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Organization of Data into Layers
The map author organizes the data in a map into map
layers. Layers are like transparencies that can be
stacked and viewed at one time, or viewed separately. For
example, there might be one layer that contains roads, another
that contains cities, and another that contains state boundaries.
When you turn on all of the layers, you see a single map with
all of the data: roads, cities, and states. To see only the
states and cities, you can turn off the roads layer to hide
the roads.
The map author can also separate different types of data into
separate layers, and even separate different levels of detail
into separate layers. Additionally, because the map data is
on separate layers, you can easily select the features you
want from a specific layer without selecting overlapping features
from other layers.
A map can also contain groups of layers, which are called
layer groups. With layer groups, you can turn
on or off all of the layers in the group at one time.
In the following illustration, "Planning" is a layer
group, and the other items are layers.
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Working with Layers and Layer Groups
The map legend displays layers and groups of layers,
called layer groups. You can control the layers
and layer groups in the following ways:
Displaying
or Hiding Layers or Layer Groups
You can display or hide the features on a map layer by turning
the layer on or off. This is useful for viewing exactly the
features you want to see.
To turn on a layer or layer group
- Select
the check box next to the layer or layer group's name in
the legend.
To turn off a layer or layer group
-
Clear that check box next to the layer or layer group's
name in the legend.
Note: If you select more than one layer or layer
group, and then select or clear the check box, the display
status of all the selected items will be the same.
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Displaying or Hiding the List of Layers in a Layer Group
You can show or hide the list of layers in a layer group. Note
that showing or hiding the list of layers does not turn the
layers on or off; it simply displays the layer names in the
legend.
To show the list of layers in a layer group
- Right-click
the layer group and choose Expand from the popup menu, or
simply double-click the layer group.
To hide the list of layers in a layer group
- Right-click
the layer group and choose Collapse from the popup menu,
or simply double-click the layer group.
To change the status of multiple layer groups
- Select
multiple layer groups and then choose Expand or Collapse
from the popup menu.
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Turning On or Off All the Layers in a Layer Group
You can turn on or off all of the layers in a layer group with
a single command.
To turn on all the layers in a layer group
- Right-click
the layer group and choose Turn On All Layers from the popup
menu.
To turn off all the layers in a layer group
- Right-click
the layer group and choose Turn Off All Layers from the
popup menu.
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Rebuilding Layers
If a layer is not displaying properly, such as during a server
error, you can rebuild it. If the map contains layer groups,
you can rebuild all of the layers in the layer group. You
can rebuild any layer except a buffer or redline layer. The
following illustration shows a layer that did not download
correctly, indicated by the icon to the left of the layer
name.
To rebuild layers:
1. Select one or more layers or layer groups in the
legend.
2. Right-click and choose Rebuild from the popup menu.
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Showing or Hiding a List of Styles for a Layer
If a map layer has styles assigned to it, you can show or hide
the list of styles for the layer.
To show the list of styles for a layer:
1. Select one or more layers in the legend.
2. Right-click and choose Expand from the popup menu.
To hide the list of styles for a layer:
1. Select one or more layers in the legend.
2. Right-click and choose Collapse from the popup menu.
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Showing or Hiding a List of Theme Categories for a Layer
If the map author created a theme for a layer, the categories
for that theme appear below the layer name in the legend. You
can choose whether or not to display the names of these theme
categories in the legend by expanding or collapsing the list.
To show or hide a layer's theme categories:
- To
expand a list, right-click the layer name in the legend
and then choose Expand, or simply double-click the layer
name. The theme categories for the layer appear below their
names in the legend.
-
To compress a list, right-click the layer name in the legend
and then choose Collapse, or simply double-click the layer
name. The theme categories for the layer disappear so that
only the layer name is displayed in the legend. Note that
although the list is collapsed, the theme categories are
still active on the map.
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