Trip Layer

The Trip Layer can animate an object as it traverses space and time. Both the object's model and its path can be highly configured, allowing for detailed visualizations.

The Trip Layer can be used for a variety of use-cases, including fleet visualization.


The Trip Layer showing flights over France.

Create a Trip Layer

To create a new Trip Layer, create a new layer, then select Trip Layer.

The following fields are available while creating a trip layer:

FieldDescription
TypeMust be "Trip" to use the Trip Layer.
DatasetThe dataset containing data for the trip layer. Either a GeoJSON dataset or a columnar dataset.
ColumnsThe columns of the selected dataset from which the Trip Layer's data is derived. Either a GeoJSON column or table columns containing IDs, coordinates, timestamps, and optional altitude data.
Color based onA field to be used to calculate the color of the objects' trails. If no field is selected, you may choose a color to represent object trails.
Color scaleWhen Color based on has a field selected, choose a scale by which to determine object coloring.
Stroke widthThe width of the moving objects' trails. Expand to enable Billboard, which orients the trail's geometry to the user's viewport, and a Stroke based on field, allowing you to base the width of the moving trails on a data column.
Trail lengthThe length of the moving objects' trails. Expand to enable Fade Trail, fading the objects' trails as time passes.
LabelAn optional label affixed to each moving object.
3D ModelAn optional 3D model displayed for each moving object. Select from our library of 3D models or select Custom, then point to a link containing a .glb or .glTF file.

GeoJSON as Input

GeoJSON data must contain LineString in its features' geometry. LineString must contain [longitude, latitude, altitude, timestamp]. Valid timestamp formats include unix in seconds such as 1564184363 or in milliseconds such as 1564184363000.

Example GeoJSON Input

{
  "type": "FeatureCollection",
  "features": [
    {
      "type": "Feature",
      "properties": {
        "vendor": "A"
      },
      "geometry": {
        "type": "LineString",
        "coordinates": [
          [-74.20986, 40.81773, 0, 1564184363],
          [-74.20987, 40.81765, 0, 1564184396],
          [-74.20998, 40.81746, 0, 1564184409]
        ]
      }
    }
  ]
}

Columnar Datasets (CSV) as Input

Columnar datasets (typically loaded from a CSV file) you must contain an id, latitude, longitude, timestamp column (an altitude column is optional). A path will be created by grouping the id column and sorting by the timestamp columns.

Example CSV Input

idlatitudelongitudetimestamp
A40.81773-74.209861564184363
A40.81765-74.209871564184396
A40.81746-74.209981564184409
B40.64375-74.332421565578213
B40.64353-74.209871565578217
B40.64222-74.330011565578243

Label Settings

Display a label containing any number of fields affixed to the moving objects.

FieldDescription
Select a fieldSelect one or multiple fields to display on the label. If available, click # to select how label data is formatted.
Font SizeEnter a value or slide to increase/decrease label size.
Font ColorSelect label font color.
Background ColorSelect label background color.
Text AnchorSelect an anchor location from start, middle, and end.
Text AlignmentSelect label alignment from top, center, and bottom.

3D Model Settings

The following sections reiterate the 3D models documentation, which also contains 3D model properties and settings.

FieldDescription
3D ModelAn optional 3D model displayed for each moving object. Select from our library of 3D models or select Custom, then point to a link containing a .glb or .glTF file.
Apply ColorApply a color of your choice or apply the trail's color to the 3D model.
Size ScaleSize is scaled by a factor of 2^x where x is the slider value.
Roll Based OnSet the model's roll (rotation on the X-axis) by choosing a field from the dataset or set it with the slider.
Pitch Based OnSet the model's pitch (rotation on the Y-axis) by choosing a field from the dataset or set it with the slider.
Yaw Based OnSet the model's yaw (rotation on the Z-axis) by choosing a field from the dataset or set it with the slider.

Custom 3D Models

To use your own 3D model, you can provide a link to a glTF file with either a .gltf (JSON/ASCII) or .glb (binary) extension.

If you need to render many models on the map, please consider the number of polygons of your model. A model that is too detailed (containing a high number of polygons) may result in significant slowdowns of your visualization.

Note: Cross Origin Resource Sharing (CORS) must be enabled on the remote server hosting the 3D model. This allows Studio to retrieve the 3D model for your visualization.

Export as Video

To export an animated map, you can use Export Video feature.

Multiple Trip Layers

Consider the following when overlaying several trip layers:

  • When you add multiple trip layers, the time range from each layers is combined. The animation control will span the entire time range for each layer.
  • When hiding the trip layer, its animation control can be found in the filter panel.

Properties

For details on how to programmatically specify layer properties, refer to the Layer Configuration specification.


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