Adding a field feature

Platform: Mobile (Archer Setup app)

You'll normally add field features in the field, standing at or near the thing you want to record. The mobile app uses your GPS position to place the feature accurately, but you can also tap the map to place points by hand.

Before you start

You're signed in to the mobile app and in the correct management group.
The vineyard the feature belongs to exists and has synced to your device.
Your GPS position is healthy (ideally RTK fixed).

Steps

On the List tab, tap the vineyard the feature belongs to. This opens the vineyard's detail screen.
Tap Create new feature. The capture screen ("New Feature") opens on the map, centred on your current position with the vineyard's blocks and existing features shown for context.

📷 Screenshot: Vineyard detail screen with the Create new feature button.
Tap Select feature type. Choose a category, then a type. The type sets the geometry — point, line, or area — shown by a badge (POINT / LINE / AREA) next to each type. The list reflects your organisation's configured taxonomy.

📷 Screenshot: Select Feature Type sheet showing categories, types, and POINT/LINE/AREA geometry badges.
Capture the geometry:
- Point — tap Place Point to drop a point at your current GPS position. Tap Move Point to re-drop it.
- Line or area — tap Add Point at each spot to add the current GPS position to the shape. Walk the line or boundary, adding points as you go.
You can also turn on Tap to place (top right) and tap the map to drop points by hand instead of using your GPS position. See Placing and adjusting points below.

📷 Screenshot: Capture bar with the Place Point / Add Point button, the Save button, and the undo/redo pill.
When the shape is complete, tap Save.
In the Save Feature dialog, optionally enter a Feature name and Notes, and tap Add Photo to attach photos. None of these are required — tap Save to finish.

📷 Screenshot: Save Feature dialog with Feature name, Notes, and Add Photo.

The feature syncs to the cloud and appears in the vineyard's Features list and the portal. Type-specific properties (for example a pipe size or valve number) aren't set here — add them afterwards via Edit, or by drawing the feature in the portal.

Placing and adjusting points

GPS vs tap-to-place. Place Point / Add Point uses your current GPS fix — the most accurate option in the field. Switch on Tap to place (top right) to drop points by tapping the map instead, which is handy for marking something you can't stand on.
Undo / redo. For lines and areas, a pill at the top-left of the map lets you Undo the last point or Redo one you removed.
Move a point. Drag any point's handle on the map to nudge it.
Delete a point. Long-press a point to remove it, or tap it to select it and use the delete (bin) button in the undo/redo pill.
Follow GPS. The map follows your position as you move; pan the map and it stops following, so you can review the shape without it sliding away.

Editing a feature you just added

On the vineyard detail screen, switch the section toggle to Features and tap the feature. This opens its inspect view.
Tap Edit (pencil) in the header to open the Edit Feature sheet.
Change the Feature name, Notes, photos, or Properties, then tap Save.
To change the shape, tap Re-map Geometry. This reopens the capture screen so you can re-draw the feature's geometry, then save.

📷 Screenshot: Edit Feature sheet showing name, notes, properties, and the Re-map Geometry button.

You can also edit a feature — including its geometry and type-specific properties — in the portal.

Tips

Name your features where it helps — a bank of five irrigation headers on one site is easier to tell apart if they're named, even if the type is the same.
Use notes generously — especially for things like "spare valve in shed for this header" or "this gate's lock needs replacing". Notes are searchable and show up for everyone on your team.
Offline is fine. If you're out of signal, the feature is saved locally and uploads automatically when you're back online.
Capture method is recorded. Each feature records how it was captured — RTK GPS, Device GPS, or Manual (tap-to-place) — so you can tell how accurate its position is.
Check the category/type list. If you find yourself constantly adding features as a generic, catch-all type, ask whoever manages your organisation to add the category or type you're missing.