Create a Map Layer

The process of adding map layers to a map includes the following steps:

1. Create/import the map layer

2. Add the layer to a map

   Creating a map layer is available with the Maps add-on. See Mapping.

To create/import a map layer

1. Access the Admin View.

2. In the main menu, click the mapping icon . The Mapping page opens.

3. Click the Layers tab.

4. At the upper right, click Create Map Layer.

5. Enter the following information:

   1. For Name, enter a name for the new layer.

   2. For Comments, enter a description or information about the layer.

   3. For Layer Type, select the type of layer you want to create. The remaining fields dynamically change after this selection.

      Layer type descriptions

      Layer Type	Description	Procedure
      ESRI Map Service	Contains all information related to a map in ArcGIS, including associated feature layers and images. If you select this layer type, the URL field becomes active and two tabs (Local ArcGIS and ArcGIS Online) display credential and other authentication fields. ArcGIS Online is used with OAuth authentication.	Select ESRI Map Service. For URL, enter the URL of the Esri map service or feature service from which the map layer should pull data. Depending upon the authentication method used for the layer, select either the Local ArcGIS or ArcGIS Online, and then complete the fields to authenticate the external map layer.
      ESRI Feature Service	Dynamic and interactively displays data from ArcGIS. This layer allows you to use features over the web and provides icons to use for them. If you select this layer type, the Service Layer ID field becomes active and two tabs (Local ArcGIS and ArcGIS Online) display credential and other authentication fields.	Select ESRI Feature Service. For Service Layer ID, enter the ID. Depending upon the authentication method used for the layer, select either the Local ArcGIS or ArcGIS Online, and then complete the fields to authenticate the external map layer.
      WMS	Standard protocol that delivers georeferenced map images that a map server generates using data from a GIS database. Web Map Service (WMS) requests define the geographic layers, and the response to this request is one or more georegistered map images. You decide the image type returned (for example, JPEG, PNG, and so on). If you select this layer type, the URL and Service Layer ID fields become active.	Select WMS. For URL, enter the URL of the WMS layer from which the map layer should pull data. For Service Layer ID, enter the ID.
      GeoRSS	Live web feed that displays geographic features and locations. As a live feed, it updates as data and conditions change. When you select a GeoRSS layer, the layer you create is dynamic and refreshes to always show the latest information from the GeoRSS feed. If you select this layer type, the URL field becomes active and additional fields (Enable HTML?, Color, and Icon) appear.	Select WMS. For URL, enter the URL that is associated with the GeoRSS feed. If you want the GeoRSS feed to render its HTML when accessed from the map, select Enable HTML. Only select this checkbox for trusted sites. For Color, click in the empty field and enter the number of the color, if known, or use your cursor to select a color from the box. For Icon, click Select Icon and then do either of the following actions: Click the icon you want to represent the list item. This icon appears on maps that are associated with the layer. To use a custom icon, click Upload Icon. Follow your browser prompts to locate and open the appropriate file on your computer.
      KML	XML-based file format that expresses geographic features in Internet-based applications such as ArcGIS and Google EarthTM. If you know a specific Keyhole Markup Language (KML) file that you want to display on your map, you can add it as a KML layer. If you select this layer type, the URL field becomes active and the Enable HTML? field appears.	Select KML. For URL, enter the URL associated with the KML file you want to use for this layer. If you want the KML feed to render its HTML when accessed from the map, select Enable HTML. Only select this checkbox for trusted sites
      Open Street Map	Read-only map. This default base map cannot be modified.	Select Open Street Map.
      Tile	Instead of rendering the entire map each time the user zooms in and out, the map is broken down into many smaller parts. If you select this layer type, the URL field becomes active.	Select Tile. For URL, enter the URL associated with the map service where the base map resides.
      Scene Layer	Used in 3D maps, this option allows you to add 3D scenes. If you select this layer type, the URL field becomes active.	Select Scene Layer. For URL, enter the URL where this layer information is found. The scene layer is imported from this location. To use scene layers, enable 3D maps and topography for the map. See Enter Map Information.

6. To view a preview of the layer, beside Preview Layer, click Map. A new window opens with the preview of the layer on the default map. In some cases, you may need to adjust your zoom level to view the previewed content.

   • To exit the preview, click Cancel.

7. Click Save. The layer is now available for your maps.

You are ready to add the layer to a map, see Add Map Layers.