Tool Bar
Legend
displays the map legend key on the information panel on the left side of the screen
indicating what each map symbol represents.
Layers
(yellow colored layer icon). This tool opens a list of optional themes (layers)
that you may select to have visible on maps. You can choose from up to a dozen options.
A more detailed description appears below, in section 4.
Toggle
(rectangle with red box in upper left corner) Clicking on this tool will insert
a small overview map onto the upper left hand corner of the general map display
area. When zoomed into a small area, this overview map can be helpful in keeping
track of where you are on the main map.
Zoom In
(the magnifying glass with the + sign) Use this tool to make objects on the map
bigger.
To zoom in to an area, Pick the Zoom in button from the panel, release and move
over the map. Pick lower left corner of area of interest, hold mouse button down
and drag away. Release mouse button at upper right corner of the area you want to
see. The map will regenerate showing the area you have selected. Some layers may
disappear and some new layers may become visible. The current scale will be shown
in status area, bottom right. This scale is useful for deciding whether to turn
on more layers.
Zoom Out
(the magnifying glass with the - sign) Use this to make objects on the map smaller,
and see more area.
Pick the ZOOM OUT button, release, then move over the map and click mouse once over
the map’s center (or where you want the new center to be). The map will redisplay
with more area visible. Again, some layers may disappear or reappear.
Zoom to Full Extent
(blank magnifying glass). Clicking this button will cause the map to expand to show
all areas of the map.
Back to Last Element
Clicking on this button will cause the map to return to your immediately previous
map view.
Pan
(hand) Click and release this button to turn on the pan tool. Now place the cursor
over the map, click down, and drag the map in the direction you wish to move it.
Release the button and the map will regenerate using the same scale but having a
new centre.
Identity Tool
(lower case letter 'i') – Click on this button and release to turn your mouse cursor
into a query tool. Click on an item of interest in the map, that is on the active
layer, and a popup report will indicate attribute data about that item. For example,
a road segment will indicate the name, segment length, and possibly an address range.
If nothing happens either you didn't click quite close enough to the entity or you
forgot the make the correct layer “active”.
Search Tool
(small image of table with red question mark) – Clicking on this button will open
up a search box in the information panel area.
You can select from three programmed search functions: Find a Parcel, Locate a Street
or Locate a Park. Selecting one of these options will open a new box in the information
panel, allowing you to type in the search criteria (such as parcel information,
a road name or the name of a park or features in parks that you would like to find)
Information about the item or items you requested will appear in a table on the
left side of the screen. It is possible that many entities match your query and
all will be listed. You can then scroll to the one of interest. A link is provided
in the Record box, allowing you to go directly to the appropriate map. For Parks
searches a link appears along the bottom that allows you to go directly to the website
page with specific information pertaining to that specific park.
Measure Distance
(image of ruler) Use this tool to measure distances on the map. Each time you click
the map, a new point is added. If you click the map three times, you will end up
with two lines segments – one from the first point to the second point and one from
the second point to the third.
You can add as many segments as you like. As you move your mouse away from the last
point, the segment length changes in the Segment text box. The next time you click
the map, the new segment length is added to the total length in the Total text box.
To clear the Total and remove segments from the map, click Clear Selection on the
toolbar. If you are done measuring, click another tool on the toolbar.
Clear Selection Tool
(image of eraser) Click this tool at any time to clear any selections you may have
made. This tool is often used when you make a mistake and wish to start selecting
all over, or when you complete one query and wish to start fresh on a new query.
Print Map Tool
(image of printer) Click this tool and print options will appear below the map display
area. A new browser window opens containing a printable version of your map. Click
the print icon to immediately print the map or you can use the File and Print menu.
When the print dialogue box appears, check the print settings and make any necessary
changes. Click okay and the map prints complete with a title, disclaimer and North
arrow.
Map Layers
A layer represents a theme within a map, such as roads, properties, lakes, and so
on. Data can be represented by a line, a solid area, a point symbol, or text. Some
layers can be viewed at any scale (they are always available). Many layers are only
available within certain scale limits. Layers containing detailed information such
as legal descriptions will usually not display until you zoom in close and reduce
the scale.
Only one layer can be “active” at any one time. You can make a layer active by clicking
the radio button next to the name. Queries automatically apply to the active layer.
For example, to query for road names, the “roads” layer must be active. The results
of the identity function will also depend on which layer is active.
Initially, the following layers are available on the GIS map system:
- RDCO Boundaries- this layer shows the boundaries of the Regional District of Central
Okanagan.
- Major Highways- this layer will display major highways within the region.
- Water Districts- when this layer is activated, information will be displayed showing
the specific water districts within the Regional District.
- Fire Districts- when this layer is active, information will be displayed showing
the specific fire district within the Regional District.
- Map Grids- this layer shows map grid numbers for reference on various printed topographic
maps
- Lakes- this layer will show only larger lakes within the Regional District. Please
note no names are currently displayed.
- Jurisdictions- this layer will show a colored display outlining local municipalities
and native reserves within the Regional District of Central Okanagan boundaries.
These additional layers are available on more detailed map views:
- Zone Annotations- indicates the current zoning of parcels
- Legal Descriptions- indicates the current legal description of parcels
- Roads- shows roads when activated
- Road Names- shows the names of roads
- Land Use Zones- indicates current land use for properties
- Land Use Contracts- this layer indicates whether zoning has been modified
- RDCO Parks- this layer shows parks in the Regional District of Central Okanagan
- Parcels- when activated, this layer displays parcels
When available, a layer can be turned off and on by clicking the check box to the
left of the layer name. Layers are drawn on your screen over top of each other in
the reverse order they are listed in the layers section. Since some layers may hide
layers you are interested in, you may need to turn off some layers. Also, reducing
the data clutter on the screen will refresh a map faster and the view will be less
confusing.
If you turn a layer on and no new data appears, it may be because you are in a part
of the map where no data exists such as areas outside of built-up areas. Or another
layer may be hiding the data you seek.