Use Reference Layers

In Uinta, a map can consist of three types of layers: base, reference, and feature. The base layer is the foundation for the project, and the other layers build upon the base.

Feature Layer―In Uinta, this layer is called Record Types. This is the layer on which you place points, lines, areas, and records.
Reference Layers―Reference layers are placed on top of the base and add additional detail to the map, such as property boundaries, a heat map, or contour lines. You can have multiple reference layers and can turn on/off reference layers as needed. Reference layers are optional.
Base Layer―In Uinta, this layer is called Online Base Maps. The base map comes from a mapping service and is not editable. You can search the limited metadata available with the base map.

Understanding Raster and Vector Images

Reference layers come from imported raster or vector images.

Raster images, built from a grid of pixels, are imported as non-editable layers. The image resolution is determined by the number of pixels and increasing the size of the image can lead to a loss of quality.
Vector images use mathematical formulas to create shapes, borders, and fill colors and can be scaled to any size without losing quality. These layers are editable and searchable, but the geospatial data cannot be modified.

The following table shows the vector and raster file types that can be imported into Uinta.

Raster File Types	Vector File Types
GeoTIFF (.tiff) *	Google Earth (.kml/.kmz)
MBTiles (.mbtiles)	Shapefile (.shp)
	GeoPKG (.gpkg)
	GeoJSON (.geojson)
	CSV (.csv)

* To be used as a reference layer, a GeoTIFF file must be geo-referenced. Uinta will notify you if a GeoTIFF file lacks the necessary metadata.

When to Import a Vector Image as Reference Layer

A vector image can contain geospatial data that can be imported into Uinta as either editable records or as a reference layer. Use the following table to select the best method for your project.

Import a Vector Image as	When
A reference layer	You want to view and filter the file's geospatial data but do not need to edit the data. This method works well for large vector files with lots of geospatial data. See Import a Reference Layer.
Editable records	You want to add the file's geospatial data to a new or existing project and have the ability to edit the data. See Import Data.

Import a Reference Layer

Raster images can be directly imported as reference layers across all Uinta platforms (Windows, Android, and iOS). In contrast, vector images can only be imported as reference layers using Uinta for Windows. During the import process, vector images are converted to MBTiles, and once saved to the cloud, these reference layers can be used across all platforms.

To import a reference layer,

Open the project in Map view.
Tap .
Tap Import layer.
Tap Reference layer.
Locate and select the file that you want import. Tap Open.
(Optional) Select Make layer required to download the layer to the local device and make it visible by default.
Tap Begin upload. Uinta notifies you after the layer is successfully added to the project.
Return to the map.

Delete a Reference Layer

To delete a reference layer,

Tap .
Expand Reference layers.
Tap Manage reference layers.
Select the layer that you want to delete, and tap .
From the menu, select
- Delete from cloud—Removes the reference layer from the cloud. The layer will still be available on any devices on which it has been downloaded as a local file. Select Yes, delete file from cloud to confirm the deletion.
- Delete local file—Removes the reference layer from your local device. The layer may still be available on the cloud for other project users. Select Yes, delete local file to confirm the deletion.

Return to the map.

Mark Reference Layer Required or Optional

If saved to the cloud, you can mark a reference layer as required or optional.

Required layer―Automatically downloads for all project users
Optional layer―Available to download from the cloud for all project users

To set a layer as required or optional,

Tap .
Expand Reference layers.
Tap Manage reference layers.
Select the layer and tap .
From the menu, select Set as required or Set as optional.
Return to the map.

Set Reference Layer Visibility

To set the visibility of a reference layer,

Open the project in Map view.
Tap .
Expand Reference layers.
Select or clear the Visible checkbox next to a layer to show or hide it.

In Windows, visible layers automatically move to the top of the list.

Sort the active reference layers to optimize visibility.
- Windows―Drag the visible reference layers into the desired order.
- Android and iOS―Tap Order layers. Select a layer, and tap Up or Down on the toolbar to move the layer.
Return to the map.

Customize a Reference Layer

The extent to which you can customize a reference layer depends on the source file.

Raster images have the file format .mbtiles or .tiff. You can adjust layer opacity (both file types) and move the X and Y offsets (.tiff layers only). Because the images contain no geospatial data, filtering layer data is not an option.
Vector images imported into Uinta are converted to the file format .mbtiles and retain their geospatial data. You can adjust the layer opacity, customize the layer style, and filter the layer data.

Change Opacity of a Reference Layer

You can change the transparency of a reference layer by adjusting the opacity.

Tap .
Expand Reference layers.
Tap next to the layer you want to modify.
Move the Opacity slider to adjust the layer's transparency. The lower the opacity percentage, the more transparent the layer.
Tap to save your changes.
Return to the map.

Filter Layer Data

If the reference layer was imported from a vector image, the layer may contain additional geospatial data that can be searched.

To filter the layer data,

Tap .
Expand Reference layers.
Tap next to the layer you want to modify.
In Filter Layer Data, enter the search criteria and press Enter.
Tap to save your changes.

Uinta shows only the data that matches the search criteria.

Return to the map.

Customize Layer Styles

If the reference layer was imported from a vector image, you can customize layer styles assigned to the geospatial data.

Tap .
Expand Reference layers.
Tap next to the layer you want to modify.
In Customize Layer Styles, select a style.
Adjust the layer attributes.
Tap to save your changes.
After you finish, tap to save your changes.
Return to the map.

Adjust the X/Y Offset for GeoTIFF Layer

You can adjust the position of a GeoTIFF reference layer relative to the base map by moving the X and Y offsets.

Tap .
Expand Reference layers.
Tap next to the GeoTIFF layer that you want to modify.
Drag the X Offset and Y Offset sliders to adjust the position of the layer.

Tap Reset to return the X and Y offsets to the original settings.

Tap to save your changes.
Return to the map.

Create a Reference Layer from a Map Region

Using Uinta for Windows, you can save a selected map region as a reference layer. If you save the layer to the cloud, it is accessible for all project users.

To create a reference layer from a map region,

Tap .
Expand Reference layers.
Tap Manage reference layers.
Tap Create new.
Zoom in or out as needed to fit the desired region of the map in the selection area.
In Offline map name, enter the name for the reference layer.
Tap Download. The reference layer is saved to your hard drive in Documents\Uinta\Offline Maps.

Add a Reference Layer to a Cloud Project

Adding a reference layer to a cloud project makes the layer accessible to anyone with access to the project.

To move a reference layer to the cloud,

Tap .
Expand Reference Layers.
Tap Manage Reference Layers.
Select the layer and tap .
From the menu, select Upload to cloud.
(Optional) Select Make layer required to have Uinta automatically download and enable the layer for all project users.
Tap Begin upload.

Uinta notifies you after the layer is successfully uploaded to the cloud.

Return to the map.