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Building plans and drone images

Updated

(blue star) Uploading a map image, drone image, or building plan 

  1. Click the Upload Image icon on the left

  2. Select the image file.
    1. If it’s a multi-page document, specify which page you want.
    2. If using a drone image, make sure it’s taken from directly above the site.

  3. Select the Upload Method: Upload Image to map is the Best Option but you can also use the Relate Image to Map Method (scroll down on how to use these methods).

Uploading Methods

A. Upload to Map

This method is straightforward and Easiest Method. It will directly upload the layout onto the map using the original file dimensions, without applying any map points or restrictions.

 

B. Relate image to map

  • 2 point, azimuth, length:

This is the Second easiest method.

  1. Length Between points: On the plans/image, make note of a distance between 2 points. The longer it is the better, for example the length of the entire building. If using a drone image, you could use the length of the ladder on your van as a reference. Enter the length in meters.
  2. Choose Azimuth: Make note of where North is on the plans/image, and how many degrees it is between north on the image, and the vertical line of your screen (12 o’clock). For example, if the north arrow on the plans points to 9 o’clock, then it is 90 degrees to the vertical line of the screen. Enter 90 in the Azimuth field.
  3. Position.
    1. Refer to the two points that you know the distance between.
    2. Click on one of these points. Then on the Google map, click where that part of the building should be placed.
    3. Next click on the other end of the longest known dimension on the building plans.
  4. Save. Click save at the bottom of the window
  5. Adjust if needed.
    1. Click on Surface Settings on the Right of the map, then Image layer settings.
    2. Reduce the Image Opacity so that you can see the Google image below.
    3. You can then rotate the image, or re-bind it to the map to set it in another position or scale.
       

  • 3 Point Method 

    • Select points on the uploaded file (map/plan/site layout) and the corresponding point on the map. 
    • This process must be repeated 3 times, pinpointing different locations on the file to the corresponding locations on the map. 
    • These points serve as reference nodes to calculate the appropriate scaling sizes for the file to be uploaded onto the map surface in SP.  
       

  •  1 Point, Scale, and Azimuth

    • Enter the azimuth value - based on the direction and inclination of the surface from the true north
    • Enter the scale - based on the value given in the layout (usually 1:100, 1:200)
    • Select a single point on the uploaded file (map/plan/site layout) and the corresponding point on the map. 

Remove, replace or adjust an uploaded image

  • Upload New image/plan
    Click the Image Overlay icon on the left side of your screen to open the Image Layer settings.
    On the right, click “Upload New” and upload your image. This will add a new image to your design. Please note that only one image can be selected and viewed on the map at a time.

  • Remove/delete the uploaded image/plan
    Click the Image Overlay icon on the left side of your screen to open Image Layer settings.
    Select the image you want to remove, then click the red Remove Image icon.

  • Reposition, Rotation and locking of the image/plan
    To reposition or rotate the image/plan:
    • Click the image to move it around the map.
    • Click the green rotation icon to rotate the image.

      • Alternatively, you can enter a rotation value in degrees for precise control.

    • You can also choose to lock the image, which will prevent any repositioning or rotation and keep it fixed in place.

  • Image Opacity
    In order to adjust Opacity you can move the Image Opacity Slider left and Right.

     

Fixing a black background

Some pdf plans may have certain formatting that will cause the background to turn black when uploading to SolarPlus. If you encounter this scenario, the following steps will help you to upload your image correctly:

  1. If your pdf has several pages, identify and save the page you need as separate pdf file
  2. Using a web tool, export the pdf file as an image file, ie. jpg or png would work.
  3. Upload the image file.
     

Uploading images from other online maps (WA Locate V5, etc)


 

Free high-res browser-based map sources

Western Australia

https://www.landgate.wa.gov.au/location-data-and-services/maps/online-maps/locate/

 

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