
  2. The modal will close and you'll enter circle drawing mode
  3. Your cursor will change to indicate drawing mode is active

3. Draw the Circle

  1. Click once on the map at the center of the circular obstacle
  2. Drag outward from the center point to set the radius
  3. You'll see a live preview of the circle as you drag
  4. Release the mouse when the circle matches the obstacle size

Tips for accurate sizing:
  • Use satellite imagery to align the circle with the actual obstacle
  • The radius adjusts smoothly as you drag - no need to rush
  • If you make a mistake, press Escape or Cancel to start over

4. Name and Configure the Geometry

After releasing the circle, a popover will appear:
  1. Name: Enter a descriptive name (e.g., "North Pond", "Grain Bin A", "Oak Tree")
  2. Geometry Type: Select the appropriate type:
    1. Non-Traversable Hole (most common for obstacles)
    2. Traversable Hole (if vehicles can cross if needed)
  3. Click "Save" to create the geometry

5. Verify on Map

  1. The circular geometry will now appear on your field map
  2. It will be marked as a user-created geometry
  3. New coverage plans will now include this obstacle

 

Editing Existing Circles

To modify a circle after creation:
  1. Click the circular geometry on the map
  2. Select "Edit" from the geometry menu
  3. You can:
    1. Drag the center point to reposition
    2. Drag the edge to resize the radius
  4. Update the name or type in the geometry details panel
  5. Click "Save" to apply changes

 

Troubleshooting

Circle Not Appearing on Map

Symptom: Saved the circle, but it doesn't show on the map

Solution:
  • Check that you're viewing the correct field
  • Zoom out to ensure the circle is in the visible map area
  • Refresh the map view
  • Verify the geometry wasn't accidentally archived

Cannot Click to Start Drawing

Symptom: Circle tool selected, but clicking the map does nothing

Solution:
  • Ensure you clicked "Circle" in the Add Geometry modal
  • Check that another drawing tool isn't already active
  • Try clicking the "+" button again to reset
  • Refresh the page if the issue persists

Circle is Too Small or Too Large

Symptom: Difficult to draw the circle at the right size

Solution:
  • Zoom in for small obstacles to draw more precisely
  • Zoom out for large obstacles to see the full area
  • Reference satellite imagery to match the actual obstacle size
    Delete the circle and draw it again