Time for action – using external graphics

When merging markers and setting colors and transparency can't help you to realize the symbol you need, it's time to use external graphics. External graphics are vector or raster files containing a complex image. The supported formats are the common graphic files you use in web application such as PNG, JPG, and SVG. The resources are referred to by a URL so you can store it in your GeoServer data folder, as in this example, or get it from an online resource:

1. Take the town.svg file from the source code and copy it to the <GEOSERVER_HOME>/data/styles folder.

2. Take the PopulatedPlacesStrokes.xml file, make a copy, and name it as PopulatedPlacesGraphics.xml. Edit the new file in your text editor.

3. Go to line 9 and replace the text inside the Name element with the following:

       <Name>PopulatedPlacesGraphic</Name>

4. Go to line 11 and replace the text inside the Title element with the following:

       <Title>Geoserver Beginners Guide: Populated...