FAQs

• How do I tell what version of browser I have?
  • To check what type and version of Internet browser you are using, open your browser, select the Help menu. It will show the name of your browser, as shown in the image below ('About Internet Explorer'). Select the About menu item to display a popup window with more details about your browser. As well, the browser type and version will be displayed while the program is opening.

      

• I use Internet Explorer and I am having difficulties displaying VanMap.
  • For most PC's with Internet Explorer 5.x and above, VanMap will download the required file automatically when started the first time. If VanMap does not display properly, for example only the buttons appear or the screen is grayed out, go to the setup instructions for Windows/IE users.
• When I print a map I get extra blank pages.
  • Make sure you are using the Print button within VanMap and not the browser's print button.
• How do I move the map without scroll bars?
  • The Pan tool in the toolbox slides the map around to display areas outside the previous view.
• Sometimes I see the layer I want in the legend and sometimes I don't. How come?
  • Different layers become available as you zoom to different scales on the map. Go to About the Data to see a listing of the layers and their corresponding visibility scale.
• When I look at the orthophotos in VanMap they are washed out and splotchy. Is there anything I can do about this?
  • For the best fit and ideal display, your monitor settings should be at least 800X600 pixels, small fonts and high colour.
• How do I find out my zoning code?
  • You can view the generalized zoning categories from the original or unzoomed version of the map. Turn on the Zoning Districts layer in the legend by left-clicking in the check box to the left of Zoning Districts. If you put your mouse over one of the districts, a MapTip will appear giving you the zoning designation.
    
    To view the zoning of a specific address, first Zoom GoTo the address with a scale larger than 1:6500. This is the scale at which property addresses become visible. Turn on the Zoning Districts layer from the legend and the Zoning Districts outlines will appear. Put your mouse over the district (not on a specific address) where the address falls and the zoning designation will appear.
• How do I find the nearest school to a specific address?
  • Select the Zoom Go To button from the toolbar. The Zoom Go To dialogue box is displayed. In the Category field select Parcel Main Addresses. In the location field, put in the specific address (i.e. 453 W 12th). In the Zoom To Width field enter the appropriate value (1KM or .5KM) and click OK. Turn on the Schools layer by left-clicking once in the check box to the left of Schools. If the view is not close enough or too close, use the Zoom In or Zoom Out buttons on the toolbar.
• Is VanMap available for Macintosh computers?
  • We now have a Mac version available for use. Go to the Mac users setup page for detailed instructions for installing the required plug-in for the Mac, and to check the system requirements.
• What if the message "No viewer available" appears?
  • If you are receiving the No Viewer Available message or are being asked to download a viewer for a browser you do not use, we suggest re-installing the viewer. To download and install the viewer required for your browser, follow the instructions for your browser in the setup section.
• What if the Terms of Use dialogue box appears and the computer freezes at Terms of Use?
  • Due to differences in screen resolutions sometimes users cannot see the OK button to click on to accept the disclaimer. For an ideal display your screen resolution should be set to 800X600 pixels or higher, small fonts and high colour. Alternatively, OK is the default at this screen, so pressing the enter key will accept the disclaimer as well.
    
    If your "Terms of Use" window is locked, you do not have to restart your computer, simply press Ctrl + Alt + Delete keys to bring up the "Close Program" window. Select "VanMap public version", then click "End Task" , this will terminate the locked browser window.
• What if the message "An Active Xcontrol on this page is not safe. Your current security setting prohibits running unsafe controls on this page. As a result, this page may not display as intended." appears?
  • This problem is related to the browser (security) settings. For Internet Explorer 5.xx, you must set the security level to 'Medium' (if 'Medium' still doesn't work, just use 'Custom Level' to ensure that your browser allows the download of ActiveX control (Tools > Internet Options > Security in I.E.) For Netscape, go to Edit > Preferences > Advanced, to ensure that Java and JavaScript are enabled. Normally, the default settings of your browser should allow you to work with VanMap, but in some situations you may have to change the settings.
• If VanMap does not display correctly or buttons are grayed out, what can be done?
  • If VanMap is not displaying correctly, there may have been a problem with installing the viewer and re-installing may resolve the problem. To easily download and re-install the viewer required for Internet Explorer, please follow the instructions for Windows/IE users. Once the download is complete, close Internet Explorer, reopen it and access VanMap again. If the problem persists, please provide the following additional information to vanmap@vancouver.ca: operating system in use: browser type (Internet Explorer or Netscape) and version; at what point the problem occurred? If there was an error message please provide the exact wording.
• Can I use a browser on Windows that is not officially supported by VanMap, such as Mozilla FireFox, Opera or Netscape 7?
  • Yes, but you may find that some of VanMap's functionality is not working, such as report and map copy.
    
    In order to use unsupported browsers on Windows to open VanMap, first, you need to download and install the latest version of the browser, and then download and install the MapGuide 6.5. Viewer Java Edition. Follow the instructions on the Windows/Other browsers page. Once completed, all browsers on Windows can share and use the installed Java Edition Viewer. So, simply open your browser (Mozilla FireFox, Opera or Netscape 7), and select Start VanMap.
    
    Note: You may see a warning page from the download site indicating that your browser is not an officially supported borwser. Please just ignore it and follow the instructions above. VanMap for Mac is a platform independent VanMap application and requires the use of MapGuide 6.5 Java Edition Viewer on Windows.
• Can I use a browser on Mac that is not officially supported by VanMap, such as Safari and Opera? How?
  • Yes. In order to use unsupported browsers on Mac to open VanMap, first, you need to download and install the latest version of the browser, and then download and install the MapGuide 6.5 Java Edition Viewer for Mac from the setup page for Mac users. Once completed, all browsers on a Mac can share and use the installed Java Edition Viewer, by selecting Start VanMap.
    
    Note:You may see a warning page from the download site indicating that your browser is not an officially supported browser. Please just ignore it and follow the instructions above. VanMap for Mac is a platform independent VanMap application and requires the use of MapGuide 6.5 Java Edition Viewer on Mac.
• I followed your instructions and installed the latest Viewer. Why can I still not start VanMap?
  • First, you have to make sure that you have successfully downloaded and installed the latest MapGuide 6.5 Viewer required for opening VanMap. In order to check if a latest viewer is installed, please check your viewer installation and version status. The reasons for not being able to open VanMap vary depending on your PC's operating system, browser type, versions and security settings. If you have not detected any MapGuide viewer installed on your PC, this means that either you have not installed the required viewer yet, or the installation process failed. If the viewer installation process failed, possible reasons are: you may not have an Administrator right to install the MapGuide Viewer via either an automatic installation or a manual one; your browser security settings may be configured to prevent any activeX controls and plug-ins from downloading.
    
    If the MapGuide Viewer is detected on your PC, but you couldn't start VanMap properly, possible reasons are: your web browser or add-in tools such as anti-virus/anti-spyware tools from Yahoo or Google or your local internet connection service provider, may be set to block out any pop-ups and may interfere with the MapGuide Viewer; your web browser may have been configured to disable some required components such as scripting and Java virtual machine.
    
    For more information about MapGuide software related problems and known issues go to Autodesk MapGuide Viewer Help.
• Nothing happens when I press the Enter key or 'Go' button in Address Search. I have an 'error on page' message in the status bar.
  • Address Search uses a popup window to give you the results of your search. You must have popups enabled, not blocked.

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