Add Layers

A map can consist of three types of layers: record types, reference layers, and an online base map. The online base map is the foundation for the project, and the other layers build upon the base.

• Record Types―This is the layer on which you place points, lines, areas, and non-geospatial records. For instructions on adding record types, see Collect Data with Uinta.
• Reference Layers―Reference layers overlay the base map and provide additional detail, such as property boundaries, tax parcels, wetlands, or topography. These layers are optional and can be turned on or off as needed. They can be saved to the cloud for access by anyone with project permissions or downloaded to your local device for offline use. Reference layer data cannot be edited, but the formatting can be customized.
• Online Base Map―The base map comes from a mapping service and is not editable. You can search the limited metadata available with the base map. It can be turned off to view only the visible reference layers.

Use External Images for Reference Layers

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 raster and vector 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)

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, Uinta converts vector images to MBTiles, and when saved to the cloud, these reference layers can be used across all platforms. 

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. 

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 an Image as 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.

File Size Limits 

When importing reference layer images, you can save them locally or upload them to the cloud. File size recommendations vary by format and storage location:

MBTiles format—

• Local storage: Limited only by your device's storage capacity
• Cloud upload: Must be less than 300 MB 

GeoTIFF format—

• Local storage: Less than 40 MB for efficient device performance
• Cloud upload: Must be less than 40 MB 

Uinta prevents you from uploading images to the cloud that exceed the recommended size limit. No warning appears for oversized files saved to your device. 

Sources for Reference Layer Imagery

There are many sources, both public and private, for reference layer imagery. The following table includes some public resources.

Public Sources	Available Imagery
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), TopoView: https://ngmdb.usgs.gov/topoview/	Topography Aerial imagery Note: For instructions on downloading USGS imagery and maps, see Using USGS Topography Maps & Aerial Imagery as Reference Layers.
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), National Map Download Application:  https://apps.nationalmap.gov/downloader/	Topography Aerial imagery Topobathy, elevation Hydrography Transportation Elevation Boundaries Structures Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) Woodland tint
Local GIS websites, such as county, state, and federal	Tax parcels Wetlands Flood plains Trails Plats Topography Aerial imagery Roads Utilities

Private sources of imagery include drone-captured imagery and the exported files from sensor-based surveys, such as Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR).

Import an Image as 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, Uinta converts vector images to MBTiles, and when saved to the cloud, these reference layers can be used across all platforms. Importing an image is most commonly done in the office using a Windows computer. 

To import a reference layer:

1. Open the project in Map view. 
2. Tap .
3. Tap Import layer.
4. Tap Reference layer.
   
5. Locate and select the file that you want to import. Tap Open.
6. If prompted, georeference the image. 
7. If you are importing the reference layer to a cloud project, select the storage location. 
   • Upload to cloud―Saves the reference layer to cloud storage and make it available to other Uinta users and devices. (Optional) Select Make layer required to have Uinta automatically download and enable the layer for all project users.
   • Keep local―Saves the reference layer to your device. The layer is only available from this device.
     

Uinta notifies you after the layer is successfully added to the project.

1. Select Visible next to the reference layer that you imported.
2. Tap anywhere on the screen to close the Layer Categories dialog.

Georeference an Image

A georeferenced image has location information attached to it so that each pixel in the image corresponds to a real-world location on the Earth. If the image lacks location information, Uinta prompts you to georeference the image.

1. Tap Georeference.

Uinta displays the imported image in the left pane and the map on the right. To georeference the image, you must tie points on the imported image to the same points on the map.  

Note: The following images are from Uinta for Windows. Screens may appear slightly different on an Android or iOS handheld device.

After you select a point, you have four options for georeferencing the image: pick on map, enter coordinates, use GPS, or pick record. The following table describes how to use each of these options. 

Option	Steps
Pick on map	Use this option to match recognizable points on the image with their corresponding locations on the map. You must select at least three control points to georeference the image.  Tap a recognizable point on the source image, such as a corner, road junction, or peak. Zoom in as needed. In the right pane, tap Pick on map. Select the corresponding point on the map. Continue matching points on the source image to their corresponding points on the map until you have added at least three control points. Note: To improve georeferencing accuracy, add more than three points and distribute them across the map.  When finished, tap Import Georeferenced.
Use GPS	Use this option if you have a GPS receiver and can navigate to the real-world locations of the control points. You must add at least three control points to georeference the image.  Tap a recognizable point on the source image, such as a corner, road junction, or peak. Zoom in as needed. Navigate to the corresponding real-world location. In the right pane, tap Use GPS. Tap Place GPS point. Continue matching points on the source image to their corresponding real-world locations until you have added at least three control points. Note: To improve georeferencing accuracy, add more than three points and distribute them across the map.  When finished, tap Import Georeferenced.
Enter coordinates	Use this option if you know the exact latitude and longitude coordinates for the corresponding real-world locations. Tap a recognizable point on the source image, such as a corner, road junction, or peak. Zoom in as needed. In the right pane, tap Enter Coordinates. Enter the latitude and longitude coordinates for the real-world location. Tap Place point. Continue matching points on the source image to their corresponding real-world locations until you have added at least three control points. Note: To improve georeferencing accuracy, add more than three points and distribute them across the map.  When finished, tap Import Georeferenced.
Pick record	Use this option to match points on the image with their corresponding mapped points. You must select at least three control points to georeference the image.  Tap a point on the source image that corresponds to a mapped point. Zoom in as needed. In the right pane, tap Pick record. On the map, select the corresponding mapped point.  Tap Use selected record. Continue matching points on the source image with their corresponding mapped points until you have added at least three control points.  Note: To improve georeferencing accuracy, add more than three points and distribute them across the map.  When finished, tap Import Georeferenced.

Adjust a Georeferenced Image

To adjust a layer's georeferencing:

1. Tap .
2. Expand Reference Layers.
3. Locate the reference layer and tap . 
4. Tap Edit Georeference to use the Georeference tool.
   
   Note: To make small adjustments, you can manually change the X and Y offsets. (See Adjust the X/Y Offset.)
5. Use one or more of the following methods to adjust the georeferencing.

Method	Steps
Add a point	Tap Add point.  Adjust the georeferencing.
Edit a point	Tap  . Adjust the georeferencing.
Delete a point	Tap .
Drag the control point	Drag a point on the source image to more closely align with the corresponding point.
Change the overlay opacity	On the map, drag the slider to change the overlay opacity and better see how the source image aligns with the map.

Add a Reference Layer to the Cloud

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

To move a reference layer to the cloud:

1. Tap .
2. Expand Reference Layers.
3. Tap Manage Reference Layers.
   
4. Select the layer and tap.
5. From the menu, select Upload to cloud.
   
6. (Optional) Select Make layer required to automatically download and enable the layer for all project users.
   
7. Tap Upload to cloud. Uinta notifies you after the layer is successfully uploaded to the cloud.
8. Return to the map.

Delete a Reference Layer

To delete a reference layer:

1. Tap .
2. Expand Reference layers.
3. Tap Manage reference layers.
   
4. Select the layer that you want to delete, and tap.
5. From the menu, select 
   • Delete from cloud—Deletes the reference layer from the cloud. Downloaded copies remain on devices where the layer was saved locally. 
   • Delete local file—Deletes the reference layer from your device. The layer remains available in the cloud, if applicable.
   • Open file location—Opens the folder containing your local map files. Select and delete the files you no longer need. Deleting a local file does not delete the layer from the cloud. 

Mark a Reference Layer Required or Optional

You can designate a reference layer saved to the cloud 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:

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

Set Reference Layer Visibility

To set the visibility of a reference layer: 

1. Open the project in Map view. 
2. Tap .
3. Expand Reference layers.
4. 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. 

1. 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. 
2. 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

Change the transparency of a reference layer by adjusting the opacity. 

1. Tap .
2. Expand Reference layers.
3. Tap  next to the layer you want to modify.
4. Move the Opacity slider to adjust the layer's transparency. The lower the opacity percentage, the more transparent the layer. 
   
5. Tap  to save your changes.
6. 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:

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

Uinta shows only the data that matches the search criteria.

1. 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.

1. Tap .
2. Expand Reference layers.
3. Tap  next to the layer you want to modify.
4. In Customize Layer Styles, select a style. 
   
5. Adjust the layer attributes. 
   
6. Tap  to save your changes.
7. After you finish, tap  to save your changes.
8. 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.

1. Tap .
2. Expand Reference layers.
3. Tap  next to the GeoTIFF layer that you want to modify.
4. 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.

1. Tap  to save your changes.
2. Return to the map.

Zoom to Layer

To focus the map on a reference layer: 

1. Tap .
2. Expand Reference Layers.
3. Tap  next to the layer you want to view.
   
4. Tap Zoom to layer.

Save a Map Region as a Reference Layer

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

Note: This feature is not available if the online base map uses Google Maps.

To save a map region as a reference layer:

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

Navigate to a Reference Layer 

With a GPS connection, Uinta can help you navigate to a reference layer with point, line, or area features in its metadata.

Note: Navigation accuracy depends on the accuracy of your GPS receiver.

To navigate to a reference layer (point, line or area):

1. Open the project in Map view.
2. Select a point, line, or area on the reference layer. 
   Note: For an area or a line, Uinta navigates to the closest vertex. 
   
3. Tap Navigate.
4. Follow the navigation arrow. GPS navigation works best when movement is detected.
   

Note: Tap  in the upper-right corner to switch to your device's default navigation app, such as Google Maps.