About this plugin
GlocalSaino Layer Map Viewer turns any KML file (the format exported by QGIS, Google Earth, and most GIS software) into an interactive map you can embed in any page or post with a shortcode.
Built from the ground up for large KML files (tens of thousands of objects): instead of making the browser download and process the entire file, the plugin analyzes it in the background on upload and builds an index; the viewer then requests objects from the server page by page, without freezing the tab even on low-end mobile devices.
Every feature below is included, unlimited, in the free plugin — there is no map cap and nothing is locked behind a license.
Key features
- Create as many maps as you want, each with one or several KML layers.
- Add more KML layers to a map that already exists, without recreating it.
- Each layer is drawn in its own color; both the color and the layer’s name can be changed at any time, not just when it was uploaded.
- Adjustable fill opacity per layer, from fully transparent (outline only) to fully opaque.
- A legend next to the filter bar shows the color and name of every layer on the map.
- For point layers, choose the marker size (a circle in the layer’s color) at upload time.
- Point markers that end up close together are automatically grouped into clusters, instead of stacking on top of each other; they split apart as you zoom in.
- Choose which KML field is used for filtering and which fields show in the popup.
- Interactive filter by that field (for example, a parcel code or a municipality), with the dropdown already computed server-side.
- Customize the colors of the filter bar and the “Clear filter” button.
- Popup with the object’s data on click.
- OpenStreetMap and satellite (Esri) base layers; more can be added by an add-on via the glocalsaino_map_base_layers filter, without modifying this plugin.
- Background analysis and index building (WP-Cron): uploading a KML with thousands of objects never blocks the admin panel.
- Paginated loading in the browser: objects appear progressively without hanging the tab, and once loaded they don’t disappear when zooming.
External services
This plugin uses Esri’s World Imagery service to provide the optional “satellite” base map layer.
- What it is and what it’s used for: a tile service that supplies satellite/aerial imagery tiles, so visitors can switch the map between a standard OpenStreetMap view and a satellite view.
- What data is sent and when: whenever a visitor views a map with the satellite layer selected, their browser requests map tiles directly from Esri’s servers for the visible area (standard web-map tile requests: approximate viewport coordinates and zoom level, plus the visitor’s own IP address as part of any HTTP request). No personal data is collected or sent by the plugin itself.
- Provider: Esri (“World Imagery” service, server.arcgisonline.com ). Terms of Use — Privacy Policy.