Map help: functions and practical applications

• MAP WINDOW
• - Change language
• - Size of the map
• - Display coordinates
• NAVIGATION & ORIENTATION
• - Zoom in and zoom out (change the map scale)
• - Zoom in to a section of the map
• - Direction arrows
• - Panning tool
• - Navigation (overview) pane
• - Geographical search (centre on coordinates)
• - Geographical search (place name or postcode)
• - Display history (back / next)
• - Back to start
• SELECTION AND DISPLAY OF DATA
• - Full text search for data
• - Search for data using the directory structure (catalogue)
• - Change the cartographic background
• - Change the visibility of the selected data-set (layer)
• - Change the order of the selected data-sets (layers)
• - Remove selected data-sets (layers)
• - View additional information about a data-set (layer)
• - View information about an object on the map
• HOW TO ORDER DATA
• PRINT
• LINKING and INTEGRATION
• - Access to map data using the “Application Programming Interface” (API)
• - Store the current map view or send it in an e-mail
• - Store a link to an object or send it in an e-mail
• - Use parameters to call up a map
• ADVANCED FUNCTIONS
• - Measure
• - Drawing
• - WMS Import
• - KML Import
• - Compare
• GENERATING KML FILE AND USING IT ONLINE
• - How to create a .kml file
• - How to publish a file online
• TECHNICAL AND LEGAL INFORMATION
• - Technical information and support
• - Legal notice / Terms and conditions of use

The application detects the default language of the browser. If you prefer another of the available languages, click on the link at top right.

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The “Enlarged map” button allows the left-hand side of the screen to be suppressed so that the main map window fills the full width of the screen.

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When the mouse cursor is on the map, its coordinates (in the national coordinate system) are displayed below the main map window.

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This tool can be used to change the scale of the map. To enlarge or reduce the scale, click on the plus or minus button, move the slider, click directly on the desired step of the sliding scale or simply use the mouse wheel.

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Zoom in to a rectangular map section by depressing the SHIFT key and drawing a rectangle with the left-hand mouse button.

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A click on any of the direction arrows shifts (pans) the map by 10% of its size in the desired direction.

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The panning tool can be used in two ways to shift the map on display: click and hold down to move the map; double click on a desired point to recentre the map.

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This map is at the bottom right of the window and can be displayed or hidden by clicking on the corner icon. It shows an overview of the whole of Switzerland. Depending on the scale of the main map display, a red rectangle or cross symbol indicates the position of the current window. The overview map (navigation pane) is also interactive and is dynamically linked with the main map window. Shifting the rectangle or the cross symbol on the navigation pane moves the main map window to the new position.

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If the coordinates of a point of interest are known, these can simply be entered in the “Search location, zip, coordinate” field, to centre the map on the required point: for example "600000 200000" in national coordinates or "46.5 6.0" in Lat. and Long.

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The “Search location, zip, coordinate” field enables direct access to any place or commune name, any Swiss postcode or indeed any location named on the national map at any scale (mountain, valley, pass, hamlet, farmhouse, hut, river, stream, lake, etc. etc.) As soon as a letter or number is entered, suggestions for place names or postcodes respectively will start to appear; if the desired name or postcode becomes visible it is then sufficient to click on it.

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The “display history” function can be used to navigate backwards and forwards among the different views displayed during your map viewer session.

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The “Home” (All of Switzerland) button takes you straight back to the map viewer’s starting screen.

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Under "Search" you can enter search terms (keywords such as marsh, road, commune, earthquake) in order to search through all centrally available digital geodata. When you select one of the results offered, this is directly displayed by the map viewer, as a separate layer of data. A maximum of five data-sets (layers) can be displayed simultaneously.

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Under "Catalogue" you will find all available digital data classified by theme. When you select a data-set (by clicking on the circle symbol to the right) it will be displayed directly by the map viewer, as a separate layer of data. A maximum of five data-sets (layers) can be displayed simultaneously.

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The cartographic background is provided by the national map at the selected scale in colour or black-and-white (1). The map can be partially or wholly replaced by aerial photography by sliding the horizontal cursor (2).

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The transparency/opacity of each selected data-set (layer) can be individually adjusted by showing the layer options (1) and sliding the horizontal cursor (2). The options can then be hidden again if required.

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The order of the selected data-sets (layers) can be changed by using the up or down arrows (1) in the “Selection of layers” pane.

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A selected data-set (layer) can be removed from the “Selection of layers” list and from the map view by using the “Remove layer” (Close) button (1).

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In the “Selection of layers”, “Search” or “Catalogue” pane, the “i” button provides access to an information window about the selected data-set (layer). This provides information about the range of applicable scales, available metadata, a description of the data, how to order data, the relevant thematic geoportal and WMS service and the currency (latest revision date) of the data.

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Where vector data-sets (points, lines or areas) are displayed, the attributes of individual objects can be interrogated simply by means of a mouse click. Where several layers are overlaid, information will be provided about the objects under the cursor in all applicable data-sets.

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Data displayed in the main map window can, if so permitted, be obtained direct from the relevant Federal Office. Use the “i” button (1) to access the information window about the selected data-set (layer); “Order data” is listed together with “Link for download” (2); use this to access the data supply system of the Federal Office concerned.

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The “Print” function enables you to produce portable document format (.pdf) files containing an extract of the main map and any background data, together with information such as the map scale. You can save these files and print them out. The “Print” button opens a dialogue box for your choice of scale of the A4 page to be downloaded and printed, independent of the scale of the map view on display. The printable area will be highlighted in red and can be moved with the mouse. The legend for selected thematic data-sets (layers) can also be printed separately by using the “i” button of the relevant layer. CAUTION: pdf files can occupy several megabytes (MB) which may take a considerable time to download if your Internet connection is slow.

Legend: Legends of all active layer are added on the second page of the print out.

1. Resize the print area
2. Move the print area
3. Rotate the print area (Warning: the North will not appear anymore on the top of the printed page).

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The “Link” function enables you to copy and store the URL of the current map view (data-sets, location, scale) and/or send it in an e-mail.

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With some vector data-sets (points, lines and areas) it is possible to generate a link (URL) direct to an object on the map. When “Object information” is viewed, the bottom line is “Link to object” (1). One click centres the object in the current window; a double click opens it in a new window with the object centred. The “Link” function can then be used to copy the URL then save it or send it in an e-mail.

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Use parameters to call up a map

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The results can be printed (see "Print") and saved as PDF. To leave this function, just close all windows linked to this tool.

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Azimuth: Calculation of horizontal angle, distance/radius and elevation difference.

With the Drawing/Redlining function, you can create annotations on the map. Graphic objects or personal text can be placed on the map.
Activation of the menu by clicking on Drawing

1. Create point 2. Create line 3. Create polygon 4. Create label 5. Edit an object 6. Delete all

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1) Select at least one layer in the catalog [INSPIRE]
2) In "Advanced functions", select "Compare"
3) Click the mouse on the red line and keep it pressed to move it horizontally
4-5) The comparison is done between the first activated layer in the Selection (left) and all the layers below it (right)
6) The name of the first layer is displayed, on mouse over the red line
7) The available informations by clicking on the map are always related to the first activated layer in Selection

All other functions are active (zoom, pan, measure, drawing, etc...)
The print do not include the comparison. A PDF is generated with all selected layers.
The permalink with layers comparison is operational and can even be used on the Mobile version.

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Online KML Generator

• Modify the copied Link by changing the word "leaf" by "uc" between "https://docs.google.com/" and "?id=…", the link can be use in the "KML import" in map.geo.admin.ch

Exemple: http://map.geo.admin.ch/?Y=600769&X=198300.5&zoom=7&bgOpacity=0&bgLayer=ch.swisstopo.pixelkarte-grau&layers=KML%7C%7Chttps%3A%2F%2Fdocs.google.com%2Fuc%3Fid%3D0B4uRuJ1hajZmZjJlZDNiMGItNmU0Zi00N2FlLWJiZDItM2UwZDA3YmQwYzk3%26hl%3Dfr&layers_opacity=1&layers_visibility=true&lang=en

Publish with Dropbox

• Create your account: http://www.dropbox.com (You can install it or only use the web interface on this website)
• Move your KML File in the public folder once the file is in your Public folder, simply right-click it once to open a menu. Choose "Dropbox > Copy public link" (Dropbox installed on your computer) or "Copy public link" (Web interface). (More information about Shared document in Dropbox: http://www.dropbox.com/help/16)
• The link can be used in the "KML import" in map.geo.admin.ch
  

Example: http://map.geo.admin.ch/?Y=600769&X=198300.5&zoom=7&bgOpacity=0&bgLayer=ch.swisstopo.pixelkarte-grau&layers=KML%7C%7Chttp%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropbox.com%2Fu%2F44486020%2Fswisstopo.kml&layers_opacity=1&layers_visibility=true&lang=en

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