Interactive Map Help and Tips

Let Us Know What You Think!

What do you think about the new maps? Do you have something that you'd like to see work better or be removed? What do you like the best?

Let us know by sending a note to maphelp@wvgs.wvnet.edu

If you encounter a problem, please let us know what web browser you are using (e.g. "Internet Explorer 9.0", "Firefox 23.0") and what operating system you are using (e.g., "Windows 7"). Also, we already have some changes in mind for the maps. Please check out the General Information section below to see what is already planned for "version 2"!

Navigation

Panning: Like with Google Maps, click on the map and while still pressing down on the mouse, move in the direction you want to go. The cursor may change to a cross with arrows to show that you are in panning mode.

Zooming: You have a few options for zooming in and out of a map.

• Use the (+) and (-) signs found on the upper left of the map for zooming in and zooming out, respectively -or-
• Hold the SHIFT key down while you click on an area of the map and drag your mouse to form a rectangle -or-
• If you've been moving around the map for a while these two tools may be helpful. On the "Tools" tab found to the left of the map, go to "Navigation" and use one of the tools to get to the previous or next extents. (Note, these tools may be deprecated or removed in version 2 of the maps).

Get Information from a Feature

You can get information from a feature by just clicking on it! Please note a couple of things though. In the Layer/Legend, make sure to turn on your feature of interest by clicking in the leftmost square in front of the feature name, thereby placing a check mark in the box. Then on the map, zoom into the area of interest first and then click on a feature-- that way, you will reduce the time it takes to retrieve data. A spinning clock-like circle will appear in the middle of the map to indicate "something is processing". Like with our old maps, you'll need to allow pop-ups from www.wvgs.wvnet.edu since the information will "pop up" on the map.

Information particularly for the Coal Bed Maps:

• You will see data that may have blue text. These are hyperlinks that will directly connect you to WVGES' Mine Information Database System (MIDS). Items with the blue words "(highlight)" will enable you to highlight the feature on the map with a bright red border
• Identification results are available for "Mined and Remaing Coal", "Coal Boundaries" and "Coal Elevation" via three tabs on the pop-up window. Other mining features (e.g. "Total Bed Thickness") can seen by zooming in further. Labels will appear on the map for vector (point, line, polygon) layers and in the Layer/Legend for raster (image) layers.
• You may need to re-adjust the map to see the pop-up window. Just move or pan the map. Sometimes it is best to turn off the overview map in the upper right by clicking on the little arrow of that map, also in the far upper right.

Change A Basemap

Several base or background maps are provided and you can change them! By default, a simple gray basemap is loaded so you can readily see the features/layers. Once you zoom in, you may wish to change the basemap to "Imagery with Labels" or "Streets". To change a basemap, in the left panel, go to the "Tools" tab and then to "Switch Basemap" and click on one of the ones shown. That's all!

Adjust a Feature-Set Transparency

You can now set the transparency for a feature-set! For instance, say that you've switched to a basemap with imagery but you can't see rivers, valleys, buildings, et cetera. Find the slider bar under the feature-set in the Layer/Legend and move the adjuster (it looks like a little "home base") to reduce or increase that feature-set's opacity.

Printing

The new interactive mapping technology allows for better map capture and easier printing. In the left panel, click on the "Tools" tab and select "Print". You can either click on the "Print" button that you see or you can click on the drop-down arrow to see selections for size and layout of the map, or if you just want the "raw" map only. The map extent that you are viewing will print in a PDF that you can save. Once the button is clicked, it will change to a light gray with the words "Printing". Give it a few seconds. It should load in your default PDF reader (e.g., Adobe Reader).

Adjust the Panes

If you want to see more of the map and less of the left pane, click on the border between the map and the left pane and drag it to the left to expand the map pane. Do the opposite to see more of the left pane.

General Information

This newest mapping endeavor by WVGES represents "version 1" of a change-over from the previous ArcIMS maps to the new WMS/WFS "REST" maps provided by ArcGIS for Server. The following are changes considered for "version 2", especially for the coal bed maps for the Coal Bed Mapping Project:

• Ability to measure distance on a map.
• Ability to allow a user to create bufferd areas on a map.
• Ability to download shapefiles from a map.
• Better delivery of information/links from a feature/layer.
• Moveable "pop-up" information windows.
• Some code redesign (behind the scenes!) for improved and efficient delivery of map services.
• Change of text to "not available" for occasional "null" values.