Creating Custom Maps with the
Overlay Tool
November 10, 2011
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In this issue of the 'Altryx' & Tips newsletter, we'll work with arguably one of the least used tools in the Alteryx Toolbox - the Overlay Tool.
This tool allows maps, images and text to overlayed on top of each other to obtain a desired result. Now if my module output calls for a map, I always render both the map and the legend as a separate fields and use the Overlay Tool to position the legend where it looks best. This also enables me to generate a larger map because I no longer want to have the legend rendered alongside the map. The legend is now positioned where I want it, and in addition, using the tool to overlay my logo as well adds a professional touch and prevents the map from looking too generic.  I find that maps generated via the default Map Tool are definitely not the end state and need some additional tweaking.
 For this to work as I described above, you'll need to configure the Map Tool to render the map and legend as separate fields, as indicated by the image of the Map Tool Properties shown at the upper right. Set the Legend pull down to Separate Field, meaning that a map and its legend will be created as two distinct entities. This enables you to position the items separately in the Overlay Properties window. Here you can also adjust the overall extents of the overlaid objects by modifying the padding for each side.
Below is the final result of a map I quickly threw together, illustrating a basic example of what can be accomplished with the tool.
Till next issue, enjoy!
Ron House
All About GIS, LLC
http://allaboutgis.net
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