My Layers Tool

Overview

The My Layers Tool is a sophisticated personal data management system that enables users to create, store, and organize custom spatial datasets within Horizon. This powerful tool provides seamless integration with backend storage services, allowing users to build personalized collections of geographic features with full geometry support, automatic extent management, and intelligent layer categorization for enhanced spatial data organization and retrieval.

Layer Types

Comprehensive Geometry Support

• Point Geometries: Precise location marking with automatic coordinate capture and user-specific attribution
• Polyline Geometries: Route and linear feature mapping with multi-segment support and length calculations
• Polygon Geometries: Area definition and boundary mapping with automatic area calculation and spatial validation
• MultiPoint Geometries: Complex point collections for distributed feature representation and analysis

Advanced Features:

• Geometry Type Mapping: Intelligent routing to specialized layer services based on geometry type
• Automatic Projection: Seamless coordinate system handling and spatial reference management
• User Attribution: Automatic assignment of username and creation metadata for data ownership tracking
• Dynamic Layer URLs: Connects to appropriate backend services for each geometry type (Points, Lines, Polygons, MultiPoints)

Tool Operations

Creating Geometry

Geometry for a MyLayer is created using the Map Editor Tool. Open the Map Editor, draw your geometry, then use the Save MyLayer option to store it under a named layer.

1. Open the Map Editor Tool from the toolbar
2. Choose a Target layer — the drawing buttons only appear once a Target is chosen
3. Draw the geometry on the map with Draw Target Polygon, Draw Target Polyline or Draw Target Point
4. Open the Export / Save group and select the Save MyLayer tab

Saving to MyLayer

1. In the Map Editor, expand the Export / Save group (collapsed by default; it opens on the Export tab) and click the Save MyLayer tab

   

2. Enter Layer Details:

   • MyLayer Name — the name the layer is saved under (required)
   • Display Label — optional label for identification

3. Click Save. If you already have a MyLayer with that name and geometry type, a Name Already Exists dialog asks whether to Replace it with the new geometry

Accessing Layers

1. Click the My Layers button in the left toolbar

   

2. View saved layers in the My Layers Panel. Each card shows the layer name and its type (Point, Line, Polygon or Multi-Point). Type in the Search layers... box to filter by name; when you have more than one geometry type, chips (All, Point, Line, Polygon) filter the list by type

   

Managing Layers

Each layer card has three buttons:

1. Add <name> to map — adds the layer and zooms to its features (if it is already on the map, you are told so)
2. Export <name> — see Exporting Layers
3. Delete <name> — see Delete Layer Dialog

A saved layer cannot be edited from the panel. To change its geometry, draw it again in the Map Editor and save it under the same MyLayer Name, then choose Replace.

Delete Layer Dialog

When you delete a saved layer, a confirmation dialog appears to prevent accidental deletion.

Dialog Details:

• Heading: "Delete Layer?"
• Kind: Danger (red indicator)
• Modal: Yes — you must respond before continuing
• Content: Displays the layer name and warns that the action cannot be undone and will permanently remove the layer from your saved layers
• Loading State: Shows a loading indicator while the deletion is in progress; buttons are disabled during this time
• Footer Buttons:
  • Cancel (left) — closes the dialog without changes
  • Delete (right, red) — permanently removes the layer

Exporting Layers

Each saved MyLayer can be exported to standard GIS file formats directly from the My Layers panel.

Export Process

1. Open the My Layers panel from the left toolbar
2. Locate the MyLayer you want to export
3. Click the export button (Export <name>) on the layer's card
4. Choose Export as SHP (Shapefile) or Export as KML
5. The file downloads automatically — a notification shows the number of features exported

Export Formats

• SHP — Standard Shapefile format compatible with ArcGIS, QGIS, and other GIS software. Preserves all attributes.
• KML — Google Earth format for visualization and sharing

Exported Attributes

Field	Description
NAME	MyLayer name
USERNAME	Creator's username
LASTTIME	Last modified timestamp
SHAPE	Geometry type (Point, Polyline, Polygon)

Geometry Type Support

All geometry types are supported for export:

• Point — Single point features
• Polyline — Line features
• Polygon — Polygon features
• MultiPoint — Multiple points in a single feature

WARNING

Only MyLayers created under your username are available for export. If you don't see a layer in the list, verify that it was saved correctly.

Important Notes

Technical Limitations

• Points created are single points, not multipoints
• Related to label display bug BUG-000131800

Troubleshooting

Issue	Solution
Layer not visible	Click Add <name> to map on the layer in the My Layers Panel
Save failure	Complete the geometry and enter a MyLayer Name before saving
Label display issues	Known limitation for points

Video Tutorial

Watch this guide on using My Layers:

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