MapMaker Help: Overview | Toolbar | Layer List
Toolbar Help
The Toolbar, located at the top of the Map Frame, gives you access to the interactive features of the maps. Each tool is activated by clicking on its icon.
Some of the tools can only be used on the Active Layer. These include "Identify," "Query," "Find," "Buffer," "Select by Rectangle," and "Select by Line/Polygon."
Important Note: Several of the tools use popup windows to display information about the map. You may need to set your browser to allow popups from www.nrdmapmaker.org in order to see these messages and to allow the tools to work correctly.
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Legend/Layer List Toggle
The Legend/Layer List tool toggles the layer box on the right side of the MapMaker window between a list of the current layers and a map legend. The Layer List is the default setting.
Overview Map Toggle
The Overview Map tool turns the small overview map in the upper left corner of the Map Frame on or off (it is turned on by default).
Zoom In
The Zoom In tool allows you to zoom in on a portion of the map. With the tool active, click on the map to zoom. When you click and release the mouse button, the view will zoom in increments. If you click and hold the mouse button down, you can draw a rectangle on a specific area of the map. When you release the mouse button, the view will zoom in on that portion of the map.
Zoom Out
The Zoom Out tool lets you zoom out on the map. It works like the Zoom In tool, except that clicking and holding to draw a rectangle will zoom out to the map's full extent (the "full extent" shows the map view with the least detail and the largest scale).
Zoom to Full Extent
Clicking on the Zoom to Full Extent icon will zoom the map view out to its full extent (the view with the least detail and the largest scale).
Zoom to Active Layer
Clicking on the Zoom to Active Layer icon will zoom the map view to the Active Layer.
Zoom to Previous Extent
The Zoom to Previous Extent will return you to your previous view if you have used one of the other zoom tools.
Pan
The Pan tool allows you to shift the map view in any direction. When the tool is active, click, hold and drag on the map in the direction you want to pan. The map view will continue to shift as long as you are dragging.
Identify
When the Identify tool is active, you can click on a map feature to view data about that feature. The information will pop up in a new window.
You can only retrieve information about features on the Active Layer. If you click on an area of the map where there are no features on the Active Layer, you will receive a message that says "No information found."
Query
Clicking on the Query icon will activate a new window where you can enter information to launch a query on the Active Layer. This lets you search for specific features or groups of features. (Note: If you are unfamiliar with using Query commands, the "Find" tool may be easier for you to use.)
The "Field" menu in the Query window lets you choose what feature parameters you want to search for. For instance, if you wanted to search a City layer for the town of Wahoo, you would choose "TOWNNAME" from the dropdown menu.
The "Operator" menu lets you choose how you want to search -- for features that match your search terms exactly, for features that are less than or greater than your search terms (if you are using numbers), etc. To search for Wahoo, you would choose the equals sign (=) from the dropdown menu.
The "Values" form lets you enter your search terms. Click on the "Get Samples" to see some examples of valid terms from the Active Layer. To search for Wahoo by name, you would enter "Wahoo" in this field.
When your query is complete, click the "Add to Query String" button to enter the query. Press "Execute" to carry out the query, UnDo to remove the query, or clear to reset all values in the Query window.
The Query results will appear in the same window. The first column in each of the search results (labeled "Rec") contains a hyperlink; clicking on the link will zoom the map to that feature and highlight it.
Find
The Find tool allows you to search for a particular feature. It is similar to the Query feature, but is more user-friendly for novices.
When you click on the Find icon, a new window will pop up where you can enter your search parameters. For instance, if you entered "Platte River" as your search terms, the results would show you all of the features on the Active Layer matching that description.
The first column in each of the search results (labeled "Rec") contains a hyperlink; clicking on the link will zoom the map to that feature and highlight it.
Measure
The Measure tool allows you to measure the distance between any two points in the Map Frame. When you make the tool active, two small windows will appear at the top of the Map Frame. The first, "Total," will show the total distance you have measured. The second, "Segment," will show the length of the segment you are selecting.
On the map, click on the point you want to start measuring from. Wait for a red dot to appear at that point, then move your mouse arrow to where you want to end the measurement (you will notice that the "Segment" window will show you the distance as you move your mouse). Click again and a red line will appear between the points. You can continue to click on different points on the map to add segments to your measurement.
Set Units
The Set Units tool can be used in conjunction with the measure tool to show your measurements in different units. When you make the tool active, a new window will appear. Choose the unit of measurement you want to use from the dropdown menus and press the "Set Units" button.
The "Map Units" button will change the scale bar on the bottom right of the Map Frame; the "Display Units" will change the units used for your measurements or for adding a buffer around features (see next).
Buffer
The Buffer tool allows you to highlight a specified area around a map feature. The feature must be selected to add a buffer. Selections can be made with the Query, Find, or Select tools; selected features are highlighted on the map.
With a feature selected, click on the Buffer icon. A new window will appear where you can select the feature you want to buffer. From the dropdown menu, choose the layer that contains your selected feature. Enter the distance you want to buffer, then press the "Create Buffer" button. The buffered area will be highlighted on the map.
Select By Rectangle
The Select by Rectangle tool allows you to select specific features on the map. When you select a feature, a new window will pop up that shows the attributes of that feature, and the feature will be highlighted on the map. You can only select features on the Active Layer.
To select a feature, click the Select by Rectangle icon. With your mouse, click, hold, and drag to draw a rectangle around the feature you want to select.
Select By Line/Polygon
For more precise selection of features, use the Select by Line/Polygon tool. Only features on the Active Layer can be selected.
When you make the tool active, a new window will appear. Using your mouse, click on the point you want to start from on the map, then click at different points around the feature to draw a line or polygon around it. If you make a mistake, click the "Delete Last Point" button in the Select window. When you're done, click the "Complete Line & Select" or "Complete Polygon and Select" button to make the selection. The feature's attributes will appear in the Select window, and the feature will be highlighted on the map.
Clear Selection
The Clear Selection tool will clear any selected or highlighted features on your map, such as measurement lines, buffers, selections, etc.
Geocode
The Geo-Code tool allows you to enter a street address and ZIP code. If the address/ZIP code is within the "NRD Streets" coverage, it will be highlighted on the map.
Print
The Print tool allows you to print out the current map view. When you click the Print icon, a popup window will appear where you can enter a title for your map. When you have filled in the title box, press the "Create Print Page" button. A new browser window will open and display your map. Use your browser's "Print" command to print out the map.
Download
The Download tool is intended for advanced users. It allows you to download a .zip file containing the database and shape files for the current map view. These files can be imported for use in ArcGIS products.