Advanced Editor Tool

Overview

The Advanced Editor Tool provides sophisticated spatial editing and geometric operations using a dual-layer architecture. It enables users to work with a target layer and a reference layer simultaneously, performing operations such as intersection, subtraction, union, and cut/split between them. This tool is designed for creating precise modified geometries for forestry planning and spatial analysis.

Key Features

• Dual-Layer Architecture: Separate target and reference layers for comparative spatial operations
• Multiple Geometry Types: Draw and edit points, polylines, and polygons
• Interactive Selection: Click features on the map to add them to target or reference graphics layers
• Geometric Operations: Intersect, subtract (difference), union, and cut/split shapes
• Buffer Operations: Expand or contract shapes by a specified distance in metres
• Map Image Layer Support: Select from server-based layers with result cycling for overlapping features
• Sketch Editing: Reshape drawn geometries with vertex-level precision using transform tools
• Save to Server: Persist created or modified geometries back to the backend layer

How to Use the Advanced Editor

Accessing the Tool

1. Locate the Advanced Editor icon in the right panel toolbar
2. Click to open the editor panel
3. The panel shows target and reference layer dropdowns with associated drawing and selection tools

Working with the Target Layer

The target layer holds the primary geometry you want to modify or use in operations.

Selecting Target Features

1. Choose a layer from the Target Layer dropdown — the list shows all visible FeatureLayers and MapImageLayers
2. Click the Select Target Shape button (cursor icon) to activate selection mode
3. Click features on the map to add them to the target graphics
4. Click a selected feature again to deselect it (toggle behaviour)

MapImageLayer cycling

For MapImageLayers, clicking the same location repeatedly cycles through overlapping features. A notification shows which result is selected (e.g., "Selected feature 2 of 3 from LayerName").

Drawing Target Geometry

Three drawing tools are available for the target layer:

• Draw Polygon: Click the polygon button, then click on the map to place vertices. Double-click to complete
• Draw Polyline: Click the line button, then draw a line on the map. Double-click to complete
• Draw Point: Click the point button, then click on the map to place a point marker

WARNING

If a polygon is completed with fewer than 3 vertices, it is stored as a polyline instead of a polygon.

Editing Target Geometry

1. Click the Edit Target Shape button to enter reshape mode (button is disabled when no target graphics exist)
2. Drag vertices to reposition them, click edges to add new vertices, or drag the whole shape to move it
3. Click the Edit Target Shape button again, or click outside the graphic, to finish editing

Working with the Reference Layer

The reference layer holds geometry used for comparison operations against the target.

Selecting and Drawing Reference Features

The reference layer has the same selection and drawing tools as the target:

• Select Reference Shape: Click features on the map to add to reference graphics; MapImageLayer cycling also applies
• Draw Reference Polygon / Polyline / Point: Create geometry for the reference layer

Buffer Operations

Buffers expand or contract a shape by a specified distance:

1. Enter a distance value in the Buffer input field (metres)
2. Click the Buffer Target or Buffer Reference button to apply the buffer to that layer
3. The buffer is calculated using geodesic (earth-surface) calculations

TIP

Use a negative buffer value to shrink a shape inward. The tool accepts any number — positive or negative.

Reset

Click the Reset button (reset icon) to clear all target and reference graphics and deactivate all drawing and selection modes. This is the only way to undo graphics before saving.

Geometric Operations

After setting up target and reference geometries, use the operation buttons to create new shapes.

Operation results

After each operation, the result replaces the existing target graphics. Reference graphics are cleared. You can then perform further operations on the result, or save it.

Intersect

Creates a new geometry from the overlapping area between target and reference shapes.

1. Select or draw target geometry
2. Select or draw reference geometry
3. Click the Intersect button
4. The result shows only the area common to both shapes

Use case: Finding where a management unit overlaps with a vegetation boundary.

Subtract (Difference)

Removes the reference geometry from the target, leaving only the non-overlapping portion of the target.

1. Select or draw target geometry
2. Select or draw reference geometry
3. Click the Subtract button
4. The result shows the target with the reference area removed

Use case: Excluding a protected zone from a harvest area.

Union

Merges all target geometries into a single combined shape.

1. Select or draw multiple target geometries
2. Click the Union button
3. All target shapes are combined into one geometry

TIP

Reference geometry is not required for Union — it operates on the target layer alone.

Use case: Combining adjacent coupes into a single operational area.

Cut / Split

Divides target polygons along a reference polyline, splitting them into separate pieces.

1. Select or draw target polygon(s)
2. Draw a polyline in the reference layer that crosses the target polygon
3. Click the Cut button
4. The target polygon is split into separate pieces along the line

WARNING

The reference layer must contain only polylines. If any reference graphic is not a polyline, the cut operation will fail with an error.

Use case: Dividing a large coupe along a road or creek line.

Saving Results

Click the Save button to persist the created or modified geometries to the backend:

• Before saving, all target graphics are unioned into a single geometry — if you have multiple separate shapes in the target layer, they are merged into one feature on save
• Geometries are saved to the appropriate layer type based on context (e.g., Plan Burn, FPP, Spray, Sketch)
• The backend layer refreshes to reflect the changes
• Graphics are cleared after a successful save

WARNING

Save requires at least one graphic in the target layer. Clicking Save with no target graphics shows an error.

Troubleshooting

Issue	Solution
No layers in dropdowns	Ensure FeatureLayers or MapImageLayers are visible on the map
Edit Target Shape button is greyed out	Draw or select at least one target graphic first
Intersect returns no result	Ensure target and reference shapes actually overlap
Cut operation fails with error	The reference layer must contain only polylines; remove any non-polyline reference graphics
Cut line does not split the polygon	The reference polyline must fully cross the target polygon boundary, not just touch it
Buffer produces unexpected result	Check the buffer distance value; a value of 0 produces no change
Save shows "geometry is empty" error	Draw or select at least one target graphic before saving
Save merges shapes unexpectedly	By design, all target graphics are unioned into one feature on save; use Reset and draw a single shape if you need separate saved features
MapImageLayer features not selectable	Verify the layer's sublayers are visible and the layer has selectable polygon features
Drawn polygon saved as a polyline	Complete the polygon with at least 3 vertices

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I use different layers for target and reference? A: Yes. The dual-layer architecture is designed for selecting features from different layers and performing spatial operations between them.

Q: Do operations modify the original layer data? A: No. Operations create new geometries on graphics layers. The original layer is only modified when you explicitly click Save.

Q: Can I perform multiple operations in sequence? A: Yes. After each operation, the result becomes part of the target graphics and can be used for further operations.

Q: What geometry types are supported? A: The tool supports points, polylines, and polygons. Different operations require specific geometry types (e.g., Cut requires a polyline reference).

Q: Can I undo an operation? A: Use the Reset button to clear all target and reference graphics and start over. There is no step-by-step undo — Reset clears everything at once.

See Also

• Map Editor - Create and edit features on personal map layers
• Unified Map Editors - Specialised editors with integrated advanced editor access

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