Importing Map Layers

Vector map layers can be imported directly into map projects from ESRI Shapefiles or Google Earth KML/Z files. To import images for use as map layers, see Background Images.

·To import a map layer, click the Import button in the map layers list:

An Open File window will be shown, from where a single Shapefile or Google Earth file can be chosen.

Importing Google Earth Files

Map layers can be created from Google Earth polygon or line layers. Each separate layer within the Google Earth file will be imported as a separate layer into the current map project. Some style information, such as border and fill colour, and line widths, is retained on import, but no value information (such as depth or hardness values) can be imported.

If the import is successful, an window is shown showing how many components were imported, and how many map layers were created:

In this example, a set of isobaths was imported as a polygon layer, with style information assigned to each individual component. Note that no depth information is available in Google Earth files, so these polygons could not be imported as isobaths (that require a depth-range):

Importing Shapefiles

Only Line and Polygon features can be imported as map layers from ESRI Shapefiles. No style information is imported, but value information can be retrieved for use in contours or isobaths if appropriate attributes are available in the Shapefile.

Once a Shapefile has been selected for import, a further window is shown with information about the Shapefile contents. This information includes the geometry type contained within the shapefile, as well as a full list of components and their attributes (if any).

·The map layer target Type can be selected.

·Polygon shapefiles can be imported as either isobaths or polygons.

·Line shapefiles can be imported as either contours or polylines.

·When importing a set of polygons as isobaths, two value fields are required to specify the upper and lower depth range. The attributes can be chosen from the Depth 1 and Depth 2 drop-down lists. Note both numeric and string value types can be used, but ReefMaster expects to be able to convert any string values into numbers. The units of the attribute value should also be specified.

·When importing a set of lines as contours, a single value field is required, which is set via the Depth 1 field.

·No value fields are required when importing components as either polylines or polygons.

A set of isobaths in a Shapefile

The same set of isobaths after importing into a Map Project