Working with layers

The types of layers supported in the Windows version of InfoAsset Mobile are as follows:

• static. Static layers are layers that are not dynamically generated by InfoAsset Manager. Shape files are static layers.
• dynamic. Dynamic layers are layers, that, combined with the InfoAsset Manager network specified in the map configuration are generated by InfoAsset Manager. Dynamic layers contain the InfoAsset Manager network objects for the selected object type. For example, Collection - node is a collection network dynamic layer containing all the nodes present in the current network. Similarly, Distribution - manhole is a distribution network dynamic layer containing all the manholes present in the current network. A dynamic layer is a snapshot of the related objects that were on the network when the layer was generated by InfoAsset Manager.
• image. Image layers are made up of binary or raster images and the following formats are supported : .bgd, .asc, .afd, .bil, .gen, .thf, .blx, .xlb, .bt, .dto, .dt1, .dt2, .tif, .dem, .ter, .mem, .img.
• WMS. Web Map Service layers are based on data from an Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) WMS server. OGC WMS is an OpenGIS standard specification for interactive mapping based on requesting map images from a server over the Internet.
• local dynamic. Local dynamic layers are generated out of InfoAsset Manager from the local reports available on the system and automatically use the default projection system set for the application (Projection field of the Application dialog, in Map section).

  Note: If the local dynamic layer corresponding to a report about to be generated on the map is not contained in the map, a warning message will be displayed letting you know that the report will not be shown on the map. See Creating reports on maps for more information. It is therefore highly recommended to use local dynamic layers for the objects of interest if the related reports are to be generated directly on the map.

Dynamic and local dynamic layers, described above, are supported in the Android version of InfoAsset Mobile.

To create layers:

1. In the Layers group of the Map tab, select New.

   A blank Configure Map Layer dialog is displayed.

2. Type in a name for the layer in the Name box.
3. Optionally, enter a description for the layer in the Description box.
4. Click on the tab corresponding to the layer type.
5. If Static has been selected:
   1. Click the ellipsis button adjacent to File Name to launch a Windows standard Open dialog allowing you to browse for a shape file.
   2. Select the file of interest and click the Open button.

      The layer is displayed in the white area of the Configure Map Layer dialog.

      Note: There can only be one static layer per InfoAsset Manager network object per application.

6. If Dynamic has been selected:
   • Select a network object in the dropdown list at the top.

   Once a network object has been selected in the above-mentioned dropdown list, the list located underneath becomes populated with all the available fields related to that network object. Fields selected by default are required fields (in light grey) and these cannot be deselected. If required, select more fields by ticking the check box adjacent to their name.

   Tip: A maximum of 250 fields can be selected. This is a shape file format limitation.

7. If Image has been selected:
   1. Click the ellipsis button adjacent to File Name to launch a Windows standard Open dialog allowing you to browse for a raster or binary image file.
   2. Select the file of interest and click the Open button.

      A warning message is displayed informing you that image files can take a long time to be extracted.

   3. Click Yes.

      The layer is displayed in the white area of the Configure Map Layer dialog.

8. If WMS has been selected:
   1. Click the ellipsis button adjacent to URL to launch the WMS URL dialog allowing you to enter a WMS server URL.
   2. Type in or copy/ paste a valid URL.
   3. Click OK to confirm and close the WMS URL dialog .
9. If Local Dynamic has been selected:
   • Select a form from the combo box.

     All the fields that are column headers in the Saved and Completed tabs are included in the layer by default, as well as any optional items such as scheduling details and work order approval data.

     Note: There can be only one local dynamic layer per local form / report per application.

10. For dynamic and static Shape layers (SHP files), it is possible to override the default projection that has been set for the layer. For this, enable the Override the default layer projection option of the Projection section by ticking its checkbox and click the ellipsis button underneath to specify a projection system from the Choose Coordinate System dialog that is subsequently displayed.

    Tip: There is no need to specify a projection system for local dynamic layers as these layers automatically use the default projection set for the application. Please click here for more information.

11. For all layer types with the exception of the Image type, it is possible to customise the symbol, themes or labels for the newly created layer. If required, set the dropdown list at the bottom to:
    • Configure display properties and click the ellipsis button adjacent to it to launch the Map Layer Properties dialog where layer display options such as symbol colour, opacity and width/symbol size, as well as label activation and theme configuration can be set.
    • Set layer visibility and click the ellipsis button adjacent to it to launch the Layer Visibility dialog where layer visibility can be set.
    • Set label visibility and click the ellipsis button adjacent to it to launch the Label Visibility dialog where label visibility can be set.
    • Configure WMS layer (valid for WMS layers) and click the ellipsis button adjacent to it to launch the WMS Layer Properties dialog where visible layers can be selected.

      Once finished setting up any of these settings, click OK in the respective dialog to save the changes and close the dialog.

12. Click OK in the Configure Map Layer dialog to save the changes and close the dialog.

    The new layer gets added to the list of available layers in the Manage Map Layers dialog.

13. Click Close to save the changes and close the dialog.

The newly created layer can then be selected to make up maps. Refer to the Creating Maps section of the Maps topic for more details.

Layers can be added at the map root level or can be added to layer groups.

To create a layer group:

1. On the Layers tab of the Map Designer, select the map root.
2. In the Layers group of the Map tab, select Add Group.

   This opens the Name Group dialog.

3. Enter a name for the layer group and click OK.

   The new layer group is added to the top of the tree.

You can now add a layer to the layer group by selecting it in the tree, then selecting Add Layer in the Layers group of the Map tab.

Tip: You can rename a layer group by selecting it in the tree, then selecting Edit group name from its context menu.

To edit layers:

1. In the Layers group of the Map tab, select Manage.

   The Manage Map Layers dialog is displayed.

2. Select the layer of interest in the layer list.
3. Click the Edit... button to edit the layer.

   The Configure Map Layer dialog is displayed with the layer characteristics.

4. Edit the layer as desired.
5. Click OK to commit your changes and close the dialog.
6. Repeat the previous steps if there are more layers to edit.
7. Once done, commit all the changes by clicking Close on the Manage Map Layers dialog. This closes the dialog.

To edit layer look and feel:

1. In the Layers group of the Map tab, select Manage.

   The Manage Map Layers dialog is displayed.

2. Select the layer of interest in the layer list.
3. Click the Edit... button to edit the layer.

   The Configure Map Layer dialog is displayed with the layer characteristics.

4. Click the ellipsis button to the right of the Configure display properties dropdown list.

   The appropriate dialog is displayed.

5. Edit the layer as desired.

   Refer to the Map Layer Properties dialog, Layer Visibility dialog, Label Visibility dialog and WMS Layer Properties dialog topics for more information on the settings that can be customised.

6. Click OK to commit your changes and close the dialog.
7. Click OK on the Configure Map Layer dialog to commit your changes and close the dialog.
8. Repeat the previous steps if there are more layers to edit.
9. Once done, commit all the changes by clicking Close on the Manage Map Layers dialog. This closes the dialog.

For instructions on how to view the history of a selected layer, refer to Viewing Layer History.

It is possible to "roll back" the properties of a layer to a previous version. Refer to the Rolling back Layers topic for further details.

To delete layers:

1. In the Layers group of the Map tab, select Manage.

   The Manage Map Layers dialog is displayed.

2. Select the layer to delete by clicking on it on the list.
3. Click the Delete button.

   Note: Only layers that are not used in the application (or in any of its forms) or the current map can be deleted.

   A prompt is displayed, asking you for confirmation.

4. Click Yes to confirm deletion.

   Tip: Any published layer that has been deleted can be restored by using the Restore button provided the application has not been published in the meantime.

5. Click OK to commit the changes and close the dialog.

Published layers are only permanently deleted once the application is published. Non published layers, on the other hand, are deleted as soon as the Manage Map Layers dialog is closed.

To restore layers:

1. In the Layers group of the Map tab, select Manage.

   The Manage Map Layers dialog is displayed.

2. Click the Restore... button.

   The Restore Layer dialog is displayed. This dialog contains the layers that have been deleted for the current application.

3. In the list, select the layer to restore.
4. Click OK.

   The Restore Layer dialog closes, and the restored layer is listed in the Manage Map Layers dialog.

5. Click the Close button to close the dialog.

It is possible to search for objects in layers:

1. Ensure a map is currently being displayed in InfoAsset Mobile, either on the Map tab or within a report.
2. In the Tools group of the Map tab, select Map Layer Search.

   The Map Layer Search dialog is displayed.

3. Click the Basic page or the Advanced page, depending on the type of search to be conducted.
4. Select the layer of interest in the Layer dropdown list.
5. Enter the search criteria.
6. Click the Search button.

   A message is displayed informing you of the number of found objects.

7. Click OK to close it or leave it (it will disappear after 30 sec).

   The results are displayed in a grid in the Map Layer Search dialog.

8. Select an object (a row) and either double-click it or select Center map from the context menu to select it and zoom to it on the Map view.

It is possible to copy the content of a single selected cell or row by respectively selecting Copy cell or Copy row from the context menu.

9. Click the OK button to close the dialog.