Edit Layer Properties

Roadsoft displays data in layers. Layer properties, such as label position, feature color and size, selection color and size, and feature shape, are editable. See Add, Remove & Edit Layers for additional information on available layers.

Edit Layer Rendering

Layer shapes are displayed (rendered) on the map with default colors, sizes, styles, and patterns. Shapes are rendered as either not selected or selected. Rendering is editable on both not-selected and selected shapes enabling a visual difference on the map between them. Shape rendering is editable for all built-in and external layers.

On the sign layer for example, shapes are rendered as small (size = 8) green triangles (style = TriangleUp) with a solid pattern by default. Where a selection has been made, the rendering changes to small (size = 8) yellow triangles (style = TriangleUp) with a solid pattern.

Under the Map Layers window, right-click on the desired layer.

Select the Layer Properties… option.

Select the Rendering tab.

Edit the Features, Outlines, and Selections as desired.

Feature

Feature options are applied to the shapes that are not selected.

Color – a list of color choices.

Pattern – a list of pattern choices that appear on the inside of the shapes.

Pattern uses the Feature color selected.

Size – a size selection option to render shapes small or large on the map.

The size range is 0 to 25. Zero will not render shapes on the map at most zoom levels.

Style – a list of shape choices.

Outline

Outline options are applied to the exterior of all shapes.

Outline Color – a list of color choices.

Outline Pattern – a list of pattern choices that appear on the outside of the shapes.

Pattern uses the Feature color selected.

Outline Style – a list of line style choices.

Outline Width – a size selection option to render the outline small or large on the shape.

The size range is 0 to 25. Zero will not render shapes on the map.

Selection

Selection options are applied to the shapes that are selected.

Selection Color – a list of color choices.

Selection Opacity – a numeric value that sets the opacity of the selected color for the Selection option.

The opacity range is 0 to 100 with 100 being opaque and 0 being completely transparent.

Selection Width – a size selection option to render shapes small or large on the map.

The size range is 0 to 5. Zero will not render shapes on the map.

Edit Layer Labels

Layer shapes are displayed (rendered) on the map with default shape labels. Labels are descriptive text values for the shape. On the road layer for example, the Road Name field value is displayed in 8-point Arial Regular font black text for road shapes (segments) by default.

Labels are editable for all built-in and external layers.

Under the Map Layers window, right-click on the desired layer.

Select the Layer Properties… option.

Select the Labels tab.

Edit the Label, Position, and Outline as desired.

Label

Field – a list of field options specific to the selected layer. The value of the selected field displays as a label for each shape.

Font – lists of font, font style, and font size options.

Text Color – a list of color choices that are applied to the displayed labels.

Fill Color – a list of color choices that are applied to the area around the label (the inside of the text box).

Visible – when selected, labels for shapes are visible on the map; when not selected, labels are not displayed on the map.

Position

Alignment – a list of options for adjusting where the label displays inside the text box.

Position – a list of options for adjusting where the label displays in relationship to the shape (e.g., on top, on the side, at the bottom).

Dynamic Label Positioning – when selected, all labels will appear for shapes even if the label is longer than the shape; when not selected, the label will not appear if a label is longer than the shape.

Avoid Overlap – when selected, all labels for shapes are visible on the map regardless of whether they overlap; when not selected, only one label is displayed on the map when there is label overlap.

Allow Duplicates – when selected, duplicated labels for shapes are visible on the map; when not selected, only one unique label is displayed on the map regardless of the number of shapes that have the same value.

Outline

Style/Color - a list of line style options for the outside border of the label’s text box, and a color selection option for the selected style.

Width - line size selection options for the outside border of the label’s text box.

The size range is 0 to 25. Zero will not display a line around the text box.

Fill Pattern/Color - a list of pattern choices that appear on the inside of the label’s text box, and a color selection option for the selected pattern.

Edit Layer Legend

Legends are editable for all built-in and external layers. Layer legends can be created, added, edited, and cleared from within the Layer Properties window. To access the legend tools from within the Layer Properties window, follow the steps below.

Under the Map Layers window, right-click on the desired layer.

Select the Layer Properties… option.

Select the Legend tab.

Apply the desired legend.

See Use the Legend Builder for additional help with the Legend Builder.