Map Composer

Map Composer
O N - L I N E M A N U A L
Copyright  1982 - 1999 by ERDAS, Inc. All rights reserved.
Printed in the United States of America.
ERDAS Proprietary - Delivered under license agreement.

Copying and disclosure prohibited without express written permission from ERDAS, Inc.
ERDAS, Inc.
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Warning
All information in this document, as well as the software to which it pertains, is proprietary material of ERDAS, Inc., and is
subject to an ERDAS license and non-disclosure agreement. Neither the software nor the documentation may be reproduced in
any manner without the prior written permission of ERDAS, Inc.
Specifications are subject to change without notice.
Trademarks
ERDAS is a trade name of ERDAS, Inc. ERDAS and ERDAS IMAGINE are registered trademarks of ERDAS, Inc. Model
Maker, CellArray, ERDAS Field Guide, and ERDAS Tour Guides are trademarks of ERDAS, Inc. Other brands and product
names are trademarks of their respective owners.
Map Composer On-Line Manual
Introduction to Map Composer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Starting Map Composer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Map Composer vs. Viewer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Map Compositions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Map Composition Files. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Printing a Map Composition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Printing a Plot File (UNIX Only). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Map Frames . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Creating a Map Frame . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Map Frame Dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Editing a Map Frame . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Using the Map Frame Dialog Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Editing Map Frame Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Deleting Layers in a Map Frame. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Adding Layers to an Empty Map Frame . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Deleting a Map Frame . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Map Annotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Editing Map Annotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Neatlines, Grid Lines, and Tick Marks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Degrees and Lat/Lon Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Levels of Grids/Ticks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Scale Bars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Creating Scale Bars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Legends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Creating a Legend . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Parts of a Legend . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Setup for Output to a Film Writer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
New Map Composition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
iii
Map Composer (Viewer) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Map Composition Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Map Frame Data Source . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Import Into Frame . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Map Composer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Print Plot File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

UNIX Only . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Delete . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
UNIX Only . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Map Series Tool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Creating A Map Template . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Map Series Tool Example: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Open Map Series File (.msh) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Save Map Series File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Create Custom Map Series . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Show Columns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Create Map Series Compositions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Map Series Templates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
How Templates Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
iv
Dynamic Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Replacement Attributes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Positioning Attributes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Tips for Making Templates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Print Map Series Compositions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Print Map Series Plot Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

UNIX Only . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Map Database Tool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Map Databases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Create a Map Series Database . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Modify the Map Series Tool Dialog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Print Map Composition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Map Path Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
v
Introduction to Map Composer
Introduction to Map Composer

A Map Composer Viewer is a Viewer window that is tailored for creating maps, which are
usually output to a hardcopy device.
Select one of the topics below for more information:
Starting Map Composer
Map Composer vs. Viewer
Map Compositions
Printing a Map Composition
Map Frames
Map Annotation
Output to Film (create a map composition that is NOT resampled in the printing process)
➲ See the ERDAS IMAGINE Tour Guides manual for step-by-step instructions on creating a
map.
1

To start Map Composer, click on this button on the IMAGINE icon panel:
The Map Composer dialog is opened, allowing you to create a new map composition or select
an existing one to edit or print.
By selecting File | New | Map Composition..., you can also open or create a map composition
from the Viewer menu bar.
2

The Map Composer Viewer menu is similar to the Viewer menu. A Map Composer window has
many of the same features as a Viewer, plus some added features to help you compose maps.
The table below summarizes the differences:
Feature Viewer Map Composer

Background Black Black or White
Menu Bar All options enabled. Options which are not
relevant to map
compositions do not
appear.
Quick View Menu All options enabled. All options enabled.
Data Displayed All types of layers can Map annotation can be
be displayed. drawn and stored with
the map composition.
Other data appears
inside a map frame.
This documentation may not mention options that appear in both menus.
3
Map Compositions
Map Compositions
A map composition or map file is a file created with the Map Composer, usually to be output
to hardcopy. It contains map frames and map annotation.
In the Map Composer, map frames and a single layer of map annotation are each treated as a
layer. These layers can be rearranged and deleted with the Arrange Layers dialog.
Map Composition Files
Map composition files have the extension .map. They can be created, edited, and viewed only in
a Map Composer Viewer.
☞ Map compositions and plot files (UNIX only) created in ERDAS IMAGINE Ver.8.3 and later
cannot be viewed or printed using earlier versions of ERDAS IMAGINE due to
enhancements.
Printing a Map Composition

Follow these steps to print a map composition:
1. To be printed, a map composition must first be saved to a file. Select File | Save |
Map Composition... or Save | Map Composition As... from the Map Composer Viewer
menu bar.
2. Click on the Map Composer icon from the ERDAS IMAGINE icon panel.
3. Click Print... from the Map Composer dialog. The Print Map Composition dialog is opened
allowing you to select the destination printer or plotter (UNIX only) and enter other printing
options.
The Map Maker program then takes over. It reads the saved map composition file (.map
extension) and creates a bitmap or PostScript file with the extension .panel_ n , where n is the
number of the panel, starting from 0. The bitmap file is an IMAGINE file that can be viewed in the
Viewer, if desired.
Printing a Plot File (UNIX Only)
There is a name file associated with each panel file for plotting. The name file extension is
.plt.panel_n .name. A plot file (.plt extension) contains all the panel_n name files. The plot file
can be printed from the Map Composer dialog.
The plot files are queued for printing. The raster filter (e.g., vf_versatec or vf_kodak) is used to
send the bitmap files automatically to the output device.
4
Map Frames
Map Frames
The map frame is a frame in a Map Composer window that holds the “body” of your maps. Map
frames display raster, vector, and annotation layers.
A map frame is similar to an annotation element — it is drawn, selected, and resized like a
rectangle.
The contents of a map frame are referenced from the files that are open in a Viewer or imported
encapsulated PostScript files. The data are not copied. When you create a map frame, you
simply click in the Viewer that you want to reference (or specify the name of the PostScript file),
and the map frame will display the data as they are stored in a file, or in some cases, as they
appear in the Viewer:
♦ Raster data — changes to the file will appear in a map frame after the map composition is
opened in a Map Composer or printed.
♦ Annotation — changes will appear in the map frame. You can edit annotation in a map frame,
and changes will appear in a Viewer that has the same annotation displayed.
♦ Vector — behaves the same as annotation.

Creating a Map Frame
To create a map frame in your map composition, follow these steps:
1. Open a Viewer window and display the layer(s) that you want to appear in your map frame.
2. Create and edit annotation data in the Viewer before referencing it to a map frame. This
ensures that:
-- the annotation in your map frame will be georeferenced to the raster data in the Viewer, and
-- the annotation created in the map frame will be clipped to the map frame. (If needed, you
can edit the annotation in the Viewer or the map frame later.)
3. Save the data in the Viewer as a precaution.
4. Select Annotation | Tools... from the Map Composer Viewer (if the Annotation Tools are
not already displayed).
5. From the Annotation Tools palette, select the tool to draw the boundary of the map
frame.
5
Map Frames
6. The Create Frame Instructions display. Click in the Viewer that you want referenced by the
new map frame.
At this point, you have several options for determining the size of the map frame in the map
composition, the area of the Viewer that is referenced, and the scale of the data. These are
explained below.
Map Frame Dimensions

After you draw a map frame, the Map Frame dialog is opened, giving you options for sizing,
scaling, and positioning the map frame.
The dimensions of a map frame are expressed in the following ways:
♦ The map area is the area in the Viewer that is displayed in the map frame in the map
composition.
♦ The frame area is the area used by the map frame in the map composition.
♦ The scale (like the scale used in geometric correction) is the ratio of distance in the map
frame to the distance that is represented on the ground. (If the data that are referenced from
the Viewer to the map frame are not georeferenced, then the scale shown is the ratio of
distance in the map frame to pixels.)
While you are using the Map Frame dialog to configure a map frame for the first time, you can
change any two of the above while keeping the other one constant.
To specify these dimensions, you can do any of the following:
♦ Use the map area box that appears in the Viewer window. You can move, resize, and rotate
it like an annotation element. (Be sure that the Maintain Map Area radio button in the Map
Frame dialog is not on.)
♦ Use the frame area box that appears in the Map Composer window. You can move and
resize it like an annotation element. (Be sure that the Maintain Frame Area radio button in
the Map Frame dialog is not on.)
♦ Specify map area, frame area, and/or scale in the Map Frame dialog.
When you resize a map area box or a frame area box, the other box resizes accordingly, so that
the aspect ratio (relative width and height) for both boxes is the same.
Editing a Map Frame

There is a difference between editing a map frame and editing the contents of that map frame.
Since a map frame is like a mini-Viewer, you can edit the annotation inside it.
6
Map Frames
☞ If you edit a .map file by changing an absolute path to a relative path, make sure the relative
path is relative to the path of composition. You will be prompted for the file name if Map
Composer cannot find the file.
7. To select a map frame, click the icon on the Annotation Tools palette, and then click
in the desired map frame.
If one map frame completely obscures another, use the Arrange Layers dialog to bring it to the
top.
To position a map frame, select the map frame and then drag its bounding box to the new
location.
To resize a map frame, select the map frame and then drag a line on any side of its bounding
box to a new location. The center point of the map frame will remain stationary, and the map
frame will maintain the same aspect ratio. The scale and frame area of the map frame will
change. The map area will remain constant.
Using the Map Frame Dialog Box
You can also edit a map frame with the Map Frame dialog. Double-click inside the map frame,
click Properties in the Annotation menu, or click the Properties icon in the Annotation tool
palette. The Map Frame dialog will open with the settings you originally entered to position and
size the map frame. A Viewer will also open, showing the area of the data now in the map frame.
A white cursor box in the Viewer indicates the area currently in the map frame.
At this point, you can change the information in the Map Frame dialog, or move the cursor in the
Viewer to change the data in the map frame.
Click OK in the Map Frame dialog when you are satisfied with the map frame.
Editing Map Frame Contents
You can do the following in a map frame just as you would in a Viewer:
Edit Annotation
Arrange Layers
Deleting Layers in a Map Frame

To delete layers in a map frame:
1. Select View | Arrange Layers... from the Map Composer Viewer menu bar.
2. Click inside the map frame.
7
Map Frames
3. The Arrange Layers dialog is opened, showing each layer in the map frame. Use the right
button menu to delete the layer, and then click Apply in the Arrange Layers dialog. The map
frame will be deleted. This cannot be undone.
i You can delete all of the layers to create an empty map frame for use in a map composition
template.
Adding Layers to an Empty Map Frame

To add layers to an empty map frame:
♦ Double-click inside the empty map frame, or

♦ Click on Properties in the Annotation menu or click the Properties icon in the Annotation tool
palette.
Deleting a Map Frame

To delete a map frame from the Map Composer:
1. Select View | Arrange Layers... from the Map Composer Viewer menu bar.
2. Click in the Map Composer outside of all map frames.
3. The Arrange Layers dialog is opened, showing each map frame in the Map Composer. Use
the right button menu to delete the layer, and then click Apply in the Arrange Layers dialog.
The map frame will be deleted. This cannot be undone.
8
Map Annotation
Map Annotation
Map annotation is the annotation in a map composition. It is the annotation outside the map
frame(s), such as the title of the map and other explanatory annotation. Map annotation is also
any annotation that is on top of the map frame(s) but not in the map frame(s) (i.e., annotation that
is not clipped to the map frame).
☞ In a map composition, if an annotation layer exists in a map frame, that is where any new
annotation elements will be created and stored. The marquee selector tool used inside the
map frame will only select the annotation elements that are in the annotation layer in the map
frame.
In the Map Composer window, these annotation elements are supported in addition to the regular
annotation elements:
♦ neatlines, grid lines, and tick marks

♦ scale bars
♦ legends
Editing Map Annotation
Every map composition has an accompanying overlay (annotation) file with the .ovr extension.
For example, the annotation for a map file called MyFirstMap.map would be
MyFirstMap.map.ovr.
This file is automatically created when you create a map composition and it is, by default, the top
layer in the Map Composer window.
Use the same tools and dialogs for editing map annotation that you use for editing regular
annotation in a Viewer, with the addition of those for the elements listed above.
Care should be taken, however, in selecting the annotation units for use in a Map Composer
window.
Neatlines, Grid Lines, and Tick Marks

The following map annotation elements can be added to a map composition with the Set Grid/
Tick Info dialog:
♦ A neatline is a rectangular border around a map frame.

♦ Tick marks are small lines along the edge of the map frame or neatline that indicate regular
intervals of distance.
9
Map Annotation
♦ Grid lines are intersecting lines in the interior of the map frame that also indicate regular
intervals of distance. Usually, they are an extension of tick marks.
A set of these elements for a map frame is actually a group of line, text, and rectangle elements
that is automatically generated to your specifications.
☞ The line style for the grid/ticks and the text style used to label grid/ticks are specified with the
Annotation Styles dialog, and should be set in advance.
Geographic grid/ticks cannot be placed on map frames whose layers are not georeferenced.
4. To create these elements, click icon on the Annotation Tools palette:
Then click in the map frame for which you want a neatline, grid lines, and/or tick marks. The Set
Grid/Tick Info dialog is opened.
☞ These elements are configured around an existing map frame. However, they are not a part
of the map frame, and will not move or resize with the map frame. Always add these elements
after the map frame position and dimensions are set.
Degrees and Lat/Lon Data
You can use decimal degrees or degrees-minutes-seconds for your grid/tick increments only if
the map data have projection information and are registered to Lat/Lon.
If the data are registered to Lat/Lon, options to use meters and feet for grid/tick increments are
not available.
Levels of Grids/Ticks
Non-geographic grid lines and tick marks can be organized into levels, which allow sub-units to
be denoted. The illustration below demonstrates three levels of tick marks.
level 1 divisions
level 2 A B C D E
3 3 3 3
level 3
The space between tick marks is called a division.
Scale Bars
A scale bar is a map annotation element that illustrates the scale of a map frame. It shows the
distance on paper that represents a geographical distance on the map. ERDAS IMAGINE
provides cartographic quality scale bars.
10
Map Annotation
A scale bar for a map frame is actually a group of line and text elements that is automatically
generated to your specifications.
You can create scale bars for more than one map unit at a time. The resulting scale bars will be
in a group together and will be aligned as you specify.
Creating Scale Bars
☞ The text style used in the scale bar is specified with the Text Style Chooser dialog, and
should be set in advance.
5. To place scale bars, click icon from the Annotation Tools palette:
6. Hold and draw a box in the Map Composer window outlining the length and location of the
scale bar(s) — you can change the size and location later, if needed.
☞ You can create scale bars only for map frames containing georeferenced data.
7. Then click in the map frame for which you want the scale bar(s). The Scale Bar Properties
dialog is opened.
Legends
A legend is a key to the colors that are used in a map. Legends are especially useful for maps
of thematic data displayed in pseudo color, in which each color represents a different feature or
category. A legend can also be created for a single layer of continuous data displayed in gray
scale or a vector layer.
A legend for a map frame is actually a group of text and rectangle elements that is automatically
generated to your specifications.
A legend is configured based on an existing map frame. However, it is not a part of the map frame
— it is simply annotation. A legend will not be updated if the map data or colors change. Also,
changing the color of a legend patch will not affect the color of the map data. Always add a legend
after the map frame data and colors are set.
Creating a Legend
☞ The text style used to label a legend is specified with the Text Style Chooser dialog, and
should be set in advance.
1. To create a legend, you must start with a map frame that contains thematic data displayed in
pseudo color, a single layer of continuous data displayed in gray scale or a vector layer.
2. Click on icon in the Annotation Tools palette:
11
Map Annotation
3. Click in the Map Composer window where you want the legend to appear - you can reposition
and resize the legend later.
4. Click in the map frame for which you want to create the legend. The Legend Properties
dialog is opened.
Parts of a Legend
The different parts of a legend are as follows. These terms are useful in describing the legend
properties.
♦ The title is the overall title of the legend. By default, it is “Legend.”

♦ An entry is one row of the legend table, representing one class or file value.
♦ A patch is the colored rectangle that represents the color or style that is used in the data in
the map frame.
♦ A heading is the name of an attribute that appears in the legend. Each descriptor has a
heading such as “Class Name” or “Histogram.”
♦ You can arrange your legend in newspaper-style columns. These are not to be confused
with the columns for each attribute.
12
Setup for Output to a Film Writer

If you want to output a map composition to a film writer device, you must set up the correct
parameters in ERDAS IMAGINE and in the map composition itself.
This setup allows you to create a map composition which is not resampled in the printing
process. The map composition is then output to an .img file, which can be converted to BIL or
BSQ format for printing to film.
Follow these steps to create a map composition which has not been resampled for output to a
film writer:
1. Edit the file <$IMAGINE_HOME>/etc/units.dat using a text editor and set the default
device_pixels to equal your output device. The default is 300 dpi. (Replace
<$IMAGINE_HOME> with the name of the directory where IMAGINE resides.)
2. Start ERDAS IMAGINE by typing imagine at a command prompt.
3. From the Viewer, select File | Open | Raster Layer... In the Select Layer To Add dialog,
select the raster layer to be printed in the map composition. Make a note of the number of
Rows and Columns, as displayed at the bottom of the dialog.
4. Select OK to display the layer in the Viewer.
5. Display any annotation layers over the image in the Viewer.
6. From the Viewer menu bar, select File | New | Map Composition... to create a new map
composition with these parameters:
a. Set Map Width: to equal columns of your raster layer plus the desired number of extra
pixels for marginal annotation. At 300 dpi, 300 extra pixels leaves one-half inch margin on
each side. Example: 2450 + 300 = 2750
b. Set Map Height: to equal rows of your raster layer plus the desired number of extra pixels
for marginal annotation. Example: 1394 + 300 = 1694
c. Set Units: to device pixels.
7. From the Annotation Tools palette, use the Map Frame tool to select the raster layer and
locate the approximate position of the map frame, following the instructions which display on
screen.
13
8. In the Map Frame dialog, enter these parameters:
a. Select Use Entire Source.
b. In Frame Width:, enter the number of columns in the image (from step 3). Example: 2450
c. In Height:, enter the number of rows in the image (from step 3). Example: 1394
d. Set Upper Left Frame Coordinates. The origin is lower left for the map composition (0,0).
Example: x = 150, y = 1544
9. In the Map Frame dialog, click OK.
10. Annotate the map as desired.
11. Select File | Save | Map Composition... to save the Map Composition.
12. Print the Map Composition. Enter these parameters in the Print Map Composition dialog:
a. Select IMG File under Configured Printers.
b. Set DPI to match output device.
c. Select OK.
This creates a 3-band (RGB) .img file at 1 to 1 scale with an output device that can be converted
to BIL or BSQ file or tape.
i Use the Export Generic Data function to convert .img files to BIL or BSQ format.
14
New Map Composition
New Map Composition

This dialog enables you to begin creating a new map composition. This dialog is opened when
you select New Map Composition... from the Map Composer menu or when you select File |
New | Map Composition... from the Viewer menu bar.
➲ See Film Writer for special instructions about creating a map composition that will be output
to a Film Writer.
New Name: Use this file name part to enter a name for this map composition. The .map
extension will be added automatically. If the file already exists, a warning box will ask if you
want to replace it.
If you click Use Template (below) to create a new map composition, you do not need to enter
the following sizing and scale information. It will be taken from the template.
Map Width: Enter the width of the final printed map composition in the selected paper units.
If this size is larger than the printable area of your printer, IMAGINE will create multiple map
panels. For example, a Kodak printer will print only on a 7.5” x 10” area to allow a one-inch
margin on an 8.5” x 11” sheet of paper. if you entered a Map Width of 10.8, the map
composition would print on multiple panels.
Map Height: Enter the height of the final printed map composition in the selected paper
units. If this size is larger than the printable area of your printer, IMAGINE will create multiple
map panels. For example, a Kodak printer will print only on a 7.5” x 10” area to allow a one-
inch margin on an 8.5” x 11” sheet of paper. If you entered a Map Height of 8.3”, the map
composition would print on multiple panels.
Display Scale 1: Enter the screen to paper scale for displaying this map composition. This
does not affect printed output.
Units: Click on the popup list button to choose inches, centimeters, points, or device
pixels to express the size units of the map composition.
Background: Click on the popup list button to choose White or Black to be the background
color for this new map composition. Once the map composition is created, you cannot change
the background color.
Use Template Click to use a copy of a previous map composition as the template for this
map composition.
Template Name: This file name part is displayed when you click Use Template. Enter
the map composition to use as a template. The default file extension is .map
You can specify a default template in the Preference Editor.
15
New Map Composition
OK Create a New Map Composition as Described above. A Map Composer viewer is

started.
Cancel Cancel Creating a New Map Composition
Help Display Help for New Map Composition

➲ For information on using the ERDAS IMAGINE graphical interface, see the on-line IMAGINE
Interface manual.
➲ For step-by-step instructions on creating a map composition, see the ERDAS IMAGINE Tour
Guides manual.
➲ For information about the printable area of the different output devices, see the
documentation that came with the device.
16
Map Composer (Viewer)

The Map Composer Viewer is the work space where you lay out a new map composition or edit
an existing one. If a new map composition is started, the Annotation Tools palette is opened
along with this Viewer. This tool palette provides all of the regular annotation tools plus map-
specific tools to create map frames, grid ticks, scalebars, and legends.
A menu bar is displayed at the top of every Map Composer Viewer window. You can click on
each word on the menu bar to access a pull-down menu of IMAGINE operations that are
performed in a Map Composer Viewer. For other Viewer operations, see the Quick View menu.
File Click to access options for displaying data in a Map Composer Viewer, closing the
Viewer, and saving Map Composition data to file(s). The keyboard shortcut is Meta-f.
New... Click to create new map composition. The New Map Composition dialog is
opened.
Open... Click to open a new map composition into a new Viewer. The File Selector
dialog is opened.
Save Click to save the current map composition.
Map Composition Click to save the map composition under its current file name.
Map Composition As... Click to save the current map composition in a new file. The
File Selector dialog is opened.
View... Click to save the map composition as a .vue file for use with the VUE Player.
The File Selector dialog is opened.
Print... Click to print the current map composition. The Print Map Composition dialog
is opened.
Close Click to close this map composition and this Viewer.
Utility Click to access the inquire cursors.

Inquire Cursor Click to bring up a cross-hair cursor over the map composition and to
simultaneously open the Inquire Cursor dialog.
Inquire Color ... Click to select the cursor color. The Inquire Color dialog is opened.
Inquire Box Click to bring up a cursor box over the map composition and the Inquire
Box Coordinates dialog.
Inquire Home Click to move the cursor to the center of the displayed portion of the
image.
17
Inquire Shape ... Click to change the shape of the cursor. The Inquire Shape dialog is
opened.
View Click access options on arranging map composition layers, cursor inquiry, and other
view options.
Arrange Layers... Click to rearrange the layers in a map composition or in a map frame.
The Arrange Layers dialog is opened.
Zoom Use this menu to specify magnification and reduction factors using the following
options. See also Real-Time Zoom and Box Zoom.
Zoom In By 2 Select this option to quickly magnify the displayed map composition.
Multiplies the current zoom ratio by 2.
Zoom Out By 2 Select this option to quickly reduce the displayed map composition.
Divides the current zoom ratio by 2.
Zoom In By X... Select this option to specify a custom zoom. The Set Zoom Ratio
dialog is opened.
Zoom Out By X... Select this option to specify a custom reduction factor. The
Reduction dialog is opened.
Default Zoom Select this option to reset the zoom ratio to “actual size,” as it would
appear when printed.
Scale Use this menu to access the scaling options for the image in the Viewer window.
Map To Window Select this option to set the zoom ratio so that the map composition
fits as closely as possible into the current Viewer window.
The aspect ratio of the map composition is always maintained, such that the longest
dimension of the map composition is refitted to the corresponding Viewer window
dimension.
Window To Map Select this option to resize the Viewer to show the entire map
composition (or as much of the composition as will fit on the screen).
Background Color... Select this option to change the background color of the Viewer.
The Background Color dialog is opened.
i To avoid having a black background around rotated images or around images in which the
background is included in a map frame, make sure to specify a transparent background when
the file is displayed in the Viewer.
18
Map Size... Select this option to set the map composition size. The Map Composition
Size dialog opens.
Status Bar Click this checkbox to activate the single-line help which displays at the
bottom of the Map Composer Viewer. Turning off the status bar increases your display
area.
Scroll Bars Click this checkbox to turn the Map Composer Viewer scroll bars on or off.
Turning off the scroll bars increases your display area.
Menu Bar Click this checkbox to turn on or off the Map Composer Viewer menu bar
which is located at the top of your display area. Turning off the menu bar increases your
display area.
Tool Bar Click this checkbox to turn on or off the row of Map Composer Viewer icon tools
which is located at the top of your display area. Turning off the tool bar increases your
display area.
Borders Click the checkbox to create or delete the border around the outside of the Map
Composer Viewer.
Layout Mode Click this checkbox to view legend properties without displaying the map
in the Map Composer Viewer. The map area will be a white-filled rectangle containing grid
marks and a large X.
Annotation Use this menu to access options for working with annotation in the Map
Composer Viewer.
Tools... Select this option to open the Annotation tools palette.
Undo Select this option to undo the last edit. Select multiple times to undo a series of
edits (back to the last saved version of this annotation layer).
Cut Click to delete the selected element(s). A copy is kept in a copy/paste buffer.
Copy Click to make a copy of the selected element(s) to a copy/paste buffer.
Paste Click to paste the element(s) from the copy/paste buffer.
Group Click to combine the selected elements into a group element.
Ungroup Click to break a group element into single elements.
19
Reshape Click to reshape a selected polygon, polyline, arc, or AOI. This option also lets you
create or reshape an invisible polyline that text may follow:
♦ left-hold to move a vertex of the polygon, polyline or text polyline;

♦ middle-click to add a vertex to the polygon, polyline or text polyline;
♦ shift-middle-click to add or remove a vertex from the polygon, polyline or text
polyline;
♦ left-hold on any side of a polygon or segment of a polyline or text polyline to

move it without rotating.
To quit reshape mode, click outside the element or select another element.
If you are reshaping an arc, you can press the space bar for more reshaping options. The
Ellipse Editor dialog is opened.
Raise
To the Front Click to move the selected element(s) in front of all others in the drawing
order.
Forward by One Click to move the selected element(s) forward by one rank in the
drawing order.
Lower
To the Back Click to move the selected element(s) behind all others in the drawing
order.
Backward by One Click to move the selected element(s) back by one rank in the
drawing order.
Distribute
Vertically Click to evenly distribute the centers of selected elements vertically

between the top element and the bottom element.
Horizontally Click to evenly distribute the centers of selected elements horizontally

between the right element and the left element.
Flip
Vertically Click to flip selected annotation vertically.
Horizontally Click to flip selected annotation horizontally.
20
Align Object North Click to automatically point the selected element(s) to the north.
Alignment... Click to align the selected elements. The Align dialog is opened.
Element Properties... Click to open the Properties dialog for the selected element:
♦ Text
♦ Ellipse
♦ Arc
♦ Rectangle
♦ Polygon/Polyline
♦ Symbol
♦ Map frame
♦ Group
Styles... Click open the Annotation Styles dialog.
Attributes... Click to open the Annotation Attributes dialog.
Help Click to view this On-Line Help document.

Help for Mapcomposer Viewer
Click to open a map composition. The File Selector dialog is opened.
Click to save the current map composition.
Click to print the current map composition.
Click to reset the map to the original zoom factor.
Click to start/update the inquire cursor. The Inquire Cursor dialog is opened (if it is not
already open).
21
Click to open the Annotation Tools palette.
Click to reset the window tools.
Click for zoom re-center, box zoom and real-time zoom features. For zoom re-center,
left-click in the Viewer to indicate the center of the enlarged area. For Box zoom, left-hold and
drag a box in the Viewer. For real-time zoom, middle-hold (or Ctrl-left-hold) and drag up and
down in Viewer. See Zooming.
Click for zoom re-center, box zoom and real-time zoom features. For zoom re-center,
left-click in the Viewer to indicate the center of the reduced area. For Box zoom, left-hold and
drag a box in the Viewer. For real-time zoom, middle-hold (or Ctrl-left-hold) and drag up and
down in Viewer. See Zooming.
Click to roam the map composition. Simply hold and drag the hand over the image to
pan up, down, left, and right.
Interface manual.
Guides.
➲ See the “Cartography” chapter in the ERDAS Field Guide for cartographic theory.
22
Map Composition Size
Map Composition Size

This dialog enables you to change the size of your map composition. It opens when you select
View | Map Size... from the Map Composer menu bar.
Width: Enter the desired width of the map composition.
Height: Enter the desired height of the map composition.
Units: Displays the units of the map composition.
OK Click to accept the new width and height and apply it to the map composition.
Cancel Click to cancel any changes. The map composition will not be updated.
Help Click to view the On-Line Help for this dialog.

Interface manual.
Guides manual.
➲ See the “Cartography” chapter in the ERDAS Field Guide for cartographic theory.
23
Map Frame Data Source
Map Frame Data Source

This dialog enables you to select the source of data for a Map Composer frame. It is opened after
you draw a map frame.
Viewer... Click to use data currently displayed in a Viewer.
Imported data... Click to use an encapsulated PostScript file. The Import Into Frame
dialog is opened.
Cancel Click to cancel this process and close this dialog. The map frame will be erased
from the map composition.
Help Click to see this On-Line Help document.

Interface manual.
24
Import Into Frame
Import Into Frame

This dialog enables you to import encapsulated PostScript data into a map frame. This dialog is
opened when you click Imported Data... in the Map Frame Data Source dialog (which is
opened when you place a map frame in a map composition).
Data Source Click to select the source of the imported data.

File: Enter the name of the file to import. There is no default file extension.
Format: Click this popup list to select the file type to import.
EPSF Import an encapsulated PostScript file.
Frame Geometry Indicate the position and size of the file to import.
Upper Left X: Enter the X coordinate of the upper left corner of the map frame. The
default is the current position as it was drawn.
Upper Left Y: Enter the Y coordinate of the upper left corner of the map frame. The
default is the current position as it was drawn.
Width: Enter the width of the imported file. The default is the width of the map frame as
it was drawn.
Height: Enter the height of the imported file. The default is the height of the map frame
as it was drawn.
OK Click to import the selected file and close this dialog.
Cancel Click to cancel this process and close this dialog. Selecting Cancel also deletes
the map frame from the map composition.

Interface manual.
Guides.
25
Options
Options
This tab allows you to view the legend properties for your map without bringing up the map
image. The map will be represented by a white rectangle containing grid lines and a large X.
Layout Mode does not have to be deactivated to print your map.
This tab can be reached by selecting Composer | Open Map Composition from the ERDAS
IMAGINE icon panel, or selecting File | Open | Map Composition from the Viewer menu bar.
Options
Open in Layout Mode Open map composition in layout mode
26
Map Composer
Map Composer
This dialog enables you to view, edit, create, and print map compositions. The dialog is opened
when you click the Map Composer icon on the ERDAS IMAGINE icon panel.
New Map Composition... Click to create a new map composition. The New Map
Composition dialog is opened.
Open Map Composition... Click to open an existing map composition. The Open Map
Composition: File Selector dialog is opened.
Print Map Composition ... Click to print a map composition. The Compositions: File
Selector dialog is opened. When you select a map composition and click OK, the Print Map
Composition dialog is opened.
Print Plot File ... (UNIX only) Click to print a plot file. The Print Plot File dialog is opened.
Edit Composition Paths ... Click to edit the composition paths. The Map Path Editor
is opened.
Map Series Tool ... Click to automatically create and print map compositions using
predefined templates for specific scales. The image that you want to output as a map series
must already be displayed in a Viewer. The Map Series Tool dialog is opened.
Close Click to close this dialog.
Help Click to see this On-line Help document.

Interface manual.
Guides manual or the On-Line Help file, Introduction to Map Composer.
27
Print Plot File
Print Plot File

UNIX Only
This dialog enables you to print a plot file produced in the Print Map Composition dialog. The
plot file contains all the output information and panels for the map composition. To use this
dialog, click Print Plot File... from the Map Composer dialog.
Plot Files: Use this filename part to select a plot file to print. The default file extension is
.plt.
Configured Printers: The printer for which the plot file was generated in the Print Map
Composition dialog is selected by default. The popup list contains only printers of the same
type as the printer specified when the plot file was generated. Although any printer from the
list may be selected, please observe the following caution:
☞ The plot file panels are not reformatted to fit a different printer when printed from this dialog.
Individual printers may be configured with different output sizes or other parameters which
affect the output. This is true of identical printers as well as others that accept the same form
of input. Your plot file may not print the same on a printer other than the one for which it was
generated.
Panels to Print: This group lets you choose to print All Panels or Select Panels in a
plot file.
All Panels Click to print all panels in a plot file.
Select Panels: Click to select the range of panels to print. Use the number fields to enter
the range.
Number of Copies: Enter the number of copies to print.

X Offset: If you do not want to start printing in the upper left corner of the paper, you can
enter an X and Y offset. This also enables you to print multiple maps on a single sheet. (This
option is currently enabled only for Iris printers.)
Y Offset: If you do not want to start printing in the upper left corner of the paper, you can
enter an X and Y offset. This also enables you to print multiple maps on a single sheet. (This
option is currently enabled only for Iris printers.)
Offset Units: Click on this popup list to specify the offset units as either inches or
centimeters.
OK Click to start this process and close this dialog.
28
Print Plot File
Close Click to cancel this process and close this dialog.
Delete Click to delete the selected plot file. The Delete dialog is opened.

Interface manual.
29
Delete
Delete
UNIX Only
This dialog warns you before a plot file is deleted. It opens when you click Delete in the Print
Plot File dialog.
(The warning message displays next to the warning symbol)
Yes Click to accept the warning message and delete the plot file. This dialog closes.
No Click to avoid deleting the plot file and close this dialog.
Help Click to view the On-Line Help for this dialog.

Interface manual.
30
Map Series Tool
Map Series Tool

This is the main dialog for creating map series in ERDAS IMAGINE. The CellArray is blank until
you select File | Open... from the menu bar to select the map series (.msh extension) file to use.
The map series listed in the .msh file display in the CellArray in the order in which they display
in the .msh file. You can use the arrow icons to scroll through these map series geographically.
Using the options in this dialog, you can print all, or selected, map series.
☞ The standard USGS map sheet data base is used in the ERDAS IMAGINE Map Series Tool.
ERDAS does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this database. If you find any
errors, please report them to ERDAS and they will be corrected in the next release of ERDAS
IMAGINE. These errors will also be forwarded to USGS.
i The first time you use the Map Series Tool, you will have to create a map series file (.msh)
using the Edit | United States Geological Survey or Edit | Create Custom Maps options.
These options create map series for the image displayed in the Viewer.
This dialog is opened when you select Map Series Tool... from the Map Composer menu.
File Click to open and save map series files and close the Map Series Tool.
Open... Click to open a map series file. The Open Map Series File dialog is opened.
Save Click to save the map series file.
Save As... Click to save the map series as a new file. The Save Map Series File dialog
is opened.
Close Click to close the Map Series Tool.
Edit Click for map series creation and editing options.

United States Geological Survey Click to create map series using standard USGS
sizes.
1:24000 Create standard USGS 7.5 x 7.5 minute series maps.
1:62500 Create standard USGS 15 x 15 minute series maps.
1:63360 Create standard USGS Alaska 15 x 30 minute series maps.
1:100000 Create standard USGS 30 x 60 minute series maps
31
Map Series Tool
Create Custom Maps Click to create map series using a user-defined size or from an
area of interest (AOI).
From Rectangular Grid ... Click to generate custom map series by entering specific
coordinates. The Create Custom Map Series dialog is opened.
From AOI ... Click to generate map series from an existing AOI. The AOI must be a
polygon containing at least 4 vertices. Rectangles and 4-vertex polygons work best.
The generated map covers the rectangular area bounded by the first four vertices. The
Choose AOI dialog is opened.
Intersect Layer Click to show only the map series that intersect the layer displayed in
the Viewer.
Delete Map Compositions Click to delete the map composition files for the selected
map series.
Delete Map Plot Files (UNIX only) Click to delete the map plot files for the selected map
series.
View Click for map series viewing options.

Position Viewer to Map Sheet Click to position the Viewer to show the current map
series in the CellArray. If the entire map series will not fit in the Viewer, the top left corner
is displayed.
Fit Map Sheet to Viewer Click to scale the map series area to fit entirely within the
Viewer.
Show Map Sheets in Viewer Click to display the map series boundaries in the Viewer.
Titled Display Map Series as Annotation Layer in Viewer with Titles

Untitled Display Map Series as Annotation Layer in Viewer without Titles
Clear Map Sheets from Viewer Click to clear all map series boundaries from the
Viewer.
Sort Map Sheets Click for options on sorting the map series in the CellArray.
Default Click to set the default sorting.
Alphabetic Click to sort the table alphabetically.
Left to Right Click to sort the table by longitude.
Top to Bottom Click to sort the table by latitude.
32
Map Series Tool
Auto Display Click to toggle the auto-display mode. When turned on, the Viewer will
show the current map series whenever it is changed in the CellArray.
Auto Wrap Click to toggle the auto-wrap mode. When turned on, the scrolling arrow
icons will continue to the next row or column rather than stopping at the edge of the map
series. The map series are ordered from left to right and top to bottom.
Columns in Table... Click to select which columns in the table to show. The Show
Columns dialog is opened.
Compose Click to access map composition options.

Create Map Series Compositions... Click to create a map series composition. The
Create Map Series Compositions dialog is opened.
Print Map Series Compositions... Click to print a map series composition. The Print
Map Series Compositions dialog is opened.
Print Map Series Plot Files... (UNIX only) Click to print map series plot files. The Print
Map Series Plot Files dialog is opened.
Help Click to access the On-Line Help options.

Help for Map Series Display Click to view the On-Line Help for the Map Series Display
tool.
Click to open a map series file. The Open Map Series File dialog is opened.
Click to select the map series above the current map series (indicated by the >). If Auto
Display is turned on, this map series will be displayed in the Viewer.
Click to select the map series below the current map series (indicated by the >). If Auto
Display is turned on, this map series will be displayed in the Viewer.
Click to select the map series to the left of the current map series (indicated by the >).
If Auto Display is turned on, this map series will be displayed in the Viewer.
Click to select the map series to the right of the current map series (indicated by the
>). If Auto Display is turned on, this map series will be displayed in the Viewer.
33
Map Series Tool
Click to select the current map series in the default Viewer. If Auto Display is turned on,
this map series will be displayed in the Viewer.
Click to toggle single selection mode on/off. In the CellArray, the > indicating the current
map series will move to the map series that you select. A polygon selector will display in the
viewer showing the current map series.
Click to toggle marquis selection on/off. With your cursor in the Viewer, drag to draw
the rectangular area.
If the rectangular area that you draw is entirely within one map series, then that map series
will be highlighted both in the Viewer and in the CellArray. If the area crosses map series
boundaries, then all map series that include part of the rectangular area will be selected.
(CellArray) The Map Sheet CellArray contains the map series information from the .msh
file. The map series information is opened in the order in which it is listed in the .msh file,
although you can alter this order using the View | Sort Map Series options. The columns that
display depend upon which are selected in the View | Columns in Table... option.
Right-hold in the Row column for the Row Selection popup. Right-hold on any column
heading for the Column Options popup.
Interface manual.
Creating A Map Template
In order to use the Map Series Tool, a map template must be specified prior to the final map
composition being created. A description of what a map template is and how to create a map
template can be found in the IMAGINE On-line Help.
Map Series Tool Example:
Display the image germtm.img in a viewer. Start the Map Composer, and click the Map Series
Tool... button. In the Map Series Tool, select Edit | United States Geological Survey |1:24000.
This will load all of the standard 1:24000 USGS maps that fall within the extent of germtm.img.
To graphically view the boundary and name of each map, select View | Show Map Sheets in
Viewer | Titled in the Map Series Tool. The map sheet boundaries and information about each
map sheet that is shown in the CellArray, is derived from a map series database that contains
the parameters for all USGS series maps in the United States. To view this database, select
Utility | HfaView on the file <IMAGINE_HOME>/etc/usgs.smd.
34
Map Series Tool
One way to define the map to be used to create the map composition is to move the “>” symbol
in the Map Series Tool to the map that you want to create. For an example, move it to the
Gaithersburg map. Select Compose | Create Map Sheet Compositions in the Map Series
Tool. In the Create Map Sheet Compositions dialog select 240000.map as the Map Template
and enter an Output Root Name. After pressing OK, open the new map composition. Notice that
items such as tic marks, scale bars, map names, and neighboring map names were
automatically added to the map composition.
35
Open Map Series File (.msh)
Open Map Series File (.msh)

This dialog enables you to open a map series file (.msh). It opens when you select File | Open...
in the menu bar or click the icon in the tool bar of the Map Series Tool.
Map Series File: Select the map series file to open. The default file extension is .msh.
Intersect Layer Click to load only the map series that intersect the image.
OK Click to open the selected file and close this dialog.
Cancel Click to cancel this process and close this dialog.

Interface manual.
36
Save Map Series File
Save Map Series File

This dialog enables you to save a map series file. It opens when you select File | Save As... in
the Map Series Tool menu bar.
Map Series Filename Enter the name of the map series file. The default file extension
is .msh.
Save Selected Only Click to save on the selected map series to the file.
OK Click to save the file and close this dialog.
Cancel Click to cancel this process and close this dialog .

Interface manual.
37
Create Custom Map Series

This dialog enables you to create map series from the image displayed in the Viewer. It is opened
when you select Edit | Create Custom Maps | From Rectangular Grid... in the Map Series
Tool menu bar.
This is the first step in creating a map series file (.msh). The image from which you are creating
the map series must be georeferenced.
Map Projection: Geographic (Lat/Long) The name of the Map Projection is

displayed.
Set Projection... Click to open the Projection Chooser dialog. The type of projection
will determine the type of map units to be used.
Map Units: Select between Degrees or Radians for the chosen type of projection.
Starting From (LL): Enter the starting coordinate for the lower left corner of the lower
left-most map series. The default is the coordinate of the lower left corner of the image in the
Viewer rounded to the nearest whole unit.
Latitude: Enter the latitude for the lower left corner of the lower left-most map series.
Longitude: Enter the longitude for the lower left corner of the lower left-most map
series.
Ending At (UR): Enter the ending coordinate for the upper right corner of the upper right-
most map series. The default is the coordinate of the upper right corner of the image in the
Latitude: Enter the latitude for the upper right corner of the upper right-most map
series.
Longitude: Enter the longitude for the upper right corner of the upper right-most map
series.
Map Sheet Extent: Enter the extent of each map series.

Latitude: Enter the latitude for the extent of the map series.
Longitude: Enter the longitude for the extent of the map series.
Map Units: Select from Meters, Feet, Inches, Centimeters, Points, or Other for the
units to use with the chosen type of projection.
38
Starting From (LL): Enter the starting coordinate for the lower left corner of the
lower left-most map series. The default is the coordinate of the lower left corner of the
image in the Viewer rounded to the nearest whole unit.
Northing: Enter the northing coordinate for the lower left corner of the lower left-most
map series. The northing coordinate is like a Y coordinate.
Easting: Enter the easting coordinate for the lower left corner of the lower left-most
map series. The easting coordinate is like an X coordinate.
Ending At (UR): Enter the ending coordinate for the upper right corner of the upper right-
most map series. The default is the coordinate of the upper right corner of the image in the
Northing: Enter the northing coordinate for the upper right corner of the upper right-
most map series. The northing coordinate is like a Y coordinate.
Easting: Enter the easting coordinate for the upper right corner of the upper right-most
map series. The easting coordinate is like an X coordinate.
Map Sheet Extent: Enter the extent of each map series.

Northing: Enter the northing extent of the map series. The northing coordinate is like
a Y coordinate.
Easting: Enter the easting extent of the map series. The easting coordinate is like an
X coordinate.
Intersect Layer Click to show only the map series that intersect the layer displayed in
the Viewer.
OK Click to create these map series and close this dialog. The map series information will
populate the Map Series Tool CellArray.

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39
Show Columns
Show Columns
This dialog enables you to select which columns display in the Map Series Tool. It is opened
when you select View | Columns in Table... in the Map Series Tool menu bar.
Select Columns: Select the columns to display from this list.

Title Click to display the titles of the map series.
Region Click to display the geographic region of the map series.
State Click to display the state(s) in which the map series fall.
Size (Lat) Click to display the width (latitude) of the map series in degrees, minutes, and
seconds. For example, if the map series were a 7.5 minute quadrangle, this field would
read 0 07 30.
Size (Long) Click to display the height (latitude) of the map series in degrees, minutes,
and seconds. For example, if the map series were a 7.5 minute quadrangle, this field
would read 0 07 30.
UL (Lat) Click to display the upper left corner latitude coordinate of the map series.
UL (Long) Click to display the upper left corner longitude coordinate of the map series.
UR (Lat) Click to display the upper right corner latitude coordinate of the map series.
UR (Long) Click to display the upper right corner longitude coordinate of the map series.
LR (Lat) Click to display the lower right corner latitude coordinate of the map series.
LR (Long) Click to display the lower right corner longitude coordinate of the map series.
LL (Lat) Click to display the lower left corner latitude coordinate of the map series.
LL (Long) Click to display the lower left corner longitude coordinate of the map series.
Composition File Click to show the name of the map composition files created from the
map series, if applicable.
Plot File (UNIX only) Click to show the name of the plot files created from the map
series, if applicable.
OK Click to show the selected columns in the Map Series Tool CellArray and close this
dialog.
Close Click to leave the columns selected unchanged and close this dialog.
40
Show Columns

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41
Create Map Series Compositions
Create Map Series Compositions

This dialog provides options for creating map compositions from map series. It is opened when
you select Compose | Create Map Series Compositions... from the Map Series Tool menu
bar.
Map Template: Enter the name of the map series template to use. Standard map series
templates are provided in <IMAGINE_HOME>/etc/maptemplates. You may also create
custom map series templates.The default extension is .map.
Output Root Name: Enter the root name of the composition you are creating. You may
also enter a directory path and prefix, if desired.
Which Map Sheets: Select which map series to output.

Current Click to output only the current map series (indicated by the >).
Selected Click to output all selected map series.
All Click to output all map series.
Delete if Exists Click to delete this map composition if it already exists.
Rotate to True North Click to rotate the map series so that true north is vertical in the
composition.
OK Click to create the composition(s) and close this dialog.

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42
Map Series Templates

Introduction
Map series templates are used in conjunction with the Map Series Tool to produce standardized
map compositions for raster, vector, and annotation data layers. A map template is a map
composition file (.map) and the accompanying annotation file (.map.ovr), which is produced by
the Map Composer.
Default map templates for some standard scales are distributed in the $IMAGINE_HOME/etc/
maptemplates directory. These default map templates are based on the standard United States
Geologic Survey map series. You may use these templates or create customized templates for
use with the Map Series Tool.
Map series templates are created and edited as a map composition using the Map Composer
tools. New templates may be created like any other new map composition by selecting the Map
Composer, New Map Composition... option. You may find it easier to make a copy of an
existing template by saving as a new name and editing the new template composition. Another
alternative is to create a map series composition using one of the default templates, modify that
composition, and then use it as a template for other map series compositions.
How Templates Work

A map series composition is created from a map series definition and a map composition
template. A modified copy of the map template is made for the map series composition. Certain
map objects in the template may be static and will simply be copied from the template to the map
series composition. Other map objects in the template may be dynamic and will be changed to
accommodate the specific map series definition.
These dynamic objects may have their contents changed, such as the map title, or have their
position changed relative to the primary map frame in the composition. Dynamic objects are
identified to the Map Series Tool by using keywords in object’s name and description fields. All
the style attributes, such as line styles, colors, fonts, etc., defined for the template’s objects will
be maintained in the map series composition. A detailed description of the dynamic map
template objects follows.
The Primary Map Frame
In a map composition, map frames exist which contain raster, vector, and annotation data layers
for a specified scale and area. Since more than one frame may exist in a map composition, the
first frame created is interpreted by the Map Series Tool to be the primary frame. This primary
frame is the frame in which the contents will be changed based on the map series definition.
43
Other frames may exist in the template but can only be copied and position-locked by the Map
Series Tool (see below). Since the map frame scale must be maintained, the Map Series Tool
changes the primary map frame by recomputing the extent and position of the frame based on
the map series definition. In general, since map definitions are based on latitude/longitude, map
definitions in northern latitudes will have a narrower extent in X than map definitions in southern
latitudes.
This principle is important in determining the paper size of the map composition template. Make
sure that the paper is defined such that all the map series utilizing the templates will fit on the
paper. Following the calculation of the new frame extents, the map series map frame is
positioned such that it is centered relative to the frame in the template. Also, although the map
frame will remain rectangular, the data layers contained in the map frame will be cut out based
on the true map series coordinates, leaving background fill between the map frame and the data.
Secondary Map Frames
Other map frames may exist in the map template following the primary map frame. These frames
may contain raster, vector, or annotation layers and are normally used for logos or referencing
images. The Map Series Tool will not change the content of secondary frames but will allow for
position-locking relative to the primary map frame. Grid/tick systems may be defined for a
secondary map frame but the Map Series Tool will not change the grid/tick contents. See
‘Dynamic Objects, Position-locked secondary frames’ below.
Grid/tick Systems
If grid/tick systems have been defined in the template for the primary map frame, their positioning
and labeling will have to be adjusted to reflect the map geometry of the map series definition.
Grid/tick systems are defined by a starting map position and a spacing parameter. The Map
Series Tool must recompute the starting map positions but will maintain the spacing between
grid/ticks as defined by the grid/tick system in the template. All other grid/tick properties, such as
tic length inside and outside the frame, using full grids, etc., will be maintained from the template
to the map series composition.
Ordering of the Grid/tick Systems
Since multiple grid/tick systems may exist for a frame and the grid/tick positioning and labels are
automatically recomputed, overlapping labels may occur. To prevent this from happening, the
Map Series Tool will delete overlapping labels based on the ordering of the grid/tic systems. The
ordering is determined by alphabetically sorting the grid/tick name field from the Grid/tick
Properties Tool. The labels of the first alphabetically-named grid/tick system will take priority over
other labels if overlap occurs. If no names are specified in the grid/tick properties, the ordering
will be in the order created. Since this feature exists, the overlap of grid/tick labels which may
occur when the template is being created is not important.
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Map Projections of the Grid/tick Systems
Grid/tick systems may be in any of the map projections supported by IMAGINE. There are
several considerations when selecting the map projections for the grid/tick systems of the
templates.
♦ The default grid/tick system is the system which is created when the Output Projection is NOT
set. This grid/tick system will inherit the projection of the data layers on which it is applied.
This grid/tick system should be created first when making the template because once an
Output Projection has been set by the Grid/Tick Properties Tool, it cannot be unset and
restored to the default mode.
♦ Geographic grid/tick systems may be created by setting the Output Projection in the Grid/tick
Properties Tool to Geographic. This system is normally desired since the map definitions are
based on geographic coordinates. The spheroid and datum parameters of the geographic
projection will not be considered if they differ from the spheroid and datum parameters of the
map projection of the data layers defined in the Map Series Tool. It is assumed that the
geographic grid/ticks in the map series composition should have the same spheroid and
datum parameters as the imagery in the frame.
♦ Grid/tick systems in other projections should only be specified in a template which will be
used for maps in areas within the projection definition. A grid/tick system having projection
parameters specifying a certain UTM zone, State Plane zone, or standard parallels and
central meridians may not be meaningful for map areas in other parts of the world.
♦ Grid/tick systems are an object group created by the Grid/tick Tool. The grid/tick group
maintains information defining the grid/tick parameters which will be lost if it is ungrouped,
and will not be restored if it is grouped again. Ungrouped grid/ticks will not work correctly with
the Map Series Tool.
☞ NEVER ungroup a grid/tick group in a map series template!

Dynamic Objects
To create the map series composition, it is necessary to replace or relocate certain objects in the
template with appropriate attributes of the map series definition. The mechanism for identifying
these dynamic objects is by matching keywords in the “Name” and “Description” field in the
objects’ property boxes.
Replacement Attributes
The Name field identifies the replacement attribute for a text object. In the case of the North
Arrow group, it may also identify certain position attributes.
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♦ Map title.
Any text object in the template with the name property equal to “<Title>” will have its contents
replaced with the title of the map series from the Map Series Tool CellArray column entitled
<Title>. The alignment properties of the text object will be maintained so that if the length of
the string changes, it will remain aligned either, left, centered, or right as specified in the
template text object.
♦ Map region.
Any text object in the template with the name property equal to “<Region>” will have its
contents replaced with the region of the map series in the Map Series Tool CellArray column
entitled <Region>. The alignment properties of the text object will be maintained so that if the
length of the string changes, it will remain aligned either, left, centered, or right as specified
in the template text object.
♦ Map state.
Any text object in the template with the name property equal to “<State>” will have its contents
replaced with the state of the map series in the Map Series Tool CellArray column entitled
<State>. The alignment properties of the text object will be maintained so that if the length of
the string changes, it will remain aligned either, left, centered, or right as specified in the
template text object.
♦ Adjacent map titles.

Any text object in the template in which the name property equals one of the following will
have its contents replaced with the map title of the map in the respective position: “<North
Title>”, “<South Title>”, “<East Title>”, “<West Title>”, “<Northeast Title>”, “<Northwest
Title>”, “<Southeast Title>”, “<Southwest Title>”. The alignment properties and position of
these text object will be changed so that they will be properly positioned at the sides and
corners of the frame. However, the rotation angle of these text objects must be specified as
parameters of the objects in the template (i.e., the angle will be maintained). Adjacent map
titles take priority if overlap occurs with the grid/tick labels.
♦ Grouped objects.
Any object group containing one or more of the above text objects will allow for those text
objects to be modified if the group name property equals “<Group>”. This keyword identifies
for the Map Series Tool a group object in which to descend to find text member objects to
modify.
♦ North arrow.
A special group object in the template with the name property equal to “<North Arrow Group>”
will have its contents modified to accurately reflect the true north and grid north of the map
frame. Within the <North Arrow Group> object, members are also identified with keywords.
These group members are:
46
- A text object with the name property equal to “<Grid North Symbol>” will be positioned
immediately above the grid north arrow.
- A symbol object with the name property equal to “<True North Symbol>” will be positioned
immediately above the true north arrow.
- A polyline object with the name property equal to “<Grid North Arrow>” will be rotated to
point to grid north.
- A polyline object with the name property equal to “<True North Arrow>” will be rotated to
point to true north.
- A polyline object with the name property equal to “<Angle Base Line>” will be positioned
halfway between the longest of the grid north arrow and the true north arrow.
- A text object with the name property equal to “<Angle Degrees>” will have its contents
replaced with the rotation angle in degrees. It will also be positioned immediately above the
angle base line.
- A text object with the name property equal to “<Angle Mils>” will have its contents replaced
with the rotation angle in mils (radians x 1000). It will also be positioned immediately below
the angle base line.
If any of the above objects are omitted in the template they will also be omitted from the north
arrow created in the map series composition.
Positioning Attributes
♦ Position-locked objects.
Any object or group in the template can be identified to the Map Series Tool to be position-
locked relative to the frame. As mentioned above, the frame extent and position are dynamic
and will be changed to maintain scale. It may be desirable to have objects in the map series
composition maintain their position relative to the frame. Keywords in the description field of
the object’s properties allows for this position locking.
If the Description field of an object’s properties begins with “<Lock To Frame>” then the object
may be locked relative to the frame. Keywords following the <Lock To Frame> keyword
indicate to which side of the frame the object is to be locked. The possibilities are: “<Left>”,
“<Right>”, “<Top>”, and “<Bottom>”. Using this mechanism, objects will maintain the same
distance from the specified side of the frame in the map series composition as existed in the
template.
You may use two keywords to identify adjacent sides of the map composition. For example,
you may use both <Right> and <Bottom> to keep the object positioned a constant distance
from the bottom and right sides of the map composition. Using keywords for opposite sides
together is ambiguous. Using both <Left> and <Right> will produce unpredictable results.
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♦ Position-locked secondary frames.

Secondary frames in the template can be identified to the Map Series Tool to be position-
locked relative to the primary frame. While the keywords are defined the same as for position-
locked objects (see above), the mechanism for identifying the keywords to the Map Series
Tool are different. This is because frames in the map definition are not annotation objects and
therefore, do not have the name and description fields available.
Identifying secondary map frames for position-locking requires specifying the position-locking
keywords as the frame name in the Frame Properties Dialog.
If a grid/tick system is defined for a secondary frame and the secondary frame is identified to be
position-locked, the grid/tick group should be identified to be position-locked in the same
manner.
Tips for Making Templates

1. Before creating custom templates you should have experience using the annotation and map
composition tools in IMAGINE. It will also be helpful to be familiar with the templates and the
Map Series Tool’s utilization of the templates. Make copies of the default templates and use
the Map Composer tools to explore the objects’ parameters, and keywords. Then use the
default templates (or copies) with the Map Series Tool to see how the map series composition
is formed from templates by changing the dynamic objects.
2. Make the paper size large enough to accommodate frames for different projections at
different latitudes. When in doubt, make the paper large and cut it down after printing. Another
alternative is to make different templates for different projections or geographic positions.
3. When defining the primary frame parameters, set the frame scale first to the desired scale
and then set the option to maintain the scale while adjusting the frame and map positioning.
Normally, the frame should be centered on the paper, since the frame for the map series
composition will maintain the same center. Also, it may be useful to have the Map Series Tool
already running and the map series displayed in the Viewer so the target map boundary may
be used to define the frame area.
4. Objects placed close to the frame in the template should be locked to that side of the frame
to prevent the frame from overlapping the objects. See ‘Dynamic Objects, Position-locked
objects’ above. This is especially true for the left and right sides, which fluctuate the greatest.
5. When creating the keyword objects, it is generally faster and safer to copy and paste these
objects from a default template which already exists. This will prevent typos in the keywords.
Copying and pasting the north arrow group can save a great deal of time, since it is made of
several keyword objects. After the north arrow group has been pasted, its size and styles may
be changed without effecting the keywords. Remember, if the north arrow group is
ungrouped, it must be regrouped and given the name <North Arrow Group> which was lost
in the ungroup.
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☞ Remember: NEVER ungroup a grid/tick group in a map series template!

6. Once the template is completed and has been saved, it may be necessary to edit the
secondary frame names if position-locking is desired. See ‘Dynamic Objects, Position-
locked secondary frames’ above. This will have to be done each time the map composition
is saved since Map Composer creates default frame names and overwrites the map file.
49
Print Map Series Compositions
Print Map Series Compositions

This dialog enables you to print a map composition that was created using the Map Series
Tool. To use this dialog, select Compose | Print Compositions... from the Map Series Tool
dialog.
☞ When shaded relief images are created in the Viewer, they will print as gray scale images in
map compositions. To use a shaded relief image in a map composition, create a new relief
file in Image Interpreter or Spatial Modeler, or save the layer as a new image from the
Viewer.
Which Compositions to Print: Indicate which map series to print.

Current Click to print the current map series (indicated by the >).
Selected Click to print all selected map series.
All Click to print all map series.

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50
Print Map Series Plot Files
Print Map Series Plot Files

UNIX Only
This dialog enables you to print a plot file produced in the Print Map Series Compositions
dialog. The plot file contains all the output information and panels for the map composition. To
open this dialog, select Compose | Print Map Series Plot Files... from the Map Series Tool
dialog.
Which Plot Files to Print: Indicate which map series to print.

Current Click to print only the current map series (indicated by the >).
Selected Click to print all selected map series.
All Click to print all map series.

Interface manual.
51
Map Database Tool
Map Database Tool

This dialog enables you to generate a binary map database file (HFA format) for use with the
Map Series Tool. It opens when you enter the command mapdatabase_ui on the Command: line
of the Session | Commands... window and then press the Return key on your keyboard.
Input ASCII File: Enter the name of the input ASCII map database file.
Output Map Database File:

New File Click to create a new standard map database (.smd) file.
Existing File Click to write the map database as a node into an existing file. Use this
option if you want to add a new series to an existing database.
☞ Make note of the directory and output filename as well as the map series name. These are
required to modify the Map Series Tool dialog (mapseries.eml) so the new database/series
may be accessed.
Output Filename: Enter the name of the output map database file. The file name will
have an .smd extension.
Map Series Name: Enter the title of the ehfa node. It must be an alpha-numeric name
unique from the other node names with no special characters. For example, the map
series name for the USGS 1:24000 series maps is “24000”.
Map Database Parameters:

Set Map Projection... Click to open the Projection Chooser and identify the projection
of the map definition.
Set Reference Corner: Select which corner of the map to identify with the corner
coordinate, as defined in the database, by clicking on the appropriate radio button.
Index Grid Size: This index organizes the data geographically for improved efficiency.
Each index grid should contain a reasonable number of maps. This grid defines the size
of the grid for sorting the maps geographically.
In many cases the map database could consist of thousands of individual maps making
access time very slow. By storing the map database in a geographically sorted
hierarchical format, map access time can be greatly reduced.
X: Enter the index dimension in X in the Map Projection units.
Y: Enter the index dimension in Y in the Map Projection units.
OK Click to run this process and close this dialog.
52
Map Database Tool
Help Click to view the On-Line Help for this document.
53
Map Databases
Map Databases
The Map Series Tool allows you to automatically create and print map compositions using
predefined map databases and templates. It can also be used to build regional databases for
individual National Mapping Agency products, and other map series for anywhere in the world.
Create a Map Series Database
In order to create a map series database you must first create an ASCII file that contains a record
for each map sheet in the map series that you want to enter into the database. The character
fields for the first three name strings must be padded with spaces. A space must separate each
of the remaining fields except the direction fields as shown in the example below.
Byte Number of
Description Type Notes
Position Bytes
map sheet name 0 64 character Name of map sheet

region 1 64 32 character Name of region, state, province, etc.
region 2 96 16 character Secondary region, state, province,
county, etc.
y position 112 16 numeric Y coordinate in decimal degrees for
Geographic, feet for State Plane, or
meters for any other projection.
y direction 128 1 character Direction of Y corner (i.e. N or S)
x position 129 16 numeric X coordinate in decimal degrees for
Geographic, feet for State Plane, or
meters for any other projection.
x direction 145 1 character Direction of X corner (i.e. E or W)
y extent 146 16 numeric Width of map sheet in same units as Y
position
x extent 162 16 numeric Width of map sheet in same units as X
position
54
Map Databases
Example ASCII entry for Map Series Database

(note: a single record has been broken to fit this page, spaces are represented by ^)
Comstock^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Aksarben^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^River^Co.^^^^^^^
334000.00N^169000.00E^14000.00^14000.00
If you are familiar with C, the following function describes the structure:
sscanf(buffer, “%64c%32c%16c%lf%1c%lf%1c%lf%lf”, name, region1,

region2, &ypos, ydir, &xpos, xdir, &yext, &xext);
Once the file containing all of the map information has been created, it must be converted to a
format that the Map Series Tool can use. Setup for conversion is done in the Map Database Tool
dialog. This dialog is opened when you enter the command mapdatabase_ui on the Command:
line of the Session | Commands... window and then press the Return key on your keyboard.
Modify the Map Series Tool Dialog
In order for the map database you created to be accessible, the file <IMAGINE_HOME>/831/
scripts/mapseries.eml must be modified or a modified copy must reside in <HOME>/
.imagine831. With a text editor, use the Find command to search for “USGS”. This will take you
to the following section of the EML.
menu sedit "Edit" {

menu seditusgs "United States Geological Survey" {
editusgs24 "1:24000"
info "USGS 7.5 x 7.5 Minute Series Maps"
menuseditstandard ("$IMAGINE_HOME/etc/usgs.smd" "24000");
info "USGS 15 x 15 Minute Series Maps"
info "USGS Alaska 15 x 30 Minute Series Maps"
editusgs100 "1:100000"
editusgs125 "1:125000"
editusgs250 "1:250000"
55
Map Databases

}
separator;
By adding the following lines to mapseries.eml after the word “separator”, a new category of
maps called “Example Maps” is displayed in the Map Series Tool’s Edit pull down menu in
addition to the USGS maps. This category uses the file <IMAGINE_HOME>/etc/example.smd
as the map database (as entered in the Output Filename: field in the Map Database Tool
dialog) and has only one map series that is called “Example Series”. Also note that
“example_series” is the name entered in the Map Series Name: field in the Map Database Tool
dialog.
menu seditexample "Example Maps" {

editexample "Example Series"
info "Example Series Maps"
menuseditstandard ("$IMAGINE_HOME/etc/example.smd" "example_series");
}
separator;
56
Print Map Composition

This dialog enables you to specify parameters for printing a map composition. It opens when you
click OK in the Compositions: File Selector or the Print dialog or when you select File | Print
from the Map Composer menu bar.
(mapfiles) The name of the file to be printed is displayed here.
Printer Click on this tab to select printer options.

Print Destination: Shows the currently selected print destination. Click the popup list
button to select a different printer. You can also choose to print to an .img file or to an
encapsulated PostScript file. The print destination options displayed are set up in the
Configuration Editor.
IMG File Click to print to an .img file.
EPS File Click to print to an .eps file.
(printermodel) The name of the selected printer model is displayed here.
Plot File: (UNIX only) Name the Plot file to be created by MapMaker.
Output File: (UNIX only) Name the Printer Language Output file to be created by
MapMaker. This option is available only when you have selected a device that has been
configured as a file in IMAGINE.
Change Printer Configuration... (UNIX only) This option is available only when printing
to a device. The device-specific configuration dialog is opened.
Rasterize before printing Rasterize map then print raster
Plot File: Plot file from MapMaker
Output File: Printer Language Output file from MapMaker
Page Setup Click on this tab to select page setup options.

Scaling Select from
Fill exactly one panel If your composition is larger than one panel, click this check
box to fit the map onto one sheet. This option is valid only when printing to a file or
single sheet printers (vs. roll paper printers). The Composition to Paper Scale option
below is disabled if this option is selected.
Composition to Paper Scale 1: Enter the ratio of distances as you want them to
appear on the paper to the same units as specified in the map composition.
57
Panel Click to panel the output. Each panel will have tick marks on all four sides.
Book Click to create book maps. Book maps do not contain ticks, but include an index
map that shows how the pages fit together. This index map is always the last page.
Number of Panels: The number of panels is reported.
Start: If you do not want to print all panels, you can enter the first panel to print.
End: Enter the last panel to print.
Pixel Upper Limit Per Panel: This group lets you enter X and Y values for the maximum
number of pixels allowed per panel. This option is available only when printing to an .img
file.
X: Enter the maximum number of pixels in the X direction; 0 for no limit.
Y: Enter the maximum number of pixels in the Y direction; 0 for no limit.
(Offset Options) These options are displayed only when the IRIS 3000 printer is
selected. They allow you to print multiple map compositions on a single sheet by
specifying the offset of the origin for each one.
X Offset: Enter the offset from the left side of the paper (drum).
Y Offset: Enter the offset from the top of the paper (leading edge).
Offset Units: Select inches or centimeters as the offset units.
Options Click on this tab to select options.

Image Orientation: Select the orientation of image relative to panel from this popup list.
Automatic MapMaker determines the orientation that uses the smallest amount of
printer resources.
Force No Rotation Orientation is the same as on the screen.
Force Rotation Orientation is rotated 90 degrees counter-clockwise relative to the

screen.
Mirror Output Click to print a mirror image of the map composition. This option applies
only to hardware devices (such as film writers) that provide mirror functionality.
Draw Bounding Box Click to place a bounding box around the composition. This is
sometimes referred to as a neat line.
This set of options is available only when printing to an .img or .eps file:
58
Color Type: Indicate the color type to use when printing the map.
RGB The map will be printed in color.
Gray Scale The map will be printed in a gray scale.
Output Size This group displays the page size which corresponds to the Pixel Upper
Limit Per Panel entered above.
DPU: The number of dots per unit selected is displayed.
Units: Select inches or centimeters as the output units.
Width: The width of a panel is displayed in the selected units.
Height: The height of a panel is displayed in the selected units.
This set of options is available when you are printing to a device:
Copies: Enter the number of copies to print. Under UNIX this option is disabled if you
are creating a plot file, but not printing.
Use Error Diffusion When enabled, this checkbox controls whether the error diffusion
algorithm is applied to the output of MapMaker. Not all devices support this algorithm.
Print - Save Plotfile (UNIX only) Click to print the file now and save the plot file.
Print - Delete Plotfile (UNIX only) Click to delete plot files after the map composition
prints.
Create Plot DON’T Print (UNIX only) Click to create a plot file of the map composition
without printing the map composition. The plot file can be printed with the Print Plot File
dialog.
Delete map file after printing Remove the .map file after printing. This is useful for
printing from the viewer using a template map file to print an image.
Preview Click on this tab to see a preview of the map composition prior to printing.
(thumbnail) This graphic area shows a miniature rendering of the selected map
composition. If the map is larger than the print medium, the panel layout is also shown. In
the example below, the yellow region is the area of the map composition; 10x12 inches.
The solid black square represents the area of the image map frame (in this case,
approximately 9x9 inches). The white area represents the paper. The dashed black lines
indicate that the map must be paneled onto multiple sheets of paper. In this case, each
sheet is 8.5x11 inches.
59
Map : The area of the map composition represented by the yellow region.
W: The width of the map in output device units specified below.
H: The height of the map in output device units specified below.
Units : The units of measure in which the Width and Height are reported (as set in
the printer configuration database).
Page: The print device paper size.
W: The width of the map inside the dotted lines.
H: The height of the map inside the dotted lines
X dpi : The output resolution of the X direction given in dots per inch.
Y dpi : The output resolution of the Y direction given in dots per inch.
Batch Click to include this function in a batch file.
Close Click to cancel this process and close this dialog.
60
Interface manual.
61
Map Path Editor
Map Path Editor

This dialog enables you to change the paths for the layers in a Map Composition. It is useful
when a map file or the data it references has moved from the original location. This dialog opens
when you select Edit Composition Paths... from the Map Composer menu.
File Click to select from one of the following options:

Open Click to open a map file.
Save Click to save a map file.
Save As... Click to save a map file with a new name.
Close Click to close this dialog.
Help Click to select Help For MapEditor.

Help For MapEditor Display On-Line Help for the Map Path Editor.
Click to open a map file. This is the same as selecting File | Open from the menu bar.
Click to save a map file. This is the same as selecting File | Save from the menu bar.
Map: The full path and name of the map file is displayed.
Frame: Each frame of the map file is listed. Click to select the frame you wish to view and/
or update.
Layer: Each layer of the map file is listed and the layers are numbered by the order in which
they are stacked in the image (layer 1 is the bottom-most layer). Click to select the layer you
wish to view and/or update.
Layer Information The following layer information is listed for each of the map frames
in the file:
(Pseudo Color Layers)
Name The file and layer name.
Sampled: The type of sampling used.
(True Color Layers)
62
Map Path Editor
Red The file and layer name for the Red color gun.
Green The file and layer name for the Green color gun.
Blue The file and layer name for the Blue color gun.
(Gray Scale Layers)
(Vector Layers)
Symbology The file and layer symbology.
(Annotation Layers)
Name The file name.
(Terra Model Layers)
Project The project name.
Palette The palette name.
Apply Click to apply the new path information to the selected layer. You must click Apply
for each individual layer you wish to change. If you make changes to more than one layer
at a time and then click Apply, only the currently selected layer will be updated.
Reset Click to undo any changes you have made to the currently selected layer. You
must click Reset before you click Apply or your changes will not be undone. If you make
changes to more than one layer at a time and then click Reset, only the currently selected
layer will be updated.
63

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Map Composer

Printed in the United States of America.

ERDAS Proprietary - Delivered under license agreement.

Specifications are subject to change without notice.

Introduction to Map Composer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Starting Map Composer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Map Composer vs. Viewer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Setup for Output to a Film Writer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

New Map Composition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Map Composer (Viewer) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Map Composition Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Map Frame Data Source . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Import Into Frame . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Print Plot File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Map Series Tool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Open Map Series File (.msh) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Save Map Series File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Create Custom Map Series . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Create Map Series Compositions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Map Series Templates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Print Map Series Compositions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

Print Map Series Plot Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

Map Database Tool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

Print Map Composition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

Map Path Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

Introduction to Map Composer

Select one of the topics below for more information:

Starting Map Composer

Map Composer vs. Viewer

Printing a Map Composition

Starting Map Composer

Map Composer vs. Viewer

Feature Viewer Map Composer

Map Composition Files

Printing a Map Composition

Printing a Plot File (UNIX Only)

♦ Vector — behaves the same as annotation.

3. Save the data in the Viewer as a precaution.

Map Frame Dimensions

The dimensions of a map frame are expressed in the following ways:

To specify these dimensions, you can do any of the following:

Editing a Map Frame

Using the Map Frame Dialog Box

Editing Map Frame Contents

Deleting Layers in a Map Frame

2. Click inside the map frame.

Adding Layers to an Empty Map Frame

♦ Double-click inside the empty map frame, or

Deleting a Map Frame

2. Click in the Map Composer outside of all map frames.

♦ neatlines, grid lines, and tick marks

Neatlines, Grid Lines, and Tick Marks

♦ A neatline is a rectangular border around a map frame.

4. To create these elements, click icon on the Annotation Tools palette:

Degrees and Lat/Lon Data

The space between tick marks is called a division.

Creating Scale Bars

2. Click on icon in the Annotation Tools palette:

♦ The title is the overall title of the legend. By default, it is “Legend.”

Setup for Output to a Film Writer

2. Start ERDAS IMAGINE by typing imagine at a command prompt.

4. Select OK to display the layer in the Viewer.

5. Display any annotation layers over the image in the Viewer.

c. Set Units: to device pixels.