CHAPTER 04

Create Survey Forms

In EcorisMap, a layer is your survey form. You design the items (fields) to record and decide how they look on the map. Manage layers on the Layer list screen, opened with the “layers” button, which also leads to their data, styles, and settings.

Layer list

The table can be scrolled horizontally. Its columns and the buttons at the bottom of the screen are as follows.

• Edit — Toggles with a check which layer is put into edit mode. Adding and editing features apply to the layer in edit mode. Layers of the same type (such as Point) cannot be in edit mode at the same time. Checking one automatically unchecks other layers of the same type. The “No coordinates” type is exempt from this rule. With no layer in edit mode, the app shows “There is no layer that can be edited.”
• Visibility — Use the eye icon to show or hide the layer. Toggling a group parent also affects its child layers. Tapping the color mark next to it (points, lines, and polygons only) opens the Style settings screen.
• Layer name — Tap to open that layer’s Data list screen. Long-press to reorder by dragging.
• Label — Selects the field to display as a label on the map. You can also choose “(none)” or “CUSTOM”. Choosing “CUSTOM” reveals an input box next to it, where you can create a label combining multiple fields in the form field1|field2.
• Settings (gear) — Opens the Layer settings screen.
• Up/Down — Moves the layer’s display order one step at a time. Moving a layer just below a group moves it into or out of the group. Dragging does the same thing. Moving a group parent moves its child layers together.
• import — Loads a data file. See Import Data.
• add — Creates a new survey form. The Layer settings screen opens, where you design the items to record.

Special layers

• Track layer — A built-in layer that is the destination for track recording. The edit check and settings button are not shown.
• Layer group — A folder for organizing layers. Create it by setting the type to “layer group” in the layer settings. Expand and collapse it with the folder icon.

Layer settings

This is where you build your survey form. Set the layer name and type, then line up the items (fields) to record. Create a layer with “add” on the Layer list, or edit an existing one with the gear button.

• Layer name — Enter the name of the layer. Characters that cannot be used in file names are removed automatically.
• Style — Tapping the color mark opens the Style settings screen. See “Style settings” for what you can configure.
• Type — Choose from Point / Line / Polygon / No coordinates / layer group. The type can only be changed when creating a new layer.
• save (top right) — Saves your changes. Adding, deleting, or changing the format of a field is also reflected in existing data.
• export — Writes out only the layer settings to a file. The file excludes data and includes the dictionary. Use it to reuse a layer structure or move it to another device.
• delete — Deletes the layer. The app asks “Do you want to delete the layer? The data in the layer is also deleted.” Deleting a group leaves the layers inside it.

Field settings

Add the items (fields) to record, then set their names and data formats.

• add — Adds a field (a recording item).
• Field name — Enter the item name. Duplicate names and “_id” are not allowed.
• Data format — Choose the format of the values to record. See the table below.
• Set value (>) — Opens a screen to set candidate values and default values. It is available only for applicable formats. See “Setting values” for what you can configure.
• Reorder and delete — You can reorder and delete fields.

Field data formats (all 19)

Configuring a reference field

In the value settings screen, specify three items: the “reference layer”, the “matching field on the reference side”, and the “key field on your own layer’s side”. The Data edit screen lists reference data whose key matches. You can also add reference data from that list.

“Used to add data” for a dictionary field

Turn on “Used to add data” in the options of a “string-dictionary” or “string-dynamic dictionary” field. An input box then appears at the top of the Data list screen, letting you quickly add data just by choosing a candidate. Only one field per layer can use this option.

Setting values

• Value — Enter a default value or candidate value. Use “add” to add more candidates, and you can also reorder and delete them.
• Add “Other” — Adds a fixed candidate “Other” for List / Check / Radio. When you choose “Other” during data entry, a free input box appears.
• Use last value — A check shown for String, Integer, List, Date, and TimeRange. When on, the previous entry becomes the initial value for the next data.
• Loading a dictionary from CSV — For “string-dictionary”, the “csv” button to the right of the header batch-registers candidate values from a CSV file. Each row becomes a candidate, and reloading replaces them.

Style settings

First choose a “Color type”. The settings shown below it change with the type you choose.

• Single — Displays the entire layer in one color. Tap the color swatch and choose hue, saturation, brightness, and transparency in the color picker.
• Categorized — Colors by each field value. You set which value gets which color.
• User — Colors by member. Its settings are the same as Categorized. It can be selected only while a project is open (see Project Sharing).
• Individual — Each feature has its own color. This is for map memos, and the color drawn with the pen is used as is. You only choose the field.

The following settings are common to all types.

• Line width (1–5) — Specifies the width of lines and polygons. It is not available for individual color.
• Show frame only — Removes the polygon fill and displays only the outline.

Settings for Categorized and User

Choosing Categorized or User shows the following settings.

• Field — Choose the field to color by. Choosing “CUSTOM” shows an input box, letting you classify by the combination field1|field2.
• Color ramp — The method for automatic coloring. Currently only Random is available.
• Auto-fetch — Collects the list of field values from existing data and automatically assigns colors. For User, it retrieves the member list.
• Value and color list — Add and delete values here. Tap each color to change it individually.