Recording GPS tracks and placing markers in VicMap
Once a map is open in VicMap, you can record where the crew actually walked, drop pins where something needs attention, and tick off task blocks. All of it is saved on the phone and works without signal. This guide covers the buttons and menus.
Record a GPS track
- Open your map and make sure GPS is on (tap My Location).
- Tap Record Track (the route icon in the floating controls).
- Walk or drive. A line is drawn on the map as you move.
- Tap Record Track again to stop.
On Android, recording also continues when the screen is locked, so the phone can stay in your pocket. On iPhone, keep VicMap in the foreground while recording. On Android a notification shows while recording. If you deny notification permission, tracking still runs but you may not see the notification.
How tracks behave:
- Each time you start recording, a new line segment begins. Older lines stay on the map.
- Tiny movements are filtered out, so a standing phone does not draw noise.
- The track is saved regularly and comes back when you reopen the map.
- Very long tracks stop automatically and are saved. You will see "Track is very long — recording stopped and saved".
- Open the Pins tab to see Walk track with the distance covered. Clear track removes it after you confirm.
Tracks belong to one map. Recording stops if you switch maps.
Drop a waypoint
- Tap Drop Waypoint (the pin icon).
- In Create Waypoint, type a Name, for example "Culvert damaged".
- Choose a Color from the five dots.
- Add Notes if needed. Latitude and longitude are filled in for you.
- Tap Save Waypoint.
The Pins tab lists all your waypoints for the map. Waypoints are stored with the map on your phone.
Mark task blocks and draw areas
If your PDF has task blocks drawn in it, VicMap finds them when the map loads. Open the menu (☰) and tap Task marking & report.
- Mark on map: tap a block, choose a flag colour, add a note and mark it done. A progress tally shows your total.
- Draw area: tap out a polygon around something the map does not show, then name it and add a note.
- Draw road line and Drive road: record a repaired road stretch, either by tapping along it or by driving it.
- Save work: keep a named snapshot of today's marks, filed in folders (New folder). Restore it later with Restore, even onto a re-imported map.
If the PDF has no task blocks, the whole map counts as one block, and you can still add pins and areas.
You can also bring waypoints into a marking map with Import pins from Map Viewer.
Measure on the spot
Open the Measure tab, tap Start Measuring and tap points on the map. The panel shows Distance, Area, Bearing and Segments. Tap Stop Measuring when done.
What can be exported
- Waypoints: Pins tab, Export KML. See Exporting and sharing your field data.
- Marks, tracks, pins and areas: appear on the map image inside the PDF report from Generate PDF report.
VicMap does not currently export the recorded track as a separate file. The track is shown in the report map.
FAQ
Does track recording work with the screen off?
On Android, yes: VicMap keeps recording with the screen locked. On iPhone, keep VicMap in the foreground. Allow location permission when asked, and on iPhone set location to "While Using the App" with Precise Location on.
Can I add a note to a marker?
Yes. Each waypoint has a name, colour and notes. Task blocks and drawn areas also take notes.
Can I import someone else's KML or GPX?
Not as a general feature today. VicMap imports GeoPDF maps. You can move pins from the Map Viewer into a marking map.
Next steps
- Previous guide: Load a GeoPDF and see your GPS position offline.
- Background reading: Field GPS tracking and boundary marking for plantations.
- Download VicMap and start the 14-day trial