Autodesk Map™ 3D

Getting Started

12908-010000-5000A April 2004

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Contents

Chapter 1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
CD Browser and Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Installing on a Single Computer . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Installing on a Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Learning Autodesk Map 3D . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Getting Started Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Interactive Tutorials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Help System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Developer Documentation . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Sample Data Provided with the Program . . . . . . . . .7
User Interface Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Managing Maps and Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Workspace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Menus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Consistent Editing Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Chapter 2 Concepts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Working with Multiple Drawings . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Importing and Exporting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Working with Coordinate Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Classifying Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Managing Map Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Cleaning Up Drawing Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Working with Topology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Storing Attribute Data: Object Data . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Storing Attribute Data: External Databases. . . . . . . . . . 32

Chapter 3 Mini-Tutorials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Attaching a Drawing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Assigning a Coordinate System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Querying Objects from an Attached Drawing . . . . . . . . . 39
Inserting a Raster Image . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Creating a Display Map. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Creating a Theme . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Importing Data from a File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Cleaning Up Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

iii
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

iv | Contents
 1
Introduction

Welcome to Autodesk Map™ 3D 2005! Autodesk Map 3D In this chapter

is an AutoCAD® -based mapping product with powerful ■ CD Browser and installation
■ Learning Autodesk Map 3D
mapping tools designed for mapping and geographic
■ User interface overview

information systems (GIS) professionals. The Autodesk

Map 3D Getting Started Guide introduces you to the

program and provides some initial hands-on experience,

using sample data included on the second product CD.

This first chapter contains brief descriptions of the most

significant features and provides a quick tour of the user

interface.

1
CD Browser and Installation
You install Autodesk Map 3D from the CD Browser that opens automatically
when you insert the product CD. The CD Browser gives you access to several
pages of links, from which you can open online versions of the documenta-
tion, find information about technical support, and access other useful
extras.

Installing on a Single Computer

If you want to install Autodesk Map 3D on a single computer, simply click
the Install link on the first page of the CD browser. Then follow the instruc-
tions on screen. If you have installed AutoCAD before, or any Windows® soft-
ware, you will find the installation process familiar.

Installing on a Network
If you need information about deploying Autodesk Map 3D on a network,
consult the Network Administrator's Guide. To access this guide, in the CD
Browser, click the Network Deployment tab, and then click Network Admin-
istrator’s Guide (.pdf).

2 | Chapter 1 Introduction
Learning Autodesk Map 3D
Autodesk Map 3D provides learning materials to get you started using the
software and complete documentation to serve as a reference. User documen-
tation for Autodesk Map 3D includes:
■ Getting Started Guide
■ Interactive tutorials
■ Help system
■ Developer documentation
■ Sample data

Getting Started Guide

The Getting Started Guide is intended to introduce you to the most important
concepts in Autodesk Map 3D. After reading through it, and perhaps doing
some of the suggested exercises with the sample files provided, you should
feel comfortable enough with the program to start experimenting on your
own. This guide does not contain detailed information about the way
Autodesk Map 3D works; rather, it focuses on general concepts.
For a more detailed description and step-by-step instructions about how to
use a particular feature, refer to the Help system, using one of the methods
described in “Help System” on page 4.

Interactive Tutorials
You access the online tutorials from the Autodesk Map 3D Help menu. The
tutorials offer a more in-depth guided tour of the major features of the
program, using realistic drawings and data. For a thorough knowledge of
Autodesk Map 3D, it is recommended that you explore the tutorials after you
have read through the conceptual information provided in the Getting Started
Guide.

Learning Autodesk Map 3D | 3

 Help System
The Autodesk Map 3D Help system is a Help file in HTML format with a table
of contents, a keyword index, and two ways to search. You can print out the
Help topics that interest you.
Use the Ask Me tab to search for a term or concept using a natural-language
phrase, for example, “How do I assign a coordinate system?” (You do not need
to enclose the words you are looking for in quotation marks.) The resulting
list of topics is assigned a percentage according to how close a match was
found, much like some Internet search engines. The Ask Me tab usually
returns the best, most specific search results.
You can further narrow down the results by selecting a specific documentation
component from the drop-down list under List Of Components To Search.

The topics appear with

the best match at the
top. Click the topic you
want to view.

Using the Ask Me tab to perform a best-match search containing a phrase

4 | Chapter 1 Introduction
 Use the Index tab to find topics that contain keywords. As you type the word
you are looking for, the Help displays the best match. Top-level index entries
may contain one or more subentries. When you double-click the top-level
entries, the Help displays a dialog box that lists the topics you can choose
from.

Index entries display

a list of subentries.
Double-click the topic
you want to view.

Using the Index tab to find topics containing a keyword

Learning Autodesk Map 3D | 5

 Use the Search tab to look for topics that contain a particular word or phrase.
For the best results when using the Search feature to search for a phrase,
enclose the words you are looking for in quotation marks, for example, “cut
and fill.”

Double-click the topic

you want to view. The
phrase you searched for
is highlighted in the
topic.

Using the Search tab to find topics containing a phrase

Developer Documentation
Detailed information about how to customize Autodesk Map 3D is provided
in the ActiveX and AutoLISP® API help files. The help files include sample
code and step-by-step procedures. In addition, Autodesk Map 3D provides a
comprehensive developer’s guide, included with the ObjectARX® SDK. The
ObjectARX SDK is available free of charge from the Autodesk® web site.

6 | Chapter 1 Introduction
Sample Data Provided with the Program
To help make Autodesk Map 3D easy to learn and to get you started experi-
menting with its features, the product CD includes sample data and template
files.

Getting Started Guide Drawing Files

Chapter 3 of this Getting Started Guide consists of a number of mini-tutorials.
You can open sample files provided with the software and follow some
simple steps to learn more about Autodesk Map 3D concepts.
The sample files used in the Chapter 3 mini-tutorials are installed in a folder
called GettingStartedData in the My Documents folder for the current user. For
Windows XP users, the default is often C:\Documents and Settings\<your user-
name>\My Documents\GettingStartedData.
To locate the GettingStartedData folder under My Documents:
1 First, do one of the following:

■ If you are using Windows XP, double-click the My Documents icon on

your desktop.
■ If you are using Windows 2000, open the Start menu and then choose
Documents > My Documents.

2 In the Explorer window, right-click an empty area and choose Properties

from the shortcut menu.
3 In the Properties dialog box, note the path displayed in the target box.
This is the path to your My Documents folder. The GettingStartedData folder
will be located here.

Tutorial Drawing Files

You can use these drawing files with the tutorials which are accessible from
the Help menu.
After installation, the files are located in the MapTutData folder in your My
Documents folder.

Learning Autodesk Map 3D | 7

 Sheboygan Sample Data Set
The Sheboygan sample data set contains map data from the City of
Sheboygan, Wisconsin, in the United States. Sheboygan is a real city. The
sample data set includes some of their raster images, land use drawings,
parcel drawings, sewer data, soil drawings, GPS data, and more.
By viewing the sample data included in the Sheboygan data set, you can
develop ideas for your own maps. You can also use the Sheboygan data set to
experiment with Autodesk Map 3D before you create your own.
The Sheboygan sample data is located on the second Autodesk Map 3D CD
and can be copied from the CD onto your hard disk.

Sample Content Data

Autodesk Map 3D also provides several drawing files that contain content for
settings, styles, and organization of objects. You can use these files as a basis
for developing your own content.
After installation, the files are located in the same folder as the AutoCAD
templates. You can easily create a file from a template:
1 On the File menu, click New.
2 In the Select Template dialog box, select the template you want to use.

8 | Chapter 1 Introduction
User Interface Overview

Autodesk Map 3D user interface

1 Workspace, for managing data related to the current drawing, divided into two tabs: Work-
space, for managing data attached to the current drawing, and Display, for managing styles
and themes.

2 Mapping toolbars, for quick access to commonly used tools. You can customize the toolbars,
and hide the ones you’re not using.

3 Data View, for working with tabular data from attached databases.

User Interface Overview | 9

 Managing Maps and Data
In Autodesk Map 3D, you use the Workspace to access and manage multiple
maps or drawings at the same time by attaching source drawings to your
current drawing. Each drawing is a DWG file that contains the set of source
drawings that you have attached, their related settings and options, links to
external databases, and saved queries. Each time you open a drawing, the
linked set of any attached source drawings and data sets for that drawing is
available and ready for use.

Workspace
The Workspace consists of two tabs. The Workspace tab displays all the data
you need to work with: attached source drawings, queries, databases, feature
classes, and topologies, as well as the links you have set up between objects
in the attached drawings and records in the attached external databases. The
Display tab shows styles and themes that you can use to display your map
data.

Source drawings attached to

the current drawing

Queries

Feature classes

Database tables

Topologies
Link templates

The Workspace tab in the Workspace

10 | Chapter 1 Introduction
Menus
Map Menu
You use the Map menu to access most of the mapping commands, such as
importing, querying, coordinate conversion, feature classification, topology,
and so on.

The Map menu

Shortcut Menus
Autodesk Map 3D uses shortcut menus extensively. Shortcut menus appear
when you right-click an object in the drawing, a set of items, or an individual
item in the Workspace or Toolspace. These menus provide quick access to
common functions and commands.
Shortcut menus are customized for the object you click. For example, if you
right-click the Query node in the Workspace, you will see a menu of query-

User Interface Overview | 11

 related commands. If you right-click a selected image in your drawing, you
will see a menu of image-related commands.

The Current Query shortcut menu

Consistent Editing Methods

Object editing in Autodesk Map 3D is consistent, with all objects using the
same, or very similar, editing methods. There are several methods of editing
that you can use.
The most commonly use methods include the following:
■ Grips
■ Properties palette (for object data, topology data, and feature class data)

Grips
When you select an object in the drawing, grips appear on the object that
you can use to edit the object dynamically. Sometimes grip editing is the
most efficient way to edit an object.

Grips

Selected line showing grips

12 | Chapter 1 Introduction
Properties Palette
When you right-click an object in the drawing, and then click Properties, the
Properties palette is displayed. The Properties palette provides a quick way to
change certain properties, such as the layer on which the object is drawn.

Click a table
cell to edit the
value.

Editing properties in the Properties palette

User Interface Overview | 13

14
 2
Concepts

The sections in this chapter present the most important In this chapter
Autodesk Map™3D concepts. They should provide good ■ Working with multiple
drawings
preparation for working with the mini-tutorials in ■ Importing and exporting
■ Working with coordinate
Chapter 3. However, if you want to go directly to that
systems

chapter, you can also use this chapter to get background ■ Classifying data
■ Managing map display
information about Autodesk Map 3D concepts as you
■ Cleaning up drawing data
work through the exercises. ■ Working with topology
■ Storing attribute data: object
data
■ Storing attribute data:
external databases

15
Working with Multiple Drawings
In Autodesk Map 3D, you can work with several drawings at the same time
by attaching the drawings to the current drawing. The drawings attached to
the current drawing are called source drawings; collectively, they are called the
drawing set.
After attaching source drawings, you can define queries that retrieve a subset
of objects and related information from the source drawings for use in the
current drawing. By defining a subset of objects, you can also retrieve infor-
mation that is linked to objects and stored in external databases. You can
save and revise query definitions, edit them, and supplement them using
property alteration.
A query uses a set of criteria to search the active source drawings, select the
objects that match the criteria you specify, and place the retrieved objects in
the current drawing. You can use four types of criteria: location, property,
data, and SQL. You can also use combinations of these query types to create
compound queries.
A drawing set can include other drawings that in turn have attached draw-
ings. These nested drawings become part of the drawing set for the current
drawing. Autodesk Map 3D assigns the nested drawings the same status as
the top level drawing. You can deactivate a nested drawing if the top level
drawing is active. However, you cannot view or activate a nested drawing if
the top level drawing is not active.
You can also have more than one drawing open at the same time and switch
back and forth between them in a single Autodesk Map 3D session. When
you switch to an open drawing, that drawing becomes active, and the Work-
space displays information about the drawing.

16 | Chapter 2 Concepts
 The current drawing is CitySewers.dwg.

Two source drawings are attached to

the current drawing.

The Workspace lists the attached source drawings.

By right-clicking the Current Query node, you can
define a query that will retrieve data from the sourc
drawings and place it in the current drawing.

After executing the query, data

from both source drawings is
now in the current drawing.

Combining data from multiple drawing files

Working with Multiple Drawings | 17

Importing and Exporting
Using the Import/Export feature in Autodesk Map 3D, which has enhanced
data translation ability, you can exchange data with colleagues and
customers freely.
You can combine data from other mapping or GIS programs by first
importing it into a new or existing Autodesk Map 3D file. You can import not
only the objects themselves, but also data and display options associated
with the objects. In addition, Autodesk Map 3D can automatically perform a
coordinate conversion on the objects as they are imported or assign them to
existing feature classes.
You can import data from other file formats, such as ArcView® Shape File
(often referred to as an ESRI ShapeFile), ArcInfo® Coverages and E00,
MapInfo® MIF/MID™ and TAB™, MicroStation® DGN™ , GML (Geography
Markup Language), SDTS (Spatial Data Transfer Standard), and VPF (Vector
Product Format). You can also import and export ASCII files and Autodesk
MapGuide® SDF files.
After working with the data, you can maintain it in Autodesk Map 3D, or you
can export it to an external file format.
As with the import function, when exporting data, you can export data asso-
ciated with objects and perform coordinate conversions.
You can also use command scripts to import or export a series of files. Refer
to “Slides and Command Scripts” in the online AutoCAD® Customization
Guide for information about creating and running command scripts.

18 | Chapter 2 Concepts
 The format and file you want to import
are selected.

You can specify various options

for the import process.

After the import process, the

imported data is displayed in
the drawing window with your
existing data.

Importing data from other file formats

Importing and Exporting | 19

Working with Coordinate Systems
Most maps use some form of coordinate system to represent the curvature of
the Earth’s surface on a flat plane. Each coordinate system uses a different
mathematical model to calculate this representation. You can use Autodesk
Map 3D functionality to combine data from source drawings that use
different coordinate systems.
In Autodesk Map 3D, you assign a global coordinate system for your current
drawing and for the attached source drawings. A code identifies the global
coordinate system. For example, if you created a map using Universal Trans-
verse Mercator, with NAD 27 datum, Zone 22, Meter, you assign the code
UTM27-22 to the drawing. The global coordinate system code and definition
are stored in the drawing file. This allows you to share the drawing with
anyone using Autodesk Map 3D or later and be sure that they are using the
correct coordinate system when working with the drawing. After you have
assigned a global coordinate system, that coordinate system is used whenever
you work with that drawing.
When you retrieve objects from source drawings, Autodesk Map 3D automat-
ically converts them from the source drawing’s global coordinate system to
the global coordinate system of the current drawing. This operation is called
coordinate transformation. When you save objects back to source drawings,
Autodesk Map 3D reverses the conversion.

20 | Chapter 2 Concepts
 You select the source drawings, and
specify the coordinate system.

By applying the same coordinate

system to the current drawing and
the attached drawings, you ensure
that the data you query from the
source drawings will be displayed
in the proper location in the
current drawing.

Combining data with different coordinate systems

Working with Coordinate Systems | 21

Classifying Data
In Autodesk Map 3D, you use feature classification to organize objects in
your drawing based on the real-world features that they represent, for
example, roads or manholes. When you create an object using feature classi-
fication, the object automatically has properties and values assigned to it
based on its feature classification.
In addition to creating objects that automatically meet your standards, using
feature classification can ensure that the objects remain within the
constraints for the feature class. When you include a property in the feature
class definition, you specify a set of allowable values for the property. When
you select a classified object (or feature) in your drawing and edit the values
for a property included in the feature class definition, you can enter only
values that are within the range you’ve specified for this feature.
You can create a hierarchy of feature classes. When you base a new feature
class on an existing feature class, the new feature class has all the properties
of the base class. You cannot change these base properties, but you can
modify the values of the base properties, and you can include additional
properties.

22 | Chapter 2 Concepts
 Features classes are defined in the drawing, and then
objects are assigned to the feature classes.

The feature class specifies what properties each object

must have.

Any object data associated with the feature class is

automatically attached to all objects in the feature class.

Assigning objects to feature classes

Classifying Data | 23
Managing Map Display
Use the Display Manager to stylize—that is, apply custom display styles to—
selected objects in your drawing.
You first select the objects you want to stylize, and then apply one or more
styles to the selected objects, for example, making the lake boundaries blue
or making the roads black with a dotted yellow line and some annotation.
The resulting map is referred to as a display map
In addition to stylizing objects, you can change the display order and specify
different styles for different view scales. You can also create a theme, which
varies the stylization based on a specific property of the objects, for example,
making the lines a darker blue depending on the depth of the lake or making
linewidths wider for larger roads.
Your stylizations appear immediately in your display map, letting you tweak
them to make them just right.
You can select different groups of objects and apply a different style to each
as you build up your display map. In your display map, you may have twenty
or thirty elements, each of them with a different style, and some of them
with a theme instead of a style.
The stylizations you make to the display map do not affect the actual objects
in your drawing, and you can turn the stylizations on and off.

24 | Chapter 2 Concepts
 Elements, such as Annotation, etc., are collections of objects.
You can turn off elements that you want to hide.

Use themes to vary the stylization based on some attribute

of the objects. For the element Mains, the line is thinner and
lighter in color for smaller pipes, and thicker and darker for
larger pipes.

Use styles to change the display of elements.

Creating custom display maps by applying styles and themes

Managing Map Display | 25

Cleaning Up Drawing Data
You might need to clean up data that has been digitized, imported from other
file formats, or derived from inaccurately drawn maps. Sometimes drawings
contain inaccuracies resulting from surveying, digitizing, or scanning errors.
For example, parcel boundaries may not align correctly, or common bound-
aries may be unnecessarily duplicated, or highway junctions might not meet
or might extend beyond the correct alignment.
Autodesk Map 3D provides several tools for turning digitized or inaccurately
drawn data into complete data suitable for mapping and topology purposes.
You can also use these cleanup tools to remove unnecessary detail from your
drawings or to make adjacent drawings align correctly.
When you clean up a drawing, you select the objects that you want to
include in the cleanup process. You can also select the objects you want to
anchor. Anchored objects are used as reference points and are not altered
during the cleanup process; their geometry and coordinates are fixed and
objects being cleaned up are moved towards them.
After selecting the objects, you specify a number of settings that control how
the objects are cleaned up, and what happens to the objects after the
cleaning process is finished. In addition, after you have specified the settings
you want for drawing cleanup, you can save those settings in a profile and
use them again later. This can save time if you plan to use the same settings
more than once. Profiles are also useful when you automate the drawing
cleanup process with scripts or share settings with other users.

26 | Chapter 2 Concepts
 These dangling links are the
result of inaccuracies in the data
capture process. They need to be
removed.

During the cleanup process, you specify

the kinds of errors that you want to correct
and the actions you want to perform.

After the cleanup process is

complete, the dangling
links are removed.

Removing inaccuracies from drawing data

Cleaning Up Drawing Data | 27

Working with Topology
Topology, which describes how nodes, links (lines), and polygons connect
and relate to each other, forms the basis for advanced GIS functions, such as
network tracing and spatial analysis.
In Autodesk Map 3D, you can use a map-based topology to create, modify,
and query topology in a drawing. Tools are available to detect errors in the
topology, to correct these errors, and then to re-create a topology.
You can create three types of topologies: node, network, and polygon, and
use these topologies to perform spatial analysis, including network tracing
(shortest-path routing between two points, best route analysis between two
or more points, and flood tracing), polygon overlay, and polygon buffer
generation. You can also determine conditions of adjacency (what is next to
what), containment (what is enclosed by what), and proximity (how close
something is to something else).
Topology information is stored as object data on each element that makes up
the topology.
Autodesk Map 3D does not support topology data that spans several drawing
files (such as tiled drawings) unless the necessary geometry is combined in
the current drawing. You can create such a topology by retrieving the
required geometry from attached drawings and creating the topology in the
current drawing.

28 | Chapter 2 Concepts
 After you create the topology,
topology information is stored as
object data on each link.

You can use the topology information

to analyze your data. For example,
you can perform a network analysis to
trace the shortest path between two
points, such as your office and
another location.

The shortest path between two

points is traced in blue.

Using topology analysis to find the shortest path between two points

Working with Topology | 29

Storing Attribute Data: Object Data
In Autodesk Map 3D, you can store user-defined attribute data in the drawing
with the objects. This user-defined data can consist of information such as
property values, installation dates, flow direction, soil type, and so on. When
stored in the drawing, attribute data is called object data.
Using object data, you can create a simple database in a drawing and store
text and numeric data in your drawings attached directly to any object.
When you define an object data table, you specify what fields it should have
and what type of information each field will contain. You can even specify a
default value for each field. You can create multiple object data tables in a
single drawing. For example, you can create one table with pipe flow infor-
mation and another table with inspection information.
After you define an object data table, you can associate it with one or more
objects. When you attach object data to an object, Autodesk Map 3D creates
a new record for the selected table and attaches the record to the object. You
can use the default values or enter new values for the object. You can create
more than one record for each object, and you can attach records from more
than one table to an object.
Using object data, you can use your drawings for decision making and anal-
ysis. You can define queries to retrieve objects based on their object data
values, for example, retrieving all properties with an assessed value greater
than $100,000, or all pipes installed before 1993. Object data can associate
an object with documents from other applications. For example, a parcel
number can be linked to land record documents, tax assessments, scanned
images, pictures, or video clips. You can select an object and then view the
attached documents.

30 | Chapter 2 Concepts
 Attribute data is attached directly to
the object in the drawing.

You can define queries using object data to

retrieve specific objects, such as all links
that are part of “N. 7th St.”

Attribute data stored in the drawing as object data

Storing Attribute Data: Object Data | 31

Storing Attribute Data: External Databases
When you have attribute data related to objects in your drawing, using
Autodesk Map 3D, you can store this information in an external database
table and link the data in the table to objects in your drawing. Then, you can
view and query the data, display it in the drawing, or find objects based on
the data linked to them.
For example, if you have a Microsoft Access database containing property
parcel information and a drawing that shows parcel boundaries, you can link
a specific parcel in the drawing to the record in the database that contains
ownership, zoning, and land value information for that parcel.
Because of the way Autodesk Map 3D connects to the data, you can work
with an external database table without using the database application itself.
You do not even have to have the database software installed on your
computer.
When you attach a data source to a drawing, the data source is listed in the
Workspace in the same way an attached drawing is listed. When a data source
is attached, the attachment is saved with the current drawing. Whenever you
open that drawing again, the attached data source is displayed.
After creating links to the data source, you can use the Data View to select,
highlight, view, and edit records in the database table. Saving the current
drawing saves the connection to the external databases.

32 | Chapter 2 Concepts
 After attaching a data source to your drawing,
you create links between objects in the drawing
and records in the database table.

Database table

When you select a record in

the table, the linked object
is highlighted in the draw-
ing.

Linking database records to drawing objects

Storing Attribute Data: External Databases | 33

34
 3
Mini-Tutorials

You can work through the exercises in this chapter using In this chapter
the sample data provided with Autodesk Map™ 3D. Each ■ Attaching a drawing
■ Assigning a coordinate
“mini” tutorial covers a single task. You can also use these system
■ Querying objects from an
exercises to find out how to do common tasks, such as
attached drawing

querying objects from attached drawings. ■ Inserting a raster image

■ Creating a display map
As you go though these tutorials, use the default values ■ Creating a theme
■ Importing data from a file
unless otherwise specified. Where they are provided, the
■ Cleaning up data
illustrations show you what values to enter or what your

screen should look like at that step.

35
Attaching a Drawing
In this exercise, you start Autodesk Map 3D and create a drawing set by
attaching source drawings to the current drawing.
You use the current drawing for the next few tutorials.

To attach source drawings to the current drawing

1 Start Autodesk Map 3D.

2 Right-click Drawings in the Workspace,

and choose Attach.

The Select Drawings To Attach dialog

box is displayed.

3 In the Select Drawings To Attach dialog

box, navigate to your
GettingStartedData folder, click
SerwerAreas, and then click Add.

Repeat this step to add

SewerSystemMap.

Click OK.

The drawings you attached are now

listed under the Drawings node in the
Workspace.

36 | Chapter 3 Mini-Tutorials
Assigning a Coordinate System
In this exercise, you assign the same coordinate system used in the attached
drawings to the current drawing.
Continue from the previous tutorial.

To assign a coordinate system

1 From the Map menu, choose Tools ➤

Assign Global Coordinate System.

2 In the Assign Global Coordinate

System dialog box, under Curent
Drawing, click Select Coordinate
System.

3 In the Select Global Coordinate

System dialog box, from the Category
list, select USA, Wisconsin.

Under Coordinate Systems in

Category, select Wisconsin County
Systems: Sheboygan County, US Foot,
and then click OK.

The Current Drawing area of the

Assign Global Coordinate System
dialog box displays the coordinate
system you selected.

Assigning a Coordinate System | 37

 To assign a coordinate system (continued)

4 In the Assign Global Coordinate

System dialog box, click OK.

The coordinate system you selected

has been assigned to the current
drawing.

38 | Chapter 3 Mini-Tutorials
Querying Objects from an Attached Drawing
In this exercise, you define a query to retrieve objects from the attached
source drawings. Using queries, you can bring objects from multiple source
drawings into your current drawing to work with them, and then save the
changes back to the source drawings.
Continue from the previous tutorial.

To query objects from source drawings

1 Right-click Current Query in the

Workspace, and choose Define.

The Define Query dialog box opens.

2 In the Define Query dialog box, click

Location.

In the Location Condition dialog box,

under Boundary Type, click All, and
then click OK.

The Location:ALL condition appears in

the Current Query list.

3 In the Define Query dialog box, under

Query Mode, click Draw.

Under Options, click Zoom Ext.

Querying Objects from an Attached Drawing | 39

 To query objects from source drawings (continued)

4 In the Zoom Drawing Extents dialog

box, verify that both drawings are
selected, and click OK.

5 In the Define Query dialog box, click

Execute Query.

The queried objects appear in the

drawing window.

40 | Chapter 3 Mini-Tutorials
Inserting a Raster Image
In this exercise, you’ll insert a raster image and display it behind your
drawing data.
Continue from the previous tutorial.

To insert a raster image

1 From the View menu, choose Zoom ➤

Window. Draw a window around the
area shown in the illustration to zoom
in to it.

2 From the Map menu, choose Image

➤ Insert.

The Image Insert dialog box opens.

Inserting a Raster Image | 41

 To insert a raster image (continued)

3 In the Image Insert dialog box,

navigate to your GettingStartedData
folder, and select 152323se.tif.

Clear the Show Frame(s) Only and

Modify Correlation check boxes, and
then click Open.

The raster image appears on top of

the drawing data, in the correct
location.

4 Select the raster image by clicking its

frame.

From the Tools menu, choose Draw

Order ➤ Send To Back.

The raster image appears behind the

drawing data, as shown in the
illustration.

You can zoom in to the raster image

to get a better view.

5 Close the drawing file without saving.

42 | Chapter 3 Mini-Tutorials
Creating a Display Map
If you have a large drawing, you can create a display map with custom views
of your drawing and easily switch between the views.

To create a display map

1 Choose File ➤ Open, navigate to your

GettingStartedData folder, select
City.dwg, and then click Open.

2 In the Workspace, click the Display

tab. This tab lists all the items you
have included in your display map.

On the Display tab, click to turn

on the Display Manager.

Notice that when you turn on the

Display Manager, the drawing area
updates to show the stylizations for
the display map. When the Display
Manager is off, these stylizations are
turned off.

3 The stylization for Centerlines is too

big. We want to make the roadway
narrower.

You modify a style using the

Properties palette. If the Properties
palette is not displayed, choose
Modify > Properties.

Creating a Display Map | 43

 To create a display map (continued)

4 On the Display tab of the Properties

palette, click Roadway. Notice that the
settings for the Roadway style appear
in the Properties palette.

The current lineweight is 0.60.

Change this to 0.40.

5 Click to update the drawing.

44 | Chapter 3 Mini-Tutorials
Creating a Theme
For the water pipes, we want to change the color and lineweight based on the
diameter of the pipe. This is called a theme.
Continue from the previous tutorial.

To create a theme

1 To make it easier to find items in the

Display Manager, you’ll compress the
Transportation group and open the
Water group.

On the Display tab, click the arrow

next to Transportation so it points
right. Click the arrow next to Water so
it points down, displaying all the
elements in the Water group.

2 On the Display tab, right-click

WATER_MAIN and choose Add Style
➤ Theme.

3 Next, choose the data to use for the

theme.

In Thematic Wizard – Step 1 of 3

dialog box, click Ranges of Numeric
Values.

In the bottom box, click the

underlined word “values”.

In the Ranges of Values dialog box,

next to Obtain From, click [...]. In the
Choose Data Expression dialog box,
under Object Data, choose WATER
then DIAMETER and click OK.

In the Ranges of Values dialog box,

click Read Data.

Click Find Ranges, and then click OK.

Click Next to go to the next step of

the Thematic Wizard.

Creating a Theme | 45
 To create a theme (continued)

4 Specify how to show the data. You are

going to make the linewidth wider for
wider pipes and change the color.

In Thematic Wizard – Step 2 of 3,

select the Alter Object Color and Alter
Object Lineweight check boxes.

Click Next.

5 Specify the styles for your theme.

In the table, click Color. Click Ramp

and choose Hydro. A ramp is a
predefined sequence of styles, such as
colors that go from light blue to dark
blue.

No ramps are predefined for

lineweight, so you’ll need to select
each lineweight and change it. Click
the top lineweight and change it to
0.30. Change the others to 0.40,
0.50, and 0.60.

Click Finish and then click .

6 To make it easier to see the pipes,

you’ll hide all the objects in the
Transportation group.

On the Display tab, clear the check

box next to Transportation.

When you are finished, close the

drawing file. If you want to save the
drawing for furture reference, save it
with a diferent name.

46 | Chapter 3 Mini-Tutorials
Importing Data from a File
In this exercise, you import data from a different file format into a drawing.

To import data

1 Choose File ➤ Open, navigate to your

GettingStartedData folder, select
SewerAreas.dwg, and then click Open.

2 From the Map menu, choose Tools ➤

Import.

In the Import Location dialog box,

from the Files of Type list, select ESRI
Shape (*.shp).

Navigate to your GettingStartedData

folder, select soils53.shp, and then
click OK.

3 In the Import dialog box, under

Spatial Filter, click the button next to
the Define Window option.

Click the upper right corner of the

large red square in the drawing
window, and then click the lower left
corner. The Import dialog box is
displayed again with the Define
Window option selected.

Select Import Polygons As Closed

Polylines.

Click OK.

Importing Data from a File | 47

 To import data (continued)

4 The data is added on a new layer

called soils53 and is displayed in the
drawing window.

5 Close the drawing file. If you want to

save the drawing for future reference,
save it with a different name.

48 | Chapter 3 Mini-Tutorials
Cleaning Up Data
In this exercise, you clean up errors in a drawing.

To clean data

1 Choose File ➤ Open, navigate to your

GettingStartedData folder, select
Centerlines_cleanup.dwg, and then
click Open.

You can see a number of dangling

links in the red circles.

2 From the Map menu, choose Tools ➤

Drawing Cleanup.

3 In the Drawing Cleanup dialog box,

on the Select Objects page, click
Select All.

Click the button next to the Layers

box.

In the Select Layers dialog box,

choose CL-STATIONING, and then
click Select.

Click Next to select the kind of

cleanup actions you want to perform.

Cleaning Up Data | 49
 To clean data (continued)

4 On the Cleanup Actions page, in the

Cleanup Actions list, select Erase
Dangling Objects, and then click Add.

Under Cleanup Parameters, set the

Tolerance to 200.

Click Next.

5 On the Cleanup Methods page, under

Cleanup Methods, make sure Modify
Original Objects is selected.

Click Finish.

6 The drawing has been cleaned, and all

objects shorter than the specified
tolerance have been deleted.

50 | Chapter 3 Mini-Tutorials
Glossary

This glossary contains definitions for mapping terms. If the term you are
looking for is not here, you may find it in the online glossary of drawing terms.
ADE query See Map query.
API Application Programming Interface.
aspect ratio The ratio of the width of a raster image to its height.
attribute data Text data that describes the characteristics of map objects. Attribute data
is stored in tables and databases, which are linked to selected drawing objects. Compare
with spatial data, block attribute, and data element. See also external data and
object data.
ASE (AutoCAD® SQL Environment) In previous versions of Autodesk Map™, provided
links to data in external database management systems. These links are now handled
using data source connections.
azimuth The angle between a base line radiating from a center point and another line
radiating from the same point. Normally the base line points north, and measurements
are made clockwise from the base line.
block attribute Text associated with a block object.
Boolean operator The logical operators used to join conditions in a query or expres-
sion, named for the logic algebra devised by nineteenth-century mathematician George
Boole. See also intersection and union.
buffer A zone drawn around a topology with a specified offset.
buffer fence A fence, or line, at a specified distance from a center line. Used to define a
selection boundary.
Cartesian coordinate system A coordinate system defined using three perpendicular
axes (X, Y, and Z) to specify locations in three-dimensional space. Compare with spherical
coordinate system.
cartographic coordinate system A coordinate system that is referenced directly to an
ellipsoid. Compare with geodetic coordinate system.
catalog For some SQL database systems, the alias for the path that contains
subdirectories for database files. See also schema.
cell The specific data value in the box where a row and a column in a database table
intersect. See also table.
centroid A point or block that is part of a polygon in a topology. The centroid holds
information about the polygon’s area and perimeter.

51
 cleanup The process of using Map editing tools to remove errors and unnecessary data
from digitized, scanned, or imported maps before the data is used to create topology.
Cleanup is also useful before creating thematic maps.
color depth The amount of information stored with each pixel of a raster image to
define its color.
column A specific category of information in a table, such as Address or Diameter, also
called a field. In a grid, columns are displayed vertically. See also table.
conformal projection, conformality Conformal projections maintain local angles. A
map projection is conformal when the scale is the same in every direction at any point.
Meridians and parallels intersect at right angles; the shape of small areas and angles with
very short sides are preserved. Most larger area sizes are distorted.
conic projection A map projection in which the earth’s surface is drawn as it would
appear if projected on a cone wrapped around the earth. The Lambert Conformal Conic
is often used for maps of the continental United States, France, and other countries.
continuous data Data that can fall anywhere in a broad range. For thematic maps,
continuous data is usually organized into smaller ranges that show data trends. For
example, property value is continuous data that can be placed into the ranges 0 to
$50,000, $50,000 to $100,000, and over $100,000, with each range displayed in a differ-
ent color. Compare with discrete data.
control points Locations with established latitude and longitude, and often elevation,
used for accuracy and precise location of maps. A system of geodetic control points cov-
ers the entire United States. Similar systems exist for all countries, such as Bench Marks
and Trigonometry Points in the United Kingdom. See also monuments.
coordinate system See global coordinate system.
cylindrical projection A map projection, in which the earth’s surface is drawn as it
would appear if projected on a cylinder wrapped around the earth in a north-south
direction. Compare with transverse cylindrical projection. See also Mercator projection
and conic projection.
dangle A link or line, one end of which lacks a connection to another link or node. See
also cleanup.
data element Information in an external file format, such as DGN, MIF, or SHP, which
provides additional textual information about features. See also attribute data.
data file A set of data records (or table rows). Same as table.
data source A UDL (universal data link) file that points to a collection of data and pro-
vides information on how to access the data.
data type The type of data that a field in a table can contain, such as text, date, Bool-
ean, or long integer. The data type determines the type and range of values that can be
entered in the field, the amount of storage space available, and the amount of space allo-
cated in the database to store the data. You specify the data type when you create the
field in the table.
database A table or a set of tables containing data related to a particular subject or pur-
pose that is organized so that its contents can easily be accessed, managed, and updated.
database connection Provides links to data in external database management systems
such as Access, dBASE, and Oracle.

52 | Glossary
database driver The communication link between Autodesk Map and a database
management system. Typically, this is an OLE DB driver provided by the database ven-
dor.
Database Management System (DBMS) A computer-based system or application
software used to create and maintain a database, for example, Access, dBASE, or Oracle.
database query A set of conditions for specifying the selection of records from a data-
base. External database queries, also called joins and views, are created using your data-
base software and can be run from the Workspace. When you run a database query and
view the results in the Data View, the data is not editable. Use a Data View SQL filter to
limit the records displayed in the Data View, while still being able to edit the data. See
also Map query.
datum A mathematical model that provides a smooth approximation of the earth’s
surface. Each datum includes both an ellipsoid, which specifies the size and shape of
the earth, and a base point for latitude and longitude. If two maps use different datums,
points on the map may not line up. Also called a geodetic coordinate system.
digitize To convert existing data from paper maps, aerial photos, or raster images into
digital form by tracing the maps on a digitizer. Object locations are recorded as X,Y coor-
dinates.
discrete data Data that falls into explicit categories. For thematic maps, each value is
displayed differently. For example, an agricultural thematic map might show each crop
in a different color. Compare with continuous data.
display information A description of the appearance of a drawing object: includes
color, hatch pattern, line type, and so on.
dither To use a pattern of solid dots to simulate more colors than are actually available
when displaying images.
dot variable Variable that refers to an object property. It consists of a period (.) fol-
lowed by the variable name for that property. Dot variables can be entered in expres-
sions used for building a template file for Report mode queries and for property alter-
ation. See also query and expression.
drawing cleanup The process of removing errors or unnecessary data from a digitized,
scanned, or imported map. See cleanup.
drawing set The set of drawings attached to the current drawing.
edge matching A map cleanup function that allows for distortion between adjacent
maps, and produces a true match of objects at the edges of maps.
element (Oracle Spatial database) The basic building block of an Oracle Spatial
geometry. The supported spatial element types are points, line strings, and polygons.
For example, elements might model water wells (point clusters), roads (line strings), and
county boundaries (polygons).
ellipsoid An approximation of the earth’s shape that does not account for variations
caused by the nonuniform density of the earth. Synonymous with spheroid. See also
geoid.
environment An SQL environment contains the Database Management System
(DBMS), the databases it can access, and the users and programs that can access those
databases.

Glossary | 53
 equal area A map projection in which every part, as well as the whole, has the same
area as the corresponding part on the earth, at the same reduced scale. No flat map can
be equal area and represent true shape.
Equator The line of latitude drawn around the middle of the earth equidistant from
the North and South Poles, used as the origin for latitude measurements.
equidistant projections Projections showing true distances only from the center of
the projection or along a special set of lines. No flat map can be both equidistant and
equal area.
expression The statement you enter in the Expression box in the Output Report
Options dialog box or the Property Alteration dialog box. The expression directs
Autodesk Map in performing operations on queried objects.
expression evaluator The mechanism that analyzes the statement you enter in the
Expression box in the Output Report Options dialog box or the Property Alteration dia-
log box.
extents The smallest rectangle that contains all objects in a map, that is, the outermost
boundaries of the map.
external data Attribute data linked to a drawing object but contained in a database
apart from the drawing file. See also attribute data and object data.
features, geographic features Natural and man-made objects represented by points,
lines, and areas on a map.
field A specific category of information in a data file, such as Address or Diameter. Also
called a column. See also record and table.
field data type The format of data stored in a field, such as character or numeric.
field value The value of a specific field for a specific record. See also field and record.
filtered record A record that matches the conditions of an SQL filter or spatial filter
and is therefore available for selection.
geodetic coordinate system A coordinate system that is referenced directly to a
datum. Compare with cartographic coordinate system.
geographic analysis Analytical techniques that identify existing conditions of a geo-
graphic location, a spatial area, or a linear network, as well as predict the effects of cer-
tain future events on these features.
geographic data Information about geographic features. See features.
geoid An ellipsoid with a highly irregular surface used to describe the shape of the
earth. See also ellipsoid.
geometry (Oracle Spatial database) The representation of a spatial feature, modeled
as an ordered set of primitive elements.
geometry mapping The process of transforming the geometry elements of Autodesk
Map objects to Oracle Spatial geometry, and transforming the geometry elements of the
records back to Autodesk Map objects.
GIS (Geographic Information System) A computerized decision support system that
integrates geographic data, attribute data, and other spatially referenced data. A GIS is
used to capture, store, retrieve, analyze, and display spatial data.

54 | Glossary
global coordinate system A method that converts the earth’s spherical coordinates
representing latitude and longitude into an Autodesk Map drawing’s Cartesian coordi-
nate system, and accounts for the curvature of the earth’s surface with a projection. A
coordinate system is usually defined by a projection, an ellipsoid definition, a datum
definition, one or more standard parallels, and a central meridian.
hatch A regular pattern used to fill an area with a series of cross-angled lines.
intersection (expression) Two or more conditions joined with the logical operator
And. An item is selected only if the item meets all specified conditions. Compare with
union.
intersection (geometry) The location where one line, surface, or solid crosses another
so as to have one or more points in common.
join To link two or more tables in a relational database on the basis of a common item
or field. You create joins using your Database Management System (DBMS). You can
run joins from the Autodesk Map Workspace.
key column One or more columns in a table whose values are used to uniquely iden-
tify a record. To provide useful links, a key column should contain a unique value for
each record. Also called a key field.
key value A value stored on an object that specifies that value to match in the key
field of a table.
latitude The first part of a spherical coordinate system used to record positions on the
earth’s surface. Latitude indicates the angular distance north or south of the equator. See
also longitude.
legend A key to or an explanation of the symbols in a map, and their meaning or val-
ues.
link (geometry) An element of geometry that connects nodes. In a polygon topol-
ogy, a link defines a polygon edge. Links can contain vertices and true arcs, and can be
represented as a line, polyline, or arc. See also node.
link (external databases) The connection between a drawing object and its related
database data. The link data is stored on the linked drawing object and contains the
name of the link template and the key value used to identify the associated record in
the linked table. An object may have more than one link.
link template A data structure that contains the path information to a database table
and specifies one or more key fields in that table.
lock To make all or part of a disk file read-only so that it cannot be modified by other
users on a network. Object locking applies to objects that are being edited by another
user. File locking applies to entire files, for example when an AutoCAD user wants to
open a file while the file is in Autodesk Map editing mode.
logical operator A symbol such as And, Or, Not, =, >, >=, <, and <= used to define log-
ical relationships. See also intersection, union, query, and Boolean.
longitude The second part of a spherical coordinate system used to record positions
on the earth’s surface. Longitude measures angular distance east or west of the prime
meridian, which runs through Greenwich, England. See also latitude.

Glossary | 55
 map An abstract representation of the physical features of a portion of the earth’s sur-
face graphically displayed on a planar surface. Maps display signs, symbols, and spatial
relationships among the features. They typically emphasize, generalize, and omit certain
features from the display to meet design objectives. For example, railroad features might
be included in a transportation map but excluded from a highway map.
map cleanup The process of removing errors or unnecessary data from a digitized,
scanned, or imported map. See also cleanup.
map projection A systematic representation of a spherical body, such as the earth, in
a flat (planar) surface. Each map projection has specific properties that make it suitable
for specific mapping needs.
Map query A set of conditions that specify the selection of drawing objects from
source drawings. Conditions in a Map query can be based on the location or properties
of an object or on data stored in the drawing or in a linked database table. See also topol-
ogy query and database query.
MDI (Multiple Document Interface) The ability to have more than one window
open in an application. In Autodesk Map, you can have multiple drawings open at one
time. To switch between drawings, click the Window menu and choose the drawing you
want. The Workspace displays information for the current drawing.
Mercator projection A map projection, designed by Gerhardus Mercator, in which
the earth’s surface is drawn as it would appear if projected on a cylinder wrapped around
the earth. See also cylindrical projection.
meridian A great circle passing through both poles, corresponding to a line of
longitude.
metadata Additional descriptive information about data, such as the data source,
extents, and degree of accuracy.
monuments Features with known coordinates, used to establish accurate and precise
location on a map. See also control points.
network topology A description of the spatial relationship between linear geographic
features (links and, sometimes, nodes). For example, a network topology can represent
pipelines, streets, electrical transmission lines, and rivers.
node A single point or a link end point or intersection in a topology. A node can be
represented as a block or point object.
node topology A description of the spatial relationship between geographic point fea-
tures. Examples of node topologies include point sources of pollution and road signs.
normalizing In thematic mapping, the scaling of data values relative to another data
value. A common example is adjusting the thematic value based on the area, length, or
perimeter of the entity.
object data Attribute data attached to an object and stored in the drawing file. Com-
pare with external data.
ODBC Open Database Connectivity, a standard API (Application Programming Inter-
face) used to communicate with Database Management Systems (ODBC), developed
by Microsoft.
pan To move the active view up, down, or sideways to display areas in the map that,
at the current viewing scale, lie outside the window.

56 | Glossary
parallel A degree of latitude that circles the earth parallel to the Equator.
plot template block An AutoCAD block that contains plotting information such as
title page text, plot layouts, legend, and other map annotations.
polygon A set of geometric links that form an enclosed area in a topology. Polygons
contain a centroid.
polygon topology A description of the spatial relationship between geographic area
features. Polygon topologies contain geometric links, nodes, and centroids. Examples of
polygon topologies are land use and land cover maps, political boundaries, parcels, and
soil types.
prime meridian The line of longitude drawn through Greenwich, England, used as
the origin for longitude measurements.
Workspace Autodesk Map window that displays files and definitions available in the
current drawing. The Workspace contains two tabs: Workspace and Display. The Work-
space tab displays attached source drawings, databases, queries, and link templates. The
Display tab displays available themes and enables you to create new ones. You can resize
the Workspace window and place it where you want.
property alteration definition The definition of properties you want to change dur-
ing a query.
pseudo node An unnecessary node in a geometric link. A pseudo node can be used to
store information about geographic point location or to represent change from one link
to another. See also cleanup.
purge To remove all unused object definitions from an open drawing.
query A set of criteria for specifying the selection of objects or records. Autodesk Map
supports many types of queries. See Map query, topology query, database query, and
thematic query.
Query Library The set of queries saved in a drawing. You can add, delete, and modify
queries in the Query Library.
ramp A sequence of display properties used to render a thematic map; for example, a
sequence of colors, linestyles, or hatch patterns.
range of values In thematic mapping, a segment of data along a continuum, such as
property value, temperature, or population.
raster Images containing individual dots (called pixels or cells) with color values,
arranged in a rectangular, evenly spaced array. Aerial photographs and satellite images
are examples of raster images used in mapping. Compare with vector.
record In a data file, a uniformly structured set of data items, or field values. Also
called a row. See also table.
registration The preparation of a map for digitizing by calibrating a digitizing table to
convert an analog source to a digital file. See digitize.
render, rendering The process of taking an Oracle Spatial record and representing it
as an Autodesk Map object with display properties.
resolution In a raster image, the density of pixels-per-inch (ppi) or dots-per-inch.

Glossary | 57
 row A set of data in a table, also called a record. In a grid, rows are displayed horizon-
tally. See also table.
rubber sheeting An editing method, used only when necessary, that attempts to cor-
rect errors by stretching a map to fit known control points or monuments.
save set Objects that have been created or modified in the current drawing and are
marked to be saved back to source drawings.
SDF (Spatial Data File) The proprietary Autodesk MapGuide file format that contains
the spatial data (such as roads, cities, and countries) used in maps. When you view a map
in Autodesk MapGuide Author or the Autodesk MapGuide Viewer, requests are sent to
Autodesk MapGuide Server, which reads the SDF and sends the correct map data back to
the client for display. Note that if a map layer contains points or text, the data may come
from an SQL database instead of an SDF.
scale The ratio of the distance on a paper map to the distance on the ground. If a paper
map has a scale of 1:100,000 (also represented as 1/100000), then a distance of 1 unit on
the paper map corresponds to 100,000 units on the ground. On a digital map, scale rep-
resents the scale of the map from which the digital map was derived.
schema For some SQL database systems, a schema contains the actual database tables.
Each schema includes tables related to a particular subject or purpose. See also table.
service An Oracle database.
simplify linear objects A map cleanup function that reduces the number of vertices
on a line to reduce unnecessary complexity. Typically used with digitized data. Also
known as weeding or generalizing. See also cleanup.
source drawing A drawing file attached to the current drawing. The set of all source
drawings attached to the current drawing is called the drawing set. Use a Map query to
retrieve selected objects from multiple source drawings.
spatial A generic term used to reference the mathematical concept of n-dimensional
data.
spatial analysis The process of understanding, extracting, or creating information
about a set of geographic features. Spatial analysis includes techniques used to deter-
mine the distribution of a feature, or features, over a network or area, and the relation-
ships between those features. The location of, proximity to, and orientation of objects
can be analyzed with spatial analysis. It is useful for evaluating suitability and capability,
for estimating and predicting, and for interpreting.
spatial data Information about the location and shape of geographic features, and the
relationships between those features. See also features.
spatial database A database containing information indexed by location.
spatial filter A selection of objects in the drawing that specify which records to display
in the active table or query. When a spatial filter is active, the Data View displays only
those records linked to selected objects. Compare with SQL filter.
spatial index An index created in an Oracle Spatial database by dividing the extents
of the drawings in the database into rectangular tiles. Autodesk Map uses the index to
locate the geometry to be imported.
spherical coordinate system A coordinate system measured on the surface of a sphere
and expressed as angular distances. Compare with Cartesian coordinate system.

58 | Glossary
spheroid See ellipsoid.
SQL Structured Query Language. A language designed to standardize communication
with databases.
SQL filter A series of SQL expressions that specify which records to select in the active
table or query. When an SQL filter is active, the Data View displays only those records
that match the filter criteria. Compare with spatial filter.
superuser A user who controls user IDs, passwords, and access to sensitive procedures.
symbol table A term referring to the storage of named objects, including linetypes,
layers, text styles, and blocks.
table A set of data arranged in records (rows) and fields (columns). When a table is
displayed in a grid, records display in horizontal rows and fields display in vertical col-
umns. Each field value in the table displays in a cell. Same as data file.
template file A file that formats another file, such as a text file for saving information
from queried objects. See also dot variable, query, and link template.
thematic map A map that depicts selected types of information related to one or more
specific themes. Data is highlighted, classified, or emphasized using display properties
and values such as color and line width. Examples are property assessment, housing
quality, population density, and rainfall maps.
thematic query A collection of saved settings identified by a unique name for the pur-
pose of generating a thematic map. The thematic query specifies which spatial and
attribute data to query, and how to display the thematic objects.
theme A single layer or component of a thematic map.
tolerance (drawing cleanup) The minimum distance allowed between linear objects
or nodes during drawing cleanup. If two linear objects or nodes are separated by a dis-
tance less than the tolerance, Autodesk Map corrects the error.
topology A set of geometric relationships between links, nodes, and centroids.
Topology describes how lines, nodes, and polygons connect and relate to each other,
and forms the basis for advanced GIS functions such as network tracing, spatial analysis,
buffer analysis, overlay analysis, and dissolving a polygon topology.
topology query An extension to a Map query that applies to a loaded topology. See
also Map query and thematic query.
transverse cylindrical projection A map projection, in which the earth’s surface is
drawn as it would appear if projected on a cylinder wrapped around the earth in an east-
west direction. Compare with cylindrical projection.
UDL (Universal Data Link) File with .udl extension that includes the name and loca-
tion of the database table and the software used to create the file. Windows uses a UDL
file to identify a data source. Using the information in this file, programs such as
Autodesk Map can view and update data from external databases.
union Two or more conditions joined with the logical operator Or. An item is selected
only if the item meets at least one of the specified criteria. Compare with intersection.
Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) projection A specific implementation of the
Mercator projection, designed for use around the world. See also Mercator projection.
unlock To release objects that were locked for editing.

Glossary | 59
 vector A mathematical calculation of an object with precise direction and length. Vec-
tor data is stored as X,Y coordinates that form points, lines, and areas. Compare with
raster.
wavelet A multiple resolution image file compressed using a lossy compression that
enables large graphics to load much faster due to the reduction in file size. Wavelet com-
pression is based on a mathematical algorithm in which graphic images can be reduced
to a small fraction of their original size.
zoom To change the display magnification so that it focuses on progressively smaller
areas (when you zoom in) or larger areas (when you zoom out) of an image.
zoom extents To magnify a drawing based on its extents so that the view shows the
largest possible view of all spatial objects.

60 | Glossary
Index

A sample data location 7

grip editing
Ask Me tab, in Help 4 introduction to 12
AutoCAD properties 13
Autodesk Map 3D
installation of 2 H
introduction to 1
learning 3 Help system
sample data 1 Ask Me tab 4
index to 5
introduction to 4
C keyword index 5
narrowing down search results 4
CD Browser 2 search for words 6
commands HTML Help 4
from shortcut menus 11
concepts
general 15 I
learning 3
illustrations in tutorials 35
overview of 15
index to Help topics 5
content samples 8
installation
of sample data 7
D overview 2
interface
default values, in tutorials 35 overview 9
deployment, network 2
developer documentation 6
documentation K
list of 3
what to search 4 keywords, in Help 5

E L
learning Autodesk Map 3D 3
editing
consistency of methods 12
using grips 12 M
exercises
purpose of 3 menus
shortcut 11

F
features
N
learning about 3 network
installation on a 2

G
Getting Started Guide
O
description of 3 objects

61
 editing methods 12 searching
grip editing 12 documentation components 4
right-clicking 11 for a word or phrase 6
shortcut menus 11
styles
P sample data for 8
phrase, finding in Help 6 support, technical 2
properties
AutoCAD 13
T
technical support 2
R templates
right-click menu content 11 provided on the CD 7
topics, Help 5
tutorials 35
S default values 35
description of 3
sample data
illustrations in 35
for Getting Started Guide 7
sample data location 7
for tutorials 7
overview 1
provided on the CD 7 W
styles and settings 8
search engine, in Help system 4 Workspace
search results, best 4 as part of interface 9

62 | Index