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How-To Guide: GIS Maps

Topic:
Enterprise GIS
Tags:
GIS,
How-To,
GIS Maps

The GIS Maps application allows you to explore all Ohio State University Campuses; map, download data, and find information about buildings on campus. It consists of a public portion and a login restricted portion that contains secure information, such as leases, facilities conditions, utility locations and floorplans. If you need access to the secured layers, please submit a request.

The application is divided into three main regions:

  1. The Application banner at the top provides links to: login, view data in table format, or link to other applications or help information
  2. The Map area displays the map of campus and a handful of navigation tools in the top-left corner.
  3. The tools panel on the left side provides you with additional functionality to interact with the map and the data behind it. Hover over each tool to find out what they do

1 Navigating the Map 

There are a few ways to zoom and pan the map.

  • If you have a wheel mouse, zoom in on the map by moving the mouse cursor over the map and scrolling the wheel forward a few times. To zoom out using the scroll wheel, simply scroll backward.
  • If you have a keyboard, hold the shift key while dragging a rectangle on the map to zoom to a specific area of the map.
  • If you are using a touch screen, using the pinch gesture to zoom to a specific area of the map.
  • Click on the + or - sign on the map to zoom in (+) or out (-).
  • To pan around the map, click on it then drag away from the location you want to see.

2 Tools

This section provides detailed information about each tool included in this web application. Space Information is the only tool that requires login access.

Tools on the top banner

Log In Tool

  • Click on this tool to login and have access to additional layers and tools.
  • Once you have clicked on the login button, you will be presented with a login page where you can enter your OSU Username and Password.

Map Tools

  • Click this button to toggle the tool bar on the left of the map on or off.

Table View

  • Click this button to view the tables of all the data layers in the map.  Sort or filter by various attributes. Or even export the tables for use in Excel.

More Info

  • Find links to print maps, other apps, our request form and help articles

Tools Panel on the left

Map Layers Tool

  • By default, only certain data layers are shown on the map. This tool lets you change what information you see on the map.
  • To expand a group, simply click on the arrow next to it. To make a layer or layer grouping visible, check its checkbox. To turn it off, uncheck the checkbox.
  • It is also possible to change the transparency of a group of layers. You can do so by clicking the three dots on the right of the layers and then dragging the slider to the percent of Transparency you prefer.
  • Availability of data layers will depend on your permission levels. 

Search Tool

  • The Search Tool lets you find a building or another location on the map (such as amenities or art)
  • Type in the search box, then click the result that you’re interested in.  The map should zoom to your asset of interest.
  • Click the “x” to clear your search and selection

Imagery Gallery

  • Toggle between Imagery or graphic representations of the campus. Select which imagery option you would like to see, but then you will also need to click on the map layers tool and uncheck basemap at the bottom of the list or it will hide your imagery.

Locations Tool

  • The Locations tool lists many campus areas, including:
    • Columbus, Lima, Mansfield, Marion, Newark, Wooster, OSU Airport, OSU Golf Club, Stone Lab, East hospital, all the Outpatient Care sites, all the ARS and CFAES sites
  • After clicking on one of the sites, the map will zoom to the extent of that campus.

Directions Tool

  • This tool provides directions to go from one location to another on campus. To use it, specify the starting and ending location, then clicking on the “Route” button.
  • There are three options available to set the starting or ending location:
    • Use your current location as detected by your browser by clicking on the “Use your location as start” button.
    • Click on the crosshairs and then click on a location on the map.
    • Type in building name in the textbox to search for the buildings.

Draw Tool

  • The Draw tool includes tools allow you to measure features and the abilityto place points, lines, polygons, and text on the map.
    • you can set the points, lines, polygons, or text size and color.
    • You can set the opacity for polygons as well.
  • When drawing lines or polygons, click once on the map to add a vertex or corner. Click twice to indicate you are done drawing.
  • To remove the graphics from the map, click on the “Clear all” button.

Print Tool

  • The Print tool creates a PDF map of the current map view. Select whether you just want the map view or if you would like one with a legend. Please note that the creation of the PDF may take a few moments. You can continue using the site and get back to the Print Tool at a later time to download the PDF.

Suggest an Edit Tool

  • This tool allows you to draw an area on the map and type in a comment associated with that area. The information provided will be reviewed by the appropriate staff and data updates made as necessary.
  • Click the box next to Suggest an Edit to turn suggestions on or off on the map.
  • Clicking on an existing edit feature shows the comment.

Extract Tool

  • This tool lets you download the data behind the map in a GIS (file geodatabase, shapefile, CAD or Microstation file). To do so, click on the “Draw” tool to draw an extent of the area on the map for which you would like data to be extracted. After specifying the extent, select the layer(s) of interest, then scroll down, if necessary, to click on the “Extract Data” button.

If you have login privileges, you will also have access to the:

3 Space Information Tool

Click the Indoor Tool button to explore two modes:

Summaries

  • View stats on sq footage by function, room type or cost center for all buildings or just a selected one.
  • If a single building is selected, all the room functions, room types and cost centers can be seen with associated square footages at the very bottom of the right panel.

Floorplan Exploration

  • To view floorplans, click the Floorplans and Spaces check box near the top under the Floorplan Exploration tab.
  • Select the desired floor from the Floor Selector dropdown list. The floor plan will be displayed on the map along with the room numbers.
  • Clicking on a room shows detailed information about the room
  • You can filter floorplans by function, room type or room sub type.   For example, see all the classrooms on a floor or unselect floors and see all the classrooms across the entire campus or pick a building from the space query drop down, but leave floors unselected and see all the classrooms in a particular building.  The bar charts below will dynamically update and show detailed gross areas on whatever you filtered by.
  • Alternatively, you can select a floor and then a building and the floorplan will dynamically theme to show the various functions for each space. If you want to see theming by room type of room sub type you will need to select an option from one of those drop downs.
  • Uncheck the spaces check box, to see floorplans without any theming or colors, but you will not be able to identify on spaces.
  • To turn the Indoor Tool pane on the right on or off. Click the Indoor Tool button in the Space information tool

4 Frequently Asked Questions

How do I log in?

  • To log in, click on the login button in the upper right-hand corner (graphic of a person with a plus sign). Once you have clicked on the login button, you will be presented with a login page where you should enter your Ohio State Username and Password.

I can’t log in?

  • Having a university login does not mean you automatically have access to restricted layers such as Space Data, Infrastructure, or Public Safety. You will need to request access here: https://go.osu.edu/gisservicerequest

I used the Identify tool. Why is it not showing me the right information?

  • There may be multiple features located at the location where you clicked. In the title bar of the Identify window, you will see arrows to go to the next and previous features. Click on the arrows to cycle through all the features.

How do I turn on imagery?

  • Click the imagery gallery tool on the left side of the map. Select which imagery option you would like to see, but then you will also need to click on the map layers tool and uncheck basemap at the bottom of the list otherwise it will hide the imagery.

Can I adjust the transparency of a layer?

  • Yes, you can adjust the transparency of a set of layers in the Map Layers tool by clicking on the three dots to the right of the layer name. Click Transparency and drag the slider to the percent of transparency desired. 

How do I turn off the Indoor Tool pane on the right?

  • Click the Indoor Tool button in the Space information tool to turn the pane on or off 

Where can I find the Building Assessments (Foscore reports)?

  • The Building Assessment reports can be found in the pop ups for any of the buildings that you click on.  Look for the Foscore field listed in the popup and click on the hyperlink to launch the report.

Where can I find Floor Plans and Space Information?

  • Floor plans and Space Information can be found under the Indoor Tools in either the Summaries or Floorplan Exploration.