Getting Started with MetroViewer: Tips, Tricks, and ShortcutsMetroViewer is a modern map- and data-visualization application designed for urban planners, GIS professionals, transit agencies, and community members who need a fast, focused view of city-scale spatial information. This guide walks you through setup, core workflows, customization options, performance tips, and shortcuts that turn regular use into efficient, productive work.
What MetroViewer does best
MetroViewer focuses on three strengths:
- Fast map rendering for large urban datasets — optimized for tiled vector and raster layers.
- Lightweight, task-oriented UI — minimal chrome so you can focus on maps and data.
- Flexible layer and symbology controls — simplified styling for quick visualization changes.
Installation and system requirements
Minimum requirements differ by build, but generally:
- OS: Windows ⁄11, macOS 11+, or a recent Linux distro.
- CPU: Dual-core 2.0 GHz or better.
- RAM: 8 GB minimum; 16 GB recommended for large datasets.
- Storage: 500 MB for app + space for local caches.
- GPU: Integrated graphics acceptable; discrete GPU improves rendering of complex vector tiles.
Installation steps (typical):
- Download the installer for your OS from MetroViewer’s official site or package manager.
- Run the installer and accept default settings.
- Launch the app and sign in if required.
- Configure a local cache directory (recommended for offline work).
First-time setup: connect your data
MetroViewer supports many data sources: local shapefiles/GeoJSON, MBTiles, WMS/WMTS, XYZ/TileJSON endpoints, and vector tile services. To add data:
- Use the “Add Layer” button in the left panel.
- Choose the source type (Local file, Tile service, WMS, etc.).
- Point to the file or paste the endpoint URL.
- Set coordinate reference system (CRS) if not auto-detected. MetroViewer handles EPSG:3857 and EPSG:4326 automatically; for others, specify the EPSG code.
- Optionally set initial styling and visibility rules.
Tip: For large GeoJSON files, convert to MBTiles or vector tiles for much better performance.
Core interface overview
The UI is intentionally minimal. Key areas:
- Main map canvas: central area for navigation and drawing.
- Layer panel: left side — list of layers with visibility, opacity, and legend.
- Toolbar: top — search, measurement, draw, and export tools.
- Inspect/Attributes panel: right side — shows feature attributes when selected.
- Status bar: bottom — coordinates, scale, and current CRS.
Basic workflows
Opening and exploring a project
- Create a new project to save layer combinations and map extents.
- Load basemap (built-in or custom XYZ tile source) first — it provides context for other layers.
- Add data layers and set their order (drag-and-drop in the layer panel).
- Save the project to preserve layer order, styles, and extents.
Searching and locating features
- Use the search box to find addresses, POIs, or feature IDs.
- Results pan/zoom the map to the selected item; use arrow keys to cycle results.
- Keyboard: press F to focus the search box.
Selecting and querying features
- Click to select single features; shift-click for multiple selection.
- Use the rectangle or lasso selection tools for bulk selection.
- The attributes panel displays editable fields; double-click a value to edit (if layer permits editing).
Measuring distances and areas
- Choose the measurement tool from the toolbar and pick distance or area.
- Measurements respect the map’s CRS; switch to a projected CRS for accurate area results across larger extents.
- To measure great-circle distances on geographic CRS, enable “Geodesic measurement” in settings.
Exporting maps and data
- Export map images (PNG/SVG) via the Export button; set resolution and include legend/scale bar.
- Export selected features as GeoJSON, Shapefile, or CSV. For large exports, MetroViewer will stream data to avoid memory spikes.
Styling and symbology tips
Quick style changes
- Right-click a layer → Style to open the style editor.
- Change color, stroke, opacity, and marker icons quickly with presets.
- Use the histogram panel to set graduated colors or size based on numeric attributes.
Rule-based styling
- Create rules: e.g., status = ‘active’ → green; status = ‘inactive’ → gray.
- Combine numeric ranges and categorical rules for complex visualizations.
Labeling
- Enable labels in the style editor; choose field, font size, and halo for readability.
- Use zoom-based label visibility to reduce clutter at small scales.
Cartographic best practices
- Use contrast between basemap and overlay. Light basemaps work well with saturated overlay colors; dark basemaps pair well with pastel overlays.
- Avoid small thin strokes for vector lines when exporting to print — increase stroke width and use dashed styles if needed.
- Limit unique categorical colors to 7–10 distinct hues to maintain legibility.
Performance optimization
Large projects can slow down without attention. Use these optimizations:
- Convert large GeoJSON/CSV to vector tiles or MBTiles.
- Lower layer opacity or simplify geometry client-side for faster rendering.
- Use scale-dependent visibility to hide dense layers at zoomed-out extents.
- Enable tile caching and set a reasonable cache size.
- Disable unnecessary interactive effects (shadows, gradients) in Settings.
Memory and GPU tips
- Close unused projects and clear the temporary cache periodically.
- On systems with limited RAM, increase virtual memory or use a smaller viewport size when exporting.
Shortcuts and power-user tricks
Common keyboard shortcuts
- Space + drag — pan temporarily while a drawing tool is active.
- F — focus search box.
- V — toggle visibility of the selected layer.
- Ctrl/Cmd + D — duplicate selected layer.
- Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + E — export selected features.
- Esc — clear current selection or cancel drawing.
Mouse/gesture tips
- Middle-click or mouse wheel click to pan.
- Shift + scroll — zoom faster (accelerated zoom).
- Double-click to zoom in one level; double-right-click to zoom out.
Templates and snippets
- Save frequently used style sets as templates and apply them to new layers with one click.
- Create keyboard macros (in-app) to run sequences like “hide all other layers → center map → export”.
Batch operations
- Use the Batch tool to apply style changes, field edits, or exports to multiple layers at once.
- Automate recurring tasks with scheduled exports (useful for nightly map snapshots).
Troubleshooting common issues
Layer not visible
- Check layer order and ensure it’s above the basemap.
- Verify layer CRS matches project CRS or is reprojected on load.
- Ensure opacity isn’t set to 0 and scale-based visibility limits aren’t hiding the layer.
Slow rendering
- Convert heavy vector layers to vector tiles.
- Reduce the number of simultaneous layers; toggle visibility.
- Increase tile cache size in Settings.
Editing conflicts
- If collaborative editing is used, sync conflicts may appear. Resolve by accepting server or local changes in the revision history panel.
Export problems
- For blurry exports, increase export DPI or use SVG export for vector outputs.
- If exports fail on large maps, reduce extent or export by tiled sections.
Extensions, plugins, and integrations
MetroViewer supports plugins for added functionality:
- Geocoding plugin — advanced address parsing and batch geocoding.
- Transit analysis — route-shed and isochrone generation.
- Database connectors — PostGIS, SpatiaLite, and cloud storage (S3).
- Scripting console — run Python/JavaScript scripts for custom analyses.
Install plugins from the Plugin Manager and restart the app where required.
Example workflows
- Quick site analysis for a proposed bike lane
- Load basemap and transportation network layer.
- Add crash data layer and apply a heatmap style.
- Use buffer tool to create 50–100 m buffers along selected road segments.
- Export map image and selected features for reporting.
- Nightly automated snapshot for a dashboard
- Create a project with basemap and key layers.
- Use scheduled export plugin to render a PNG at 1920×1080 each night and upload to S3.
- Ingest snapshots into your dashboard for daily updates.
Learning resources and community
- Use built-in walkthroughs under Help → Tutorials for step-by-step demos.
- Join MetroViewer community forums and GitHub repository for plugins and issues.
- Look for video tutorials that demonstrate common tasks like vector tiling and rule-based styling.
Final tips
- Start projects with a clear naming convention and folder structure.
- Favor vector tiles for performance and scalability.
- Save style templates and keyboard macros for recurring tasks.
If you want, I can convert any of the example workflows into step-by-step checklists or provide specific keyboard shortcuts for your OS.
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