Map Tool Help
This page contains a description for each of the tabs and icons shown above the map, in the order that they appear.
Tabs
Tabs initiate immediate action when you press them with the mouse.

Opens the File functions menu in the information window. Open and save sessions, upload shapefile to view and other functions.

Opens the layers list in the information window. The layers list is used to set the visibility of the layers to be shown on the map, and to set the active layer for the identify tool.

Shows a legend for the map, showing the symbolization used for each visible layer.

Displays a page with various methods to "zoom" the map to a location matching your search criteria.

Build an ad-hoc query based on SQL syntax for those layers that have queryable attributes.

Apply a filter to a layer to restrict what features are drawn. Use Clear tool to remove filter.

More Forest Maps and Information.

Some forest layers have professionally designed map products in PDF format available to download. They are ready-to-print A1 size and are either 1:25,000 or 1:50,000. Currently the available map themes include:
  • Species & Stand Height (1:25,000),
  • Relative Age (1:50,000), and
  • Eucalypt Group (1:50,000).

    • Display information about the Forest Explorer Online

    View Online Help.

    Close Mapping Window
    Buttons and Tools
    Buttons initiate immediate action when you press them with the mouse. Clicking a tool sets a mode for the map cursor to perform some action when you click or drag the mouse on the map. The active tool is outlined in red, and its name and icon is displayed on the status bar under the map.
    Index map (button):
    When you click this button, a small overview map displays that shows the location of the main map window. Depending on the map extent, the overview map may show a rectangle or a pushpin to signify the location. The overview map can be used to stay oriented as you zoom in and out. If you change the map's extent, the overview map will automatically update. You can also change the extent of the map by clicking on the overview map.
    Full Extent (button):
    This button zooms you to the full extent of the map. The full extent is usually the extent of the map displayed when the viewer is initially launched.
    Zoom Previous (button):
    When you press this button, the map extent changes to the extent that it was before the last extent change.
    Zoom In (tool):
    The Zoom In button allows you to window into your particular area on the map. You can do this in either of 2 ways. Using the mouse, "left click" on the Zoom In button and then:
    • "left click" a point on the map you wish to be the centre of your selected area (one "click" zooms in approximately 2X, you can do this as many times as you want until you have the right extent defined), or

    • define a window by "left clicking" on a point and, keeping the mouse button depressed, "pull" the rectangle being formed until it covers the area of interest and release the mouse button.

    If you have "windowed in" too far, use the Zoom Out button to "back out" (approximately 2X each "click") until the appropriate area has been defined.
    Zoom 50% (button):
    Zoom in to half the current map extent centred on the current map centre.
    Zoom Out (tool):
    Clicking the map with the Zoom Out tool active causes the map to "back out" so you can see approximately 2 times more each "click". The map will be centred at the point clicked.
    Zoom 200% (button):
    Zoom out to twice the current map extent centred on the current map centre.
    Pan (tool):
    The Pan tool is used to move the area shown in the map window to the left, right, up or down. This is accomplished in two ways:
    • Simply click on the map, and the map will be centered at the location you click, or

    • Drag the map by "left clicking" the mouse cursor, keeping the left button depressed, dragging the map window until the adjusted area of interest is displayed. When the mouse button is released, the map will redraw.
    Species Maps (tool):
    Hidden tool used in presenting custom PDF maps to the user.
    Relative Age Maps (tool):
    Hidden tool used in presenting custom PDF maps to the user.
    Eucalypt Group Maps (tool):
    Hidden tool used in presenting custom PDF maps to the user.
    Select (tool):
    Hidden tool used in presenting custom PDF maps to the user.
    Identify (tool):
    The identify tool is used for reporting. When you click on the map with an identify layer active, the features at the location selected will be displayed in the right window. The name of the active identify layer is displayed in the status bar under the map. To set a different identify layer, open the layer folders window using the LAYERS tab, and click the identify icon beside the layer that you want more information about.
    Drill Down Identify (tool):
    The drill down identify tool displays information about each visible layer at the map position clicked. Some sites display information about layers that are not visible too. To use, simply click the map and view the results in this window.
    Markup Tools (button):
    Shows the markup tool set.
    Measure (tool):
    The Measure tool is used to calculate distances between points that you click on the map. The first time you click the map, the location of the point that you clicked will be displayed in the information area of the screen. When you click additional points, their locations and the distance between the points will also be displayed. If you want to start over, either click on the tool again on the toolbar, or click the "Clear Points" button in the information window.
    Measure Area (tool):
    The Measure Area tool is used to calculate the area of the polygon that you draw by clicking on the map. As you click the map, a polygon will be drawn and the area of the polygon will be displayed in the information area of the screen. If you want to start over, either click on the tool again on the toolbar, or click the "Clear Points" button in the information window.
    Clear (button):
    Clears the selected features or markup graphics that you have placed on the map. If there is only one layer with selected features or only the user markup layer, the selection or user graphics will be immediately removed. If there are multiple things to be cleared, a list will be shown to allow you to choose what you want to clear.
    Mapshare PDF Map (button):
    Create PDF map using MapShare form.
    Refresh the map (button):
    Refresh the map frame.
    Technical Information
    We developed the site with Java and JSP using ArcIMS and IMF.
    For more information, or to send us some feedback, please contact us.