Altering map layer properties

Layers on a map can be changed in a variety of ways. This can be very helpful for improving the presentation of a map especially as they become more complex.

• Open a map

• To make alterations set the layer you are changing as the focus layer. In this case, select Towns/Cities

• Open Map Properties by either using the tab in the bottom left or right clicking anywhere on the map and selecting Map Properties

• Select Towns/Cities and the options for that layer will appear below it

• You can make layers visible/invisible by clicking on the eye icon beside the layer name.

• Click on the small arrow next to the Towns/Cities layer to display the individual layers within the Towns/Cities layer. Each of these layers can be changed separately

• Click on a layer to select it

• The Properties section below the list of layers will now display containing all the editing options

Font

This header contains all of the options available to you for adjusting the font of the Towns/Cities map text. Most of these you will likely be familiar with already and they act as you would expect.

Halo: This option gives a small coloured buffer around the letters of the Town/City.

Halo Colour: This is where you can select the colour of the Halo option (white by default)

Opacity: Here you can choose how opaque or transparent the Halo will be

No Halo Default Halo Coloured Halo

Format

This header contains the available options for the alignment and justification of the map layer.

Horizontal Alignment: This option lets you decide if the text will be placed on the point or to the left or right of its position. This and Vertical Alignment becomes especially useful if you are trying to show a specific geographic point or have multiple similarly positioned locations.

Vertical Alignment: This lets you decide if the text will be placed above/below or on the point itself.

Angle: Sometimes, you may want to have certain labels rotated at a specific angle. This option rotates the text anti-clockwise to a maximum of 359o.

Default position Right Aligned Top Alignment

Angled (15°)

Frame

Gives you the option of placing a frame around any point datasets.

Drawing

This header contains options for Offsetting. This option allows you to accurately define a distance (in metres) you want the label to move from its actual location. You can also hide the layer from within this section.

Offset X (metres): Refers to horizontal repositioning (positive values move the title to the right, negative values to the left)

Offset Y (metres): Refers to vertical positioning (positive values move the title north, negative values south)

Visible: When the box is ticked, the layer is visible on the map. When unticked it is removed.

Link Node

When moving individual titles around on the map with the Move option, often a straight line will be drawn connecting this label to its original location, this line is called the Link Node. The options in this header allow you to alter or remove this line.

Opacity: With this option you can set the transparency of the line. At 0%, the line will be invisible.

Line Style: You may choose from a variety of different options, the texture of the line. Also within this option, you may set the line to invisible by selecting the first blank option.

Node Symbol: Here, you can decide whether you want the link node to remain as a line or gain an added arrowhead or other icon (the node) to point towards its original location. Node Size refers to the size of this symbol.

Default Link Node Red and thicker Link Default Link with red cross Node

Legend Item Text

This header specifically refers to how this layer will appear within the map’s legend and consists of the standard options seen in other headings.