Gulf of Maine Mapping Portal - GoMMaP
 

View Maps

Map Viewer is a simple yet powerful online tool that provides users with easy access to maps about the Gulf of Maine that are dynamically created by integrating maps made available over the web.

The maps available in the Map Viewer are not meant to be comprehensive. They represent just a subset of all the maps available from organizations that have implemented web mapping services. The maps in the viewer demonstrate the capability to dynamically create a single map by combining maps and layers from multiple organizations over the web.

> Start exploring maps now

Make your own map from the many maps and layers served by the GoMMaP partners and others with the Map Builder.

How to Use Map Viewer

Map Viewer is a simple yet powerful online tool that allows users to create custom maps by choosing from a large number of data layers served over the web by partner organizations.

This guide provides instructions on how to use the GoMMaP Map Viewer application to view oceanographic data provided by GoMMaP partners.


Map Viewer Interface

1. Map Navigation Tools

2. Map Selection Tool

3. Map

4. Layer Manager

5. Map Information Elements

6. Other tools


1. Map Navigation Tools

This set of tools allows you to navigate the map, change its size and get information about some features.

Zoom In

The Zoom In tool allows you to 'zoom in', or view an area of the map in greater detail.

Instructions: Once you select the tool by clicking on the button you can use it one of two ways:

1. Click once on the map. This will zoom in on the map (by a factor of two) and recenter the map at the point you clicked.

2. Click, hold the button down and drag. As you drag the mouse you will draw a box. When you release the button the map will refresh and zoom in to the area you drew.

Notes: When you select the Zoom In tool the button will 'click in' and look like this to indicate that it is selected.

Zoom Out

The Zoom Out tool allows you to 'zoom out' or view a larger are of the map in less detail.

Instructions: To use the tool, select it and click once on the map.

Notes: When you select the Zoom In tool the button will 'click in' and look like this to indicate that it is selected.

Zoom To Full Extents

The Zoom To Full Extents tool returns the map to the original view. It is useful to reset the map after zooming or panning.

Instructions: To use the tool simply click the button and the map will redraw.

Pan Map

The Pan Map tool allows you to see adjacent parts of the map by dragging it in any direction.

Instructions: To use the tool, select the button then click on the map, hold the mouse button down, and drag.

Notes: When you select the Pan Map tool the button will 'click in' and look like this to indicate that it is selected.

Identify Feature

The Identify Feature tool allows you to get information about some features on the map.

Instructions: To use the tool, select the button then click once on a feature on the map. If the feature(s) you clicked have attribute information an new window containing a table with the attributes will pop up. Here is an example of how the resulting window might look:

Notes:

  • When you select the Pan Map tool the button will 'click in' and look like this to indicate that it is selected.
  • Only features that are configured to return attribute information on the originating server will return results. If you click on features that cannot return information you will be presented with the following message in the new window: The layers did not return any results

Save the Current Map

This tool allows you to save the map you have created as a web map context file.

Instructions: To use the tool click the button to open the dialog then click the Save map context button. You may be prompted to open or save the file. To save the file select 'save' then select a name for the file and the location in which to save it.

Notes:

  • For more information on web map context files click here
  • By default the file name will be context.cml. You can keep this name or change it to whatever you like. It is recommended that you keep the .cml extension.

For more information on web map context files click here.

Map Size

The Map Size tool allows you to change the size of the map.

Instructions: To use it select one of the sizes from the pull down menu. If you select one of the predefined sizes from the list the map will automatically change size. If you choose Custom... a dialog box will open in which you can type in the desired width and height. Once you have entered those values, click Ok to apply the change. The dialog looks like this:

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2. Map Selection Tool

GoMMaP provides a number of pre-made maps. The Map Selection tool allows you to select a pre-made map.

Instructions: Click the pull-down list to see the choices and select a map. The map will change automatically once you make your selection. The checkboxes in the Layer Manager will change to reflect the map selection.

Notes: After selecting a map it may take several seconds for the map to load. Please be patient. You can change the appearance of the pre-made map using the Layer Manager once the map has loaded.

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3. Map

This is the main map display. The map includes the layers that are checked in the Layer Manager.

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4. Layer Manager

The Layer manager tool allows you to change the appearance of the map by making layers visible or invisible. The layer manager also allows you to view metadata and legend graphics when they are available. The Layer Manager looks like this:

Instructions: Use the check boxes beside each layer to toggle visibility. When the box is checked like this the layer is visible. When the box is unchecked like this the layer is not visible.

Click on layer names in the Layer Manager to see metadata and legend graphics when available. When you click a layer name a new Layer Information window containing the information pops up. A Layer Information window might look like this:

Notes:

  • Not all servers are capable of providing legend graphics so you may find that there are no legend graphics available for some or all of the layers in your map. Most WMS server software packages are moving toward more complete support of this feature and in the future there should be more and more legend graphics available. Even where software permits, it is still at the discretion of the server administrator whether or not to provide legend graphics
  • You can turn on and off any layers in the Layer Manager. Selecting a map from the Map Selection Tool changes the selections, but you can override them.

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5. Map Information Elements

The Map Information elements below the map give information about the location of your map view and the approximate scale of the map.


The key map, or reference map shows the current map view in a larger context.

Instructions: The current map view is indicated by the red box on the map. As you zoom in, zoom out or pan the box will change size and location to match the view you are creating in the main map. You can also click on the key map to recenter the main map. The map will redraw with the center at the point you clicked on the key map.


The scale bar allows you to estimate distances on the map.

Instructions: The scale bar changes as you zoom in or out on the map to reflect the current scale. You do not need to do anything to the scalebar itself, it will update automatically.

Notes: The scale bar is a guide only as it provides approximate distances. The scale is actually different at different points on the map. The scale bar is considered most accurate at the map's center.


The Longitude and Latitude display shows the geographic coordinates of the position of the cursor.

Instructions: As you move the cursor around the main map display you will see the coordinates change to indicate the current location.

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6. Other tools

The final two tools allow you to refresh the map and view legend graphics if they are available.


The Redraw Map button refreshes the map view.

Instructions: After changing layer visibility using the check boxes in the Layer Manager you will need to click the Redraw Map button to see your changes.


The Map Legend button brings up a new window containing legend information for the layers in the Layer Manager when they are available.

Instructions: To open the legend window click the Map Legend button. A Map Legend window might look like this:

In this example two of the layers have legend graphics and the others contain the message: Legend Not Available. The reason there is an Apply button at the bottom is because some servers may be capable of providing more than one color scheme or set of symbols for a layer. If that is the case you will be able to select the desired one using a radio button and click Apply or OK to apply the style.

You can also click on the layer names to get metadata for each layer where it is available. When you click a layer name a Layer Information window will appear.

Notes: Not all servers are capable of providing legend graphics so you may find that there are no legend graphics available for some or all of the layers in your map. Most WMS server software packages are moving toward more complete support of this feature and in the future there should be more and more legend graphics available. Even where software permits, it is still at the discretion of the server administrator whether or not to provide legend graphics.

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