Best Practices and Tips
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      Importing Shapes

      This article covers how to import shapes from a file or url for IPAWS alerts.

      Import Options

      Import from a File

      Import from a URL

      Import a KML File

      Shapefile Limitations and Additional Information

      ESRI shapefile information and limitations.

      Konexus shapefile information and limitations.

      FEMA – Distribution Pathways and Alert Coverage

      Import from a File

      Use the steps below to import your shapes from the following file types:

      • Esri Shapefile (.zip)
      • CSV
      • GeoJson
      1. Click the Import Shape button at the top of toolbar on the right-hand side of the map.
      2. The default import type selection is file import, you can leave this option as is.
      3. Click the Select File button and select your file from your computer when prompted.
      4. After selecting your file, click the Import Shapefile button to start the import process.
      5. After the file has been successfully imported, it will be displayed on the map.
      6. Click on any of the imported layers to view the details of the selected layer.
      7. Within the details popup, click the + Add Shape button to add the shape to the map. 

        1. The add shape button may appear on the top or bottom of the dialog, depending on where you click on the map. 
        2. The dialog will show you the full details of the selected layer.
        3. Invalid layers can still be added as a shape to the map, but must be made valid by editing the added shape before the shape can be saved back to the IPAWS message form.
        4. See the article on Editing Shapes for more information.
      8. Once you have added the shape to the map, you can edit it as needed.
      9. When you are done editing your shape, and the shape is valid, click Save Shape to return to the IPAWS message form.

      Import from a URL

      Only publicly available URLs can be used to import layers and shapes.

      1. Click the Import Shape button at the top of toolbar on the right-hand side of the map.
      2. Select the From URL option from the import type dropdown menu.
      3. Enter the URL of your hosted FeatureLayer or Webmap Service in the provided field, then click Import from URL.
      4. After the url has been successfully imported, it will be displayed on the map.
      5. Click on any of the imported layers to view the details of the selected layer.
      6. Within the details popup, click the + Add Shape button to add the shape to the map. 

        1. The add shape button may appear on the top or bottom of the dialog, depending on where you click on the map. 
        2. The dialog will show you the full details of the selected layer.
        3. Invalid layers can still be added as a shape to the map, but must be made valid by editing the added shape before the shape can be saved back to the IPAWS message form.
        4. See the article on Editing Shapes for more information.
      7. Once you have added the shape to the map, you can edit it as needed.
      8. When you are done editing your shape, and the shape is valid, click Save Shape to return to the IPAWS message form.

      Import a KML File

      KML files can only be imported from a publicly available URL. Local file imports for KML files are not supported at this time.

      1. Click the Import Shape button at the top of toolbar on the right-hand side of the map.
      2. Select the KML File URL option from the import type dropdown menu.
      3. Enter the URL of your hosted FeatureLayer or Webmap Service in the provided field, then click Import from URL.
      4. After the url has been successfully imported, it will be displayed on the map.
      5. Click on any of the imported layers to view the details of the selected layer.
      6. Within the details popup, click the + Add Shape button to add the shape to the map. 

        1. The add shape button may appear on the top or bottom of the dialog, depending on where you click on the map. 
        2. The dialog will show you the full details of the selected layer.
        3. Invalid layers can still be added as a shape to the map, but must be made valid by editing the added shape before the shape can be saved back to the IPAWS message form.
        4. See the article on Editing Shapes for more information.
      7. Once you have added the shape to the map, you can edit it as needed.
      8. When you are done editing your shape, and the shape is valid, click Save Shape to return to the IPAWS message form.