Release Level	5.0
Release Date	2005 06
Revision Level	1.0

MapServer embedded GIS

The server has three basic modes of operation:

• with an interactive interface to manipulate and display map layers for dynamically generated maps;
• embedded with object and model (output) display pages;
• an administrative mode for the configuration of new mapsets.

For the interactive generation of maps, the user can select:

• one background layer (usually opaque with full coverage);
• one or more foreground layers (usually transparent or line features);
• a size for the resulting map image;
• layout specifications for a scale bar.

The map generated is a composite of the layers selected:

on top of the (opaque) background map (a DEM in this example), one or more overlays consisting of line features and/or transparent layers can be placed and displayed.
In the embedded mode, a mapset associated with an object, scenario or location is shown as part of the object display.

The object defined the mapset, a reference point, and an area of interest defined as a radium around the reference point, as well as the size of the resulting map image.

The image can be any combination of

• rasters such as satellite imagery or aerial photography;
• pologones (opaque or transparent);
• line features.

The user can chosse the reference point by either

• clicking on the desired map location
• specifying the exact coordinates