Mapping Toolbar
  Copyright © 2005 Digital Mapping Solutions.

Overview


This section explains the tools that are available within the Mapping Toolbar. IntraMaps Public has been designed to minimise the number of tools to provide a simple and intuitive graphical user interface for a broad range of users.


The tools are activated by clicking once on the tool icon. Clicking on a tool icon makes that tool the current active tool for use within the Map Window. All tools contain 'tool tip' information by moving the cursor over the top of the tool.Some of the tools described below allow Click and Drag by mouse to perform multiple selections or marquee zooming. To Click and Drag the mouse, click the left mouse button and hold it while moving the mouse. Release the left mouse button when the marquee area covers the required area.

Module Select



An IntraMaps Public module has search forms and map layers specifically configured to a particular 'theme'. The Module Select allows the user to select from a list of modules that have been configured for IntraMaps Public. Different modules can be configured to return different information that relates to features selected from the same Search Layer, have different spatial layers available in the Map Window or be a completely different theme altogether. To switch modules simply click on the appropriate module name from the list.
The double arrow button on the right of the Module Select allows the module list to be hidden/shown.

Selection Tools

The selection tools are used to retrieve information about objects that are in the current Search Layer. It is important to understand that there may be many layers in the map window, but only one will have information attached to it.  The information is displayed in the Selection Tab (to the right of the map)

Rectangle Selection - is used to select objects on the Search Layer, using a rectangle to define the search region. Click the left mouse button on the tool to activate it. Click and hold the left mouse button and then drag the mouse away from that point to define a rectangle (shown in blue) to select within and release the left mouse button.
Polygon Selection - is used to select objects on the Search Layer, using a user define region to define the search region. Click the left mouse button on the tool to activate it. Click the left mouse button and then click at each intermediate point until you have defined all the edges of the region to select, then double-click the mouse to close the polygon on the last point.
Point Selection - is used to select objects on the Search Layer, using a point to define the search region. Click the left mouse button on the tool to activate it. Click the left mouse on an object to retrieve information on that object.
Unselect - is used to clear the current selection from both the map window and the Selection Tab. The Unselect button will also remove the lines depicting the use of the Measure Distance and Measure Area tools

Note: Large selections may take some time to process and cannot be canceled. Always be careful to select an appropriate number of objects when using the selection tools.

Navigation Tools

These tools allow you to move around the map and obtain greater visual detail on objects by allowing you to zoom in and out.
Zoom In - this tool allows you to use a single click to zoom in by a factor of 2x or draw a marquee so that you can zoom in to the area that you define. Click the left mouse button on the tool to activate it. Then single click on the map to perform a zoom in. The map will zoom in 2x the zoom level that you were at previously. If you click and hold the left mouse button, then drag a rectangle (marquee) and let the mouse button go the map will zoom in to the area that you have defined within the marquee.
Zoom Out - this tool allows you to use a single click to zoom out by a factor of 2x. Click the left mouse button on the tool to activate it. Then single click on the map to perform a zoom out. The map will zoom out 2x the zoom level that you were at previously.
Pan - this tool allows you to move the map by dragging it to a new location. Click the left mouse button on the tool to activate it. Click and hold the left mouse button and drag the map in the direction you want to move. The map will then refresh showing you the location you have moved to.

Information Tools

These tools allow you to perform other mapping operations that are outside the scope of the selection and movement tools.
Measure Distance - this tool is used to measure a distance in the map window. Click the left mouse button on the tool to activate it. Click the left mouse button on the screen to designate the point you wish to begin your measurement. Subsequent single left clicks will allow you to measure a new 'leg' and change the direction of your measurement. Double click the mouse on the last point to perform the distance calculation. The total distance and the intermediate distances will be displayed in a popup window.
Measure Area - this tool is used to measure an area in the map window. Click the left mouse button on the tool to activate it. Click the left mouse button on the screen to designate the point you wish to begin your measurement. Subsequent single left clicks will allow you to measure a new 'leg' and change the direction of your measurement. Double click the mouse on the last point to perform the area calculation. The total area, perimeter and the intermediate distances (including the distance from the last point back to the first to close the region) will be displayed in a popup window.

View Control Tools

Back - Click the left mouse button on the tool to go back to the previous view. This tool only changes the Map View and will not alter the selections you have made. To navigate between selections use the previous and next buttons in the Information Panel. This button is similar in function to the web browsers 'Back' button, however it only affects the Map Window view.
Forward - this tool is used to take you to the next map view. This button is grayed out if it is not available (usually it only becomes active after using the Back button, see above) and becomes active as long as there is a next view that it can display. Click the left mouse button on the tool to go back to the Next View. This tool only changes the Map View and will not alter the selections you have made. To navigate between selection use the previous and next buttons in the Information Panel.
Original View - this tool is used to zoom the map to its default view. In most instances will be the broadest view of the data available allowing you to zoom out quickly.

Additional Tools

Print - The Print button launches a new browser window that will place the map window in a pre-defined print template. The template is defined by your system administrator.
Important: Always check the page setup in your web browser by using the browsers Print Preview option.

Legend - The Legend button launches a pop up window containing an image of the legend associated with the module you are viewing. If a legend is not configured then the window will not contain an image.

Help - The Online Help button launches the help file you are now reading. The Online Help explains all of the functionality of IntraMaps Public, including the Mapping Toolbar, Information Panel and Search Forms.

About - The About button displays a dialog with information on the version of IntraMaps Public that is running as well as website and support information.