What You’ll Learn in This Guide
1. Using Gaia your AI Assistant
The AI Assistant allows you to interact with your map using natural language prompts. You can issue commands to perform data, map, and style operations such as:
Adding datasets and building new layers.
Filtering or highlighting data.
Editing base maps or visualization styles.
Running spatial statistics or analysis.
In essence, Gaia turns your traditional visual GIS interface into an interactive conversational geospatial analysis tool, combining spatial data workflows with LLM tool‑calling capabilities.
💡 Pro Tip: You can type prompts like “Show me flood risk by county” or “Color the map by population density.” The Assistant interprets and performs the action instantly.
2. Working with map settings
Map settings help you customize how your data is displayed and interacted with. Common functions include:
Split Maps: Compare datasets side-by-side.
3D View: Visualize terrain and height-based data.
Display Legend: Show the symbology and color coding of your map layers.
You’ll find these tools in the top-right corner of your map workspace.
3. Creating split views
Split view allows you to compare two map layers side-by-side for the same area.
Click the Split Map icon in the top-right corner of your map.
The map will automatically duplicate into two synchronized views.
Click the layer icon on each map to toggle visibility independently.
Zoom or pan on one map — the other map will automatically mirror your movement.
💡 Pro Tip: Use Split Maps to compare before-and-after datasets, such as pre- and post-disaster imagery or different time periods.
4. Viewing maps in 3D
To explore your map in 3D mode:
Click the 3D icon in the top-right corner of your map.
Use the following controls to navigate:
Drag to pan.
Cmd + drag (Mac) or Ctrl + drag (Windows) to rotate the view.
💡 Pro Tip: 3D mode is ideal for visualizing elevation data, building heights, or terrain-driven analysis.
5. Displaying the legend
The legend helps you interpret what each color, symbol, or pattern represents on your map.
Click the Legend icon in the top-right corner of the map.
A side panel or overlay will appear displaying your map’s symbology.
Each layer is shown with its name and corresponding color key.
💡 Pro Tip: You can toggle the legend on or off at any time without affecting your active layers.