Overlays and layers
Bring shapefiles, GeoJSON, images, PDFs, historical maps and WMS layers onto the map.
On Pro, you can bring extra map data onto the base map - your own files, historical mapping, and live WMS services. Each is a layer you can show, hide and fade.
A Pro feature
Overlays and layers are Pro features; adding overlays also needs a role that can edit the map.
Overlays
The Overlays layer drapes your own data over the map:
- Vector - upload GeoJSON or shapefile data.
- Raster - upload an image or PDF to position over the map, with crop, rotate and transform tools.
Each overlay has its own opacity, visibility toggle and style.
Overlays are scoped to this project by default. From the overlay's options menu you can make one a configuration overlay so it shows on every project that uses the same configuration - these are marked with a globe on the overlay's row.
Positioning a raster overlay
Unlock a raster overlay to reveal its handles, then:
- Move - drag the middle of the overlay.
- Resize - drag a corner to scale it (aspect ratio is kept); hold Shift to stretch it freely. Drag an edge to stretch one side.
- Rotate - drag the rotate handle; hold Shift to snap to 15 degrees.
Undo and redo your changes with Ctrl+Z and Ctrl+Shift+Z, or the undo/redo buttons on the overlay's row.
Align with two points
For an accurate plan or drawing, you can place it by matching two known points rather than dragging by eye. From the overlay's options menu (the ... button) choose Align with 2 points, then:
Pick a feature on the image
Click something you can identify on the overlay - a building corner, a survey marker, a grid intersection.
Place it on the map
Click where that feature actually sits on the base map.
Do it again for a second feature
Repeat for a second point. On the last click the overlay moves, scales and rotates so both features land on their targets.
The image keeps its shape (it is not skewed), so this works best with accurate, to-scale drawings. Press Esc or Cancel to stop; Ctrl+Z undoes it.
Historical maps
The Historical Maps layer adds historical and geological base mapping beneath your data, with opacity and visibility controls.
WMS
The WMS layer adds external WMS services as map layers, with opacity and click-to-query for feature details.
Last updated 2 July 2026