Help and Viewing Tips for Interactive Maps

Viewing Requirements    Plugin Installation   Map Tips and Help

Viewing Requirements

Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.x (or higher) or Netscape Navigator 4.x (or higher) is needed for viewing interactive maps.
Each browser has a plugin that is required when viewing the maps.  You can download them here .

The viewer is free and available for both browsers.  Once the plugin has been installed, there is no need to download the plugins anymore.  You can then proceed to the available interactive maps.

The recommended screen resolution is 1024 x 768 (or higher).  The minimum resolution is 800 x 600.

When you install the plugin for the maps, you will get added functionality when interacting with the maps.

This means that the map has special controls available to you.   When you want to print the map in your browser, simply right-click in the map area and choose Print.  If you use the Print function in your browser, you will not get a print out of the map.  Only the surrounding framework of the application.

Plugin Installation

There are two ways in which you can install the Mapguide plugin.

1. For Internet Explorer only - You can have the plugin install automatically upon entering one of the Interactive Maps.  Before the map loads into the browser, you should be prompted for the installation of the plugin.  
   (This could take a few minutes depending on you internet connection speed)
   Choose "yes" when asked to install and run the Autodesk Mapguide Plugin. After the installation has completed, you should be able to see the map appear in your browser.
2. For both Browsers - Download the appropriate plugin to your computer.  Close the browser and find the file that was just downloaded. (MGControl65.exe for Internet Explorer / MGPlugin65.exe for Netscape)
   After finding the plugin file, double-click on the filename to begin the installation.  Follow all on-screen instructions during the installation.  When the installation has completed, start the browser back up and proceed to the maps. (Some systems require a reboot in order for plugin to work.  If you're having problems with the maps not appearing in browser, a reboot might be required.)

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   Map Toolbars

	General Map Functions
	Select            This tool is used to select map features. Just left mouse click to select features.            To select multiple features, left mouse click while holding down the SHIFT key.
	Clear Selection            This tool is used to deselect map feature(s). Just click this button on the toolbar to unselect all selected map features.
	Stop Map            This tool is used to stop all map functions. There will be times when the map will stop responding or a map layer will take too long to draw.            If this occurs, just select the STOP button on the toolbar to stop all map processes from running.
	Legend Toggle            This tool is used to show or hide the map legend. Just select this tool to show or hide the legend.
	Aerial Photography           This tool is used to view the Aerial Photography. Just select this tool to view the aerials.           If the Aerials are currently turned on and viewable, just click the Aerial button again to turn them off.           Please remember that the maximum zoom level for the aerials is 10,000 ft.
	Zoom Functions
	Zoom In          This tool is used to zoom in the map. There are two ways to accomplish this.            - First way is to left mouse click to quickly zoom into the map.            - Second way is to create a zoom window. Just hold the left mouse button down while dragging your mouse to create a window.          When the desired window has been created, just release the left mouse button and the map will zoom to the requested zoom window.
	Zoom Out          This tool is used to zoom out from the current map view. Just left mouse click to zoom out.
	Zoom Full Extent of Map          This tool is used to return to the full extent of the map. Just select this tool to see the change of view.
	Zoom Previous          This tool is used to return to the previous view. Just select this tool to see the change of view.
	Zoom by Scale          This tool is used to zoom by a specified scale value. Select the tool and a dialog window will appear.          Enter the desired scale and then select OK.          The view will change to the desired scale.
	Pan Functions
	Pan Left/West           This tool is used to move west or left in the map. Select the tool to see the change in view.
	Pan Up/North           This tool is used to move north or up in the map. Select the tool to see the change in view.
	Pan Down/South           This tool is used to move south or down in the map. Select the tool to see the change in view.
	Pan Right/East           This tool is used to move east or right in the map. Select the tool to see the change in view.
	Pan All Directions           This tool is used to move in any direction in the map. Just hold down the left mouse button and drag the mouse to the desired location.           Release the left mouse buttion to complete operation.
	Map Tool Functions
	Print Map           This tool is used to print the current map view. This tool will not print the entire webpage.           When the desired map has been created, just select this tool to print map.
	Page/Print Options           This tool is used to set page and print options.           When this tool is selected, a dialog window will appear that will allow for changes to the final print.
	Copy Map to Clipboard           This tool is used to copy the current map view into the clipboard.           After the map has been copied to the clipboard, it can be pasted into most Windows applications.
	Distance Tool           This tool is used to measure distance within the map.           Left mouse click to begin the measuring process. Keep clicking the left mouse button until desired distance is reached.           Then double-click the left mouse button to exit the tool.
	Calculate the Area of a Polygon           This tool is used to calculate the area of a selected polygon (i.e. parcels).           First, select a polygon feature by clicking the mouse button with select mode (see Select).           While the polygon is selected, press the "Get Polygon Area" tool on the toolbar to receive the total. Please remember one polygon at a time.
	View Preferences           This tool is used to view the current mapping preferences.           Select this tool to view current preferences and make necessary changes.
	Redlining and Drawing Functions
	Create Redline - Polyline           This tool is used to create polyline features.           A window will appear for setting the properties. Click "Add Polyline" to begin.           Start by clicking the left mouse button and continue to click until the desired length is reached.           To complete the operation, double-click the left mouse button and the polyline feature should appear.
	Create Redline - Circle           This tool is used to create circle features.           A window will appear for setting the properties. Click "Add Circle" to begin.           Start by holding down the left mouse button and continue to drag the mouse until the desired radius is reached.           To complete the operation, release the left mouse button and the circle feature should appear.
	Create Redline - Polygon           This tool is used to create polygon features.           A window will appear for setting the properties. Click "Add Polygon" to begin.           Start by clicking the left mouse button and continue to click until the desired polygon is reached.           To complete the operation, double-click the left mouse button and the polygon feature should appear.
	Create Redline - Text          This tool is used to create text features.          A window will appear for setting the properties. Click "Add Text" to begin.          Find the desired location for the text and click the left mouse button to place within the map.
	Remove Redline feature(s)          This tool is used to remove redline feature(s) in the map.          Select the feature(s) that are to be removed and then select this tool.          For selecting multiple features, hold the shift key down while clicking the left mouse button.
	Create Buffer          This tool is used to create a buffer around selected map features.          After features have been selected, choose this tool.          A dialog window will appear for setting the distance, color, fill pattern, etc. Click "OK" to draw buffer.
	Other Map Functions
	View Feature Attribute Report           This tool is used to view feature attributes of a map feature.           Currently, only two layers have reports. Parcels and Site Plans.           Select a parcel or a site plan feature, and then choose this tool to view report.
	Mapguide Help and Information           This tool is used to view the Mapguide Help.

   Map Viewing and Map Query Tips

- For quick information from the map, hover the mouse pointer over a map feature to see attribute data.

- When querying for an address or intersection, remember that less is best.  Try to enter the first part of the street name.

- If you right-click in the map window, you will see more options for your use.

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