Using the Map Tools

The Tools panel gives you four utilities for working with your map: a ruler to measure distances, a print tool to export a PDF of your map, a KML export for sharing or importing your map data elsewhere, and a grazing report export.

Opening the Tools Panel

1. Click the Tools icon (wrench) in the map navigation bar. The Tools panel opens with four options.

Ruler

The Ruler tool lets you measure distances on the map. You can measure a single straight line or a multi-segment path, and the total distance updates as you add points.

Measuring a distance

1. Click Ruler in the Tools panel. The Ruler panel opens with on-screen instructions.
2. Click on the map to set your starting point.
3. Click additional points to extend the line. Each segment shows its own distance label on the map, and the running total displays in the panel.

4. When finished, click FINISH LINE in the panel, or double-click your last point on the map. You need at least two points to finish a measurement.
5. After finishing, drag any point to adjust its position. The distance updates as you drag.

Clearing or canceling

• Clear: Click the CLEAR button in the panel to remove all points and start a new measurement.
• Exit: Click the X in the top corner of the Ruler panel to close the tool.

Keyboard shortcuts

• ESC - cancel the current drawing or exit the tool.
• DEL / BACKSPACE - undo the last point, or clear all points if only one remains.
• Double-click - finish the line.

Print Map

Print Map exports a PDF of your current map view. You choose the page size and resolution before exporting. The PDF includes the satellite view, pasture boundaries, and any markers visible on your map.

Exporting a PDF

1. Pan and zoom the map to frame the area you want to export.
2. Click Print Map in the Tools panel. The Print Map panel opens.

3. Select a Page Size. Options are Letter, Legal, Tabloid, and A4.
4. Select a Resolution. Options are 72 dpi (fast), 150 dpi, and 300 dpi (slow). Higher resolutions create larger, clearer files but take longer to process.
5. Click EXPORT PDF. The file downloads to your computer.

Export KML

Export KML downloads a .kml file of your ranch data that you can open in mapping tools like Google Earth or import into other GIS software. Your pasture boundaries are always included. You can also choose to include herd locations, infrastructure markers, or export only specific pastures.

Exporting a KML file

1. Click Export KML in the Tools panel. The Export KML dialog opens.

2. Choose what to include:
   • Include Herds locations - adds markers showing where your herds are currently located.
   • Include Infrastructures - adds your gates, water troughs, hay bales, rain gauges, and other infrastructure markers.
3. Choose which pastures to export. By default, all pastures are included. To export only specific ones, click Select only specific paddocks, then click pastures in the Selected Paddocks field to add them. Click the X on a pasture chip to remove it. Click Select all paddocks to return to exporting everything.

4. Click Export. The .kml file downloads to your computer. Click Cancel to exit without exporting.

Export Grazing Report

Export Grazing Report generates a XLSX report of your grazing activity across your entire ranch and emails it to the email address on your account.

1. Click Export Grazing Report in the Tools panel.
2. A confirmation message appears in the bottom right of the screen confirming the report will be emailed to you shortly.

Reports typically arrive within minutes. Larger ranches may take longer.

Troubleshooting

• My ruler measurement disappeared. Closing the Ruler panel or clicking CLEAR removes all points. Measurements are not saved between sessions.
• My printed map is cut off. Pan and zoom the map to frame the area you want before clicking Print Map. The export captures what is visible on screen.
• My export to PDF is taking a long time. Higher resolution and larger page sizes take longer to generate. Try Letter + 150 dpi if you don't need maximum detail.
• My KML file is missing data I expected. Pastures are always included, but herd locations and infrastructure require checking those boxes in the Export KML dialog before exporting. If you exported only specific pastures, anything outside that selection won't be in the file.
• I haven't received my grazing report. Reports typically arrive within minutes, but large ranches may take longer. Check your spam folder, and confirm the email address on your account is correct. If the report still hasn't arrived, contact PastureMap support.

Related articles

• Map Overview
• Understanding the Item Summary Panel
• Customizing Map Display Options