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TIP: Farm Trac, Site, Site Pro, Trac Mate, Site Mate

Importing MrSID Files into Farm Works

Starting with the 11.3 version of Farm Works software, users now have the ability to import files in MrSID format. MrSID files are high-quality, high-resolution, geo-referenced images that are available from many government agencies. MrSID is an acronym for Multi-resolution Seamless Image Database. The file format is sometimes incorrectly referred to as Mr. Sid since that's how the acronym is pronounced (good to know if you are looking up additional info online).

Once you have the files saved onto your computer (you will need the sid and sidw file formats), complete the following steps to display the image as a background within your Farm Works project. These steps will convert the sid & sidw file formats into a .jpg & .ini file formats that Farm Works can use.

Step 1: Convert and calibrate the file

1. In Farm Works, select the Backdrop Tools
2. Click on the Calibrate button
3. Click File – Open
4. Change the “Files of Type” to All Files
5. Browse to folder containing the .sid file
6. Select the file and click open
7. Calibrate will automatically begin to convert the file
8. After it is converted, select the correct coordinate system and zone (if necessary)
9. Click File – Save As
10. Choose the location, select file type of .jpg , enter a file name, and then click Save
11. Close the Calibrate program.

Step 2: Load the converted image

12. Select the Load button from backdrop tools.
13. Locate the file, select it, and click Open.

Tip: Reduce the file size

If your images cover a large area (such as an entire county), you can use the following steps to select part of the image to save.  By doing this, you will cut down the size of the image considerably:

1. Load the image into Calibrate following the above steps.
2. Click on the "Select" button.
3. Position your cursor above and to the left of the part of the map where your farm is located.
4. Left-click and drag and make a box that surrounds the part of the map that you want to keep (the part where your farm is located).
5. Click on the "Save Selected As" button.
6. Enter a name for the file.

You can then load this file into Farm Trac or Site or Site Pro using the "Load" button in the "Backdrop Tools".

Warning: These files can become very large.
Note: If you do not change the file type to .jpg from .tif, the file could be 100 + mb. See the example below.

Example sizes of Test Data: 3 X 5 mile test section
• Download file size(*.zip): 6.9 mb
• Sid file size(*.sid): 7.0 mb
• Converted file size(*.jpg): 10 mb

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Martens Farms has been providing individual training and setup for customers by internet, phone and in person across the United States since 1996. We help you make the most of Farm Works software.

Call us at at 877-585-6761 and ask for Lorra.