Layers
The data in VanMap is organized into layers. Layers are like transparencies. Each layer contains different drawings, but when you stack them together, you see all of them at once as a single map. For example, there might be one layer that contains roads, another that contains property lines, and another that contains zoning areas. When you turn on all of the layers, you see a single map with all of the data: roads, property lines, and zoning areas. To only see the roads and property lines, turn off the zoning area layer.
The order of the legend reflects the draw priority. The layer with the lowest draw priority is at the bottom of the legend, and the layer with the highest priority is at the top. VanMap draws the layers with lower priority first, then draws the layers with higher priority, until it draws the layer with highest priority last.
In the example shown, a portion of the legend is shown with Facet Grid and Local Areas (a layer in the Administrative & Services Areas layer group). Both are polygon layers, but Facet Grids is above Local Areas in the legend, and thus has a higher priority. Facet Grids are drawn after the Local Areas layer. If both layers are turned on and you try to select a Local Area within a Facet Grid, the Facet Grid will be selected because it is on top. To select the Local Area, you must turn off the Facet Grid layer.
Scale
As you navigate the map, zooming in or out, the list of layers shown in the legend will change depending on what scale you are viewing the map at. For more information see About Data or use the Documentation Index to look for a specific layer definition. The layer definitions tell you at what scale the layer becomes visible.
Layer Group
A layer group consists of 2 or more individual layers grouped together under one layer group name. In the image shown, Local Areas is a layer in the Administrative & Services Areas layer group.
Displaying or Hiding Layers or Layer Groups
You can display or hide the features on a map layer by turning the layer
on or off. This is useful for viewing only the features you want to see.
To turn on a layer or layer group, enable the checkbox next to the layer
or layer group's name in the legend by clicking in it 
.
To turn off a layer or layer group, clear that checkbox next to the layer
or layer group's name in the legend.
Collapse/Expand Layers in a Layer Group
You can show or hide the layers in a layer group. This does not turn the layers on or off; it simply collapses or expands the layer group. To show the layers in a layer group, right-click the layer group and choose Expand from the popup menu, or simply double-click the layer group. To hide the layers in a layer group, right-click the layers group and choose Collapse from the popup menu, or simply double-click the layer group.
To change the status of multiple layer groups, use the [Shift] or [Ctrl] key to select multiple layers, and choose Expand or Collapse from the popup menu.
Turning On or Off All the Layers in a Layer Group
You can turn all of the layers in a layer group on or off with a single command. To turn on all the layers in a layer group, right-click the layer group and choose Turn On All Layers from the popup menu. To turn off all the layers in a layer group, right-click the layer group and choose Turn Off All Layers from the popup menu.
Notes
- Most layers only become available at certain scales. Example: Parcel addresses only become visible as you zoom to a scale of 1:50,000 and Local Areas are no longer visible after you zoom to a scale of less than 1:10,000. Look at About Data to see all the visibility scales for layers.
- Some layers may overwrite information contained on other layers. If the layer does not appear to be displaying properly then try turning off some of the other layers.
- Turn off layers you do not need to see. If you have too many layers showing at one time, especially layers that contain a lot of information (like aerial photos, or lot lines) then VanMap will take longer every time it has to redraw the map.
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