Layertree - Table of Content (TOC)

Functions

What are the functionalities of the Layertree?

  • Display layers

  • Display layergroups

  • Display thematic layergroups

  • Enabling and disabling layers

  • Enabling and disabling queries for the layers

  • Changing the order of layers

  • Zoom to map extend of layers

  • Query the metadata of layers

  • Control the time dimension of the layer

Layertree as a dialogue popup showing services with layers

Layertree as a dialogue popup showing services with layers.

Thematic Layertree integrated in the sidebar displaying the layerset titles.

Thematic Layertree integrated in the sidebar displaying the layerset titles.

To configure the Layertree there are a few connections to other elements that must be considered:

Configuration

General Configuration

What do we have to do?

To use the different Layersets in our Layertree, various adjustments are necessary. These relate to:

  1. Configuration of various Layersets,

  2. Configuration of the map to display the Layersets

  3. Configuration of the Layertree itself

Through the use of the Layersets, the desired layers are included in the application. The instances are the references to the individual WMS services. With the plus-button [1], new Layersets can be created. Then, new layers can be integrated in the application by adding the existing instances [2]. The Layerset “overview ” [3] is - as usual - used for displaying the overview map. For a detailed documentation on how the services can be integrated correctly, please head to the documentation of the layersets and sources.

Configuration of various Layersets for integration into the Layertree.

Configuration of various Layersets for integration into the Layertree.

In order to let the new integrated Layersets appear in the application, they must be specified in the Map element. Here, you define which Layersets you want to use in the map by checking the Layersets in the list. The Layerset “overview” for example is not displayed on the main map. In this step, you define the order in which the Layersets appear in your Layertree and the map. You can move the created Layersets from the list by drag & drop. Please notice that the first defined themes can cover underlying themes.

Configuration in the map (Map-Element) to display the Layersets.

Configuration in the map (Map-Element) to display the Layersets.

Workflow Layertree with basic functions

In the following section, we walk through an exemplary configuration of a Layertree with basic functions in three steps:

  1. Configuration of a Layerset

  2. Configuration of the map to display the Layerset

  3. Configuration of the Layertree itself

Configuration of a Layerset

In the example, we defined one Layerset with one instance:

The instance of the OSM demosource is automatically included in the installation. Now this WMS needs to be integrated into an existing Layerset. Switch to the tab Layersets. In the following example, the Layerset “YAML main” was renamed to “World”. In case of difficulties with the integration, the documentation of the Layersets provides useful information.

Configuration of a Layerset for integration into the simple Layertree.

Configuration of a Layerset for integration into the simple Layertree.

Configuration of the map to display the Layerset

In the next step, we configure the Map element to display the Layersets in the map. To do this you need to switch to the tab “Layouts” and edit the map element in the content. It is important that you put a tick in the field of the Layerset “World”, so it appears in the application afterwards. If you have questions for further configuration of the Map element the documentation can help.

Configuration on the map ( Map-Element ) to display the Layerset.

Configuration on the map ( Map-Element ) to display the Layerset.

Configuration of the Layertree itself

The last step is the configuration of the Layertree. The instances specified in the map element can be defined in more detail with the Layertree. If a predefined application has been copied, the Layertree should work now. If the element is newly created, it can already be used with the default settings without necessary further adjustments. For a better understanding of the functions and their usage, we now edit the Layertree-Element in the content.

Configuration of the simple Layertree in the content.

Configuration of the simple Layertree in the content.

When configuring the Layersets, the function Basesource is activated as default. This is important for the BaseSourceSwitcher, which allows you to switch between predefined themes. By enabling Show sase sources, instances that have been loaded as a base source in the application are displayed in the Layertree.

If you activate Autoopen, the Layertree is open by default when you start the application and does not need to be activated by clicking on a button or the unfolding of a sidebar. The Title of the element is displayed in the “Layouts” list and allows you to distinguish between different elements. The Target is the ID of the map element.

By specifying a Type, the display of the Layertree can be defined. There are two display options:

Dialog

You have to choose Dialog when the Layertree is integrated via a button and the configuration element is in the content.

Element

You have to choose Element when the Layertree is integrated via the sidepane.

Type specification for the display of the Layertree.

Type specification for the display of the Layertree.

Via the Menu a number of buttons can be activated, which are then available in the layertree.

  • Remove layer (remove layer from the application session)

  • Opacity (change the opacity of a layer)

  • Zoom to layer (zoom to full layer extent)

  • Metadata (show the metadata of the layer)

  • Dimension (change the dimension, e.g. time or elevation of the Layer - read more about the Dimensions handler )

Configuration for the context menu.

Configuration for the context menu.

The individual functions can be activated by clicking on the buttons. All active functions are highlighted. In addition, a symbol of the context menu appears next to each layer in the Layertree. By clicking on the menu, a window pops up and the individual features can be used. The menu can be closed by clicking on the x-button.

Context menu of the layer in the Layertree.

Context menu of the layer in the Layertree.

The slider in the Layertree context menu regulates the function Opacity. By moving the box one can adjust the opacity of each layer. The percentage of the opacity is displayed as an integer in the box.

With the magnifier icon it is possible to zoom to the extent of the layer.

You can display the metadata of the layer by clicking on the Fact Sheet in the Layertree context menu. If the service includes metadata, these will be displayed in a new dialog.

A click on the “x” in the Layertree context menu allows you to remove a layer from the application for the duration of the session.

The function Hide visibility by folders allows to save the configuration of the opacity. When active, the opacity of the individual layers is not displayed and cannot be changed.

The function Hide info allows you to disable the FeatureInfo-function. Independently of the settings in the Layerset or source, the FeatureInfo-function is no longer available.

The checkbox Thematic layer activates the thematic division of levels. The next section contains further explanation on how to configure the thematic layertree.

The checkbox Allow Reorder at TOC controls whether layers may be freely rearranged using drag & drop in the layertree.

Configuration of a simple Layertree in the content.

Configuration of a simple Layertree in the content.

By clicking on the folder icon of the Layertree to the left of the instance, the embedded layers can be displayed. All layers that have been previously activated in the Layerset now appear in the list.

Layertree Buttons.

Layertree Buttons.

The checkbox next to the respective layer name allows to turn a layer on and off. If the checkbox is set, the Layer will appear on the map. However, it will continue to respect the defined rules of the Layerset, such as scale-dependent display.

The “i”-icon next to a layer name indicates if the FeatureInfo-function is enabled. The FeatureInfo-function is inactive if the “i”-icon is grayed out. If you activate the function with a click, the icon is dark gray and has a frame. If activated, the requested information of the layer appears in a dialog box.

Workflow thematic Layertree

In the following section, we walk through an exemplary configuration of a Layertree with advanced features, such as thematic layersets, in three steps:

  1. Configuration of multiple Layersets

  2. Configuration of the map to display the Layerset

  3. Configuration of the thematic Layertree itself

Configuration of multiple Layersets

In the example, we define two Layersets with two instances each:

For the configuration of the Layersets, the four services mentioned above were added as instances (For detailed information see above or in the documentation of the Layersets and Sources).

For this example, the above mentioned steps were performed to add the Layerset “World” [2] with the instance “osm”. Now we add the instance “GEBCO” in this Layerset. To use the thematic grouping, we create a new Layerset named “Project NRW” [3] and load the two instances “DTK50 NRW” and “Forest NRW” into our new Layerset “Project NRW”.

Configuration of Layersets for a thematic Layertree.

Configuration of Layersets for a thematic Layertree.

The Layerset should now contain three Layersets. The Overview [1] for the overview map, the Project NRW Layerset [2] with two regional data sets from Western Germany and the World-Layerset [3] with the supraregional data.

Configuration of the map to display the Layerset

Now we configurate the map element to display the Layersets in the map. To do this we switch to the tab “layout” and edit the feature in the content area. It is now important that you set an active checkbox in the Layerset “World” AND Layerset “Project NRW” so that they appear in the application later on. If you have questions for further configuration of the map, you can view the documentation of the map element.

Configuration of Layersets for a thematic Layertree.

Configuration of Layersets for a thematic Layertree.

Configuration of the thematic Layertree itself

The last step is the creation of the Layertree itself. The instances in the map element can be defined in more detail via the Layertree. For a general understanding of the functions and introduction tutorial to create a Layertree please note the already declared settings in the workflow for the simple Layertree.

Configuration of the simple Layertree.

Configuration of the simple Layertree.

For the thematic Layertree we add the element to the sidebar. For the integration into the Sidepane sector the element needs the type Element.

Configuration of the type Element.

Configuration of the type Element.

If the option Thematic layer is disabled, the Layertree ignores the configured Layersets and shows the individual instances without thematic structuring in the main level. However, we want to show the layers of our thematic Layersets, so we activate the function Thematic layer. Since we inserted both Layersets into the map element of the application, they are now displayed under the Themes-area.

Configuration of the thematic Layertree in the content.

Configuration of the thematic Layertree in the content

Thus, to let the themes in the application appear as you want, there are several configuration options:

../../../_images/layertree_example_sidepane_config_en.png
[1] View theme

If this option is set, the Layerset appears as an additional level. If this option is not set, the defined instances are displayed on the main level.

[2] Theme open or closed

If this option is set (symbol of the open folder), the theme in the Layertree is automatically opened or closed.

If we keep the default settings in the Theme Set “World” and activate the other options in the Theme Set “Project NRW”, the configuration of the element will look like this:

Configuration of the thematic Layertree in the content.

Configuration of the thematic Layertree in the content.

Now we have the Layersets integrated as thematic groups. By configuring the thematic layer, the Layertree appears now like this:

Configuration of the thematic Layertree in the sidepane.

Configuration of the thematic Layertree in the sidepane.

You can optionally use a button to show this element. See Button for inherited configuration options. You also can define the layertree with a type element. Then, you can display the layertree in a frame like the sidebar. The Layerset “World” is displayed as a theme, but it is not open and the two buttons are not available. In the Layerset “Project NRW” the theme is shown unfolded upon opening the application. The layers can be activated via a button.

YAML-Definition:

title: layertree                                  # Title of layertree
target: ~                                         # ID of the Map element to query
type: ~                                           # Type of layertree (element or dialog)
autoOpen: false                                   # Opens when application is started (default: false)
showBaseSource: true                              # Shows base layer (default: true)
showHeader: true                                  # Shows a headline which counts the number of services
menu: [opacity,zoomtolayer,metadata,removelayer]  # show contextmenu for the layer (like opacity, zoom to layer, metadata, remove layer), default is menu: []
hideInfo: null
hideSelect: null
allowReorder
themes: {  }