Sharing ArcGIS Explorer map and map content files | Feedback E-mail this topic Print this topic

The ArcGIS Explorer map (.nmc) and Map Content file (nmc.) is an XML based file format that contains references (URLs and filepaths) to the GIS data used in the map. The ArcGIS Explorer map and layer format is only useable by ArcGIS Explorer users. Since the map only contains references to the data it is important to share with people who have URL or network access to the data used in the map. For example, if the data is on the C drive of your computer it is not easily shareable as an ArcGIS Explorer map or map content file. The Map will contain a “C:\data” reference. This would require the people you are sharing with to have the same data at the same location on their computer. If all of the data in your map is internet based sharing ArcGIS Explorer NMF and NMC files is a great way to communicate. It is even good for communication within an organization where all users have access to the data through the computer network. If the person you are sharing with cannot access the local data that layers, links and popup content point to, they will see broken links. If you are creating an ArcGIS Explorer map to share with others you can ensure that the recipient has access to the data by doing the following:

##### Verify that data sources can be accessed by the person you are sharing the map with

To determine if the layers in your map are referenced properly for sharing with others who have internet or network access to the data, check the data source property for each layer.

1. Right click on an item in the contents windows and click Properties.

2. Click Source data and check the source data path to make sure it is accessible to the users you are sharing with.

If the source paths for the data in your map use a URL (http://) you can share an ArcGIS Explorer map or Map Content file that can be shared with and work correctly for anyone with an internet connection. If the source paths contain a network path (\\computer\path_to_data or an ArcSDE server connection) the map can be shared and work correctly for anyone on your network. If the source patch contain a drive letter path (c:\) you should move the data to a publically accessible location and re-add it before sharing the map.

##### Share local file based data by uploading it to ArcGIS online

To share an ArcGIS Explorer map (.nmf) or map content file (.nmc) that references local data sources, put the data in a location that is accessible to the users you want to share content with. A good option is to upload your local data as a layer package to ArcGIS online. Then author your ArcGIS Explorer map by adding the content from ArcGIS online. When you add layer packages to ArcGIS Explorer from ArcGIS online, the ArcGIS online source location is stored in the map or map content file. When someone opens the shared map, the data used in the map will automatically be downloaded from ArcGIS online. If you look at the layer properties for a layer package added from ArcGIS online in ArcGIS Explorer, you will see that it has two sources. One source is the ArcGIS online location, and the other is the data type and download location on the computer.

##### Steps for sharing ArcGIS Explorer maps (.nmf)

1. Click the ArcGIS Explorer Button , and then click Share.
2. Choose to E-mail the map to another person or upload the map to ArcGIS online.

##### Steps for sharing ArcGIS Explorer Map Content files (.nmc)

1. Right Click on map content in the content window and click Share.... Alternately, you can also click the Share button in the Organize group on the ribbon's Tools tab.

or

2. On the sharing dialog click Map Content.

3. Choose how to share the map content file; as a file, e-mail or upload it to your ArcGIS online account.