Set up
Q. When using the set-up wizard (i.e. entering staff or fields) I get an error message. What should I do?
A. This can happen if you press return instead of ‘Next’ to take you to the next page. Ok the error message(s) and then press ‘Back’, this will take you to the previous page. Now press ‘Next’ to take you to the next page. Now follow the instruction at the top of the page.
Q. When using the set-up wizard I entered just one operator (or field, laboratory) and the Next button is not active. How do I move to the next page?
A. The Wizard is expecting more than one entry, but just press return and the Next button will be activated.
Q. I can’t seem to add doors and dividers.
A. When you drag and drop a door or divider make sure that you have dragged it across the orange Store frame until the stop sign X has disappeared and o has appeared. Then release the mouse bottom.
Q. I’ve added a door but it is too small. How do I enlarge it?
A. Click on the door to highlight it, a boarder will appear. Select one end and a double headed arrow will appear, press the left mouse button and drag to enlarge the door. You may need to move it, either by dragging and dropping or with the arrow keys.
Q. I’ve added a bay (or bin or heap) and I want to move it. How do I do this?
A. You can either highlight the bay by left clicking within the image and then hold the left mouse button and drag to a new position or highlight the bay and use the arrow keys to move the bay. (NB. The same applies to doors and dividers).
Q. I’ve added a bay (or bin or heap) and it overlaps the edge of the Store. I can’t move it with the arrow keys. How do I move it?
A. The arrow keys are inactive if the storage area images is touching or overlaps the edge of the store. Click within the image and then hold the left mouse button and drag to a new position, once you are free from the edge you can use the arrow keys.
Q. I have square bins in my store, the bin in GrainPlan is a circle. How do add a square bin?
A. You can use the Bay (square image) to represent a square bin.
Q. I fill my flat store with a single large heap. The heap in GrainPlan requires a height and diameter. How do I enter a rectangular heap?
A. To fill the store with a single crop just add a Bay of the same size as the store.
Q. I’ve added three grain stores and want to add monitoring (or trap) positions. The Wizard images are grey and inactive. How do I make them work?
A. You have to select and individual Grain Store (and not the general screen). The Wizards will then be active. Select a wizard and follow the instructions.
Q. I’ve setup GrainPlan with stores and bays (bins/heaps) and assigned a crop to the storage area. It won’t let me add and grain. Why not?
A. You probably haven’t prepared the empty store. You have to have entered a ‘prepared’ date under Grain store and then Activity before GrainPlan allows you to add grain.
Q. I’ve setup GrainPlan with stores and bay (bins/heaps) and prepared the store but it won’t let me add grain. Why not?
A. You cannot add grain to an ‘empty’ bay (bin/heap). Under Storage Area, Detail select Crop and add a crop from the dropdown list. You can now add grain on the ‘Storage’ page.
Additional Storage Sites
Q. (Version 2 only) I manage 3 farms and have set up three Storage Sites. I notice that each new site has the equipment, fields and operators that I entered for my first Storage Site. Is this correct and what should I do?
A. This is how Version 2 works, it has been altered in Version 3 so that you can enter different items for these three categories. None of these items are site specific currently. You can add to the lists but do not delete any items as they are currently shared between all Storage sites. To add equipment select Equipment from the Storage Site menu (or the equipment icon) and add new items. For fields and operators you can add to the lists through Edit User Definable Lists. (this also impacts on reports).
Q. I’ve set up another Storage Site (farm) and I find that the Field, Operators and Laboratories are already filled in with the first Site data. How do I change this?
A. You can add/remove or replace items by editing User definable Lists. Go to the Tools menu and select Edit User Definable Lists, then select the required list from the dropdown and edit the list.
User defined Lists
Q. I can’t find the variety of Wheat (Barley or Oats) that I have grown on the dropdown list. How do I add it to the list?
A. You can add variety names but selecting the Tools menu and then Edit User Definable Lists. Select the crop type from the dropdown and then ‘insert’ the variety that you are using.
Monitoring
Q. I always use the same meter/probe for Temperature and Moisture measurement. How do I set the default probe?
A. When you are in the temperature and moisture input screen (accessed by right clicking a monitoring position on the 3D image) click on the ‘Set Default Probe’ hyperlink and you will be taken to the Options screen. Under General Options click on the dropdown for default probe and select the device you use. If it is not here you will have to add it via Tools, Edit Equipment Type. Insert the instrument name and select Probe from the Equipment Type Type dropdown before pressing Add/Update.
Q. I can see that the monitoring positions (and traps) have been added to the 3D image of my storage area but it is difficult to see exactly where they are. How do I see them more clearly?
A. You can tilt the 3D by using the navigation arrows (bottom left of the screen). You can also alter the image size by clicking on the – or + signs. You have complete control of the way you wish to see this image.
Q. I’ve added to layer of monitoring positions to a heap of grain. I can see the top layer but not the bottom ones. How can I see them?
A. The monitoring positions are on the bottom of the heap. To see them you have to use the navigation arrows (bottom left of the screen) to rotate the image until you can see them.
Q. (Version 2) The Storage Area turns green as soon as I’ve added grain to it. I haven’t taken any temperature and moisture reading so why does it shown green (i.e. safe storage).
A. This feature has been dealt with in Version 3. The storage area will then remain white until you take your first temperature and moisture readings. The correct colour is displayed in Version 2 once you have entered temperature and moisture readings.
Printing
Q. Printing is very slow – how can I reduce the printing time? A. Go to the Tools menu and select Options. Set the Pixel Print depth to a lower value. The speed of printing will reduce but so will the quality of the printed image.
Q. I can’t print at all using the print icon. How do I get a printed version of my grain stores?
A. Select the store and storage area you want to print and then press Alt and Print Screen. Open a new word document and copy the image into this (Crtl V will copy it for you), then print the Word Document.
Other Crops
Q. I wish to use GrainPlan for crops other that Wheat, Barley and Oats. Can I do so?
A. Yes you can but GrainPlan will not give you any warning messages. You can add other crops (type e.g. Rape and variety) by going to the Tools menu and opening Edit user definable lists. Select Other Crops from the dropdown list and then enter your required crops/varieties.
Q. Can I add sampling results for Other Crops e.g. Oil Seed Rape?
A. This feature is not available. You can use the Notes screen to record any test results that you have.
Reports
Q. (Version 2 only) When I open the Reports screen most of the icons for the reports are missing. How do I get them back?
A. Move the cursor within the left hand panel (where the icons should be) and when the hand appears press the left mouse key and the icon will appear.
PDA (hand held devices)
Q. I want to use a Palm to enter my monitoring results. I’ve tried the Export Wizard and get an error message. What has gone wrong?
A. GrainPlan is set to default to Pocket PC. You can change it to Palm by opening the Tools menu and selecting Options. Go to the section called PDA device and check the Palm OS item.
Q. I have set up more than one storage site and run the Export Wizard and get an error message. What has gone wrong?
A. The software only allows interaction with a PDA when one site is used. Unfortunately if you have two or more sites set up within GrainPlan PDA measurement results are not available.
Encyclopaedia
Q. Some of the Hyperlinks in the Encyclopaedia don’t work. How can I obtain information?
A. Unfortunately, sometimes website are updated and altered and the address for link may be changed. The best way is to go to the required website (home page) and then search for the required item.