Removing a layer in OpenLayers

Question

I don't know why this isn't working. I would assume the answer is really simple. I need to remove a layer before adding a new one.

                     if (graphic) {
        window.map.removeLayer(graphic);
    }
    var graphic = new OpenLayers.Layer.Image(
        'Sightline'+''+SC,
        url,
        new OpenLayers.Bounds(derWesten[0].firstChild.nodeValue,derSueden[0].firstChild.nodeValue,derOsten[0].firstChild.nodeValue, derNorden[0].firstChild.nodeValue),
        new OpenLayers.Size(0,0),
        options
    );

    window.map.addLayer(graphic);   

It just keeps piling on the layers and not removing any. Any help?

Answer 1

Use map.getLayersByName(layerName) get the layers. You might need to keep track of the names of the layers in some array or something

The method returns an array, so you go through the array of layers and use map.removeLayer(layer).

You can externalize this solution in a different function if you want and it works.