Add Distance Input Tool for Precise Line/Polygon Creation (Similar to QGIS "Advanced Digitizing")
looking for funding
D
Diego Varela
As a long-time power user of QField who regularly trains water utility companies in its use, I find the app fantastic for field data collection. However, a critical feature is missing that would dramatically expand its adoption: the ability to type precise distances when drawing lines or polygons, mirroring QGIS Desktop’s "Advanced Digitizing" tool.
Currently, water companies (and similar industries) rely on CAD or QGIS for designing water networks due to the need for millimeter-accurate digitization (e.g., pipe lengths, valve placements). While QField excels in mobility, the lack of distance input forces field crews to approximate measurements or resort to post-processing, reducing efficiency and accuracy.
Proposed Solution:
Integrate a "Distance Input" toggle during vertex placement when drawing lines/polygons.
Allow users to manually enter:
Distance (e.g., 5.25 m) and angle (e.g., 45°) for the next segment.
Mimic the workflow of QGIS’s "Advanced Digitizing" panel for intuitive use.
Impact:
This addition would make QField indispensable for infrastructure management. Water utilities (currently hesitant to switch from CAD/QGIS Desktop) could:
Digitize water/sewer networks with precision directly in the field.
Eliminate post-processing errors and save significant time.
Fully replace traditional tools with QField’s mobile-first approach.
Closing:
This feature would elevate QField from a "great" app to a game-changer for engineering-grade fieldwork. Industries managing linear networks (water, energy, telecom) would adopt it en masse, knowing they can trust on-site precision.
Thank you for considering this transformative enhancement!
Z
Zsanett Medvei
looking for funding
Z
Zsanett Medvei
Merged in a post:
Laser Rangefinder Compatibility
Tulio Soto Parra
The feature I believe is called COGO calculation. Essentially, this entails computing or calculating from a baseline using distance and offset parameters. The baseline itself can be established through previously collected points or temporary points.
A Laser Rangefinder would be paired via Bluetooth, then, a baseline or reference point is defined using either internal or external GPS. Subsequently, points and polygons relative to this reference point can be measured. This offers the advantage of measuring points and objects beyond physical reach, and would be, in my opinion, a great feature to have in QField.
Nico Tripcevich
We purchased Lasertech MapSmart ($500) to pair with a Trupulse rangefinder. You can save out directly to kml, gpx, or dxf and load into software. Qfield can read KML or GPX directly
Jeremy Jackson
I have a Trupulse 360 which would be great to integrate into QField
Thomas Mayer
Tried Mapit spatial (free) - here you can config a rangefinder integration. This would be nice to have in Qfield (and QGIS). You can manual set the distance and bearing or from a bluetooth rangefinder (like my LEICA) automacticly. And as addition you can choice between actual point or distance point, reference point new or from last record. please add this to QField.
Thomas Mayer
I´m searching for COGO calculations für survey to (like triangulation...)