What this tool does
Create an operational ranch map with boundaries, pastures, fences, roads, water systems, gates, structures, hazards, and other field features.
Use this tool when
- Building a session-based ranch operations map.
- Creating a feature inventory.
- Measuring mapped areas and line lengths.
- Exporting a ranch map, geojson, or feature list for downstream use.
Before you begin
Gather the project information you already know. Leave Optional or Advanced fields alone until you need them, and review every editable assumption before relying on the result.
Recommended workflow
1. Locate the ranch
Use satellite imagery, search, geolocation, fullscreen, scale, and measurement controls.
2. Draw areas
Add ranch boundaries, pastures, traps, hay/crop fields, no-graze areas, brush/wooded areas, or custom polygons.
3. Draw lines
Add fences, ranch roads, water lines, cattle lanes, electric fence, creeks/drainage, or custom lines.
4. Place points
Add gates, ponds, troughs, wells, pumps, barns, shops, corrals, chutes, feeders, culverts, hazards, and other point features.
5. Edit and organize
Rename, categorize, note, style, show/hide, duplicate, delete, zoom to, group, lock, reorder, and search features.
6. Review measurements and export
Inspect acreage/perimeter and line totals, then export PNG, PDF/Print, GeoJSON, CSV inventory, Copy Summary, or Email.
Key results
- Polygon acreage and perimeter.
- Line distance.
- Distance between points.
- Total length by line category.
- Total acreage by area category.
- Feature inventory.
- Legend based on used categories.
Save, export, and share
For meaningful work, use Save Project to create a .ra file before leaving. Use Export for reports/data and Share for email or copied summaries. The exact export formats available depend on the tool.
Important planning note
Mapped boundaries and measurements are for operational planning and are not a legal survey.
Related help
- About RanchAssist
.raProject Files - Export and Share Overview
- Understanding Ranch Map Builder Results and Calculations
- Troubleshooting Ranch Map Builder
