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mhogeweg edited this page Dec 26, 2012 · 9 revisions

Table of Contents

Customize the Search Map

The search map is referenced in the \\geoportal\WEB-INF\classes\gpt\config\gpt.xml file. This same service will also be used for the Preview page, the Details page, the metadata editor forms, but not a custom download page. The map is called on the interface by the ArcGIS Server JavaScript API. This topic covers changing the type of search map service used, changing the map's initial extent, considerations to keep in mind when configuring the search map, and how to change the dimensions of the search map on the search page.

Changing the Search Map Service

To change the search map service itself, open the \\geoportal\WEB-INF\classes\gpt\config\gpt.xml file and update the mapServiceUrl to reference a different service.

Important Notes

  • In Geoportal Server versions 0.9 to 1.1.1, only ArcGIS Server Map Server services are supported. Starting at Geoportal version 1.2, there are four types of services supported; additional parameters in the gpt.xml file should be configured for the WMS or OpenStreetMap services:
  • The ability to preview image services: The service used for your Search map uses a certain projection. When an attempt is made to preview a service on that map, the geoportal checks if valid data can be obtained for placing on the map in its given projection. In the case of feature-like services (GEORSS, KML, etc.) it is always possible because the features themselves can be projected from their original projection to a base map projection using a geometry service. However, in the case of image services (ArcIMS, WMS), obtaining project-able data is limited jpg, png, TIF cannot be reprojected through a geometry service. So if a WMS or ArcIMS Image service registered in the geoportal catalog does not support the projection of your geoportal Search map in its GetCapabilities, you will likely not be able to preview that service in the Geoportal Preview window.

ArcGIS Server Map Server REST endpoint

Supported in all Geoportal Server versions. This must be a REST URL. It cannot be a SOAP URL. The mapServiceType should be set to "dynamic"; if you set it to "tiled", the zooming features of the Javascript map are not rendered correctly. Also, ArcGIS Online services are available for this parameter if your organization doesn't have an ArcGIS Server service it prefers to use.

interactiveMap element configuration example:

  • mapServiceUrl="http://serverName/arcgis/rest/services/serviceName/MapServer"
  • mapServiceType="dynamic"

WMS service URL

Supported for Geoportal Server version 1.2. For a WMS service URL, the OGC-specific '?request=GetCapabilities&service=WMS' string must not be included. An optional element called mapVisibleLayers is available; mapVisibleLayers is an array of visible WMS layer names. This parameter should be defined only when WMS is used as a map service. Layer names are found in the name element of the WMS GetCapabilities xml.

interactiveMap element configuration example:

  • mapServiceUrl="http://serverName/arcgis/services/serviceName/WMSServer"
  • mapServiceType="wms"
  • mapVisibleLayers="['nameA','nameB','nameC']"

WMTS service URL

Supported for Geoportal Server version 1.2. For a WMTS service URL, the OGC-specific '?request=GetCapabilities&service=WMTS' string must not be included. Support for wmts is very generic; some more elaborated scenarios would require custom algorithms to deal with certain WMTS services. Implementation of such algorithms has been left to your organization's discretion. Refer to http://help.arcgis.com/en/webapi/javascript/arcgis/help/jsapi/wmtslayer.htm#webprint for API reference or to http://help.arcgis.com/en/webapi/javascript/arcgis/help/jssamples/layers_wmtslayer.html#webprint and http://help.arcgis.com/en/webapi/javascript/arcgis/help/jssamples/layers_wmtslayerresourceinfo.html#webprint for more ideas how to programmatically customize WMTS support.

interactiveMap element configuration example:

The OpenStreetMap service

Supported for Geoportal Server version 1.2. For OpenStreetMap, leave the mapServiceUrl empty.

interactiveMap element configuration example:

  • mapServiceUrl=""
  • mapServiceType="openstreet"

Important things to remember for the map service

Make sure that the search map service you use considers the following:

  • Projected services are supported, but with consequences. As the metadata document envelopes and searches are based upon opposing geographic coordinate system coordinates, the opposing corners cannot be drawn in a projected rectangle. This will cause instances where the search results do not match the visible criteria. In order to use a projected service, the geometryServiceUrl attribute has to be set on the <interactivemap></interactivemap> tag.
  • Do not use map services with spatial reference not defined using a well-known ID (WKID). Because the search map is based on the JavaScript API, limitations for the JavaScript API will apply to the search map. There is a known issue with the JavaScript API only supporting coordinate systems defined by a WKID. It is possible for the spatial reference of a map to also be defined as a definition string (WKT), but this will result in odd behaviors in the search map. For example, you may not see a footprint of the metadata records on the search page, you may not be able to define envelope for the metadata created/edited on the Create Metadata form, and Preview will fail for displaying 'graphical' services such as GeoRSS or KML/KMZ.
  • For versions 1.0 and 1.1.x only: If you plan to use a map service for your search map that uses a coordinate system other than WGS 1984 - EPSG 4326, then you may have to set the jsapiUrl parameter in the gpt.xml file to reference the version 1.6 JavaScript API instead of the default version 2.0.

Change the Initial Extent of the Map

By default, the initial extent of the geoportal's map is the same as the initial extent of the service itself. At Geoportal Server version 1.2, it is possible to define the initial extent of the map and therefore override initial extent of the service. This functionality is available for any service type, regardless whether its 'dynamic', 'openstreet', 'wms', or 'wmts'. However, it only affects the map on search page and preview page; it is not enabled on the metadata details page (it already zooms to the envelope), or the metadata editor (which either zooms to the envelope if editing already existing metadata or utilizes a separate mechanism of defining the initial extent if creating new metadata).

How to Configure the Initial Extent

In the gpt.xml file's interactiveMap element, add a 'mapInitialExtent' attribute. The value of that attribute is a JSON-complaint definition of the Esri JavaScript API extent (http://help.arcgis.com/en/webapi/javascript/arcgis/help/jsapi/extent.htm#webprint).

Example: 

<interactiveMap mapInitialExtent="xmin:0,ymin:0,xmax:90,ymax:45,spatialReference:{wkid:4326}" />

Change the Search Map Dimensions

If you change the default search map that appears on the search page, you may have to change the dimensions of the map container itself to better suit your geographic area. The code for the search page can be found in the \\geoportal\catalog\search\criteria.jsp file. Below are steps to get you started.

  • Open the \\geoportal\catalog\search\criteria.jsp file in a text editor.
  • Navigate to the div that has an id of interactiveMap.
  • The div has an associated width and height specified in its style attribute. Change the width and height values as needed.
  • The div that holds the interactiveMap has a parent div that creates the border around the map. If you change the dimensions of the child div, you must also update the dimensions of this parent div. Locate the div declaration immediately above the interactiveMap div. Change the width and height values of the style attribute as needed.
  • An example where the height and width are changed to 537 pixels and 360 pixels respectively is shown below:
<f:verbatim>
  <div id="locatorCandidates" class="locatorCandidates"></div>
  <div style="width: 537px; height: 360px; margin-top: 1px; border: 1px solid #000000;">
    <div 
     id="interactiveMap" 
     dojotype="dijit.layout.ContentPane" 
     style="width:537px; height:360px; 
     cursor:pointer;">
    </div>
  </div>
</f:verbatim>
  • It is also important to change the width of the Geoportal page size to accomodate your larger map. To change the width, open the preview.css from the \\geoportal\catalog\skins\themes\[color] folder. In that file, increase the size of page by adjusting the width value. In the example below, the width is increased from 880px to 980px:
div#gptMainWrap {
      width: 980px;
  • Save the altered files, restart the geoportal web application, and open a new browser window for your geoportal to see the change in effect.
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