Import an image map of your yard

Yard Editor version 4.0.13 requires a high-resolution raster image file of the yard to serve as a background for the yard map. This file can be an image of a CAD drawing or satellite or other aerial imagery, and should be in .png or .jpg format. A file in .bmp format is likely be too large to be useful.

The minimum resolution recommended for the image file is about 1 pixel per meter (3.28 feet). However, this resolution is not accurate enough to work with. Ideally, you would want a multiple of this. About 1 pixel per 30 cm (1 foot) is considered good. For example, if you measure the distance across a facility at 1.7 km (5577 feet, 5 inches), then an image resolution of 1700x1700 pixels would result in the minimum resolution. Multiplied by 3, the resolution would be accurate enough.

As a general guideline, the image file size should not exceed 18 MB. N4 throws an exception if the file is too big. The image width or height cannot exceed 16384 pixels, which is the equivalent of a yard length of approximately 4.9 km (3 miles).

If you are an upgrading customer, and your yard has not changed, it is not necessary for you to upload an image map unless and until you need to edit the yard. However, until you do this, you will not have access to the visual features that are central to the Yard Editor.

As a temporary measure, you have the option of using an image of your yard from the Google Earth plug-in, or from Google's satellite views. For more information, review the tips (on page 1) Navis has compiled for upgrading with the Yard Editor.

In versions 2.4 and above, the Yard Editor does not open from the Yard Models view in N4 (Configuration Models Yard Models). To optimize performance, Navis has made the Yard Editor view available instead in an internet browser.

To access the Yard Editor, go to http://<machine_name_of_N4_cluster_node:port/apex/yard.zul (The port number is either 9080 or 9081, as noted in the services.) You can log in using your N4 username and password. Once logged in, select: Models Yard Models Yard Models view.

To import a yard image:

In the Image Upload form, click Browse.

In the File Upload form, locate the image file that you want to upload.
Click Open.

The Image Upload form displays the upload progress. When N4 completes the import, the form closes and the map appears in Yard Editor.

Yard Editor displays (the Set Reference Point tool).

Add at least two reference points.

Configuring reference points with latitudinal/longitudinal (lat/long) coordinates is a prerequisite to being able to draw the yard perimeter or to add entities to the map. They serve to establish the conversion factors between the uploaded yard map and geographic points on the globe. Ideally, you should locate your reference points at opposite ends of the yard.

To set reference points:

In Yard Editor, select (the Set Reference Tool).

On the yard map, click where you want to place the reference point.

N4 places a little red target on the map and opens the Reference Point form.

When you place the reference point on the map, N4 automatically assigns x-axis and y-axis values to it.

In the Reference Point form, in the Latitude and Longitude fields, enter the exact coordinates. Make sure to use negative numbers for West and South longitude values.
Click Save.

When both reference points are defined, (the Draw Yard Path tool) is displayed.

You can stop here and continue with other installation tasks.

To review converted lane logical blocks as advised (on page 1), you can also wait to do this until after installation is complete.
To continue configuring the image map of your yard, your next steps is to add reference points, draw a perimeter, and add your existing yard blocks to the map. Detailed instructions are in the version 4.0.13 N4 Administrator's Manual.