Data Layers Custom Layers Image Layers

Spatial data layers can be added to the base map to provide further information and context to the visitor. Points, lines and polygons can all be added to the Social Map. This can be useful to highlight areas or features related to the activity.

The Social Map uses the WGS 1984 geographic coordinate system. When uploading your spatial data layers, your files will automatically be converted into this system.

Map layers can be added from .shp or .geojson files. To add layers via GeoJSON or Shapefile:

1. Navigate to the 'Layers’ tab and and select 'Add Layer’.
2. Choose either ‘GeoJSON’ or ‘Shapefile’ from the dropdown.
3. Name your layer and upload the file.
4. Select the blue ‘Save’ button to save your layer.
5. Select the blue ‘Save Social Map' to apply it on the Social Map.

When working with the shapefile format, it is important to note that these are comprised of multiple files, that necessarily include .shp, .shx and .dbf, but can also include a variety of optional files with different formats.

To use shapefiles within Social Pinpoint, all relevant files must be converted to a .zip file in order to be used within the mapping tools.

💡User Tip

If you want to draw your own data layers, but don’t have GIS skills or software, you can use this free tool. It helps let you easily draw point layers, lines or polygons. Simply sketch the features, save as .geojson and upload into Social Pinpoint.

Custom data layers can be added to the base map to provide further information and context to the visitor. Points, lines and polygons can all be added to the Social Map. To add custom layers:

1. Give your layer a name in the provided field.
2. You will be presented with a map, which you can enter an address into to refocus to your desired location. You can use the scroll and zoom functions provided to see more detail.
3. There are three shapes on the right hand side of the map:
   - Linestring allows you to draw lines on your map or create shapes using lines.
   - Polygon allows you to create polygon shapes on your map
   - Marker allows you to drop a pin at a particular point of interest.
4. Once you have defined your layer you can create a pop-up with information and/or an image. Under Feature Collection, select Edit Feature Info and fill out the relevant information.
5. Once you have defined your layer, you will be able to adjust the stroke colour, width and opacity, as well as fill colour, fill opacity and dash array.
6. When you are finished, select Save Layer.

Images of plans, diagrams or other non-spatial data can be superimposed on the basemap to give it a spatial context and collect spatially accurate feedback.

To add a geo-referenced image to the Social Map:

1. Navigate to the ‘Layers’ tab, select 'Add Layer' and scroll down to ‘Image’.
2. Name your layer and upload your image (jpeg, png or gif).
3. Enter the 'Image Bounds' which are the latitude and longitude coordinates of the image to position the corners correctly over the map. *Our Social Map uses the WGS 1984 geographic coordinate system.
4. Select the blue ‘Save Layer’ button to save your layer.

Placing an image on the social map you'll need 'two points':

1. Top left point's longitude and latitude.
2. Bottom right point's longitude and latitude.

Please note that images should be North-Facing otherwise it wouldn't display properly.

The coordinates N and W refer to the Latitude and Longitude of point 1. The S and E refer to the Latitude and Longitude of point 2.

Example:

How would I get these coordinates?

There are a couple of tools you can use the most common mapping system would be Google Maps.

Selecting a point in the map would show the coordinates for that specific point in a small pop-up window (see image above), once you have the proper coordinates for the top point you can repeat to get the bottom point coordinates.

If you want a more accurate box placement, you can enable the 'Define all corners' tick box and it will ask for all four corner's coordinates.