Layer types
The ArcGIS Map Web Part can display layers on the map that come from many different sources. The capabilities of a layer depend on the type of the source it was added from. The different layer types and the capabilities of each are described below.
ArcGIS Server map services
When an ArcGIS Server map service is added to the map, the application retrieves and displays image tiles from the service. The image tiles do not contain any information about the features they show. For this reason, the rendering performance of this type of layer is very good, but its configuration options are limited.
Example URL: http://serverapps.esri.com/arcgis/rest/services/California/MapServer
Behavior
- The service is selectable on the Map Contents panel.
- The attribute table is not populated.
- Configuration options are limited (notice the number of unavailable buttons on the Layer tab of the ribbon).
- If the service is dynamic, the layers contained by the service are shown on the Map Contents panel. These layers
- Cannot be selected (made the active layer)
- Can be toggled on and off by clicking the check box next to them
Layers within ArcGIS Server dynamic map services
Through the Browse panel, you have the option to add individual layers within ArcGIS Server dynamic map services to the map. When one of these layers is added to the map, the application retrieves the data from the server for the features that the layer contains and draws them as graphics on the client. For this reason, this layer type provides a wide range of configuration options, but its rendering performance is not as good as that of layers created from map or image services.
Example URL: http://serverapps.esri.com/ArcGIS/rest/services/California/MapServer/1
Behavior
- The attribute table is populated.
- The layer can be selected on the Map Contents panel.
- Pop-up windows are present when using the mouse to point to features.
- Features are selectable.
- Layer symbology can be configured.
ArcGIS Server Spatial Data Service layers
The Browse panel also provides the option to add tables from a Spatial Data Service (SDS) endpoint to the map. When one of these layers is added, the web part retrieves the data for the records that the table contains and draws them as graphics on the client. For this reason, this layer type provides a wide range of configuration options, but its rendering performance is not as good as that of layers created from map or image services.
Example URL: http://serverapps.esri.com/sds/databases/Demo/dbo.USCities_Mercator
Behavior
- The attribute table is populated.
- Layers can be toggled on and off by clicking the check box next to them.
- Pop-up windows are present when using the mouse to point to features.
- Features are selectable.
- Layers and symbology can be configured.
ArcGIS image services
ArcGIS Server image services can be added to the map using either Search or Browse. When an image service is added to the map, the web part retrieves an image tile from the server and displays it on the client. No information about the features shown on the image is sent to the client. For this reason, the rendering performance of image services is very good, but the configuration options are limited.
Example URL: http://serverapps.esri.com/arcgis/rest/services/BlueMarble12Month/ImageServer
Behavior
- The attribute table is not populated.
- Layers can be toggled on and off by clicking the check box next to them.
- There is limited ability to configure this type of layer. (For example, on the Layer tab, Pop-Ups, Table, and Filter, among others, are unavailable.)
SharePoint lists
Through the Browse panel, you can also add SharePoint lists to the map. When one of these layers is added, the web part retrieves the data for the items that the list contains and draws them as graphics on the client. For this reason, this layer type provides a wide range of configuration options, but its rendering performance is not as good as that of layers created from map or image services.
Example URL: http://mySharePointServer/sites/mySiteCollection/Lists/myList/AllItems.aspx
Behavior
- The attribute table is populated.
- Layers can be selected on the Map Contents panel.
- Pop-up windows are present when using the mouse to point to features.
- Features are selectable.
- Layer symbology can be configured.
- Autoupdate options are available, allowing the layer to be refreshed at regular intervals or when the map extent is changed.