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How To Use The National Map Seamless Server

The National Map Seamless Server (http://seamless.usgs.gov) enables a user to view and download many geospatial data layers, such as National Elevation Dataset, National Land Cover Dataset, High Resolution Orthoimagery, and many more. This tutorial is designed to guide a user through the download process.

Information about The National Map Seamless Server, Product Information, FAQ's, and homepage Links are accessible through the home page. Each page contains a HELP button that offers assistance and information for the corresponding page.

Accessing Interactive Map

Click on either 'View and Download United States Data' link or 'View and Download International Data' link.

The two interactive maps function the same, but start with the different views, as shown above.

Note: If a map does not appear, check the Web Requirements and set the computer display settings screen resolution to 1280 X 1024.

Using Interactive Map

Locate Area of Interest

1. Use the Zoom buttons      to help locate the area of interest.




2. The Display layers provide reference points to assist in locating an area of interest. More display data layers become available as an area is zoomed into. Add and subtract display data layers by clicking the arrow next to the desired category. This will provide a list of layers. Click the box next the desired layer and it will automatically display on the map.

Query and Other Tools

1. Query tools are provided to aid in gathering information about a specific area.

2. Using the image above, starting from left to right, top to bottom:

• Identify Button - Click on button, then on the map. A page will display with feature information.
• Find Button - Click on button. A box will appear to enter a placename.
• Elevation Button - Click on button, then click anywhere on the map. Below the map display, the elevation, in feet, will appear, as well as coordinates and data source.
• US National Grid Button - Click on button, then click anywhere on the map. Below the map display, the US National Grid coordinate is displayed.
• Elevation Profile - Click on button, click on the map at a starting point. Click an ending point to see the elevation change between 1st and 2nd point. Below the map, click on Generate Profile for 2 Points. A graph will display showing the change in elevation.

3. The other tools shown have varying functions.

4. Using the image above, starting from left to right, top to bottom:

• Pan Button - Click on button, then grab the map and move in any direction.
• Measure Button - Click on button, then click two points on the map to measure miles.
• Eraser Button - Click on button and any requests are cancelled.
• Print Button - Once area of interest is in the map display window and a print is desired, click on the print button. A window will appear for a title, then submit the request. A request for that area is made to a server and a .pdf file is being created. Once complete, the file will display and it can printed or saved to a computer.
• Metadata Button - Click on button. Below the map a dropdown will appear. Select a product to view metadata. Click on the map and if the product is available for that area a window will display the metadata.
• Transparency Button - Click on button. Below the map a dropdown will appear. Select the layer for transparency. Adjust the slide bar to the desired percent transparency. Click Apply Transparency. The map will refresh with the layer transparent at the adjusted transparency. This allows the user to see other reference layers overlaying each other.

Select Product to Download

1. Once the area of interest is decided, the next step is to select the product (s) to download.



2. On the right side, click the Download Tab. Click on the arrow next the desired category. A list will display of available products. Click the box beside the product. This will flag the system that National Elevation Dataset (NED) 1 arc second data will be downloaded.

Download Tools to Define Area

1. Download tools     are used to mark the area of interest and submit the information to the system to extract.

2. The first button is Select By Rectangle. Click the button.   There is a limit to the size of area that can be downloaded at a time. The type of product and the more products selected, the smaller the area that can be selected. The limit is reached when the outline box turns red. A message will display that the limit has been reached and to redefine the area. Below are two examples of size limits of products:

Example Illustrating NED 1 arc second Maximum Size	Example Illustrating High Resolution Orthoimagery Maximum Size
(Green box around the state of Kansas)	(Green box around Washington DC area)

3. The second button is Single Feature Template. Click the button. Below the map a dropdown will appear. Select the desired template, may need to zoom in depending on the template selected. Using the mouse, click on the area of interest. This will clip the area using the selected template. The the processing page will start.

4. The third button is Multiple Feature Template. Click the button. Below the map a dropdown will appear. Select the desired template, may need to zoom in depending on the template selected. Using the mouse, click the areas of interest. More than one area may be selected. Click Submit. This will clip the areas using the selected template. The the processing page will start.

5. The fourth button is Define Area By Coordinates. Click the button. A popup will appear. Enter coordinates and click OK, then the processing page will start.

6. The processing page will compile the area and product selected, as well as calculate a size estimate for downloading. Once the processing page is complete, the The National Map Seamless Server Request Summary page will display the results.

The National Map Seamless Server Request Summary Page

1. The National Map Seamless Server Request Summary page contains:

• List of product (s) selected - The list contains the product (s) selected, a thumbnail of the product, coordinates of the download piece, estimated size of the download pieces, data host name, and download button.
  
  
  
  
• Link to different download options -- Modify Data Request allows a user to change the defaults for the download product. Modifications can be made to Data Format, Archive Format, and Metadata Format. Products can be checked or unchecked.
  
  
• HELP - Information about The National Map Seamless Server Request Summary page and Modify Data Request.

Note: The National Map Seamless Server Request Summary page can be bookmarked to save and return to at a later time.

Downloading

1.Click the download button from The National Map Seamless Server Request Summary list. Current Order Status page will appear, providing messages of the progress of the extraction. A request is made to the product database to extract the defined area and product. The extraction progress is displayed in the popup window.









2. Once 'Raster Extraction Complete' is displayed, a SAVE option will appear. The random numbered zip file can be saved to the computer hard drive.


        





4. Unzip the file and it is ready to for use.