Diocese of New Westminster Parish Community Mapping Instructions

Link: http://www.shim.bc.ca/atlases/anglican/

How it works

Internet connection

• High speed internet is ideal for quick and easy access
• You must access the website through Internet Explorer.  FireFox and other browsers do not currently accept the atlas.
• First time users must download the Autodesk MapGuide program before viewing the atlas.  The atlas website will notify the user if Autodesk MapGuide needs downloading.  The download is free and downloads almost instantaneously.
• You must ensure that your pop-up feature is set to “allow pop-ups for this site”.
• You can access the website through Community Mapping Network. 

Tools and Legends

• Tools for viewing the atlas are on the top left.

• Use the select arrow to select an item or site on the map that you want to view information about.  You can use this tool to find the name of a feature by moving the arrow to that feature.  By taking the arrow to a legend symbol located on the map and double –clicking on the symbol the interactive data which was entered will pop-up.
  
  
• Use the ‘pan’(open hand) symbol to drag the current image appearing on your screen left, right, up or down.
  
  
• Use the ‘zoom’ (magnifying glass +) symbol if you want to zoom into the current image.  You can either just click on the area of the map you want to zoom into, or you can make a box around the area you want to zoom in by clicking and holding on to the left side of your mouse, drag it over the area and release your hand.
  
  
• Use the ‘zoom out’ (magnifying glass -) symbol to zoom out of the current image.  The same procedures for the ‘zoom’ tool apply here.
  
  
• Use the ‘unzoom’ tool to get back to the main map that shows all 78 parishes.
  
  
• Use the ‘zoom previous’ to return to the previous image.
  
  
• Use the ‘zoom goto’ to zoom to a specific location.

Legend on the Left

• Currently, there are 15 primary layers listed in the legend ( eg Points of Interest, Boundaries and Pathways, Grids, Sunshine Coast, Water Licenses, BC Cities etc).
  
  
• To activate the layer check the box on the left.  To deactivate, check the box again.

• We have collected a wealth of information and that information is hidden from immediate view.  That data is held in sub layers.  Sub layers are located by double clicking on one of the primary layers (double click on the actual title not the check box) and or by zooming into an area and monitoring the legend.  To activate a sub layer check the box associated with it.  To deactivate, check the box again.

Of Interest to the Sunshine Coast

• The Points of Interest layer has 17 viewable sub layers.  Once the primary layer box has been clicked on the sub layers will be activated.  The symbols associated with these sub layers will reveal themselves when the appropriate box has been clicked on.  These symbols are best accessed on the map through zooming in on specific areas.  By zooming in on the Sunshine Coast  you may see data symbols for ‘areas of cultural and historic significance, areas of ecological significance, areas of spiritual interest, bike repair stores, churches, farmer’s markets, organic food stores, recently harmed habitat, wildlife sightings, and youth friendly places’.
  
  
• Boundaries and Pathways layer has several sub layers.  The ones used most are called the walkable circle or significant boundaries.  These sub layers are used to designate features that may cover several acres. (i.e the Pan Pacific Aggregate mine site)
  
  
• The Sunshine Coast layer reveals at least 25 sub layers once that area of the map is zoomed into and primary layer is double clicked on.  Each of these sub layers may have further layers which are accessible by double clicking on each heading.  To activate make sure the Primary ‘Sunshine Coast layer ‘ is activated and that each sub layer you are interested in is also activated.
  
  
• These are some of the sub layers you can see by zooming into Sunshine Coast areas on the map and double clicking on ‘Sunshine Coast’ :
  
  Forest Cover, Wetlands, Contours, Trails (of all kinds), Power Lines, Parks, Heights of land, Water licenses, Forest service Roads, Band Lands, and annotation (naming feature)

• Revealing other layers.  By continuing to zoom in closer and closer other sub layers will be revealed.   Continue to monitor the legend on the left.  For example, Trim 1:20K and a host of fisheries information are revealed.
  
  
• The Transportation Layer shows the road network.
  
  
• The SCRD Fish Layer is an assemblage of data from Fisheries and Oceans for almost every creek and stream on the coast.
  
  
• The Boundaries layer outlines all the provincial parks.
  
  
• The Imagery layer is a terrific feature.  It uses satellite photos to show an area of concern.  Unfortunately, only orthophotos B&W are available for the Sunshine Coast.  For the Vancouver area you can click on colour and see good resolution photos collected in 2004.

Enjoy!

Play around with the system.  I think you will be very impressed. 

If you have any problems or questions contact me at dmoul@dccnet.com. 

If you have any suggested sites that you want placed on the map send that along also.