Explore¶

The Explore module is where you can visualize 2D/3D map content. You have access to the datasets in your catalog, but also have the option to upload local and/or web data, save your workspace as a project, and build interactive stories.

Data Catalogs¶

A wealth of spatial data is made available through SpatialScale from a couple of datasets to thousands. The catalogs are produced mainly from federating data services (APIs) directly from custodians and user contributed content. Data is organized in a multi-level structure, based on the custodians preferences, usually including Groups, Sub-groups and data layers.

Data added under My Data is not automatically added to catalogs; if you wish to contribute your data to the permanent catalog, you’ll need to upload a dataset via the datasets module.

Data Workbench¶

The Data Workbench is the section situated on the left hand side of the map. When no datasets are added, the Workbench is empty i.e. no datasets names, no legends, no controls for opacity etc.

Workbench is the section of the map which includes:

Dataset names
Legends
Filters (if supported by the data) and style selectors (if supported)
Tabs: Ideal Zoom, About Data, 3 dots expanding into: Remove, Compare, Difference (if supported by the data)
When a dataset is added to the map via the Data Catalog, a legend for that dataset will appear at the top of the Data Workbench. From the Data Workbench you can:
Set the order in which data is shown on the map. To do this, simply click on the title of a dataset and drag it to a new position in your Workbench.
Toggle the visibility of added dataset. To do this, click on the checkbox opposite the preferred dataset title.
Set the opacity of individual datasets.
Remove data sets from the map.

Note

Removed data sets can always be re-added via the Data Catalog.

Settings¶

You can change based maps, toggle between 2D and 3D data views, terrain availability, timeline availability if supported by the data and image optimization designed for average performant computers from the Settings menu.

Show terrain and Image optimization is only available in 3D mode.

Map view¶

Lets you toggle between 3D terrain, 3D smooth and 2D modes.

Select 2D to show a vertical map view with north to the top. The Gyroscope - Compass Control will not be displayed and Perspective View cannot be enabled.
Select 3D Smooth to show a Perspective View which has no elevation change. The maps or images are draped over a smooth globe.
Select 3D Terrain to show a Perspective View which shows the elevation changes in the terrain. 3D Smooth and 3D Terrain will look almost the same unless you are using Perspective View.

Note

3D Terrain view may give the same result as 3D Smooth or may not work at all on some computers with older graphic cards or older web browser versions.

Base Map¶

SpatialScale comes with a plethora of base map options available; it also includes white and dark canvases for experimenting with different contrasts and types of features. The name of the base map appears when hovering over each type. Details on licenses appear in the About page, under Data Attributions; and at the bottom of the home page.

Timeline¶

To activate the Timeline player, you can click on “Timeline - Always show” and if supported by the data selected (i.e. is a timeseries data source), it will show a timeline with play commands at the bottom of home page. You can use the cursor to move the time back and forth, fast forward or pause the data.

Image Optimization¶

You can adjust the quality slider or select the native resolution for visualization of high intensity datasets on your machine.

You can access 3D and 2D tools positioned on the right hand side of the map.

Gyroscope (only in 3D mode)¶

By clicking on the gyroscope, you can use the compass control with perspective.

When in 3D mode, click on the “gyroscope” in the center of the Compass Control (picture above) and drag slowly upwards to tilt the view into a Perspective View. Drag downwards to tilt the view back to vertical. The further you drag, the faster it tilts. Release the mouse button when you reach the desired view.

Control + mouse left-click and drag upwards or downwards over the map to enter or adjust the perspective view. (On Windows systems you can also use Mouse middle-click + drag.)

When you are in Perspective View, Control + left-click and drag left or right over the map to “orbit” around the center of the view. You can also click and drag left or right over the “gyroscope” at the center of the Compass Control to orbit about the center of the view.

Double-click the “gyroscope” in the center of the Compass Control to return the view quickly to a vertical view with North to the top at the current location and scale.

Dragging to Pan and using the Mouse Wheel to zoom still work while showing a Perspective View.

Even the topography and road maps can be viewed in perspective.

You can’t simulate looking from under the ground because the system always keeps the “camera position” above the earth’s surface, but you can create a view which is looking only at the sky. Tilt back downwards to recover.

Zooming and panning¶

Move your mouse pointer over the map and use the scroll wheel to zoom in or out. The location at the center of the map display is the center of the zooming. You can zoom in, reset or zoom out. For panning, click anywhere on the map and drag it to the required location.