Customisation

Using IMF, most sites are deployed without any programming at all. A site can be fully configured using XML configuration files. It is far easier and more cost-effective to develop a web-mapping application using IMF than any other approach.

IMF configuration files

Basic website customisation is done with two XML configuration files

More advanced website customisation can be done using two further XML configuration files

These files can be edited in any text editor. For increased productivity and ease of use we recommend use of a specialised XML editor such as Altova XMLSpy (the free edition is perfectly adequate). IMF includes XML schema for all XML configuration files so that you can take advantage of intelligent editing features such as

  • auto completion,
  • context sensitive syntax help,
  • entry helpers,
  • syntax coloring,
  • etc.

These are a significant boost to productivity and make it even easier to create and customise IMF websites.

Site configuration XML file

Each IMF website has one site configuration XML file.

It identifies the ArcIMS map service and is used to customize the tabs, tools and functions that are available on the site. It also identiifes any other configuration files that are to be used by the site and sets up the initial contents of each frame in the viewer.

A default site configuration file is included with each copy of IMF. This can then be amended as necessary as in eg the geowise demo site. The formal schema for the site configuration file is included with each copy of IMF

A single site configuration XML file may be used by multiple IMF servers. This makes it easier to maintain multiple copies of a site for redundancy or scalability

Layer configuration XML file

Each IMF website will usually also have a layer configuration XML file.

A layer configuration XML file is used to define and customise the layers that will appear in an IMF web mapping application. Using the layer configuration file, an administrator can control almost any aspect of the appearance or behaviour of individual layers and fields within those layers.

If no layer configuration file is present IMF will display all the layers in the ArcIMS map service. A standard layer configuration file can be created automatically for any ArcIMS map service. This can then be amended as necessary as in eg the geowise demo site.

The formal schema for the layer configuration file is included with each copy of IMF

A single layer configuration file may be used by multiple IMF websites. This makes it easier to maintain multiple sites using the same ArcIMS map service

Print configuration XML file

A print configuration XML file is used to define templates that are available for printing high quality PDF format maps from your IMF application. A map template contains information about the map surround and other items that lay out your map.

The print configuration file can contain multiple templates. Each template can be a different page size and contain different map surrounds, text, and logos. If the supporting ArcIMS service is defined with higher memory limits than the default, large-format high-resolution maps are possible.

Templates can include user supplied text as entered into a free text field or chosen from a drop down list. Whre these are present in a template IMF automatically generates an appropriate from for the end user to complete.

A default print configuration file is included with each copy of IMF. This can then be amended as necessary. The formal schema for the print configuration file is included with each copy of IMF.

One print configuration XML file may be used by multiple IMF websites. This makes it easier to maintain multiple sites with the same print templates.

Theme configuration XML file

A theme configuration XML file is used to specify alternate sets of configuration files used by IMF to change data views from within the application. Themes are given names that can be chosen by a user to see a preset set of data, usually at the same extent as the current view.

The formal schema for the theme configuration file is included with each copy of IMF.