Add Layers to Map

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Step 1: Prepare Your Data

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Supported File Formats

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Vector Data Formats

• Shapefile Components: .shp, .shx, .dbf, .prj, .cpg, .fix, .sbn, .sbx, .fbn, .fbx, .ain, .aih, .atx, .qix, .qmd
• GeoPackage: .gpkg (modern, efficient vector format)
• FlatGeobuf: .fgb (fast, compressed vector format)
• GeoJSON: .geojson, .json (web-friendly vector format)
• KML/KMZ: .kml, .kmz (Google Earth format)
• GML: .gml (Geography Markup Language)
• GeoParquet: .gpq, .parquet, .geoparquet (columnar format)
• CSV: .csv (with coordinate columns)
• Parquet: .parquet (efficient columnar storage)
• GeoParquet: .geoparquet (spatial extension of Parquet)

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Raster Data Formats

• GeoTIFF: .tif, .tiff, .TIF, .TIFF (high-quality raster format)
• JPEG: .jpg, .jpeg, .JPG, .JPEG (compressed image format)

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File Requirements

• Size Limits: Files up to several GBs for raster and up to 500 MBs for vector are supported
• Coordinate System: Data should have proper spatial reference that can be converted to ESPG:3857 Mercator that NikaMap uses
• File Structure: Ensure files are not corrupted or lack of georeferencing (i.e. no lon lat coordinates at all)

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Step 2: Upload Files to Your Opened NikaMap

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Method 1: Upload via Existing Files in NikaWorkspace

1. Open Files Panel: Click “Files” in the left sidebar
2. Multiselect Files: Hold Shift/Cmd/Ctrl on your keyboard while selecting multiple files
3. Right Click: Right click on one of the selections and click Add to Map with the correct destination map selected
4. Wait for Processing: Files will be processed before adding to the map automatically. Larger files will take longer to come back because of network transimission despite encrypted

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Method 2: Drag and Drop Files from NikaWorkspace

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Method 3: Drag from Desktop

1. Drag Files: Drag files directly from your desktop to the map
2. Auto-upload: Files will be uploaded and preprocessed before adding to the map automatically

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Method 4: Choose Desktop Files Using Upload Button

1. Click Upload: Left-click on Upload button from NikaMap’s top bar
2. Select Files: Choose the relevant files from your local file system to upload as layers

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Step 3 Context Menu Options

• Add to Current Map: Add to the currently active map
• Add to Specific Map: Choose from a list of your maps
• Add as New Layer: Create a new layer (default behavior)
• Replace Existing: Replace an existing layer with the same name

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Step 4: Layer Reordering

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Sort Added Layers

1. Layers Panel: Look for the layers panel on the left side. If you dont see it, make sure a map panel is selected in the middle with left sidebar opening for list of maps
2. Layer List: All added layers will appear in the list at bottom left
3. Layer Reordering: Drag and drop a layer to make them appear on top or below. The ones at bottom will show up on top in the map

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Step 5: Layer Attribute Table

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View Layer Properties

1. Right-click Layer: Right-click on a vector layer to open attributes in a table format
2. Select features: As each row of entry in the table represents one geometry feature on map, selecting it in table will also select it on map
3. Update Information: Data field update in the table will immediately be saved as well, just like the geometry features on map

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Layer Controls

• Visibility Toggle: Click the eye icon on a single layer to show/hide layers
• Group Visibility: Click the same eye icon on a group of layer with folder icon to show/hide all descendent layers
• Layer Properties: Right-click on a layer to access styling options
• Vector Functions: Right-click on a vector layer to access function options
• Delete Layer/Group: Right-click on a layer or group node to delete them instantly from the map

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Step 6: Customize Layer Appearance

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Access Layer Styling

1. Raster Layer: Go to Vector Layer Stylings to view all styles currently supported
2. Vector Layer: Go to Raster Layer Stylings to view all visualizations currently supported

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Step 7: Export Layers from Map

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Different Export options

1. Single Vector Layer: Right-click to export as GeoJson from map. Choose whether to desktop or to NikaWorkspace file storage
2. Group of Layers: Right-click to export as GeoPackage from map. Choose whether to desktop or to NikaWorkspace file storage

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Step 8: Troubleshooting Common Issues

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Layer Not Appearing

• Check Visibility: Ensure the layer is visible (eye icon)
• Zoom to Layer: Double-click to zoom to layer from the layer list at bottom left
• Coordinate System: Verify the data has proper spatial reference
• File Format: Confirm the file format is supported and its layer appears in the layer list at bottom left after dragged to map

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Performance Issues

• Large Files: Consider simplifying large datasets
• Too Many Layers: Remove unnecessary layers
• Browser Cache: Refresh the page if needed
• Network: Check your internet connection

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Styling Problems

• Reset Styling: Use the reset button in styling panel
• Default Colors: Apply default color schemes
• Layer Order: Ensure layers are in the correct order

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Tips and Best Practices

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Layer Management

• Logical Ordering: Arrange layers in logical order (background to foreground)
• Naming Convention: Use consistent naming for layers
• Grouping: Consider grouping related layers
• Cleanup: Remove unused layers regularly

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Performance Optimization

• File Size: Keep individual files under reasonable size limits
• Simplification: Simplify complex geometries when possible
• Caching: Allow time for layers to cache properly
• Browser: Use a modern browser for best performance

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Next Steps

1. Style Your Layers: Customize the appearance of your data
2. Work with Vector Layers: Learn about Vector Layer in NikaMap
3. Collaborate: Explore Collaborative Mapping
4. Publish: Learn how to Publish Your Map

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