Working with areas

Areas hold the file boundaries for image (raster) and vector layers. They can contain several layers for the same geographical region, and you can have as many areas in a project as you want. Each area has a unique georeferencing system. When you add a layer, it is automatically georeferenced and scaled to the area.

You can add an area to a map and place layers within it. The new layers hold vector and raster data, such as polygons, points, and segments that you need for the map. Surrounds and indices are held in similar areas, but you can work with these elements independently. (See Working with surrounds)

You can adjust the bounds of an area independently from a map. When you add an area, files are shown below the map in the Maps tree. Vector and raster layers contained within the area are shown below it. If you resize or move an area so that part of it lies outside the extents of the map (paper), the area appears red in the Maps tree.