Feature Templates

The Feature Templates section of the Configuration allows for the creation of templates for vector features so that they conform to a predefined set of feature properties and attribute values.

Access Feature Templates by selecting the configure button Configuration button from the File Toolbar or Tools menu, and navigating to the Feature Templates section.

Applying a template will automatically assign various feature properties and attributes to a new feature. An example application of feature templates is when conducting an inventory. The features contained in a feature template can have a pre-defined set of attributes, some that are editable, some with a fixed set of possible values, and some attributes that are pre-filled and not editable.

Like custom feature types, the feature template descriptions are saved in the user data folder. Feature template definitions can be imported and exported for backup or sharing with other users. (When a package file containing feature template layers is opened, the templates described in that file will be added to the user template collection.)

Click on the Configuration button, and select the “Feature Templates” tab to create and edit templates.

Add...

Brings up the Feature Template Dialog to add a new Feature Template. See Creating Feature Templates.

Edit...

Brings up the Feature Template Dialog to edit the highlighted Feature Template in the list.

Delete

Delete the highlighted Feature Template

Load From File...

Load a previously saved Feature Templates file (*.gm_featureTemplates). This will overwrite any currently displayed feature templates. Be sure any of the current templates are saved in a workspace or Feature Templates file.

Save To File...

Create a Feature Template file (*.gm_featureTemplates) from the current list of Feature Templates.

Create Empty Template Layer...

This will create a new empty layer in the workspace based on the highlighted feature template.

Creating Feature Templates

Feature templates are defined with the following dialog:

  • Template Name - Name of the template. This will be displayed in the Feature Template tab of Configuration, and also will be the name shown when adding a Feature Template layer in the Overlay Control Center.

  • Template Description - Optional description of the template. This will be displayed in the Feature Templates tab of Configuration.

  • Template Type - The geometry type for the feature template. This can be Point, Line or Area. This field is required.

  • Feature Type - The feature type that will be applied by default to the Feature Template Layer. This will control the default styling of the layer.

  • Feature Default Name - This is the default name (label) of new features.

  • Feature Default Description - The default description of new features.

  • Attributes - Attributes are defined using the Feature Template Attribute dialog:


    Attribute Name - specify the name of the attribute

    Data Type - set the value to be String (any characters) , Integer (whole numbers, signed 32-bit) , Float (single precision, decimal and scientific notation) or Boolean (0, 1; false, true; no, yes; etc.- not case sensitive). This data type will be validated during feature creation or editing.

    Allowed Values - Allowed values are attached to the attribute by clicking the “Allowed Values…” button. This opens the Allowed Attribute Values Dialog. Press the Add... button to add new allowed values. Edit and Delete buttons may also be used to modify the highlighted value.

    Value editable - Select the Value editable check-box to allow users to edit attributes. Otherwise they will be required to pick one of the allowed values for that attribute.

    Value input required - If this check-box is selected, the user will be prompted to enter a value for the attribute when a new feature is created. (The user may add additional attributes to a feature if desired.)

Using Feature Templates

Once the desired feature templates have been defined, layers that can apply the templates must be added to your project. Click on the Overlay Control Center button, and right click on the layer list area. Select the menu option “Create a New Feature Template Layer…”. A new layer will be created and a layer property sheet will be displayed. Select the “Template” tab to specify which feature template that layer will apply to new features added to the layer.

The user may only add features of the type defined by the feature template (point, line or area) to the layer.

Once the feature template layers have been defined, the project can be exported to a Global Mapper Mobile Package file (*.gmmp) for use with the Global Mapper Mobile application.

To create features in the Feature Template Layer in Global Mapper, use the Digitizer to create a new feature. Select the feature template layer to place the new feature. Only those template layers with compatible template types (point, line or area), will be included in the layer list.

If there are any attributes with the “Value input required” option set, the user will be prompted for those values after clicking OK.

A similar procedure is conducted to create features using the mobile application.