How do I Make a Layer in my Compressed Workspace its Own File?

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Since Maptitude 2019, it is no longer necessary to save each layer you create as a separate file. In the majority of cases, this makes things simpler for both file management and sharing. However, in some cases, keeping the layer functionality of the previous versions is desired. An example use case of this would be a situation where there are several users at an organization that are maintaining their own maps but using a common layer between them, and this layer file is being updated consistently.

For example, an organization could have Territories that change daily. Each user at the organization has their own map with their own customers, but the territories are the same for all users. One user can update the territories daily which will update the territories in everyone’s maps if the territories are added as a layer file.
One option is to use Uncompressed Workspaces, which will simply revert back to the behavior from previous versions of Maptitude. All layer files will be saved independently. See How do I Choose the Type of Workspace I am Saving? for more information.
This article goes over a second option, which is a hybrid of using Compressed Workspaces, but with specific layers saved as layer files:

  • This has the advantage of the Compressed Workspace model, meaning most layers won’t be saved as independent layers
  • Certain layers can be designated as independent layer files, so they won’t be saved in the Workspace file. This will allow you to benefit from the advantages described above.

To save a layer from my Compressed Workspace as a layer file that won’t be saved in the Workspace file

  1. Create a map containing the layer you want in a Compressed Workspace (*.wrkz)
  2. Right click on the layer you want to save in the Display Manager and choose Make Working Layer.
  3. Go to File>Export>Geography
  4. If Compact Geographic File is already an option in the To dropdown menu, skip to step 10. If not, choose Standard Geographic File.
  5. Use the following settings:
    • Export All Features
    • To Standard Geographic File
    • ID Field ID
    • Make sure the Add layer to map box is checked
    • Leave the other options as default
  6. Click Save this file to an appropriate location. This is not the file that will be shared with the other users.
  7. This will add a copy of the layer you just made to the map that can be exported to a Compact Geographic File.
  8. Right click on the copy of your layer in the Display Manager and choose Make Working Layer
  9. Go to File>Export>Geography
  10. Use the following settings:
    • Export All Features
    • To Compact Geographic File
    • Data Field ID
    • In Layer Name, enter the name of the layer as you want it to appear when shared with other users
    • Leave the other options as default
  11. Click Save the layer to the shared location.

This will save a copy of your layer as a Compact Geographic File, which will not be saved into the layer file when added to a compressed workspace
To add a Compact Geographic File to a Compressed Workspace

  1. Go to File>New Workspace to open the Home Window
  2. From the Home window, choose Open a File on the left. Click
  3. Select the layer file you want to add. Click Open.

This will open a new workspace that contains a map that contains the layer file you chose. This layer file will not be saved into the workspace so if it is updated by another user, the layer will update in the map automatically.

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