Define Custom Site Layers Dialog Box

Prerequisites for use: An Atlas map is the activeClosed The application, window, tab, or other screen element which is currently being used; sometimes called the "front" or "frontmost" screen element tab.

Use: The Define Custom Site Layers dialog box is used to create new layers or modify existing ones. This is done by picking sites by name and setting the display characteristics of these sites.

Description: This dialog box has an upper area used to create or edit custom site layers. The Select Sites area is used to define which sites are displayed on the custom layer.


Open the Define Custom Site Layers Dialog BoxOpen the Define Custom Site Layers Dialog Box

  1. Open an Atlas taband make it the active tab.
  2. From the Site Layers pop-up menu, choose Custom Site Layers.

This dialog box also opens if you choose Convert To Custom Layer when extra sites are added to the Atlas.

Create a Custom Layer (Overview)Create a Custom Layer (Overview)

  1. Open the Define Custom Site Layers dialog box.
  2. Click New to create a custom layer. [New name] is added to the List of Site Layers and the Name box.

    To edit the layer, select it from the left list of custom layers.
  3. Enter a name for the custom layer in the Name box.
  4. Select the desired options to define the sites to be displayed on this layer.

    The new layer starts with all Importance items selected, but no periods.
  5. In the Label details area, choose how the site labels are to appear on the layer.
  6. Click OK. If a Atlas tab is the active tab, the custom layer is displayed on the map.

Options in the Define Site Layers Dialog BoxOptions in the Define Site Layers Dialog Box

List of Custom Site Layers (Top Left): Displays any custom layers already defined. The layer last used when this dialog box was closed is selected when the dialog box is reopened. Click a layer name to display its current settings in the dialog box.

List Buttons: Used to arrange the layer names in the list and on the pop-up menu.

  • New: Adds [New name] to the list and in the Name box, and resets the rest of the options to the default settings.
  • Delete: Removes the selected name and definition from the list and from the Site Layers pop-up menu.
  • Up and Down Buttons: Click to move the selected name up or down the list.

Name Box: Used to enter or modify the name of the selected layer. Adding spaces before the name indents it on the pop-up menu.

Label details Area: Options in this area set the display of ALL sites in the layer.

  • Font, Color, Sample Pop-up Menus: Offer standard options for choosing a font and text color. The Sample area displays the currently selected style.
  • Scale Pop-up Menu: Sets the sizes of sites in this layer relative to other layers. Within a layer the label size varies with the importance of the sites and the magnification of the map. Available options range from 50% to 200%.
  • Marker Pop-Up Menu: Used to choose the shape of site markers.
  • Hide label names: When selected, displays only the markers with no site labels. This option is particularly useful for teaching and testing.
  • Use white background: When selected, may improve the contrast of the label with the background.

Select sites Area: Options in this area set which sites to include in the layer.

  • Sites with importance of: Used to choose the level of significance (combined Biblical, historical and archaeological criteria); 1 is least significant and 5 is most important. At least one item must be selected. Only sites with the selected levels of importance are included in the layer.
  • By default, when an item is selected, any site occurring in that period is included in the layer. At least one period box must be selected to define the layer.
  • Example: If you choose Importance of 3, 4, and 5, and the periods The Land and History, the layer displays all sites mentioned anywhere in Joshua through Chronicles if they are of medium to major importance. If all Importance items are selected, as well as the Poetry period, the layer displays all sites mentioned in Job, Psalms, Proverbs, or the Song of Solomon.
  • Sites in: Opens the Period pop-up menu listing all Biblical or Archaeological periods. Choosing an item limits the sites in the Sites» list to those which appear in that period (as well as the selected levels of importance).
  • Sites» Scrolling List: Displays all sites in the database. The display of available sites can be limited by the Sites of Importance setting, and the Biblical or Archaelogical period chosen. Click the Sites» button above the list to add items selected in the scrolling list.
  • Shift+Click to select a range of items, or Ctrl+Click to select multiple individual items.

    Note

    Many names on the Sites» list are followed by additional information which is usually omitted from the map display for clarity.

  • Go to box: Enter one or more letters to jump to names beginning with those letters in the Sites» list.
  • Sites Selected List: Displays the sites selected for the custom layer.
  • Use the Delete button to remove items from this list.
  • Use the Up or Down buttons to move items up and down in the list.