Advanced Tools

export/reports allows for the creation of simple basic reports of selected records.  Reports are available in the following formats:

• PDF
• HTML
• CSV (Excel)

1. In order to create a report, first select the desired features. 
2. Then click on "export/reports".  A window will appear which allows the user to select the desired report format. 
3. Click on the desired format wait a few minutes for the report to be displayed.  Depending on the report format, a map may be generated with the report.  The report can be saved by the user or printed.

 A future release will contain integration with Crystal Reports for much more robust reporting capabilities.  Please keep in mind that not all datasets are presently set-up for reporting.  If you need reports on a dataset not currently set-up, please let the GIS staff know of your needs.

buffer selections some datasets can be buffered at a user inputted distance.  This will allow the user to see or select features from the same dataset or a different dataset that lie within a specified distance of the select features.

1. In order to create a buffer, first select the desired features to be buffered.
2. Then click on "buffer selections".
3. A window will appear which allows the user to determine the type of buffer desired and the buffer distance.
4. Use the combo box to select the desired buffer type.  If you only want to see the buffer, but not select any features, use "display buffer area only".  If you would like to select features, pick the appropriate dataset from the list.  You can only select features from one dataset at a time.  To select features from more than one dataset, the buffer will have to created for each dataset individually.
5. Type in the desired buffer distance.  The allowable buffer range is displayed at the bottom of the window.  If you need a buffer that is outside of the allowable range, please let the GIS staff know of your needs.
6. When you are ready to create the buffer, click on the "apply button.  The buffer area will displayed, and the selected features will be highlighted.  Depending on the scale of your map after the buffer, the selected features will be shaded or have star.

Generate URL provides a URL that reloads the current map view at any time. To use this tool, click "general url" and copy the URL that appears in the window.  You can copy this URL into another program like word or note pad for future use.

To view the current map at another time, simply enter this URL into your browser's address field.  Generally it will be easier to user the save my map feature.  One have advantage to using the generate url tool is that you will not loose references to your map if you clear cookies from your computer.

Display manager allows you to select and deselect all the layers that appear on the current map. The display manager window has five key areas:.

• Move: To move any layer above or beneath another layer, click the circle next to the layer and then click an arrow at the top of the window. Layers are displayed in the order they appear on the map, with the first item on the list appearing above all other layers.
• Layer (Group) Name: Displays the name of all layers available on this map.
• Checkboxes: Show which layers will be displayed on the current map.
• Visibility: Show the scale range for which each layer will be visible.  This setting can not be changed by the user.
• Once you're happy with the way the layers are positioned, click the "apply" button to view an updated map.
• Symbology: Some layers have alternate symbology set-up which allows the user to change the layer is displayed on the map.  The layers with alternate symbology will have a bar code type symbol next to the layer name, under the symbology column.  Click on this symbol to change symbology.  A window will appear that will allow you choose the type of rendering, restore the default symbology, return to display manager, or continue changing the symbology.  To continue click on the "continue" button.  Another window will appear that will allow you to choose from the different fields that have alternate symbology created.  Use the combo box to select the desired field, and click the arrow next to the combo box.  You will see the new symbology information displayed below.  if you still want to make the change, click on the "apply" button.  You will see the new symbology displayed in the map.
• Future releases will also contain links to the metadata information for the layers in the map

Preferences allows you to select the size of the map panel by selecting your desired size from the drop down menu. This feature is also accessible through the scale tool bar.