Vector Geometry Edition
1. Description
This tool is for editing the geometry of a vector file generated or uploaded in Aether.
Info
When modifying a vector, only the layer in the map view is modified. The initial version is still available in the download section.
2. Workflow
Warning
Any modification on the vector cannot be undone.
Step 1 - On the layer panel, tick the box of a vector file and click on the "Activate / Disable: Geometry edition module" icon next to the name of your vector file.
Info
If the vector layer is not selected the vector geometry edition module icon is not displayed.
To avoid mistakes, it's possible to create a copy of the vector prior to any geometric vector modification with Duplicate Vector Layer.
Step 2 - Once in the geometry edition mode you have access to several tools:
- The left bar allows the addition of new features (point, line, polygon, rectangle), the selection of several features with a lasso, and the access to measurement tools.
- Right-click on one or several features to have access to additional tools to edit the selection.
3. Description of the functions
3.1 Feature selection
Select each feature (part of the vector) to modify by clicking on ctrl + left + click or by using the selection tool. Double-click to finish using the selection tool.
3.2 Rotation
- Right-click on the selection and left-click on the following icon.
- Use the dashed line as a handle and rotate the selection with the mouse.
The value in the input field will give you information about the angle of rotation. - To be more precise, you can enter a value in the field to add a rotation offset and press "Enter"
Info
- The Rotation field works with positive and negative values and will rotate the whole selection according to the input value.
- The degrees that are indicated will add an offset to the initial rotation (i.e. the degrees selected are not based on the real north orientation)
- The rotation tool is available for polygon and line features
3.3 Relocate, move features
- Right-click on the selection and Left-click on the following icon.
- Hold the selection and move the shape on the map.
3.4 Deletion
- Right-click on the selection and Left-click on the following icon.
- Confirm the action on the popup.
3.5 Polygon edition
- Right-click on the selection and Left-click on the following icon.
- Left-click on the shape to add a vertex and then hold the click and drag the point to the right position.
- To delete a vertex, hover the mouse on the vertex and press Alt + left-click on the vertex.
Info
To maintain a polygon shape, a minimum of three vertices are required. It's not possible to delete all vertices.
Please notice that this functionality is available for one single feature at a time, the icon is not visible when selecting several features.
Also, this feature does not work for 'Multipolygon' shapes.
3.6 Transformation
This tool allows you to change the dimensions of the shapes.
- Right-click on the selection and Left-click on the following icon.
- To change the dimensions: enter a decimal value for the Width and height and press "Enter".
Info
For rectangular shapes:
- If several rectangles with the same dimensions are selected, the common value of all shapes is displayed.
- Width and Height values will set each selected rectangle at the exact specified value.
For other shapes (not rectangular, or 'Multipolygon'):
- The dimensions that are displayed correspond to the theoretical bounding box (not visible) around the whole selection.
The tool isn't available for lines and point features. For lines, it is recommended to use the "Edit lines" tool.
3.7 Add feature
- To add a new feature in a vector, select the type of feature you want to add in the toolbar and then draw the shape on the map.
Info
A tooltip informs instantly the user during the drawing (movement of the mouse) about the dimensions and area depending on the type of drawing.
- for box and polygon: area, width, and height.
- For line: the distance or total distance in case of multiline.
- In the popup, fill in mandatory attributes to complete the creation.
- Once created, the new feature is visible on the map and the attributes are updated in the info panel.
Info
- You can create several features of the same type one after the other
- If your layer doesn't have any attributes, the attributes popup isn't displayed. See the following article to learn more about attribute edition: Modify Attributes and Individual Values of a Vector
- When drawing rectangle shapes: borders stay parallel to the screen
4. Vector file export
The modified vector file can be exported to your computer if necessary.
Download the modified vector file (i.e. including the geometry modifications and including the properties if any):
- From the layers panel, go to SURVEY DATA, and select the vector layer to open the info panel on the right. Click on the 3 dot menu on the top right and Download as GeoJSON or CSV.
- Download the original vector file (i.e. the file that does not contain any modification): click on the folder button on the left bar, search the file with the "file" icon, and click on the arrow to export it.
