InsightMaps

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Map Editor & Drawing Tools ​

Powered by ArcGIS JS API's professional drawing and geometry engine, InsightMaps brings desktop GIS capabilities to your browser. Create, edit, and analyze geographic features with the same precision tools used in expensive CAD and GIS applications—without installation, specialized training, or per-seat licenses.

What You Can Achieve:

  • ✏️ Draw professional-quality maps with precision tools
  • 🔧 Perform 13 geometry operations for spatial analysis
  • 📏 Create accurate features with snapping and measurements
  • 💾 Export work in industry-standard formats
  • 🎨 Customize appearance for clear communication
  • ⚡ Work 10x faster than manual drafting methods

Overview ​

Purpose: Transform your map into a working canvas. Whether you're marking up development proposals, delineating study areas, planning infrastructure, or creating presentation graphics—these tools give you professional drawing and editing capabilities without the complexity or cost of desktop GIS software.

Technical Foundation: Built on ArcGIS JS API's Sketch widget and geometry engine, delivering the same capabilities found in desktop GIS applications like ArcGIS Pro and AutoCAD—directly in your web browser.

Key Capabilities:

  • Professional Drawing: Points, lines, polygons, and text with precision controls
  • 13 Geometry Operators: Union, intersect, buffer, cut, simplify, and more
  • Precision Editing: Snapping system for perfect alignment with existing features
  • Flexible Styling: Colors, symbols, sizes, and labels for clear communication
  • Graphics Organization: Name, group, and layer graphics for complex projects
  • Universal Export: Shapefile, GeoJSON, KML, GPX with projection choice

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Access Map Editor ​

Location: Toolbar → MapEditor icon (pencil/edit icon)

How to Open:

  1. Click MapEditor icon in main toolbar
  2. Panel opens with drawing tools
  3. Select tool and start creating

When to Use:

  • Mark up maps for presentations and reports
  • Draw development boundaries and buffer zones
  • Create custom study areas for analysis
  • Mark asset locations and site features
  • Annotate maps with text labels
  • Plan routes, corridors, and alignments

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Drawing Tools ​

Create Geometries - Mark Up Your Map ​

Powered by ArcGIS Sketch widget, create professional geographic features with precision and ease.

Available Geometry Types:

1. Point - Mark Locations ​

What it does: Place precise point markers for locations, assets, or incidents.

How to use:

  1. Click Point tool
  2. Click anywhere on map to place point
  3. Point appears with default symbol
  4. Customize color, size, and icon style

Perfect for:

  • Asset locations (trees, signs, infrastructure)
  • Incident markers (accidents, hazards)
  • Site features (entry points, sample locations)
  • Project milestones on routes

Styling options: Color, size (pixels), icon style, transparency

2. Polyline - Draw Linear Features ​

What it does: Create lines for roads, pipelines, routes, or corridors.

How to use:

  1. Click Polyline tool
  2. Click map to add vertices along the route
  3. See line draw in real-time as you add points
  4. Double-click to finish the line

Perfect for:

  • Road centerlines and alignments
  • Pipeline and utility corridors
  • Walking/cycling route planning
  • Fence lines and boundaries
  • Cross-sections and transects

Styling options: Color, width (pixels), line style (solid, dashed, dotted), transparency

3. Polygon - Outline Areas ​

What it does: Create area features for zones, boundaries, or study areas.

How to use:

  1. Click Polygon tool
  2. Click map to add vertices around the perimeter
  3. See area outline as you draw
  4. Double-click to close the polygon

Perfect for:

  • Development site boundaries
  • Zoning and planning areas
  • Environmental study areas
  • Service zones and catchments
  • Exclusion and buffer zones
  • Property parcels

Styling options: Fill color, outline color, outline width, transparency, fill pattern

4. Text - Add Annotations ​

What it does: Place text labels for annotations, callouts, or descriptions.

How to use:

  1. Click Text tool
  2. Click map location for label placement
  3. Type your text in the dialog box
  4. Press Enter or click OK

Perfect for:

  • Feature labels and callouts
  • Site names and descriptions
  • Notes and annotations
  • Title blocks and legends
  • Distance and area measurements
  • Direction indicators

Styling options: Font size, color, bold/italic, background color, text placement

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Precision Drawing Features ​

Snapping System ​

Powered by ArcGIS snapping capabilities, ensure perfect alignment with existing features.

What it does: Automatically align your new features with existing layer features—eliminating gaps, overlaps, and alignment errors.

How to Enable:

  1. Toggle Snapping switch in MapEditor panel
  2. Select which layers to snap to
  3. Set snap tolerance (pixel distance)
  4. Start drawing—snapping activates automatically

Snapping Options:

  • Snap to vertices: Lock to exact corner points
  • Snap to edges: Align along line segments
  • Snap to intersections: Match where lines cross
  • Adjustable tolerance: Control snap distance (1-20 pixels)

Real-World Uses:

  • Digitize parcels along cadastral boundaries
  • Trace infrastructure from basemap imagery
  • Create adjacent polygons with shared edges
  • Extend roads and utility lines precisely
  • Avoid gaps and overlaps in data

Why This Helps: Manual alignment is error-prone and time-consuming. Snapping ensures professional-quality data that meets GIS standards—first time, every time.

Selection and Editing ​

What it does: Modify existing graphics after creation.

Selection Tool:

  1. Click Select button in MapEditor
  2. Click any graphic on map to select it
  3. Selected feature highlights with resize/move handles
  4. Click Select again to deactivate

Edit Options (After selecting):

  • Move: Drag feature to new location
  • Resize: Drag corner handles to scale
  • Reshape: Drag vertices to modify shape
  • Rotate: Use rotation handle (if available)
  • Delete: Press Delete key or click Delete button
  • Style: Change colors, sizes, symbols

Copy and Paste:

  • Copy: Ctrl+C (or right-click → Copy)
  • Paste: Ctrl+V (or right-click → Paste)
  • Duplicate features quickly for repetitive tasks

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13 Geometry Operators - Professional GIS Capabilities ​

Built on ArcGIS geometry engine, perform sophisticated spatial operations that would normally require desktop GIS software. These are the same professional tools used in ArcGIS Pro and AutoCAD—available instantly in your browser.

What You Get:

  • Desktop GIS capabilities without specialized software
  • Professional accuracy for official documentation
  • Instant results with visual feedback
  • Ready-to-export outputs in standard formats
  • Repeatable workflows for consistent analysis

Topology Operations - Combine and Compare Shapes ​

1. Union - Merge Multiple Areas Into One

What it does: Combine multiple polygons into a single unified geometry.

How to use:

  1. Select multiple polygons on map (Ctrl+click)
  2. Click Union operation
  3. New merged polygon appears
  4. Original features remain (optional: delete if not needed)

Perfect for:

  • Combine adjacent parcels for development site
  • Merge service areas into regional zone
  • Create composite zoning areas
  • Consolidate ownership boundaries

Example: Merge 5 adjacent residential parcels into one development site boundary.

2. Intersection - Find Where Areas Overlap

What it does: Extract only the overlapping portion of two or more geometries.

How to use:

  1. Select overlapping polygons
  2. Click Intersection operation
  3. New polygon shows only the overlap area
  4. Original features remain

Perfect for:

  • Find overlap between flood zone and parcels
  • Calculate shared boundary areas
  • Identify dual-zoning areas
  • Determine affected portions

Example: Find exact area where heritage overlay intersects a development parcel.

3. Difference - Subtract One Area from Another

What it does: Remove one geometry from another, like a cookie-cutter.

How to use:

  1. Select base polygon (what you want to keep)
  2. Select cutting polygon (what to remove)
  3. Click Difference operation
  4. Result shows base with cutout

Perfect for:

  • Calculate buildable area after subtracting setbacks
  • Remove protected zones from developable land
  • Create void areas and exclusions
  • Net area calculations

Example: Calculate buildable land by subtracting 100m buffer from waterway.

4. Cut - Divide Areas with a Line

What it does: Split a polygon or line using a cutting line.

How to use:

  1. Select polygon to split
  2. Draw cutting line across it
  3. Click Cut operation
  4. Polygon divides into separate pieces along the line

Perfect for:

  • Split parcels by proposed road centerline
  • Divide study areas by administrative boundaries
  • Create sub-zones within larger areas
  • Parcel subdivision planning

Example: Divide large parcel into two lots along proposed subdivision line.

Modification - Transform Your Geometries ​

5. Buffer - Create Distance Zones

What it does: Generate an area at a specified distance around any feature.

How to use:

  1. Select feature (point, line, or polygon)
  2. Click Buffer operation
  3. Enter distance (e.g., "200")
  4. Choose units (meters, feet, kilometers, miles)
  5. Select type:
    • Geodetic: Accurate for large areas (accounts for Earth's curvature)
    • Planar: Faster for small local areas
  6. New buffer polygon appears

Buffer Options:

  • Distance: Any value with flexible units
  • Dissolve: Merge overlapping buffers
  • Outside only: Exclude original feature from buffer

Perfect for:

  • 100m setback zones from waterways
  • 500m impact zones around developments
  • 1km service catchments around facilities
  • Protection buffers around heritage sites

Example: Create 200m buffer around proposed development to identify affected properties.

Why it helps: Automated buffer creation saves hours compared to manual methods. Get precise, defensible zones for compliance checking and impact assessment.

6. Simplify - Reduce Complexity

What it does: Remove unnecessary vertices while preserving overall shape.

How to use:

  1. Select complex polygon or line
  2. Click Simplify operation
  3. Set tolerance (how much simplification)
  4. Simplified geometry appears

Perfect for:

  • Reduce file sizes for faster performance
  • Create generalized boundaries for small-scale maps
  • Clean up digitized features
  • Optimize complex coastlines

Example: Simplify detailed property boundary from 500 vertices to 50 for cleaner display.

Analysis & Measurement - Get Precise Information ​

7. Centroid - Find the Center Point

What it does: Calculate the geometric center of any polygon.

How to use:

  1. Select polygon
  2. Click Centroid operation
  3. Point marker appears at center

Perfect for:

  • Label placement at polygon centers
  • Point-in-polygon analysis
  • Simplified representations
  • Center-point calculations for areas

Example: Place suburb name labels at calculated center of each suburb polygon.

8. Contains - Test Point-in-Polygon

What it does: Test if a point is inside a polygon or if one geometry contains another.

How to use:

  1. Select polygon and point
  2. Click Contains operation
  3. Result shows true/false

Perfect for:

  • Jurisdiction testing (is address in council area?)
  • Zone membership checks
  • Containment verification
  • Spatial relationship testing

Example: Verify if address point falls within correct zoning polygon.

9. Area - Calculate Planar Area

What it does: Fast area calculation in map projection units.

How to use:

  1. Select polygon
  2. Click Area operation
  3. Result displays in map units (square meters typically)

Perfect for:

  • Quick building footprint measurements
  • Small local area calculations
  • Fast approximate areas

10. Geodetic Area - Professional Area Calculation

What it does: Calculate area accounting for Earth's curvature (professional-grade accuracy).

How to use:

  1. Select polygon
  2. Click Geodetic Area operation
  3. Result displays in hectares (≥1 ha) or square meters (<1 ha)

Perfect for:

  • Official land area measurements
  • Large catchment areas
  • Cadastral calculations
  • Regulatory compliance documentation

Example: Calculate official land area for development application submission.

11. Length - Calculate Planar Length

What it does: Fast length calculation in map projection units.

How to use:

  1. Select line
  2. Click Length operation
  3. Result displays in map units (meters typically)

Perfect for:

  • Quick fence line measurements
  • Small route distances

12. Geodetic Length - Professional Distance Calculation

What it does: Calculate length accounting for Earth's curvature (survey-grade accuracy).

How to use:

  1. Select line
  2. Click Geodetic Length operation
  3. Result displays in kilometers or meters

Perfect for:

  • Road distances for official reports
  • Pipeline route lengths
  • Accurate coastal measurements
  • Regional infrastructure planning

Example: Calculate actual road distance for maintenance cost estimates.

13. Project - Transform Coordinate Systems

What it does: Convert geometry between different coordinate systems.

How to use:

  1. Select geometry
  2. Click Project operation
  3. Choose target coordinate system:
    • WGS84 (EPSG:4326) - Global standard
    • GDA2020 (EPSG:7844) - Australian datum
    • MGA Zone 55/56 - Australian projected
  4. Geometry transforms to new projection

Perfect for:

  • Preparing data for external software
  • Matching coordinate systems with other datasets
  • Export in required projection
  • Datum conversions

Example: Convert WGS84 GPS data to GDA2020 for Australian regulatory compliance.

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Graphics Organization ​

Manage Complex Projects ​

What it does: Organize, name, and control visibility of multiple graphics for complex map projects.

Graphics Groups:

  1. Create groups: Organize related features together
  2. Name groups: Descriptive labels (e.g., "Development Site", "Buffer Zones")
  3. Toggle visibility: Show/hide entire groups at once
  4. Layer graphics: Stack groups for complex edits

Group Management:

  • Create multiple groups for different purposes
  • Move graphics between groups
  • Delete entire groups
  • Show/hide groups independently

Use Cases:

  • Development proposals: Separate groups for site boundary, buffers, access routes
  • Environmental studies: Groups for study area, exclusions, sample points
  • Infrastructure planning: Groups for existing assets, proposed works, service areas
  • Presentations: Toggle groups on/off for different audiences

Why This Helps: Complex projects can have dozens of features. Groups keep everything organized, making it easy to manage, present, and export exactly what you need.

Styling and Customization ​

Make Your Graphics Communicate ​

What it does: Customize appearance for clear, professional communication.

Styling Options:

For Points:

  • Color: Choose from color picker
  • Size: Adjust marker size (pixels)
  • Symbol style: Circle, square, diamond, star, custom icons
  • Transparency: 0-100% opacity

For Lines:

  • Color: Line color from picker
  • Width: Line width in pixels (1-20)
  • Style: Solid, dashed, dotted, dash-dot
  • Transparency: 0-100% opacity

For Polygons:

  • Fill color: Interior color
  • Outline color: Border color
  • Outline width: Border width (0-10 pixels)
  • Fill pattern: Solid, hatched, diagonal
  • Transparency: 0-100% for both fill and outline

For Text:

  • Font size: Adjustable text size
  • Color: Text color
  • Bold/Italic: Text formatting
  • Background: Optional background color box
  • Placement: Anchor point position

Color Best Practices:

  • Red: Attention, errors, constraints
  • Blue: Water, infrastructure, information
  • Green: Vegetation, parks, approval
  • Yellow: Warnings, temporary features
  • High contrast: Use contrasting colors for visibility
  • Colorblind-safe: Avoid red/green for critical distinctions

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Export and Share ​

Export Your Work - Share and Use Elsewhere ​

Powered by ArcGIS geometry export capabilities, output your work in industry-standard formats compatible with all major GIS, CAD, and mapping software.

Export Formats:

1. Shapefile (.zip) - Industry standard

  • Use for: ArcGIS Desktop, QGIS, AutoCAD, professional GIS software
  • Includes: Geometry + attributes in zipped package (.shp, .dbf, .shx, .prj)
  • Projection: Choose output coordinate system
  • Best for: Official data deliverables, GIS analysis, professional workflows

2. GeoJSON (.json) - Web-friendly

  • Use for: Web mapping, JavaScript applications, modern GIS tools
  • Includes: Geometry + attributes in single JSON file
  • Projection: Automatically WGS84 (EPSG:4326) for web compatibility
  • Best for: Web developers, online mapping, data sharing

3. KML (.kml) - Google Earth compatible

  • Use for: Google Earth, field mapping apps, mobile GIS
  • Includes: Geometry + attributes with styling
  • Projection: Automatically WGS84 (EPSG:4326)
  • Best for: Stakeholder visualization, field crews, public sharing

4. GPX (.gpx) - GPS exchange format

  • Use for: GPS devices, fitness trackers, navigation software
  • Includes: Points and tracks in GPS-compatible format
  • Projection: Automatically WGS84 (EPSG:4326)
  • Best for: Field navigation, GPS devices, route planning

Export Options:

  • Projection choice: Select output coordinate system (WGS84, GDA2020, MGA zones)
  • Include text labels: Option to include or exclude text annotations
  • Selected features only: Export only selected graphics or all graphics
  • Group export: Export specific graphic groups

How to Export:

  1. Click Export button in MapEditor panel
  2. Choose format (Shapefile, GeoJSON, KML, GPX)
  3. Select coordinate system (for Shapefile)
  4. Click Download
  5. File downloads ready for use

Why This Helps: Your work isn't stuck in the browser. Export professional-quality geographic data that works with any GIS, CAD, or mapping software—ensuring your work integrates seamlessly with existing workflows and systems.

Save to My Layers ​

Persistent Storage for Your Work ​

What it does: Save graphics permanently to your account for reuse across sessions.

How to Save:

  1. Create graphics in MapEditor
  2. Click Save to My Layers
  3. Enter layer name (e.g., "Development Site Markup")
  4. Graphics saved permanently to your account

Benefits:

  • Persistence: Work survives browser close and page refresh
  • Reusability: Load saved graphics in future sessions
  • Organization: Name and manage multiple saved graphics sets
  • Sharing: Share saved layers with team members (if authenticated)

Use Cases:

  • Save development site markup for ongoing project
  • Store analysis graphics for monthly reports
  • Preserve field mapping data from site visits
  • Keep template graphics for repetitive tasks

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Real-World Workflows ​

Workflow 1: Development Proposal Markup ​

Scenario: Create map graphics for development application submission.

Steps:

  1. Draw site boundary:

    • Use Polygon tool to outline development parcel
    • Style with red outline, transparent fill
    • Add site address as text label

  2. Create setback buffers:

    • Select site boundary polygon
    • Use Buffer operation: 10m setback
    • Style buffer with dashed red outline

  3. Mark key features:

    • Use Point tool for building entries, parking access
    • Use Polyline for proposed roads
    • Add text labels for feature names

  4. Calculate areas:

    • Select site polygon
    • Use Geodetic Area operation
    • Add area as text annotation

  5. Export for submission:

    • Export as Shapefile in GDA2020 for official submission
    • Export as KML for stakeholder visualization
    • Save to My Layers for ongoing reference

Time Saved: Manual CAD drafting: 2-3 hours. InsightMaps: 15-20 minutes.

Workflow 2: Environmental Study Area Delineation ​

Scenario: Define study area and exclusion zones for environmental assessment.

Steps:

  1. Outline study boundary:

    • Draw polygon around project area
    • Style with green outline

  2. Mark exclusion zones:

    • Draw polygons for heritage sites, wetlands
    • Use Difference operation to cut from study area
    • Result shows net study area

  3. Add sample locations:

    • Use Point tool for monitoring sites
    • Number points (Site 1, Site 2, etc.)

  4. Calculate final area:

    • Use Geodetic Area on net study area
    • Export results as CSV

  5. Generate deliverables:

    • Export as Shapefile for GIS analysis
    • Export as KML for field crews
    • Print map with graphics for report

Time Saved: Manual methods: 4-6 hours. InsightMaps: 30 minutes.

Workflow 3: Infrastructure Planning ​

Scenario: Plan utility corridor and identify affected parcels.

Steps:

  1. Draw proposed corridor:

    • Use Polyline for centerline alignment
    • Style with thick blue line

  2. Create corridor buffer:

    • Select centerline
    • Buffer 50m (corridor width)
    • Style with semi-transparent blue

  3. Identify affected parcels:

    • Use Intersection with parcel layer
    • Results show parcels within corridor

  4. Calculate impacts:

    • Count intersected parcels
    • Measure total corridor length
    • Export affected parcel list

  5. Create presentation graphics:

    • Add text labels for key intersections
    • Mark utility connection points
    • Export as PDF for stakeholder meeting

Time Saved: Manual CAD + GIS workflow: 1-2 days. InsightMaps: 1-2 hours.

Performance Tips ​

For Complex Graphics:

  • ✅ Group related features for easier management
  • ✅ Simplify complex polygons for faster rendering
  • ✅ Use appropriate precision (don't over-digitize)
  • ✅ Delete unnecessary intermediate graphics
  • ✅ Clear graphics when starting new projects

For Precision Work:

  • ✅ Enable snapping for perfect alignment
  • ✅ Set appropriate snap tolerance (5-10 pixels)
  • ✅ Zoom in for detailed vertex placement
  • ✅ Use geodetic operations for official measurements
  • ✅ Verify coordinate system before export

For Best Results:

  • ✅ Save work frequently to My Layers
  • ✅ Use descriptive names for graphics and groups
  • ✅ Choose appropriate symbols and colors
  • ✅ Add text labels for documentation
  • ✅ Export in correct projection for downstream use

Troubleshooting ​

"Snapping not working" ​

Causes:

  • Snap toggle not enabled
  • Snap tolerance too small
  • No snap layers selected

Solutions: ✅ Enable Snapping toggle in MapEditor panel ✅ Increase snap tolerance (try 10 pixels) ✅ Verify snap layers are selected and visible ✅ Zoom in closer to target features

"Operation failed or unexpected result" ​

Causes:

  • Invalid geometry (self-intersecting polygons)
  • Incorrect feature selection
  • Geometries don't overlap (for intersection)

Solutions: ✅ Check that selected geometries are valid ✅ Verify correct features are selected ✅ Ensure geometries overlap for intersection/difference ✅ Use Simplify operation to fix invalid geometries ✅ Try operation on simpler test features first

"Export fails or file corrupted" ​

Causes:

  • Complex geometries with many vertices
  • Invalid coordinate system selection
  • Browser file size limitations

Solutions: ✅ Simplify complex geometries before export ✅ Verify coordinate system is appropriate ✅ Export in smaller batches if very large ✅ Try different export format ✅ Check browser download folder permissions

Summary ​

Map Editor & Drawing Tools bring professional CAD and GIS capabilities to your browser, powered by ArcGIS JS API's geometry engine.

Key Capabilities:

  • ✏️ 4 Drawing Tools: Points, lines, polygons, text with precision controls
  • 🔧 13 Geometry Operators: Union, intersect, buffer, difference, cut, simplify, and more
  • 🎯 Precision Features: Snapping system, vertex editing, copy/paste
  • 🎨 Flexible Styling: Colors, symbols, sizes, transparency for clear communication
  • 📁 Organization: Groups, layers, naming for complex projects
  • 💾 Universal Export: Shapefile, GeoJSON, KML, GPX with projection choice

Best For:

  • Development proposal graphics and markup
  • Environmental study area delineation
  • Infrastructure corridor planning
  • Site boundary digitization
  • Asset location mapping
  • Presentation map creation
  • Field mapping preparation
  • Compliance documentation

Time Savings:

  • CAD drafting: Hours → InsightMaps: Minutes
  • GIS digitization: Days → InsightMaps: Hours
  • Map annotation: 30-60 min → InsightMaps: 5-10 min

Remember: Professional drawing tools meet browser convenience. Create CAD-quality graphics without CAD complexity, cost, or training requirements.

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