Modify your vector features

After you upload an existing dataset or add new vector features, you can modify the features. This page explains how to change their geometry (shape or position). To modify properties, see editing properties.

Zoom to feature

To be able to edit a feature, first you need to find it on the map, which gets challenging in a large dataset with many features. Here’s how to make it easier:

  1. In the left menu, open Features.

  2. In the list, select the feature you want to edit. Note that search in the menu is for searching the map, not your list of features.

  3. Under Geometry, click Zoom to feature. The map will smoothly move and zoom into the right place.

Zoom to feature

Move features

Moving features is by default turned off, so first you need to enable it:

  1. In the left menu, open Settings.

  2. In the Draw section, enable Dragging. Note that if there are many properties, the Draw section will be at the bottom.

    Switch on dragging

  3. In the tools panel on the right, activate the Select mode.

  4. Click on the feature you want to move and drag it to a new position.

Transform features

The editor also offers advanced transformation functions to make your work with lines and polygons easier:

  1. In the tools panel on the right, activate the Select mode.

  2. Click on the feature you want to transform and select Transform geometry.

    Transform geometry

  3. Select the transformation method:

    • Simplify the feature by removing points (nodes). This is handy if the feature is too detailed, which happens for example if the points are created by a GPS tracking device. Adjust the tolerance (maximum distance between points) to see how many points there will be in the simplified result.

    • Smoothen the feature by adding points (nodes). You’ll use this method when you’ve created lines or polygons by hand and want to change their pointy edges into smooth curves for a more polished look.

Delete features

  1. In the tools panel on the right, activate the Select mode.

  2. Click on the feature you want to delete.

  3. Use the Delete feature button. It appears under the tools panel on the right side when a feature is selected.

What’s next?

When you’re happy with the feature geometries, review and edit their properties.

If you consider the dataset final, go ahead and add the features to your map.