Attributes are used to describe the characteristics of a feature and each feature can have its own individual attributes. Attributes are easily customizable; and can be individually added to the point, line and polygons in the FXL.
- To create a new attribute click on a feature in the left pane e.g. Tree, to open the feature definition properties.
- Under the attributes pane right click, select new attribute and choose from the attribute list.
Each attribute type has a different function/property. The use and function of each attribute type is discussed below. A tree point feature will be used as an example, however, any of the 8 attribute types can be applied to points, lines and polygon features.
Each attribute type has both general options that are common through all or most types and some have individual options. These options are outlined below.
- Name: the identifier of the attribute e.g. Tree Height.
- Description: comment outlining the attribute in more detail e.g. the height of a tree in meters. These are not displayed in the field.
- Entry mode: used to set how the attribute is to be recorded.
- Office use only is selected when the attribute cannot be input in the field and only in TBC.
- Optional is used when it is not mandatory to collect the attribute value.
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Required is used when the attribute value is required to be filled out in the field, the field software will not let the user store the point until all required attribute data is filled.
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Auto generate (available for Date, Time and Photo attributes) uses the device to automatically generate time or date from the internal clock.
Note: Attributes can be copied and pasted between features. To copy attributes, select the attributes ensuring it is highlighted in blue (to select multiple hold shift), right click and select copy or on your keyboard press ctrl + c. Then navigate to the next feature and in the attributes tab, right click and select paste. This makes it more efficient to copy common attributes between features.
Number Attribute
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The Number attribute is used to create a number attribute that requires decimal precision e.g. Trunk Diameter of a tree that needs to be measured to 0.1m accuracy.
Default value can be used to set a standard value to autofill this attribute. Minimum and Maximum values can be used to set a range of values. Number of decimals can be used to define the maximum number of decimals an attribute can record. e.g. 2 decimals would be 0.01. |
Integer Attribute
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The integer attribute is used for features that require an attribute that is defined by a whole number (non-decimal) e.g. a Tree ID number in a plantation.
Default value can be used to set a standard value to autofill this attribute. Minimum and Maximum values can be used to set a range of values. |
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Text Attribute
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The text attribute allows the user to type notes both alphabetic and numeric. Text is best used as a note attribute attached to each feature as it allows the field crew to write notes and comments freely.
Default value can be used to set a standard value to autofill this attribute. |
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Date Attribute
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The date attribute allows the date the feature was collected to be recorded in a specified format, the option to add time is also available e.g. 12 February 2021 11:45. This attribute is best set to auto generate to automatically set the date based on the internal clock in the controller, this saves time having to manually input the date. A date attribute is useful when the same set of features will be picked up over separate time periods e.g. A tree feature is picked up on the 1st of January 2020 then again on the 1st of January 2021 with a date attribute the user knows the tree feature was last recorded a year ago and can compare how the attributes of the tree have changed over time |
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Time Attribute
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The time attribute records the specific time an attribute was picked up in the field, it can be set to second accuracy e.g. 11:45:15. This attribute is best set to auto generate to automatically record the time based on the internal clock in the controller. This is useful when a feature is picked up multiple times in one day. |
List Attribute
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The list attribute allows the user to set a predefined list to choose from when in the field e.g. Tree Species (Oak, Eucalypt, Gum, unknown, other, etc.). Click on a value and click default, the default value will be in bold (Unknown in the image). Use the up or down buttons to move the position of the values in the list. New items cannot be added to the list in the field. |
File Attribute
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The file attribute allows the user to attach a specific file e.g. PDF file relating to Tree Species. This attribute is best set to office use only. |
Photo Attribute
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This attribute allows users to capture a photo of the collected feature for later reference e.g. capture a photo of a tree if the species is unknown then identify it later in the office. |