Template Editing

Feature Description

Template editing enables quick editing based on the current map template. Furthermore, it allows you to modify the styles and attributes of different types of objects within the template and dynamically adjust template parameters.Objects drawn based on a template share the same style and attributes as the template, enabling rapid editing and data updates.

You can use template editing to update data based on the style and attributes of the current map, or when you need to batch-create geographic features that adhere to the same style standards (e.g., the same land type categories in land use data must use the same style) or standardized property fields (e.g., the code field in land use data).

Template editing is applicable to point, line, polygon, and unique value thematic map layers. Once template editing is enabled, the editing state for all visible and editable point, line, polygon, and unique value thematic map layers in the map will be automatically enabled, and auto-cut polygons will be turned on.

Function Entrances

  • Edit Data Tab -> Basic Editing Group -> Template Editing Button.
  • Edit Data Tab -> Basic Editing Group -> Template Editing Drop-down Item -> Template Editing.
  • Map Tab -> Template Editing Group -> Template Editing Button.
  • Map Tab -> Template Editing Group -> Template Editing Drop-down Item -> Template Editing.

Operational Steps

  1. Enable Template Editing: Open an existing map or add data to the map, then click the Template Editing button through any of the function entrances above.
  2. The application will generate a template based on the current map and pop up the Template Editing panel on the right side of the window. In the Template Editing panel, object categories under each layer are listed by layer group by default. For a regular symbolized layer, its group contains only one default category, with its marker style matching the layer style. For a unique value thematic map layer, each unique value sub-item is listed separately under its group.

  3. If the default layer group organization does not meet your needs, click the drop-down button at the top-left corner of the panel to reselect the grouping method. Three grouping methods are provided: by layer, by geometry type, and by usage frequency.
    • Layer: This is the default option, which lists items by layer group.
    • Geometry Type: Selecting this option groups items by geometry type. Objects of all categories are listed in groups of point, line, and polygon geometry types.
    • Usage Frequency: Selecting this option groups items by usage frequency, dividing them into high-frequency and low-frequency groups. The top ten most frequently used categories in the template are placed in the high-frequency group, while the rest are listed in order of usage frequency in the low-frequency group.
  4. If the content in the Template Editing panel is excessive, you can quickly locate the desired category through search or filtering:
    • Enter a name or label in the search box to search directly. After searching, the panel will only display categories matching the input keyword.
    • Alternatively, click the drop-down button at the top-left corner of the panel to choose a filtering method. Four filtering methods are provided: Point, Line, Polygon, and Layer. Selecting point, line, or polygon filters to display only categories of that geometry type; selecting layer opens the Filter templates by layer dialog, which lists all layers in the template. You can deselect layers here to filter them out. To show all items after setting a filter, click the Clear filter button.
  5. In the Template Editing panel, right-click on a selected category to bring up the context menu. The context menu provides operations like delete and favorite:
    • Delete: Click this item to delete the selected category.
    • Favorite: Click this item to add the selected category to favorites, which will be displayed in the Favorites tab.
    • Rename: Click this item or double-click the category to rename the selected category.
    • Properties: Click this item to open the Properties Panel, where you can set the name, marker style, attributes, etc., of the selected category.
  6. Manage the Current Template:
    • When the grouping method is by layer, you can delete unused layer groups. Hover the mouse over a layer group node; a Delete button will appear at the end of the node. Click this button to remove the layer from the template.
    • The management button drop-down provides Add Layer and Management Template functions.
      • Management Template: Modify the marker style, attributes, etc., of different categories in the template, and add or delete categories from layers.
      • Add Layer: Used to add layers to the current template. Click the Add Layer button to open the Add Layer dialog. The Select Layer list displays layers not previously added or layers that were deleted. You can check the boxes to select layers to add. For unique value thematic map layers, you can further select categories to add in the Select Categories list. After selection, click the OK button to add the chosen layers.
  7. In the panel, click to select a category. The mouse cursor will change to a crosshair, and the Feature Property panel will appear below the panel. You can modify the attributes of drawing objects while drawing in the map. Newly drawn objects will have the same marker style and attributes as the selected category.

Related Topics

Select Template

Management Template

Template Manager