Create or update a shared layer – OpenCities

This task can be undertaken by users with the following roles: OC Map Manager.

Shared layers are layers that are created separately from maps, and which can be used on any map created on the site. Layers sit on top of a map and allow you to present information and display points of interest. Layers can also be created for use on only one map.

To create or update a shared layer:

From the main menu, go to More > Maps > Layers.
Select Create layer to start creating a new shared layer, or
Select a layer from the list to start editing it.

The layers menu

If you are creating a new shared layer, you can choose to build it based on pages in your site or import an external layer like a kml. file from Google Earth or another GIS platform.

Based on your pages

Building a layer based on your pages allows you to create layers specific to your content types or content labels.

You can only create layers based on pages with a location field, such as OC Events or OC Venues.

Here are the fields you can edit:

Field	Function
Layer based on your pages
Name	The name of the layer.
Description	A brief description of the layer for internal purposes.
Content types to include	Select which content types to include on this layer: All: show a map pin for all content types that have built-in location fields Some: choose which content types to display on the map. You can only select from content types that have a built-in location field.
Labels to include	Select which content labels to filter the pages on this layer: All: the layer will source pages with any content label, from pages of a content type that has built-in location fields Some: the layer will source from pages with the labels you specify of a content type that has built-in location fields. Check the box for 'Each page must have all labels' to only include pages that have all the labels you've chosen.
Include content from these sites	Select which sites you want to source pages from.
Display features
Legend label	A label used to help filter information on the map. If left blank, the system will use the layer's name in the legend.
Marker	Set what kind of marker to use for this layer. You have 2 options: Upload marker: use the 'Upload marker' button if you have a custom icon file. If you have a custom icon, make sure it's no smaller than 22 x 22px and no larger than 72 x 72px. Additionally, you can only upload these file types: .jpg, .jpeg, and .png. Build marker: use this option to build a marker using our preset options. We have a drop marker or square marker you can choose from. You can choose the color and size of the marker as well. Your marker will preview next to the selection options.

Once you've finished editing the layer, select Save.

the build a layer based on content types options

Import layer (kml. or kmz.)

You can use kml. or kmz. files to upload external layers from Google Earth or another GIS platform. Here are the fields you can edit:

Field	Function
Layer based on kml. or kmz.
Name	The name of the layer
Description	A brief description of the layer for internal purposes
Kml file	Select the kml. or kmz. file you want to use. Either enter the URL link into the 'Enter URL' field or use the 'Upload' button to upload the file from your computer.
Display features
Legend label	A label used to help filter information on the map. If left blank, the system will use the layer's name in the legend. This label will only apply to the legend, it will not affect any markers in the kml. file.
Marker	Set what kind of marker to use for this layer. You have 2 options: Upload marker: use the 'Upload marker' button if you have a custom icon file. If you have a custom icon, make sure it's no smaller than 22 x 22px and no larger than 72 x 72px. Additionally, you can only upload these file types: .jpg, .jpeg, and .png. Build marker: use this option to build a marker using our presets. We have a drop marker or square marker you can choose from, and you can choose which color and size it has as well. Your marker will preview next to the selection options.

Once you've finished editing the layer, select Save.

The marker for the map pin is the icon in the code of the .kml file. This icon's file is stored in the mapping system from which the kml. file is extracted. As the icon file is stored in the mapping system and not in the OpenCities Files library, a default blue Google Maps pin will display on the map to indicate all locations in the kml. file.

If you want to customize the marker, upload the custom icon to the Files library and modify the kml. file to point at the uploaded marker in OpenCities. For help with this, consult with your GIS team.

Then, upload an Icon to show as the marker in the map's legend by choosing Upload marker. Please use an icon that is no smaller than 22x22 px and no larger than 72x72 px. If you don’t have a marker to upload, choose Build marker and build your own.

the import a layer options

Shared layers can be added to maps when you are creating or editing them. A shared layer will be indicated in the layers list with the '(Shared)' label.

What else?