Web Feature Service (WFS)

The Web Feature Service (WFS) command provides an ability to fetch GIS data from on-line sources as a means to quickly and easily construct vector map data in and around an area of interest.

Server URL: Select the desired Uniform Resource Locator (URL) from where the geographical data will be obtained. The default URLs include:

• USGS National Map
• USDA NRCS Soil Data
  
• FEMA
  

Server Name: A read-only label identifying the name of the WFS server.

Add WFS Server: When clicked, the URL of a WFS server may be input that is subsequently added to the Server URL drop-list.

Remove WFS Server: Deletes the currently selected WFS Server from the Server URL drop-list. Prior to the removal of the WFS Server, a confirmation alert box will be displayed asking for confirmation. Any data previously placed into a drawing from the WFS Server will remain in the drawing.

Add Points to CRD File: When enabled and if point data exists for the selected layer, those points will be added to the current coordinate file.

Retrieved Feature(s): As a WFS Server is selected, its list of Features is returned for further manipulation:

• Layer Name: The geographical "layer" of data in a read-only format.
• Layer Title: The title of the geographical "layer" of data in a read-only format.
• On: When enabled, the content of the Feature is eligible to be imported into the drawing based on the bounding box prompts.
• Color: Double-click on the desired Feature Color to expose a standard "color-picker" dialog box.
• CAD Layer: Key-in the desired Layer name in CAD to house the Feature data and/or double-click on the desired Feature CAD Layer to expose a "layer selector" dialog box.

After layers have been selected, click OK and the data for each will be imported.

Note:

• Several freely available WFS addresses can be found at the USGS National Map Viewer.
• Your local governing agency could/should be consulted to see if they publish any data via their own WFS.
• Before starting this command, you might find it useful to position yourself in the desired coordinate location by utilizing the Place Google Earth Image command.
• Data limits fetched by bounding box is based on the following logic:
  1. Point features - only points within the bounding box are returned.
  2. Linear features - only polylines inside or crossing the bounding box are returned.
  3. Polygon features - polygons inside or crossing the bounding box are returned. Additionally, polygons that completely enclose the bounding box are returned (think of the polygon as a solid object upon which the bounding box is etched).

Prompts

Pick first corner of bounding box: Indicate one corner of a rectangular box that identifies your area of interest.

Pick second corner of bounding box: Indicate the other corner of a rectangular box that identifies your area of interest.

See Also:

• To import Esri ArcGIS On-line Services data into your drawing, use the Esri ArcGIS Services - Retrieve Map command.
• To import Web Map Service images into your drawing, use the Place Web Map Service (WMS) Image command.

Pulldown Menu Location(s): GIS Data
Keyboard Command: getwfsdata
Prerequisite: Internet connection, Coordinate System Projection set through Drawing Setup