Direction to align fixed spray heads when laying out areas.
By Edward on Thursday, 03 August 2017
Posted in Feature Requests
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When placing rotors and MP Rotators it makes sense to choose the start and end arc when placing them. You select the center, then start and end arc point.

Can it be changed when placing fixed sprays that you can select either the right or left edge instead of having to select perpendicular to place them?

The reason is speed. When I choose the point, then have to move the mouse perpendicular I'm either close to the spray head, or further away if I need more accuracy, but I'm still halfway in the arc. If I selected the center and then left edge (or right edge, it could be a toggle function depending on the way you are laying out) when I click guess what? I'm exactly in the spot where I need to place my next spray head, and I have aligned it with the hardscape/sidewalk/edge that I need.

Another program that I used had this feature and I was probably 75% faster in laying out fixed spray heads because the program followed the way you are working.

Edward
Edward,
We have definitely added this to the wishlist, thank you for the suggestion. In order to bring it higher to the top of the list, it might help if others gave their thoughts on the functionality of this feature. Please see the link below on requesting a wishlist item and the things to consider for that particular item.

How to Request a Land F/X Wishlist Item
Jake Lott
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7 years ago
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Edward,

As a workaround, why not use our Smart Arc placement? That would be the exact same functionality as I understand it. Currently we place fixed-arcs with a single click for the mid-point of the arc. But to make it as you describe it, like placing variable arcs, would necessitate two clicks to specify start and end of arc. Which is exactly how Smart Arc works.

--J
Jeremiah Farmer
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7 years ago
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Smart Arc requires three clicks, center, start and end. 50% more clicks and much more mouse movement. Also, a workaround is okay, but having the actual functionality would be great. This is one of the big things that I miss from our old program that I wish Land F/X had. When you are designing undulating turf areas with sprays being able to easily do down one side then back the other is very efficient. I also think that most people probably wouldn't notice because they haven't used it before - harder to think outside of the box.

Edward
Edward
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7 years ago
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Then I'm unclear on how this works. Specifying an edge would require three clicks, to specify the edge extents, and then the facing direction.
If you could please clarify how this can be done in only two clicks.

--J
Jeremiah Farmer
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7 years ago
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Here is a video showing how previous programs did this, using Land F/X

You Tube Video Link
Edward
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7 years ago
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Edward,

Thanks for taking the time to create that video.
However, it still doesn't address my point. You mention that you could "toggle between Left and Right" -- how does that happen? Are you thinking just a keyboard command, like T or something?
We plan on adding a Paint mode for placing heads, which would be very similar to what you want, but even faster, as it wouldn't require selecting Left or Right, and would actually be down to either 1 or 0 clicks for each head.

--J
Jeremiah Farmer
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7 years ago
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There was a L button and R button that you could click on when you were laying out on the menu bar. What I'm showing there is in the R orientation - I'm laying out to the right. When you clicked L you could layout in the other direction the same way.

Edward
Edward
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7 years ago
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I feel this is more aptly suited to be added to the Copy Along Line tool. When it comes down to it, that is what you are doing.
The first thing it can do, is to alter the facing angle of a half-angle spray, to allow you to follow an undulating path.
Secondly, it needs to support the keyboard commands to alter the nozzle.
Also, to add Copy Along Line and Polyline keyboard options when placing heads.
I think combined, that would be a tremendous improvement, and even faster than the method you describe.

--J
Jeremiah Farmer
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7 years ago
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I do use the Copy Along Line tool where I can, but some of these areas are very undulating and you have to switch between nozzles sizes and adjust the radius of quite a few of them. I use the copy along a line and polyline quite a bit, but these are more detailed areas where more attention is needed. Additionally, the two click method that I previously used and showed in the video would be a great baseline improvement for laying out sprinklers anywhere, even if you didn't use the copy along a line tool.

Edward
Edward
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7 years ago
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Edward,
I just wanted to make sure you saw the latest update we have released. We have improved the Copy along features to include some AWESOME functionality. While we did not directly add the tool you described, we have made head layout fun and almost too easy now. Please take a look at the link below on a quick glimpse of a few new features the Copy along functions include.

Copy Along Path-New Features
Jake Lott
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7 years ago
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---Duplicate Post ---
Edward
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7 years ago
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Jake,

I saw the latest features and did use the copy along a line and polyline feature. I did like the toggle between percent/distance and exact fit/best fit. Those are very helpful.

I do agree that the tools make sprinkler layout easier and more consistent IF the areas are consistent in width and rectangular. I've attached a PDF of a sample turf layout that I just completed. The one area I could use the tool was on the long strip areas. Other areas I had to constantly change arc and radius to get everything to fit.

These are the types of areas that I see everyday when doing sprinkler layout. I know that the tool I described (clicking adjacent to a sprinkler instead of perpendicular) would make sprinkler layout much more efficient in these real work situations.

Edward
Edward
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7 years ago
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Just wanted to see if there was any additional consideration of having the option to lay out fixed arc sprinklers as shown in my example video.

Edward
Edward
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6 years ago
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Edward,

We created a new Power Tip video that shows the combination of Copy Along Line with Smart Arc and Keyboard commands, here:
https://www.landfx.com/videos/powertips/item/4625-power-tip-keyboard-commands-smart-arc.html

--J
Jeremiah Farmer
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6 years ago
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I've used those commands, they are helpful,but again you've sidestepped answering the request.

Edward
Edward
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6 years ago
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Edward,

The changes we made to head placement allow placing heads, without fail, faster than in the method you show in that video.
This was a substantial amount of engineering, done very much in inspiration of your input. If you are not using the new Copy Along Line and Polyline as your primary method of laying out heads, then you are absolutely missing out on some incredible efficiency gains.
It seems it might be best to schedule some time with our irrigation specialist, to make sure you are using the tool to its potential, and conversely to make sure we fully appreciate the head layout challenges that you are facing.

--J
Jeremiah Farmer
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6 years ago
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Ha. There are very few people that think the way I do. I'm not sure if that's good for you Jake. "...we have made head layout fun and almost too easy now."
Thank you for making me smile Jake!
Steve Cook
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5 years ago
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