HDMapper™ Layer Lists

HDMapper™ Layer Lists

Q: How can I save a default set of map layers, including the colors and other properties so I can use the same settings with other maps?

A: With TAP6.0.2291 or later and a Maintenance Subscription date of February 28, 2009, or later, you can save the current layer settings, and then you can load the same settings for other maps.

Note that all values in this example are for demonstration purposes only. You should determine appropriate settings for your application.

Saving Layer Lists

For example, suppose you want to use map settings for two states, with particular symbol and color settings for roads, rivers, etc. First, in HDMapper, click the File|New menu for a fresh start:

Then you can add the layers you want. You can add layers one at a time, or you can add an entire folder. Typically, the shapefiles used with HDMapper are in folders by state or country, so you can add all the files for a particular area with one mouse-click.

For example, suppose you want to add layers for Colorado and Wyoming. Click the “Add Shapefile layers from a folder button”:

Select one of the folders you want to add:

The shapefiles in that folder are added as layers to the map:

Use the “Add Shapefile layers from a folder” button again to add another folder:

Select the desired folder:

Now the map will include all the shapefile layers from the two folders:

You can right-click a layer in the legend to remove unwanted layers from the map:

Double-click layers to set the properties, such as color, line width, symbol size, etc.

Right-click on a legend entry to copy the properties of that layer if you want to quickly duplicate those properties on other layers:

Right-click on another layer of the same type (area, line, or point) and use the “Paste Properties” menu to assign the same properties to that layer.

Click and drag layers in the legend to change the order of the layers:

When you have the layers, properties, and layer order as desired, click the Legend menu and select “Save Layer List”

If this is the first Layer List you have created, you will be prompted for a name for the list:

If you have created other Layer Lists the existing lists will be displayed. You can select one of the existing lists to overwrite, and click the Continue button. Or you can click the NEW button to create a new list with a new name you enter as described above.

Loading Layer Lists

You can load the Layer List in a new map with the Legend menu by clicking “Load Layer List”

The available Layer Lists will be displayed. Click the one you want to select it, then click the Continue button.

The same layer configuration, order, and properties will be loaded from the list:

You can also load the Layer List into an existing map. For example, suppose you have used HDCoverage to run an Area Coverage Study from a transmitter site near the border of one state. The default settings will load the shapefile layers for that state:

You may want to load the layers for the adjacent state as well. If you do not already have a Layer List prepared, you can load the layers manually, then change the properties and order as described above, and save the Layer List for future use.

If you already have an existing Layer List, you can follow these steps.

1. First, remove all the existing layers (except for the coverage layer). From the Legend Menu, click the “Coverage Only” item.