Using 'All Topo Maps' to Generate Base Maps for AgNav Projects
ŽAG-NAV is a registered trademark of Ag-Nav Inc

What is AgNav?

AgNav is a full featured, compact DGPS Guidance System for Agriculture and Forestry aerial application and mapping applications. It provides the pilot with swath and directional guidance and other navigation information required to carry out precise aerial product applications.

The AgNav system consists of a compact intelligent Moving Map Display with keypad, a choice of light bars (steering indicators) and a stand-alone DGPS receiver system.

Preflight field data is entered into a Windows based tool, NavVieww which generates optimal flight paths based upon

field boundaries
exclusion zones
programmed patterns

The project is then uploaded to a cockpit mounted computer that displays real time spray data and collects flight and spray logs for post processing.

You can find out more about AgNav by visiting www.agnav.com or calling +1 905 967-0909.

Generating Map Images for use as AgNav Base Maps

All Topo Maps will quickly generate a georeferenced background map for use with NavVieww. Either

• portions of maps
• entire quadrangles
• large seamed areas comprised of multiple maps

can be quickly exported for use with with AgNav's NavVieww software.

First locate and display the area interest in All Topo Maps. Then from the Main Menu, select "Edit: Export Map to Clipboard, File or GIS":

The 'Map Export Wizard' dialog will be displayed:

Select "1. Export just the Viewed Map"; choose "2. To an image file"; then press the '...' button to the right of the export filename to browse for a reasonable filename and path (the file must be a bitmap or .bmp extension); then check the 'Write a .bpw worldfile ...' option to automatically generate AgNav georeferencing information; finally press "Export" to write the output file.

Start NavVieww and create a new project, press the "Open Area, Project" button: 

then select the "entry.new" project:

Press 'Open':

Set the 'Central Meridian/Zone' to match the UTM Zone for the base map, choose 'Lat/Lon, UTM/Zone' = 'Zone', choose the Clarke-1866 ellipsoid, North Hemisphere. Configure 'Spraying Parameters' as needed, then press 'OK':

Select the "Open Map, Save Map for Flight" button, then browse for the image that we exported from 'All Topo Maps' above

Press 'Open', then browse for the .BPW worldfile that matches the bitmap we just selected:

Next, press the '123' button to mark coordinates on the new basemap:

Press the 'Add' button:

Then click the mouse on the first corner of the field. Continue marking until you reach the last corner:

Finally press the Corner 'End' button and save the field definition by pressing the Save button.

Exclusions can be programmed in the same manner.

After the field is flown, you can load the data from the flight instrument into your pc and display the flight paths and spray patterns over the topographic base map.