InsightMaps

Appearance

Spatial Analysis ​

Leveraging ArcGIS JS API's professional geometry engine, InsightMaps brings sophisticated spatial analysis to your browser. Answer questions like "What's in this area?", "How far?", and "What overlaps?" with the same precision used in expensive desktop GIS software—without installation, specialized training, or per-seat licenses.

What You Can Achieve:

  • 🎯 Get instant answers to complex spatial questions
  • 📊 Generate professional reports with precise statistics
  • 📏 Perform survey-accurate measurements
  • 🔍 Analyze thousands of features in seconds
  • 💾 Export results in industry-standard formats
  • ⚡ Work faster than manual methods by 10-100x

Overview ​

Purpose: Transform hours of manual work into seconds of automated analysis. Whether you're assessing development impacts, planning infrastructure, or responding to emergencies, these tools give you data-backed answers instantly.

Technical Foundation: Built on ArcGIS API for JavaScript v4.34.8 with 13 professional geometry operators, delivering the same capabilities found in desktop GIS applications like ArcGIS Pro—directly in your web browser.

Key Capabilities:

  • Area Summary: Calculate statistics for features within any drawn area using geodetic calculations
  • Measurements: Survey-grade distance and area calculations with multiple unit options
  • Buffer Analysis: Create precise distance zones around features
  • Geometry Operators: 13 professional operators including union, intersect, difference, cut, simplify
  • Smart Performance: Optimized client-side processing handles up to 2,000 features smoothly
  • Universal Layer Support: Works with FeatureLayer, MapImageLayer (including sublayers), and WMS layers

[insert image later]

Area Summary Tool ​

What It Does ​

Leveraging ArcGIS JS API's geometry intersection engine, Area Summary instantly answers "What's in this area?" Draw any shape on the map and get comprehensive statistics about every feature inside—no manual counting, no spreadsheets.

What You Get:

  • Instant feature counts - know exactly how many features fall within your area
  • Automatic statistics - sum, average, min, max for any numeric field
  • Geodetic accuracy - professional-grade area calculations (hectares or square meters)
  • Smart grouping - union features by field value and merge geometries automatically
  • Live measurement feedback - optional real-time area display while drawing
  • Professional outputs - export results as CSV or geographic formats for reports

[insert image later]

How to Use ​

Simple 5-Step Workflow:

1. Define Your Analysis Area

Choose the method that fits your needs:

  • Polygon: Click points for custom boundaries (perfect for irregular areas)
  • Circle: Click center, drag radius (ideal for buffer zones and radial analysis)
  • Rectangle: Click two corners (fastest for regular study areas)
  • Select existing feature: Click any feature to use its boundary
  • Use map extent: Analyze everything currently visible

2. Select Target Layers

  • Choose which layers to analyze (must be visible on map)
  • Add multiple layers for comprehensive analysis
  • Each layer processes independently with its own results

3. Choose Statistics Field (Optional)

  • Select a numeric field for automatic calculations
  • Or let the system calculate area automatically
  • Get sum, average, minimum, and maximum values

4. Run Analysis

  • Click "Analyze" button
  • Processing happens in seconds (even for thousands of features)
  • Results display instantly in interactive table
  • Features highlight on map for visual reference

5. Review and Export Results

Results Include:

  • Feature count for each layer
  • Summary statistics (sum, avg, min, max) for chosen field
  • Total area of analysis boundary
  • Individual feature details with attributes

Export Options:

  • CSV: Results table for Excel, reports, databases
  • Shapefile: Geometric data with attributes (choose your projection)
  • GeoJSON: Web-friendly format (automatically WGS84)
  • KML: For Google Earth and field apps

[insert image later]

Drawing Tools Explained ​

Option 1: Polygon Draw (Best for: Irregular boundaries, precise shapes)

What it does: Create custom shapes that follow exact boundaries like property lines, catchment areas, or impact zones.

How to use:

  1. Click "Draw Polygon" button
  2. Click map to add vertices (minimum 3 points)
  3. See live area measurement if "Measure" toggle is enabled
  4. Double-click to complete the shape

Technical: Uses ArcGIS Draw API with real-time vertex feedback as you add, remove, or move points.

Perfect for: Development impact zones, environmental study areas, custom service boundaries

Option 2: Circle Draw (Best for: Buffer zones, radial analysis)

What it does: Create perfect circles for proximity analysis and impact zones.

How to use:

  1. Click "Draw Circle" button
  2. Click center point on map
  3. Drag outward to set radius
  4. Release to complete

Technical: Uses ArcGIS SketchViewModel circle tool with live area measurement during drawing.

Perfect for: 500m impact buffers, service area radii, proximity zones

Option 3: Rectangle Draw (Best for: Quick regular areas)

What it does: Fast rectangular areas for grid-based analysis or standard extents.

How to use:

  1. Click "Draw Rectangle" button
  2. Click first corner
  3. Drag to opposite corner
  4. Release to complete

Technical: ArcGIS SketchViewModel with automatic polygon conversion.

Perfect for: Development blocks, grid cells, map sheet extents

Option 4: Select Existing Feature (Best for: Using official boundaries)

What it does: Use existing polygon boundaries (council wards, suburbs, parcels) as your analysis area.

How to use:

  1. Select source layer from "Draw/Select From Layer" dropdown
  2. Click "Select" button
  3. Click feature on map
  4. Boundary automatically extracted for analysis

Technical:

  • FeatureLayer: Direct hit testing for interactive graphics
  • MapImageLayer: Identify service with sublayer filtering (3-pixel tolerance)

Perfect for: Official boundaries, existing zones, cadastral parcels

[insert image later]

Real-World Applications ​

Development Planning:

  • Count properties within proposed development zone
  • Calculate total land area affected by rezoning
  • Identify parcels intersecting heritage overlay
  • Summarize land uses in catchment area

Infrastructure Assessment:

  • Inventory all assets within maintenance region
  • Calculate total road length in service area
  • Count stormwater assets in flood zone
  • Analyze infrastructure in emergency evacuation area

Environmental Analysis:

  • Summarize vegetation types within study area
  • Count water points in protected zone
  • Calculate wetland area in catchment
  • Identify habitats in conservation area

Emergency Response:

  • Count buildings in flood-affected zone
  • Identify critical infrastructure in disaster area
  • Calculate population in evacuation zone
  • List assets requiring emergency access

Why This Helps: Stop spending hours manually counting features or estimating areas. Get precise, defensible numbers instantly—accurate enough for official reports, development applications, and regulatory compliance.

Measurement Tools ​

Purpose: Using ArcGIS JS API's professional surveying-grade calculations, get measurements accurate enough for official documentation. The same geodetic precision used by professional surveyors—available instantly in your browser.

What You Get:

  • Survey-accurate results accounting for Earth's curvature
  • Real-time feedback as you draw
  • Multiple unit support for any audience or requirement
  • Projection-independent accuracy across all coordinate systems
  • Persistent measurements that stay on map until cleared

Built on ArcGIS Measurement widget with geodetic calculations for projection-independent accuracy.

[insert image later]

Distance Measurement - "How far is it?" ​

What it does: Measure linear distance between points with survey-grade accuracy. Perfect for site distances, route planning, setback verification.

How to use:

  1. Open Measure panel
  2. Click "Distance" tool
  3. Click starting point on map
  4. Click waypoints to follow roads, boundaries, or direct routes
  5. See running total update in real-time
  6. Double-click to finish measurement

Units Available:

  • Metric: meters, kilometers, centimeters, millimeters, decimeters
  • Imperial: miles, feet, yards, inches
  • Nautical: nautical-miles
  • US Survey: us-feet

Real-World Uses:

  • Verify setback distances for development applications
  • Calculate road distances for maintenance planning
  • Measure pipeline routes for cost estimation
  • Check compliance with distance-based regulations

Technical: Geodetic calculations ensure accuracy across all map projections—measurements are reliable whether you're viewing in Web Mercator, GDA2020, or MGA zones.

Area Measurement - "How big is it?" ​

What it does: Calculate polygon area and perimeter with professional accuracy. Suitable for cadastral measurements, land valuations, and compliance verification.

How to use:

  1. Open Measure panel
  2. Click "Area" tool
  3. Click polygon corners to outline your area
  4. See area and perimeter update in real-time as you draw
  5. Double-click to complete polygon

Units Available:

  • Metric: square-meters, hectares, square-kilometers, square-centimeters, square-millimeters, square-decimeters
  • Imperial: acres, square-miles, square-feet, square-yards, square-inches
  • US Survey: square-us-feet

Real-World Uses:

  • Measure property boundaries for development applications
  • Calculate catchment areas for environmental studies
  • Determine building footprints for planning approvals
  • Verify land areas for valuations and sales

Technical: Geodetic area calculation independent of map projection—accurate for official documentation and regulatory compliance. Results are defensible for legal and planning purposes.

Why This Helps: No need for site visits with measuring wheels or relying on approximations from aerial photos. Get professional-grade measurements from your desk—accurate enough for official reports, development applications, and compliance documentation.

Buffer Analysis ​

Purpose: Leveraging ArcGIS JS API's geodesic buffer operations, create precise distance zones around features. Essential for setback compliance, impact assessment, and service area analysis.

What You Get:

  • Precise distance zones at any radius
  • Geodetic accuracy for large areas (accounts for Earth's curvature)
  • Planar speed for small local areas
  • Automatic geometry generation ready for further analysis
  • Export capabilities for use in reports and other software

[insert image later]

How to Create Buffers ​

Workflow:

  1. Select feature on map (point, line, or polygon)
  2. Open geometry operations panel
  3. Enter buffer distance (e.g., "200")
  4. Choose units (meters, kilometers, feet, miles)
  5. Select buffer type:
    • Geodetic: Accurate for large areas (accounts for Earth's curvature)
    • Planar: Faster for small local areas
  6. Click "Buffer" to generate
  7. New buffer graphic appears on map
  8. Save to My Layers or export as needed

Buffer Options:

  • Distance and units: Any distance in metric or imperial units
  • Dissolve overlapping: Merge adjacent buffers into single geometry
  • Outside only: Exclude original feature area from buffer zone

Real-World Applications ​

Setback Compliance:

  • Verify 100m setback from waterways
  • Check 500m distance from heritage sites
  • Validate building offset from property boundaries
  • Ensure compliance with environmental protection zones

Impact Zones:

  • Identify properties within 200m of proposed development
  • Find buildings affected by construction noise buffer
  • Determine infrastructure in proximity to works
  • Calculate service coverage areas

Service Areas:

  • Map 1km walking distance to facilities
  • Show 500m catchment around amenities
  • Define emergency response zones
  • Illustrate accessibility areas

Protection Zones:

  • Create conservation buffers around habitats
  • Establish protection zones around water sources
  • Define archaeological protection areas
  • Map exclusion zones for development

Why This Helps: Automated buffer creation saves hours compared to manual methods. Get precise, defensible buffer zones for compliance checking, impact assessment, and planning analysis—ready for immediate use in reports and applications.

Geometric Operations (13 Professional Operators) ​

Purpose: Built on ArcGIS geometry operators, perform sophisticated spatial operations that would normally require desktop GIS software. Combine, compare, transform, and analyze geometries with professional precision.

What You Get:

  • Desktop GIS capabilities in your browser
  • Professional accuracy for official documentation
  • Instant results with visual feedback
  • Ready-to-export outputs in standard formats
  • Repeatable workflows for consistent analysis

Available Operations ​

Built on ArcGIS geometry engine with 13 professional operators for comprehensive spatial analysis.

Projection & Transformation ​

1. Project - Transform geometries between spatial references

  • What it does: Convert geometries between coordinate systems (WGS84, GDA2020, MGA zones)
  • Use for: Preparing data for export, matching coordinate systems, datum conversion
  • Example: Convert WGS84 GPS data to GDA2020 for Australian compliance

2. Centroid - Calculate geometric center point of polygons

  • What it does: Find the center point of any polygon
  • Use for: Label placement, point-in-polygon analysis, simplified representations
  • Example: Mark the center of each suburb for map labeling

Area & Length Calculations ​

3. Geodetic Area - Calculate accurate geodetic area (used for hectares/m²)

  • What it does: Professional area calculation accounting for Earth's curvature
  • Use for: Large area measurements, official land calculations, cadastral work
  • Example: Calculate catchment area spanning hundreds of square kilometers

4. Area - Calculate planar area in map units

  • What it does: Fast area calculation in map projection units
  • Use for: Small local areas where speed matters
  • Example: Quick building footprint measurements

5. Geodetic Length - Calculate accurate geodetic length

  • What it does: Professional distance calculation accounting for Earth's curvature
  • Use for: Long distances, coastal measurements, official surveys
  • Example: Calculate actual road distance across regional areas

6. Length - Calculate planar length in map units

  • What it does: Fast length calculation in map projection units
  • Use for: Small local distances where speed matters
  • Example: Quick fence line measurements

Spatial Analysis Operations ​

7. Union - Combine multiple geometries into one

  • What it does: Merge multiple polygons into single unified geometry
  • Use for: Combining adjacent parcels, merging service areas, creating composite zones
  • Example: Merge all residential parcels into single zoning polygon
  • Area Summary use: Groups features by field value and merges geometries within each group

8. Intersection - Extract overlapping areas

  • What it does: Find where geometries overlap, return only overlapping portions
  • Use for: Impact assessment, compliance checking, overlap analysis
  • Example: Find exact area where flood zone intersects parcels (shows only flooded portions)
  • Area Summary use: Clips features to analysis boundary using geometry intersection

9. Difference - Remove one geometry from another

  • What it does: Subtract one area from another, like cookie-cutter
  • Use for: Exclusion zones, net area calculations, void areas
  • Example: Calculate buildable area by subtracting heritage overlay from parcel

10. Cut - Split geometries with polyline cutter

  • What it does: Divide polygon or line with cutting line
  • Use for: Parcel subdivision, zone splitting, geometric division
  • Example: Split parcel by proposed road centerline

11. Contains - Test if geometry contains another

  • What it does: Boolean test if point is inside polygon or geometry contains another
  • Use for: Jurisdiction testing, point-in-polygon queries, containment checks
  • Example: Test if address point falls within council ward boundary

12. Simplify - Reduce vertex complexity while preserving shape

  • What it does: Remove unnecessary vertices while maintaining geometry shape
  • Use for: File size reduction, performance optimization, cleaner graphics
  • Example: Simplify complex coastline for faster map rendering

13. Geodesic Buffer - Create distance zones using geodetic calculations

  • What it does: Professional buffer accounting for Earth's curvature
  • Use for: Large-area buffers, coastal zones, regional analysis
  • Example: 10km buffer around airport (accurate even at scale)

Technical Notes ​

Performance Optimization:

  • Loadable operators (project, geodeticArea, geodeticLength, geodesicBuffer): Loaded asynchronously on first use
  • Synchronous operators: All others execute immediately without preloading
  • On-demand loading: Geometry engine modules load only when needed for optimal performance

Typical Workflow:

  1. Draw or select geometries using Draw/Sketch tools
  2. Choose operation from geometry toolbar
  3. Configure operation parameters (distance, units, options)
  4. Execute operation (operators load automatically if needed)
  5. Result appears as new graphic on map
  6. Save to My Layers for persistent storage
  7. Export in preferred format for external use

Why This Helps: Perform sophisticated GIS operations without expensive software. These are the same professional tools used in desktop GIS applications—now available instantly in your browser for faster, more accessible spatial analysis.

Analysis Workflows ​

Workflow 1: Development Impact Assessment ​

Scenario: How many properties are within 200m of proposed development?

Steps:

  1. Search for development site address
  2. Open Area Summary tool
  3. Draw 200m circle around site (or use Buffer tool first)
  4. Select "Property Parcels" layer
  5. Run analysis
  6. Results: Instant count and list of affected properties
  7. Export results as CSV for impact report

Time Saved: Manual method: 2-3 hours. InsightMaps: 2 minutes.

[insert image later]

Workflow 2: Infrastructure Inventory ​

Scenario: Count all assets in maintenance district and calculate total replacement value

Steps:

  1. Draw or select maintenance district boundary
  2. Select infrastructure layer (e.g., "Stormwater Assets")
  3. Choose statistic field: "REPLACEMENT_VALUE"
  4. Run analysis
  5. Results: Asset count + total/average/min/max replacement values
  6. Export for maintenance budget planning

Time Saved: Manual method: 1-2 days. InsightMaps: 5 minutes.

Workflow 3: Environmental Compliance ​

Scenario: Verify 100m buffer from waterways is clear of development

Steps:

  1. Select waterway features
  2. Create 100m geodetic buffer
  3. Use Intersection operation with development layer
  4. Results: Any features within buffer zone identified
  5. Generate compliance report with export

Time Saved: Manual method: 4-6 hours. InsightMaps: 10 minutes.

Performance Tips ​

For Large Datasets:

  • ✅ Apply layer definition queries to pre-filter features
  • ✅ Zoom to area of interest before starting analysis
  • ✅ Limit analysis to necessary layers only
  • ✅ Clear previous results before new analysis
  • ✅ Use client-side analysis for datasets under 2,000 features
  • ✅ Consider server-side queries for very large datasets

For Accuracy:

  • ✅ Use geodetic calculations for areas > 1,000 hectares
  • ✅ Use planar calculations for small local areas (faster)
  • ✅ Results accurate across different projections (WGS84, GDA94, GDA2020, MGA)
  • ✅ Geodetic area displays in hectares (≥1 ha) or square meters (<1 ha)
  • ✅ Compatible with Australian datums and coordinate systems

For Best Results:

  • ✅ Ensure layers are visible before starting analysis
  • ✅ Use appropriate geometry operators for your question
  • ✅ Export with correct projection for downstream use
  • ✅ Verify units match your reporting requirements
  • ✅ Save complex analyses as bookmarks for reuse

Troubleshooting ​

"No features found in analysis area" ​

Possible Causes:

  • Analysis area doesn't overlap layer features geographically
  • Layer not visible or loaded on map
  • Layer has definition query filtering all features
  • Scale dependency prevents features from showing

Solutions: ✅ Verify layer has data in the area (check layer extent) ✅ Ensure layer visibility is turned on ✅ Remove or modify definition query temporarily ✅ Zoom to appropriate scale if layer is scale-dependent ✅ Try larger analysis area to test

"Analysis taking too long" ​

Causes:

  • Very large dataset (>2,000 features)
  • Complex geometry with many vertices
  • Multiple operations running simultaneously

Solutions: ✅ Zoom to area of interest to reduce features processed ✅ Apply definition query to pre-filter features ✅ Use simpler analysis boundary shape (rectangle vs. complex polygon) ✅ Simplify complex geometries before analysis ✅ Run one analysis at a time ✅ Consider server-side analysis for very large datasets

"Incorrect results or unexpected geometry" ​

Causes:

  • Coordinate system mismatch
  • Feature geometry errors in source data
  • Incorrect operator for intended result

Solutions: ✅ Verify all layers use compatible spatial references ✅ Check source data for geometry validity ✅ Use appropriate geometry operator:

  • Intersect for overlaps (returns only overlapping portions)
  • Contains for full inclusion (excludes partial overlaps)
  • Union for combining areas
  • Difference for exclusions ✅ Use geodetic calculations for large areas ✅ Export and verify results in desktop GIS if needed

Summary ​

Spatial Analysis brings professional GIS capabilities to your browser, leveraging ArcGIS JS API's geometry engine for enterprise-grade accuracy.

Key Tools:

  • 🎯 Area Summary: Instant statistics for features in any area (counts, sums, averages)
  • 📏 Measurement: Survey-accurate distances and areas with geodetic precision
  • ⭕ Buffer: Professional distance zones with geodetic or planar options
  • 🔧 13 Geometric Operators: Union, intersect, difference, cut, simplify, and more
  • 💾 Export: CSV, Shapefile, GeoJSON, KML, GPX with projection choice

Best For:

  • Development applications and impact assessments
  • Infrastructure inventories and asset management
  • Environmental compliance and monitoring
  • Emergency response planning
  • Regulatory compliance checking
  • Planning analysis and reporting

Time Savings:

  • Manual counting: Hours → InsightMaps: Seconds
  • Site measurements: Days → InsightMaps: Minutes
  • Buffer analysis: Hours → InsightMaps: Minutes
  • Report preparation: Days → InsightMaps: Hours

Remember: Professional accuracy meets browser convenience. Get desktop GIS results without desktop GIS complexity, cost, or training requirements.

Next Steps: