This article explains how map symbology is used to represent records in the TerraGo Web Application, including how point symbols, line styles, colors, labels, visibility, and clustering affect what users see on the map.

Overview

Map symbology helps users quickly identify and interpret records displayed on the map and throughout the TerraGo Web Application. Depending on the record type and your organization's configuration, records may appear using different symbols, colors, labels, and display behaviors. Understanding map symbology allows users to identify records, recognize their current status, and navigate the map more efficiently.

Understanding Symbology

Map symbology is the visual representation of records on the map. Depending on the record type, records may be displayed as map pins or lines. Point-based records use icons, while linear records use different line styles. The combination of a record's symbol (icon or line style) and its color creates the map symbology displayed throughout TerraGo.

Symbology is displayed throughout the TerraGo Web Application, including the Map View, Asset Cards, and Table View. While related map features such as Map Labels and Pin Clustering affect how records are displayed, they are separate from the symbology itself.

• Map Pins: Used for point-based records such as poles, fixtures, meters, work orders, or other asset locations.
• Lines: Used for linear records such as circuits, water lines, gas lines, fiber cables, or other network features. 
• Color: May identify the record type, record status, or another configured value.

Record Type and Status

Each record type is represented by symbology. Depending on the record type and your organization's system configuration, the symbology may remain the same throughout the record's lifecycle or change as the record moves through different workflow stages or statuses.

Some systems use changes in symbology to help users quickly identify the current state of a record. For example, a fixture or controller may display one symbol while awaiting installation and another after installation is complete. In some systems, the record's symbology may also change to indicate that it requires attention, meaning the symbol, color, or both may change when an error or warning condition exists.

Other record types may use the same symbol, color, or line style throughout their lifecycle. Which records change, and when they change, is entirely determined by your organization's configuration. Depending on that configuration, record status may be updated manually, through workflows, or automatically from connected systems. Symbology reflects the current status regardless of how that status was assigned.

Map Labels

Map Labels are optional text labels that may display near map features. They are not part of the symbology itself, but they can provide additional information such as a record identifier, configured value, distance, or other information associated with the record.

Map Labels can be enabled or disabled from Map Components when available. The information displayed in a label is determined by your organization's system configuration.

Map Pins and Record Visibility

Not every record in the system is configured to display on the map. Whether a record appears as a map pin, line, or other map feature depends on your organization's configuration, the record type, and in some cases the record's current status.

Inventory records may remain in the system while they are In Stock, Reserved, or Removed, but may not display on the map until they are installed and associated with a geographic location. Even when a record does not appear on the map, it may still be available in the Table View, search results, or other areas of the application.

Using the Map Legend

The Map Legend provides a reference for the symbols currently used on the map. Users can open the legend to review the available symbols, colors, line styles, and descriptions.

1. Locate the Map Legend button on the right side of the map.
2. Select Map Legend.
3. Review the listed symbols and descriptions.

Pin Clustering

When many map pins are visible in the same area, the map may group nearby pins into a cluster. A cluster appears as a numbered pin and represents multiple records located near one another.

Pin clustering helps improve map readability and performance. As users zoom in, clustered records may separate into individual pins. Users can also toggle pin clustering on or off from Map Components when they need to view individual pins more clearly.

• Clustering on: Nearby records are grouped together into numbered pins.
• Clustering off: Records display as individual pins when possible.
• Zooming in: Clusters may separate as the map view becomes more detailed.

Related article: Using the Map Toolbar

Configuration Variations

Symbology, labels, clustering behavior, and record visibility are configured for each system. This means record types, point symbols, line styles, colors, labels, status changes, and display behavior may vary between customer environments.

The examples shown in this article are provided to explain how map symbology works generally. Your system may include different record types, different symbols, different line styles, different color meanings, or different visibility rules based on your organization's configuration.

Related articles: Understanding Map Cards | Using the Map Toolbar | Understanding Data Visibility