Uploading Custom Layers

MapWise's Layer Manager accepts zipped Shapefile or KML files as custom map layers, the only two formats it currently supports. Prepare your file, open Add New Map Layer in the Layer Manager, and MapWise walks you through two upload windows before your new layer is ready to add to the map.

What file formats can I upload?

MapWise accepts a zipped Shapefile (SHP) or a KML file for custom layers. A few more formats (GPX, CAD, Lat/Long, Parcel IDs) appear as Coming Soon options but aren't available to upload yet, and neither is connecting to an existing server or copying an existing layer.

How do I start an upload?

  1. In the Map Viewer, click the Layer Manager tab.
  2. Click Add New Map Layer. The New Layer Source window opens with four options. Only Upload a data file (zipped SHP or KML) is live; the other three are marked Coming Soon.
  3. Select Upload a data file (zipped SHP or KML) and click Next.

You should now see the File Upload form, ready for your Data Set Title and file.

New Layer Source window in MapWise's Layer Manager, showing the live "Upload a data file (zipped SHP or KML)" option above three disabled Coming Soon options.

How do I fill out the upload form?

  1. Type a name into the Data Set Title: field. This is the label MapWise uses for the layer, not "Name."
  2. Choose the matching format from Upload File Type:.
  3. Click Select a File and choose your zipped Shapefile or KML file.
  4. Click Save Changes to upload it.

You should now see a second window open automatically to finish configuring the layer.

File Upload window with the Data Set Title field, Upload File Type dropdown, and Select a File button for choosing a zipped Shapefile or KML file.

How do I configure permissions after uploading?

Once the file finishes uploading, a second window opens for the layer's settings. MapWise doesn't add it to your map until you fill this out too.

  1. Confirm or edit the Layer Name:.
  2. Pick a Layer Group: (Custom or Base Layer).
  3. Set Permissions: to PRIVATE (the default, only you can see it), COMPANY, or PUBLIC.
  4. Optionally add Comments: and adjust Scale Min: (default 1) / Scale Max: (default 4,000,000), then click Save Changes.

You should now see your layer saved and ready to add from the Layer Manager grid.

How do I add the uploaded layer to the map?

Your new layer now appears in the Available Map Layers grid, usually under the Layer Group you chose. Find its row and click Add Layer, the same way you'd add any built-in MapWise layer. See Layer Manager for the full grid walkthrough.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I upload a shapefile and display it on the map?

Open the Layer Manager, click Add New Map Layer, choose Upload a data file (zipped SHP or KML), and fill in a Data Set Title and file. After MapWise finishes uploading, set the layer's group and permissions and save. It then appears in the Available Map Layers grid, ready to click Add Layer and display on the map.

Need Help?

If your file is large, uses an uncommon projection, or just won’t upload, send it to our support team. We’ll convert & host it for you.

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