.. _creating-map:

Creating Maps
=============

.. warning::
	| Remember: only authenticated users can create maps. You can create maps only with: public data, data of which you are the owner, or data assigned to your staff group, according to the layer permissions.

This section show how to create a *Map* using some uploaded layers, combine them with some other layers from remote web services, and then share the resulting map for public viewing.

In order to create new maps you can use:

* the :guilabel:`Create Map` link of the *Maps* dropdown menu in the navigation bar

  .. figure:: img/create_map_link.png
     :alt: The Create Map link
     :align: center
     :name: create_map_link

     The Create Map link

* the :guilabel:`Create Map` button in the *Explore Layer Page* (it creates a map using a specific selected  layer)

  .. figure:: img/create_map_button.png
     :alt: Create Map button in the Explore Layer Page
     :align: center
     :name: create_map_button

     Create Map button in the Explore Layer Page

* the :guilabel:`Create a Map` button - in a specific *Layer Page* (it creates a map using this layer)

  .. figure:: img/create_map_layer_page.png
     :alt: Create a Map button - in a specific Layer Page
     :align: center
     :name: create_map_layer_page

     Create a Map button - in a specific Layer Page

The new *Map* will open in a *Map Viewer* like the one in the picture below.

.. figure:: img/map_viewer.png
     :alt: The Map Viewer
     :align: center
     :name: map_viewer

     The Map Viewer

.. |toc_button| image:: img/toc_button.png
    :width: 30px
    :height: 30px
    :align: middle

.. |burger_menu_button| image:: img/burger_menu_button.png
    :width: 30px
    :height: 30px
    :align: middle

.. |show_button| image:: img/show_button.png
    :width: 30px
    :height: 30px
    :align: middle

.. |hide_button| image:: img/hide_button.png
    :width: 30px
    :height: 30px
    :align: middle

.. |zoom_to_layer_extent_button| image:: img/zoom_to_layer_extent_button.png
    :width: 30px
    :height: 30px
    :align: middle

.. |layer_settings_button| image:: img/layer_settings_button.png
    :width: 30px
    :height: 30px
    :align: middle

| In the upper left corner the |toc_button| button opens the :ref:`toc` of the *Map*. It allows to manage all the layers associated with the map and to add new ones from the *Catalog*.
| The *TOC* component makes possible to manage layers overlap on the map by shifting their relative positions in the list (drag and drop them up or down in the list).
| It also allows to hide/show layers ( |show_button| and |hide_button| ), to zoom to layers extents ( |zoom_to_layer_extent_button| ) and to manage their properties ( |layer_settings_button| ).
| Once the map layers have been settled it is possible to save the *Map* by clicking on |burger_menu_button| and choosing :guilabel:`Save as`.

.. figure:: img/new_map_creation.*
     :alt: Creating new Maps
     :align: center
     :name: new_map_creation

     Creating new Maps

If you followed the steps above, you have just created your first Map. Now you should see it in the *Explore Map*s page, see :ref:`map-info` for further details.

We will take a closer look at the *Map Viewer* tools in the :ref:`exploring-maps` section.