This document contains a description of the additions and changes to the ArcIMS version of IMF in version 4.0.6 released in August, 2003. For detailed information about the script and file differences between this and the previous IMF version, please refer to the v4.0.6 change log. If you are an existing IMF site developer, you should also read these important upgrade notes.

This list is a general overview of new functions, and may not include all additional functionality added in this release.

Autorefresh checkbox on layers list

A checkbox on the bottom of the layers list page is available for the user to set the application to refresh the map whenever they change the visibility of a layer.

Group metadata support

When metadata is available for the layers in a layer group, a link will be shown (group name) that will open a dialog to tell the user that metadata is available for the individual layers that they can display by choosing the layer name.

Identify tool works with acetate layers

Objects in acetate layers can contain properties. If properties exist, the identify and drill identify tools can be used to display the properties.

Upload GML to acetate layer

A file containing GML2 can be uploaded from the user's computer to be displayed as an acetate layer in the IMF viewer.

Added alternative crosshair index map routine

The site designer can specify that this overview mapping routine be used instead of the one that draws a filled rectangle or star to show the extent of the main map window. This is especially useful for ArcMap services since semi-transparent rectangles can't be displayed with ArcMap services.

Show labels toggle support for layer groups

Label display can now be controlled for groups, using the same configuration method as individual layers.

Geocoding search routine improvement

Geocoding results now label the address on the map. Support for using alternative services has been added to provide geocoding capabilities when using ArcMap services for the main map.

Better ArcMap support

Improvements have been made to the ArcMap selection routines. PDF printing routines that create high resolution plot quality maps from ArcMap templates have been added, including the ability for a user to select from multiple predefined templates.

Application startup enhancments

IMF can now be started with a query, where selection parameters can be added to select and 'zoom' the map to the extent of selected features when the application starts. Also added is support for arbitrary parameters and startup scripts that execute before the first map is displayed.

Automatic help document generation

The imfHelp.jsp script now creates a dynamic help page showing all of the tabs and tools currently displayed. The help text comes from a text file if available, otherwise it shows the status or hint for the tab or tool.

Custom tool development enhancements

Custom tool scripts are now passed additional parameters to help designers control the routine in a better way.

Feedback link on layer list page

A webmaster email address can be defined in the site configuration XML file, and a link to send e-mail feedback will be displayed on the layer list page if it exists.

New urlAppend identify and select type

An additional reporting type has been added to extend the ways that a URL to a custom reporting document can be built from layer attributes.

Custom identify reporting routines for image layers

Image layers can now call a report handler instead of the default report.

Drill identify for layer groups

The routine for identifying layer groups has changed to allow information about more than one layer in the group to be reported when the user clicks on the map.

Export to Excel spreadsheets

Attribute values from a feature layer can be exported to an Excel spreadsheet from a form or from the selected set summary page.

Export to GML files

Records, including geometry, from a feature layer can be exported to a GML2 XML file from a form or from the selected set summary page.

Advanced formatting of data field values

The display of values from a feature table can be formatted before being displayed on the default reports if configured in the layer configuration file. Formatting options are upper case, lower case, initial character capitalization, date and time formats, and numeric precision.

Image streaming support

Added automatic support for ArcIMS image streaming, where IMF receives the image in the AXL response instead of a URL to the image on the ArcIMS server. This facilitates security options because the user's browser doesn't need a connection to the ArcIMS server.

Layer manager option for user added layers

As an alternative to the predefined list of layers available to the user when the application starts, a layer manager option has been added to start the IMF application without any layers in the layer list. Layers can then be added or removed individually by the user, and reordered if necessary.

Legends within the layer list

Legend graphics can now be defined to appear for each individual layer or layer group in the layers list. Legends only appear for visible layers, and can be further controlled by users depending on how the site is designed.

New markup tools

New tools have been added to create line, polygon and label graphics in the acetate layer, and another tool can be used to individually remove graphic objects in the user markup layer.

Multiple reporting capability for a layer

New elements have been added to the layer configuration XML file to allow multiple identify or selection reports to be defined for a layer.

Save and restore mapping sessions

The state of a user's current session can be saved and restored, including the visibility of all layers, the map extent, and all user added graphics. The sessions are stored on the IMF server. When saving a session, the user is shown a page that shows them the URL to restore the session, as well as buttons to save the session link in their 'Favorites' or e-mail it to themself or somebody else.

WMS layer support

Layers from one or more WMS servers can be added above or below the ArcIMS generated layers. At this time, the layers are not queryable.