Map Layer Hierarchy

INDEX PREVIOUS NEXT

As you import different data source types a layer hierarchy is built up consisting of layers and sublayers. Data sources of the same type are grouped as sublayers of a parent layer as shown for ESRI/Shape and GeoTIFF files in Figure 2.2. You can rename layers and sublayers to make the name more meaningful. For example, San Francisco Streets would be more meaningful than SF_Streets.shp.

You can also set up your own layer hierarchy by creating new layers and sublayers. You can then fill them with one or more of the data sources you have already imported. Figure 2.3 shows an example of a new parent layer called Top Shape into which the SF_Streets.shp file has been placed.

map layers can also be hidden from the layer tree. For example, in a case where end users can add more map layers to an application that has a fixed background map, the application developer may want to ensure that the end user cannot alter or remove this background map. The solution to this problem is to hide those layers from the tree so that they cannot be modified. For more information, see Creating a Map Layer Hierarchy and Hiding and Showing a Map Layer.