Adding Annotations as User Layers

Unlike annotations created directly on a map, annotations added to user map layers are available to all maps. Display changes are replicated across all maps in which that user layer is displayed. To create annotations for only a specific map instead of on a user layer, see Related Topics below.

User Layers must be saved in the map data directory in order for them to appear in AccuMap, but within the map data directory they can be saved within a folder or multiple nested folders. AccuMap automatically finds any files with a .usrlay suffix anywhere in the map directory or within its subdirectories.

To add annotations as user layers

Create the annotation as you normally would using the Annotations tab.

If working with annotations on a User Layer, that layer must be both selected in the Layer Legend (so that its annotations are visible), and displayed as the current layer in the Layer drop-down list in the Annotation ribbon toolbar (so that its annotations are selectable). Below, a User Layer is being selected from the Layer drop-down list.

Select the desired annotation(s), and using the Annotations tab, click either Move Selection () or Copy Selection () followed by whether to move or copy it to a new or existing layer.

Depending on your selection above, either the Create User Layer dialog box (Move to New Layer) appears, or the My Layers drop-down list (Move to Layer) appears.

Depending on the option that appears above, do either of the following:

Create User Layer dialog box - either type the file name by which to save the file, or create a directory (or multiple nested directories) within the main map directory in which to save the user layer and then type the User Layer name.
My Layers drop-down list - select the layer to which to add the annotation and then click Save.
Click User Layer Management () in the User Layers group of the Annotations tab to display the Attach User Layers dialog box, where you select the user layers to make available in the Layer Legend for either the current map or for all maps. Instead of selecting specific layers, select a folder to automatically make all of the layers within that folder available to the current map or to all maps, and then click Apply.
In the following example, two user layers in the Emergency Planning Area folder will appear in the Layer Legend for all maps, and all of the user layers in the Emergency Planning Zone folder will appear in the Layer Legend of only the current map.