Introduction

The Layers module lets you add a layer to the map for visualisation. You can access any of the open datasets available in the platform, as well as any proprietary data that you have licenced.

To access the Layers module, click on the icon in the left-hand sidebar.

Layers are divided up into a number of categories, including:

• Demographics
• Mobility
• Points of Interest
• Boundaries
• Store Locations

Clicking on a category will show a list of the layers in that category that your account has access too. You are encouraged to explore the layer categories to make the most of our data.

Adding Layers

After expanding a layer category, you can add a layer to the map by clicking the checkbox to the left of the layer name.

Adding a layer to the map automatically expands a panel for the layer that can be hidden or shown using the arrow to the right of the layer name. The layer panel has a tab interface, that may include the following tabs: View, Style, Filter, and Source.

View Tab

Show labels

If labels or layer legends are available for the layer, they can be turned on using the checkboxes in this tab.

Changing the display property

To change the display property of a layer, click on the desired property in this tab and the map will update to visualise the layer using the selected property.

Style Tab

The style tab allows you to customise how the layer is displayed on the map. You can choose the colouring of the layer and set it’s opacity. Any changes you make using the style tab will be saved automatically so that the layer is styled the same way the next time you log in. You can restore the default layer styling by clicking the Reset Styles button.

The colour scheme can be changed by selecting from a set of listed styles. When a new colour palette is selected, the map will update accordingly.

For line data layers (such as road networks), you can adjust the line width.

For point data layers, you can also adjust the point size and symbol from within the style tab.

For more advanced styling options, users can select Custom from the list. In the Custom category, users can adjust the bins (value ranges) used for displaying the data or directly choose the colours for a custom colour palette.

Colours can be entered in a range of ways, including by using the colour picker, entering RGB or hex values, or by entering colour names (e.g. green, lightblue, salmon).

Bins can be changed by editing the textbox to the left of the colour display. Keep in mind that bins must be kept in strictly ascending order.

To add a new bin, click on the plus button next to any existing bin. The newly created bin will be added immediately after the selected bin. You can remove any bin by clicking on the minus button next to it.

If you want to reset the bins you’ve chosen without losing any other style changes, you can click on the Reset Bins button.

Filter Tab

If filters are available, they can be adjusted here.

Source Tab

If an attribution is available, it can be seen in this tab.

For more detailed information, click on the More Info button to view the full attribution in the right-hand sidebar.

Local data upload

If you have your own local GIS files that you would like to visualise using the website you can use the local data upload feature to add your data to the map. The plus icon in the toolbar at the bottom of the Layers module brings up the Overlay Local Data dialog.

The local data upload feature supports the following file types:

• .geojson
• .kml
• Zipped shapefiles

Alternatively, you can quickly add a file by dragging it from your file browser onto the map.

Your uploaded local data will appear in the Layers module in the Local Data category and can be turned on and off using the checkbox at the left of the local data layer name. You can style your local data in the same way as any other layer on the platform.

Uploaded local data will be stored in your browser cache. This data will be accessible whenever you login using the same browser. Local data is not sent to our servers.

Local data will not be automatically updated if the original files are changed. If you need to update your data, you should re-upload the file and the data in the platform will update accordingly.

To remove a local data layer, go to the Manage tab and click on the Delete button.