Eye4Software Hydromagic

  Hydrographic Survey Software


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Layer properties and display options

In Hydromagic, each map or matrix has its own layer which contains the map itself, but also information on the type of map, the boundaries, dimension, scale and other meta-data. The layer properties dialog allows you to view this information and to adjust display options for raster maps, like opacity and brightness.

You can access this dialog by right-clicking on the map or matrix in the project explorer, and selecting the "Map Properties" options from the context menu:

Select the map properties option from the context menu.
Select the "Map Properties..." option from the context menu.


Layer Meta-Data

The first part of the dialog shows you some information on the layer, such as image size, scale, map boundaries, file name and layer type:

The layer properties window shows map information and meta-data.
The layer properties window shows map information and meta-data


Layer Display Options

The layer display options allow you to adjust the display settings for raster and matrix map images. This setting will be disabled when you use this dialog on vector maps. Please be careful when using the brightness option on matrix map images since it will distort colors, so the depth colors displayed will not match the color legend anymore.

Use the sliders to adjust display options like brightness and opacity.
Use the sliders to adjust display options like brightness and opacity.


Layer Opacity

By default the opacity of a layer is 100 percent, which means it will fully cover the background color or layers behind it. By decreasing the opacity value using the slider, the layer will become more transparent so layers which are hidden after it will 'shine through', as in the example below. The opacity is stored in your project file, so this setting is not volatile. When moving the slider, the new setting will applied instantly, so you can see the result while adjusting the slider.

Partially transparent satellite image over a street map. Partially transparent satellite image over a matrix.
Partially transparent satellite image over a street map Partially transparent satellite image over a matrix


Layer Brightness

The layer brightness option can be used to adjust the brightness for your background maps. This option is provided mainly to improve the visibility of satellite images when you are using your laptop outside on the boat when it is sunny weather. When you are using street maps, you can decrease brightness to have a better view on overlays such as map boundaries and the active route. You can adjust brightness value by using the brightness slider. When moving the slider, the new setting will applied instantly, so you can see the result while adjusting the slider. The brightness setting will be stored in your project file. The default value for brightness is 50 percent.

Satellite image with default brightness Satellite image with increased brightness
Satellite image with default brightness. Satellite image with increased brightness.

Satellite image with default brightness Satellite image with increased brightness
Street map image with default brightness. Street map image with decreased brightness.


Layer Order

In addition to setting the layer opacity to show multiple layers at once, you can adjust the layer drawing order by clicking the "Change Layer Order..." button". By default the map that was imported, downloaded or generated the last will be displayed on top of other maps. You can change this order using this tool.

To change the layer drawing order, click the 'Change Layer Order...' button
To change the layer drawing order, click the "Change Layer Order..." button.