Adding/Removing Boundaries

There are several methods of adding or removing boundaries from the map you are working on. However, before we get to those we'll need to discuss the the two different modes available. The process for adding or removing boundaries from the map is identical. The action you are performing depends only on the editing mode. Those modes are:

Merge merge boundaries into the current map (additions)
Cut cut boundaries from the current map (subtractions)

All the methods of getting boundaries for the map remain available in either mode - it just defines if you would like to add them or remove them. To remind you of what mode you are in there is distinct coloring applied to the map editing bar. If you are in Merge mode the bar will be green. If you are in Cut mode the bar will be in red.

To toggle which mode you are in just click on the switch in the upper left corner of the editing bar. You'll see the color of the bar change depending on what mode you've switched to.

Different States of the Editing Bar

Types of Boundaries

In this version of the application we've added several methods to get boundaries to add or remove from the map. Those methods can be found on the right side of the edit box. There are text inputs or buttons for the following:

Single Zip/City/County allows users to add the boundaries of any of these three types - as you start typing you will see typeahead results
Multiple Zip Codes allows users to add many zip codes at once (must be a comma separated string)
Service Area allows users to pull boundaries from any haulers existing service areas
Geo Note allows users to pull boundaries from any existing geographic note
Draw Custom Merge allows for free hand drawing on the map

Warning

For any of the text input fields that use a type ahead - you will have to select an item from the list of returned results before it will be added to the map.

Handling Boundaries Before Saving

As you select areas to add/remove on the map they'll be added, individually, to 'pills' on the left side of the editing bar. If you find that you need to remove or undo one of your edits you can hit the 'x' on the pill to remove it from the map. This process is the same in merge or cut modes.

In the images below we've added several geographic areas. The top picture represents the map in the middle of editing, the bottom is after the pill for zipcode '44145' was removed from the current edits. You'll see that that the area representing Westlake was then removed from the editing.

Custom Drawing

If city, zip, county, or existing boundaries are not adequate for acheiving what a map needs there is the ability to draw custom shapes. To draw a custom merge or cut just click Draw Custom Merge or Draw Custom Cut. This will put the map into drawing mode. Custom shapes must be drawn by connecting points and the shape is concluded when two points meet. When the custom drawing is successfully concluded it will show up in the pill section as Custom Merge 1 or Custom Cut 1 where the number will change depending on the number of custom drawings you create. The images below show an in progress and concluded example of a custom drawing.

Saving a Map

Once you've completed your edits the only additonal step you will need to take is to save the map. To do this simply hit the Save Map button in the lower right portion of the edit bar. You will be notified of a successful save, or, should a failure occur, what went wrong.

Errors

There is a chance that some merges and cuts will encounter errors. The most likely scenario that may arise is if a zip code or other geographic area is not defined. If an area cannot be found the application will notify the user which specific area could not be found. This is imporant when noting any areas that may return errors in bulk zip code additions. Any areas that return errors will not be added to the pill section.

Example of an Area Not Found

Important

If you think you've encountered an area in an area that should be found be sure to report it to the Strategich Technologies team.