MAP V6.3: Reference Manual

MAP V6.
3
Reference Manual
Copyright 2004
KNOWLEDGE BASE
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Table of Contents
WELCOME
Where do I go from here? 1-1
Typefaces in this manual 1-2
Conventions used in this manual 1-2
How to get support 1-3
On-line help 1-3
MAP BASICS
Overview 2-2
Definitions 2-3
Geographical Index 2-4
Predefined Fields 2-5
Predefined Tables 2-6
Theme Data 2-7
Theme Tables 2-8
FILE MENU
Import 4-2
Import from CAD 4-2
Import from GIS 4-5
Export 4-9
Export to CAD 4-9
Export to GIS 4-11
EDIT MENU
Edit CAD IDs 5-2
GIS Properties 5-3
UTILITIES MENU
Re-GIndex 6-2
Whole Project 6-2
Single Theme 6-3
Add Legend 6-4
Browse Grid 6-5
Theme View 6-8
Query by Example 6-10
Buffer Theme 6-12
Merge Themes 6-13
Theme Join 6-15
Consistency Check 6-17
Transform Themes 6-19
Clarke 1880 -> WGS84 6-21
Welcome 0-i
Transform Themes 6-21
Create Theme 6-24
Modify Theme 6-25
Remove Theme 6-27
OPERATIONS MENU
Build Topology 7-2
Shortest Route 7-3
SETTINGS MENU
Display Object References 8-2
Display Graphical Index 8-3
GIS ID Mode 8-4
Display Settings 8-5
MAP TUTORIAL
Import CAD data to Create a Theme 3-6
Road Centrelines (a Line Theme) 3-10
Road Sections (a Line theme) 3-11
Road Signs (a Point theme) 3-12
Set up theme displays 3-15
Querying and Generating themes 3-21
Merge Themes 3-26
Theme Join 3-27
Exporting Themes 3-30
0-ii MAP Reference

Welcome
Welcome to Civil Designer, the design system created by practical peolpe
for practical people - to save you time, effort and money. Now you can
work faster, smarter and accomplish more.
This manual introduces you to Civil Designer and gets you up and
running without delay. It shows you how to accomplish the most
common tasks and provides tips on the exciting and innovative new
features to be found in Civil Designer.
The easy-to-follow tutorial will help you gain hands-on experience with
the program, and the Beyond the Basics section shows you how to
complete advanced tasks.
Where do I go from here?

After reading this manual you should know the following:
• How to get Civil Designer up and running
• How to use the menus and the on-line help system
• How to create and setup a MAP database
• How to edit and query themes
MAP Basics 1-1

Typefaces in this manual
The different typefaces in this manual are used as follows:
Monospace This typeface represents text as it appears onscreen
such as prompts.
Italics Italics are used for emphasis and to introduce new
terms.
[Enter] This indicates a key on your keyboard.
For example:
“Press [Enter] to complete the entry.”
Command This typeface indicates a menu option or a command.
For example:
“Click on the Open icon to load a drawing.”
Menu commands appear with the path separated by an arrow. The
instruction Draw ► Ellipses ► Ellipse refers to the command you choose
by opening the Draw menu, the Ellipses sub-menu, and by choosing the
Ellipse option.
Conventions used in this manual

In this manual, clicking refers to clicking with your left mouse button
unless otherwise specified. When a click with your right mouse button is
required, the terms right click or right clicking are used.
Clicking means to press and release a mouse button quickly.
1-2 MAP Reference

How to get support
Technical support is available from 08.00 to 17.00 Mondays to Fridays
excluding public holidays by email from our Customer Support Centre at
support@knowbase.co.za.
You can also get telephonic support at:
South Africa 086 0101 999
International +27 21 7011850
On-line help
The Civil Designer on-line help system is far easier to use and more
comprehensive than those typically found in other software programs.
It contains about 10 times as much information as this manual and
provides complete answers to virtually any question you may have about
features or how to use Civil Designer.
Access on-line Help from the Help menu option at any time, or by
pressing F1 during the display of any of the dialogs in the program. The
help items can be printed using the Print icon on the toolbar.
MAP Basics 1-3

Notes:
1-4 MAP Reference

MAP Basics
This section will explain the basic concepts used by MAP to display and
manipulate spatial data.
MAP Tutorial 2-1

Overview
Each project is connected to one ODBC data source. This data source
consists of a number of themes and other data.
There are three basic types of themes:

• Point (0D) themes e.g. manholes in a sewer network, or borehole
sites
• Line (1D) themes e.g. a road or sewer network
• Region (2D) themes e.g. residential stands, or flood-plain data
Themes can also either be fundamental (the theme contains all its own
data), or derived (by using an SQL query from another theme).
Fundamental themes are faster to process as derived themes must be
regenerated each time, but derived themes have more flexibility as to the
data to be displayed from its parent theme and require less storage space
in the data source as their data is extracted from the parent theme as and
when required.
MAP generated data in the data source is stored as Microsoft Access (97
or 2000) .mdb files. User data can be added to the data source in the form
of a link to an external ODBC compliant database, and associated with
the MAP generated data.
2-2 MAP Reference

Definitions
GIS Geographic Information System - a database system

where data items have an associated physical location.
CAD Computer Aided Drawing.
ODBC Open Data Base Connectivity - a Microsoft initiative for
standardised access to disparate database types.
SQL Structured Query Language - a data manipulation
language used to process ODBC data sources.
Projection A systematic representation of a round body (such as
the earth) on a flat or plane surface. Each type of
projection has specific properties that make it useful
for specific objectives.
Ellipsoid A mathematical function that describes the shape of the
earth.
Datum A region-specific setting of the ellipsoid to be used for a
projection as well as the datum shifts from the WGS84
ellipsoid.
Theme A view of the data stored in a data source. All data in a
theme must be consistent (of the same type) and
unique (duplicate data entries are not permitted).
GG_ID A field automatically added to all records in a theme
that contains a unique sequence number within that
theme.
MAP Tutorial 2-3

Geographical Index
MAP uses a geographical index in order to quickly locate records in a
graphical context. This is the case when, for example, you are using the
GIS Properties function and you have indicated some point on the
current CAD display.
The coordinates of the indicated point are converted to a start and end
mask and only coordinate records that match that start and end mask
are processed. Of those records actually processed, the record with a
reference point closest to the indicated point is selected as the correct
record. The value stored in the ID field of that record is then used to find
the attribute record with a matching GG_ID value. This then is the
attribute record nearest to the indicated point.
Without the use of the graphical index MAP would have to search all the
coordinate records of all the visible themes in order to locate the correct
record.
Due to the importance of the graphical index, and the relative slowness
of accessing data in the project database, MAP stores the graphical index
for records as a binary file in the system defined TEMP directory. This
file can however become outdated from time to time. If you suspect that
this is the case then use the Re-Gindex ► Single Theme or Re-Gindex ►
Whole Project functions to recalculate the index.
If this fails to rectify problems you are experiencing then you will need to
delete the binary files that store the index data. These files are named
{KbG} followed by the project name followed by the theme name and
some other characters and have the extension .tmp. Delete either the
single index file for the theme you are interested in, all the index files for
the project you are interested in, or all index files for all projects.
The next time MAP attempts to access the binary index file it will rewrite
the missing file and, in that way, bring it up to date.
2-4 MAP Reference

Predefined Fields
MAP reserves certain field names for its own use. These fields either
contain data that will be calculated during theme classification, that is
used when displaying database text in the view, or that defines an
associated file that can be opened when viewing the data for a record.
The predefined field names and uses are as follows:
Name Type Used for
AREA Double Calculated area of Region theme records.
PERIM Double Calculated perimeter of Region theme records.
LENGTH Double Calculated length of Line theme records.
TX_ANGLE Integer Angle of text entity in 10ths of a degree.
TX_PEN Integer Pen for text entity.
TX_LORG Integer Origin of text entity.
TX_HEIGHT Double Height of text entity in 10ths of a mm.
TX_LINEF Double Linefeed between successive text entities in 10ths of a
mm.
MM_MEDIA Text Optional path and name of an associated file that has a
Windows registration for its file type in order to open
the file or which is a file type that can be handled by
the CAD directly (DRG, DWG, DXF, CEX).
The first three fields will, if present, be updated during classification of

themes or can be updated using the functions on the Select Grid dialog.
The following five fields will, if present, override any settings made for
text display in the Legend dialog.
The final field will, if present, enable the relevant button on the
Properties dialog.
MAP Tutorial 2-5

Predefined Tables
MAP keeps three predefined tables in the project. These tables are as
follows:
Table Name Used for
GGData Stores the global project definitions.
Themes Stores details of all defined themes.
SQLList Stores extra details for themes that are created as views of
other themes.
Do not remove these tables from the database as you will most certainly
cause MAP to stop working with the project from which they are
removed.
2-6 MAP Reference

Theme Data
In addition to the tables required for the theme, there is a set of data files
that are stored as ASCII data. These data files are stored in a
subdirectory of the current user directory (i.e. Guest) that has the same
name as the project. For example, if you are the user Guest and you have
a project called TownData, then you would have a directory structure
something like the following:
CivDes62
Users
Guest
TownData
In the TownData directory would be stored the theme display

characteristics and redraw order, the list of fields required for display,
any defined range tables and various other data.
All the files are stored as comma-delimited files with the extension .CSV.
These files are not vitally important to the functioning of MAP so they
may be deleted if the space they take up on the hard drive is required for
other uses. They will however be recreated when the relevant project is
next reopened.
MAP Tutorial 2-7

Theme Tables
Theme data is stored as a pair of attribute and coordinate tables in the
project database. The name of the attribute table is generally the theme
name followed by an underscore followed by the letters Atr (i.e.
Erven_Atr). The name of the coordinate table is generally the theme
name followed by an underscore followed by the letters Crd (i.e.
Erven_Crd).
The attribute tables have at least a single field called GG_ID as the first
field in the table. This field stores a unique number for each record in the
table and is added to tables automatically when the table is created from
within MAP. The rest of the fields are user defined and can include the
predefined fields that MAP uses.
The coordinate tables consist of the fields ID, SEQUENCE,
LONGITUDE, LATITUDE, STARTMASK and ENDMASK. These fields
are used to store the attribute tie value, the coordinates of the text
reference point (SEQUENCE = 0), the theme definition (SEQUENCE =
1...?), and an index value (in STARTMASK and ENDMASK) that enables
quick graphical searching for relevant records.
As can be seen from the field names, all coordinates are stored internally
in longitude and latitude and are projected using the current project
settings to display in the CAD view.
The attribute and coordinate tables are linked by the value in the GG_ID
and ID fields. In other words, an attribute record with GG_ID = 21 will
have a set of coordinate table records with ID = 21.
There are a minimum of two coordinate records for each attribute
record. Point themes will only have one SEQUENCE point in addition to
the text reference point, while Line and Region themes can contain
multiple SEQUENCE points (currently up to 2100). Region themes will
automatically close themselves by joining the final SEQUENCE point
(SEQUENCE = ?) back to the first SEQUENCE definition point
(SEQUENCE = 1).
2-8 MAP Reference

The MAP mode allows you to create, edit and manipulate the MAP
themes. The functions are:
File Menu
New Project Create a new project
Open Project Open an existing project
Edit Project Edit the current project
Save Project Save the current project
Save Project As Save the current project to another name
Close Project Close the current project
Import
Import from CAD Import CAD entites as a MAP theme
Import from GIS Import various GIS formats as MAP themes
Import from CSV Import comma separated data into a Point theme
Export
Export to CAD Export a MAP theme to CAD entities
Export to GIS Export MAP themes in various GIS formats
Export to CSV Export a Point Theme as comma-separated data
Publish to SWS Publish the current map to Spatial Web Server
(Spatial Dimensions)
Publish to IMS Publish the current map to ArcIMS (ESRI)
Output Manager Set output defaults
Spool Output Spool current print buffer
Option Settings Set various options that control the operation of Civil
Designer
Security
Authorise Authorize the program
Check Network Dongles Toggle network security on/off
Direct Transfer Transfer disk security directly to another system
Floppy Reg Transfer Prepare a diskette for disk security transfer
Floppy Transfer Out Transfer disk security onto diskette from system
Floppy Transfer In Transfer disk security onto system from diskette
Exit Exit Civil Designer
MAP Tutorial 2-9

Edit Menu
Edit CAD Ids Edit the ID’s assigned to CAD entities
GIS Properties View the attribute table data for selected theme
objects
Utilities Menu
Re-Gindex
Whole Project Recalculate the geographical index for all themes in
the project
Single Theme Recalculate the geographical index for a selected
theme
Add Legend Add the theme legend to the current drawing as
CAD entities
Browse Grid Browse attribute table data for a theme in grid format
Theme View Create a view of an existing theme
Query by Example Browse attribute table data based on selection
criteria
Buffer Theme Construct a theme as a buffer around an existing
theme
Merge Themes Combine the data of two identical themes
Theme Join Join a table to an existing theme to extend the
column set
Consistency Check Check theme data for correctness
Transform Themes Apply a Helmert transformation to selected themes
Clarke 1880 -> WGS84
Transform Themes Transform selected themes from Clarke 1880 to
WGS84 utilising KNB files.
Create Theme Create a new empty theme
Modify Theme Change the field structure of the attribute table for a
theme
Remove Theme Remove a theme from the project
Operations Menu
Build Topology Calculate the topology of a theme for spatial
processing
Shortest Route Calculate the shortest route between two line theme
objects
2-10 MAP Reference

Settings Menu
Display Object References Toggle the display of theme object reference points
Display Graphical Index Display the index grid used to manage theme
objects
GIS ID Mode Toggle the entry of ID's for new CAD entities
Display Settings Set WYSIWIG options
Plot Menu
Generate Generate a plot
Sheet File Editor Create/edit plot sheets
Mode Menu
Survey Change to Survey mode
Terrain Change to Terrain mode
Road Change to Road mode
Sewer Change to Sewer mode
Stormwater Change to Storm mode
Water Change to Water mode
Design Centre Change to CAD mode
MAP Tutorial 2-11

Notes:
2-12 MAP Reference

MAP Tutorial
The first step is to create a new project file.
• Select Map Mode on the design toolbar or Mode ►Map on the menu
bar and then select File ►New Project option. The following dialog will
be displayed:
All the available items will remain grayed-out until the check box next to
one of the design modules is selected.
For the purposes of this tutorial we will be using a MAP file so click on
the check box next to MAP.
File Menu 3-1

• The [Browse] button for MAP on the right side of the dialog will now
become active and the Select ODBC Project File dialog box will be
displayed.
The combo box allows you to select existing ODBC data source
names (DSN’s). For the purposes of this training session we will be
creating a new DSN.
• Enter Map Tutor as the DSN as shown above (after checking that
such a DSN does not already exist by clicking on the down arrow of
the dialog box). Click on the [Ok] button to close the dialog.
• We will also be needing a drawing for this project (it contains CAD
data that we will be converting to Map themes) so click on the check
box next to Drawing. The standard Window’s File Open dialog is
displayed. Navigate to the folder C:\Map\ and select the drawing file
Tutormap.drg. Click the [Open] button to select this drawing.
• Fill in the rest of the dialog as shown below:
3-2 MAP Reference

• Click on the [Ok] button and a standard Windows File Save dialog
will be displayed so that the project can be given a name.
Navigate to the C:\ Map training folder, type in a new file name of
Map tutor and click the [Save] button.
• Select [Yes] if a project file of this name already exists and you are
asked if you wish to overwrite it.
• As we have selected a new Map DSN we must now specify the
physical file name. The standard Windows File Save dialog is
displayed.
Once again navigate to the C:\ Map training folder and enter Map
Tutor as the name of the Access data file to create. The Access data
file stores all the tables that are associated with each theme
(attribute and coordinate tables) as well as some system tables
required by Map. It is not necessary to store the physical data file in
any particular folder but, for the purpose of keeping track of the files
File Menu 3-3

associated with a project, it does help to store all files in the same
folder.
• The following dialog is displayed:
Your selection here will depend on whether you have Microsoft

Access installed or not. If it is installed then select [Yes] if you have
Access 2000 or later, or select [No] if you have Access 97. If you do not
have Access installed then select [Yes] as the Access 2000 database
format offers better compatibility with current software packages
than the older Access 97 format.
• Select [Yes] if this DSN should be available to any user logging on to

this computer, or select [No] if this DSN should only be available to
the currently logged on user (i.e. You).
• The project settings are saved, any required files that do not exist
are created and the project is opened. Your screen should now look
something like this:
3-4 MAP Reference

You have just created a new project file for which new data may be
imported or created.
Note that the Legend Window on the left is showing the MAP Legend
key, but nothing is displayed in it, as we have not yet created any Map
themes.
Now that we have a drawing loaded into our map project lets look at
some of the view functions.
File Menu 3-5

Import CAD data to Create a Theme
Once the project file has been created and opened we need to create
some Map themes. The project drawing contains data that we will be
importing into various themes as objects.
• If you are not already in MAP mode, switch into MAP mode by
clicking the MAP icon on the design mode toolbar or select the Mode
►Map Mode option.
• Now select the File Import ►Import from CAD option.
• The Import from CAD wizard dialog is now displayed:
• Select the Single layer option and select Cadastral for the first layer.
• Select the Text layer option and select Stand_Numbers for the text
layer as shown above.
• In the theme selection box type in the name of the New theme. In this
case Stands.
• In the Theme type box click on the down arrow and select Region.
• The layer Cadastral contains the stand drawing with the stand
numbers on the Stand_numbers layer. We could have switched off all
layers except for Cadastral and Stand_Numbers and then selected the
Visible layers option. If the Cadastral layer also contained the stand
numbers then we would not have had to indicate a separate layer for
the text.
3-6 MAP Reference

The import routine that we will be using searches the selected layer(s)
for text items, and uses the position of these items as seeds when
searching for CAD entities. This means that it is extremely important to
have text annotation for any CAD entity that is to be imported.
The theme we are about to create is going to be called Stands and, as this
is the first theme in our project, it must be a new theme. The theme type
we have selected is Region. There are three theme types available:
Point Theme objects that can be depicted by a single point
such as road signs, churches, accident black spots, etc
Line Theme objects that can be depicted by a line consisting
of two or more points such as road centerlines, rivers,
water pipes, etc
Region Theme objects that can be depicted by closed polygons
such as stands, rainwater catchments, ward and
municipal boundaries, etc
Once you have made the required entries click the [Next] button. The
New Theme Fields dialog box is displayed.
This dialog box allows us to specify the structure of the theme attribute
table. The theme attribute table is associated with the graphical theme
display such that by selecting a particular graphical theme object, we can
display its associated attribute table record. The attribute table contains
a record for each theme object.
• Fill in the dialog fields as displayed above. Note that the type in the
first row is set to Text. This is due to the fact that the stand numbers
from the drawing will be stored in this field and they might not all be
File Menu 3-7

actual numeric values (for example, “Remainder of stand 27” would
not be recognized as numeric and would cause an error). Also note
that it is important that enough space (in terms of characters) be
assigned for this field. If there is not enough space for the text to be
written into a record then there will be an error during the import.
The second and third rows are added by clicking the Add Calculated
button, while the final row is added by clicking the Add Multimedia
button. These last three rows are predefined fields that Map
recognizes and deals with internally in most cases. For example the
AREA field will automatically be filled with the calculated area of the
classified theme objects.
• Once you have made the required entries click the [Next] button. The
Import Type dialog box is displayed.
• This dialog box allows us to specify what is being imported and how
the CAD import should proceed.
Raw data are CAD elements with text items (precisely what we will
be importing). Exporting an existing Map theme as CAD entities
creates polylines with ids. These can then be re-imported (after
editing) with the Polylines with IDs option.
• Click the [Finish] button to start the import routine.
• The new theme and its associated tables are created (if there were
no errors in the previous dialog) and the following dialog is
displayed:
3-8 MAP Reference

• Here you need to select the field into which the text from the
drawing will be placed.
• Fill in the dialog as shown above and click the [Ok] button to
proceed.
• The data is now imported and the theme is populated with data from
the drawing. Once the import is complete your display should look as
follows (You might need to press S for refreSh before you can see the
results):
• A default colour is always assigned to new themes.

There are three more themes that we need to import (two Line themes
and a Point theme). The import procedure is basically a repeat of what
you have just carried out.
File Menu 3-9

Road Centrelines (a Line Theme)
• Select the File ► Import ►Import from CAD. The following dialog box is
displayed.
• Select the Single layer option and select Road_cl for the layer. In this
case there is no text layer as the text and lines are on the same layer.
• Type in a new theme name, in this case Roads and select Line from
the Theme type option box. Click on [Next]. The New Theme Fields
dialog box is displayed.
3-10 MAP Reference

• Type in the names, types and sizes of the fields you want to add to
the theme database. The LENGTH field is added by clicking the [Add
Calculated] button. Click on [Next]. The following dialog box is
displayed.
• The program prompts CAD Text represents which field. Select the
field that you want the text to go to and click on [Ok]. The theme is
created if there are no data problems.
Road Sections (a Line theme)

displayed.
• Select the Single layer option and select Road_Sections for the layer.
In this case there is no text layer as the text and lines are on the
same layer.
• Type in a new theme name, in this case Road_Sections and select
Line from the Theme type option box. Click on [Next] and the New
Theme Fields dialog box is displayed.
File Menu 3-11

the theme database. The LENGTH field is added by clicking the [Add
Calculated] button.
• Click on [Next].
• The following dialog box is displayed.
field that you want the text to go to and click on [Ok].
The theme is created if there are no data problems.
Road Signs (a Point theme)

displayed.
3-12 MAP Reference

• Select the Single layer option and select Road_Signs for the layer. In
this case there is no text layer as the text and lines are on the same
layer.
• Type in a new theme name, in this case Signs and select Point from
the Theme type option box. Click on [Next] and the New Theme Fields
dialog box is displayed.
the theme database.
• There are no calculated fields available for Point themes.
File Menu 3-13

field that you want the text to go to and click on [Ok]. The theme is
created if there are no data problems.
3-14 MAP Reference

Set up theme displays
Now that we have imported all the data from the CAD drawing, the
display should look something like this:
The Map Legend key in the Legend Window is displaying the four
themes that we have imported. Each theme entry in the Map Legend has
certain properties that can be changed:
• Clear the checkbox next to the theme name to turn off the display of
that particular theme. Click the checkbox again to turn the display
back on.
• Click the button to the right of the theme name to adjust the manner
in which the theme is displayed (We will be doing this shortly). If you
cannot see the button to the right of the theme name then use the
scroll bar at the bottom of the Map legend to scroll the display
sideways until you can see it. You could also drag the right edge of
the Legend window in order to enlarge the viewing area.
• Click and drag the theme key below the theme name to change the
redraw order of the themes. Redraw proceeds from top to bottom
and you will need to adjust this order if, for example, a region theme
File Menu 3-15

completely covers a line or point theme. If the region theme is set to
redraw before the obscured theme then you will be able to see the
theme again.
• You will need to press [S] (for refreSh) after making changes in the
Map Legend in order to see the changes displayed in the IDE
window. This is in order to save time when working with many or
very large themes.
As stated previously, each newly created theme was given a default
set of display settings. This obviously will not fit in with the way you
wish the various themes to be displayed. Let us now change the
display of the Stands theme.
• Click on the button to the right of the Stands key in the Map Legend
and the following dialog is displayed:
• As we are still doing the Map Basics, we will deal only with the first
page of this dialog, and then only with the table on the left side of the
dialog.
3-16 MAP Reference

The table columns are as follows:
Fill if the check box is checked then the theme objects are
filled with the selected colour. Click the colour patch to
select the colour to be used for the fill
Line if the check box is checked then the theme objects are
outlined with the selected colour. Click the colour patch
to select the colour to be used for the line
Ltype this is the number of the CAD line type to be used for
drawing the outline
Width this is the width (in millimeters on paper) of the line used
to outline theme objects
SH stands for Screen Hatch. If this is checked and a hatch is
selected then the theme objects will be hatched when
displayed on the screen
PH stands for Plot Hatch. If this is checked and a hatch is
selected then the theme objects will be hatched when
plotted/printed
Hatch Click the cell in this column to select a hatch to be used
to fill theme objects in addition to, or instead of, the
colour fill
Text This column is only used when a Range Table is
specified
Let us now adjust the display of this theme.

• Click the Colour Patch in the Fill column and select a nice green
colour from the colour dialog (fourth column from the left in the
fourth row of the Basic colors section).
File Menu 3-17

• Click the colour patch in the Line column and select a nice brown
colour (first column from the left in the fourth row of the Basic colors
section). Make sure Ltype is set to 1 and Width to 0 then click the [Ok]
button.
• Click on the button to the right of the Roads key in the Map Legend
The table for Line themes has fewer columns than that for Region
themes (it is impossible to fill or hatch a line) but those that are there
have the same meaning as they did for Region themes.
• Click the Colour Patch in the Line column and select black as the
display colour (first column sixth row in the Basic colors section).
Make sure Ltype is set to 1, type in 10 as the value for Width then
click the [Ok] button.
We do not need to display the Road Sections theme as it will be used
in the Advanced session only, and it is currently being displayed on
top of the Roads theme thereby obscuring it, so click the check box
to the left of the Road Sections key to turn off its display.
• Click on the button to the right of the Signs key in the Map Legend
3-18 MAP Reference

The columns in the table for Point themes are as follows:
Colour If the check box is checked then the theme objects are
displayed in the selected colour. Click the colour patch to
select the colour to be used for the display. If this check
box is cleared then the theme objects are not displayed
at all
Symbol This is the symbol to be displayed for the theme objects.
The symbol can be taken from any TrueType font you
have installed on your computer
Size This is the point size of the symbol
Text This column is only used when a Range Table is
specified (see the Advanced section)
• Click the colour patch in the Colour column and select red for the
symbol (first column second row in the Basic colors section). Click on
the symbol in the Symbol column and the Symbol Picker dialog is
displayed:
File Menu 3-19

• Make sure that Wingdings is selected as the displayed font (combo
box in the top left corner) then select the large diamond (third row
column 22) by clicking on it. This dialog closes and you can now
enter 100 in the Size column. Click the [Ok] button to close the dialog.
• Now that all the necessary changes have been made we need to
finally update our display. Press [Z] then [A] (for Zoom All) to update
the display, which should now look something like this:
You can now use the standard CAD functions (Zoom Window, Pan, etc.)
to move around the display to check how the themes are being displayed.
3-20 MAP Reference

Querying and Generating themes
One of the most powerful features of MAP is the ability to query themes
on certain criteria and to generate new themes based on existing themes
after applying a specific query.
We will start by looking at the Query by Example function.
• Select the Utilities ►Query by Example option. The following dialog is
displayed:
• Select the Stands theme as shown above and then click the [Ok]
button to continue. The following dialog is displayed:
The various buttons at the top of the dialog are used as follows:
Synchronize record. This allows you pan the display to the object whose
record is currently displayed.
Execute query. This executes the query that has been set up.
Revert. Clears the current query and resets to display all records.
File Menu 3-21

Clear entries. Clears all data displayed in the grid prior to setting up a
query
Structured Query Language selection tool. This allows you to select theme
objects that satisfy an SQL query.
Highlight query. Highlights all the theme objects that have been selected in
terms of the current query.
First record. Jump to the first record in the current query.
Previous record. Jump to the previous record (if any) in the current query.
Next record. Jump to the next record (if any) in the current query.
Last record. Jump to the final record in the current query.
Toggles Edit mode in the grid. By default editing of data is not allowed.
Map View users cannot change the edit mode.
Filters the display of fields. You can select any combination of fields to be
displayed.
Prints the currently displayed data for selected records to the screen, a
printer or a file. The print format is the same as that of the grid.
Query by Example (or QBE) works well with text fields. With numeric
fields you will have a problem with data that is not integer. In either case
QBE executes a LIKE query against the theme attribute table which
then returns all records that contain a specific value.
For example, let us find all the records where the stand number contains
the value “99”. There is no query active at the moment so click the Clear
Entries button to clear all data from the grid.
In the Stand_Number field type the value 99 and press [Enter] (pressing
Enter IS required in order to update the grid correctly before applying
the query). Now click the [Execute Query] button and the dialog should
look as follows:
3-22 MAP Reference

As you can see at the bottom of the dialog, 3 records that meet our
criteria have been found. You can now page through the records using
the First, Previous, Next and Last buttons, or use the Synchronize and
Highlight buttons to visually locate the selected records.
Another way to query an existing theme is to generate a theme view.
This has the advantage that results are kept up to date and displayed
with all the capabilities of regular themes.
• Select the Utilities ►Theme View option and the following dialog is
displayed:
• Fill in the dialog as shown above (remember the section in the

previous session on how to use Query Builder?) and click the [Ok]
button to continue.
• The new theme is then created (provided of course that there are no
errors in the SQL statement).
File Menu 3-23

• Press [S] to refresh and your display should look something like this:
The stands shown in a lighter green colour (your specific colour may be
different) are all those stands which satisfied the SQL query.
This theme may now be modified by changing display settings, etc. The
only process you cannot carry out with this theme is to edit its data. This
is because this theme exists as a virtual theme and draws its data directly
from the base or parent theme (which in the case of our example above is
the Stands theme). In order to change the data displayed by this theme
you must edit the base theme. The advantage of this virtual theme is that
changes in the base theme are immediately reflected in this theme.
Therefore, if we were to add new records to the Stand theme whose
areas fitted our criteria, they would immediately show up as part of this
theme.
Now that we have created this view, how do we get rid of it again (i.e. it is
no longer of any use to us)?
• Select the Utilities ►Remove Theme option and the following message
is displayed:
3-24 MAP Reference

This is a warning that what you are about to do could affect other
users who are also accessing the same database. Obviously,
removing a theme that someone else is busy viewing is the height of
bad manners.
• Click the [Yes] button to continue and the following dialog is
displayed:
• Select the theme to be deleted and click the [Ok] button to continue.
The following message is displayed:
• This is your last chance to retain the selected theme. Click the [Yes]
button if you are absolutely sure that you want to remove the
selected theme. The theme will be removed and the Map Legend
updated. Press [S] to refresh the screen and you will no longer see
the theme.
File Menu 3-25

Merge Themes
This function allows additional data to be added to an existing theme.
The table field structure of the merging theme must be identical to the
original theme.
• Create a new theme by importing the new data from the drawing,
File ► Import From CAD.
• Create the theme fields exactly like the original theme.
• Select Utilities ►Merge Themes and the following dialog box is
displayed.
• Select the Primary theme for merge and click on the [Ok] button. The
following dialog box is displayed
• Select the secondary theme and click on the [Ok] button.

The additional theme information is now merged with the original
theme.
3-26 MAP Reference

Theme Join
This function allows the joining of data from a non-spatial database to an
existing theme database, for example, the Treasury database and the
spatial erf database.
First we have to create a link between the two databases. For this we
have to go to Access.
Execute MS Access.
Open the spatial theme database
Select Insert ►Table from the main menu. The following dialog box is
displayed.
Select the Link Table option and click on the [Ok] button. The following
file selection dialog is displayed.
File Menu 3-27

• Select the database file to link to. Click on the [Link] button. The
following link table dialog box is displayed.
• Select the table you want to link from the list if there is more than
one. Click on the [Ok] button. Close MS Access.
• In Map select Utilities ►Theme Join. The following table join dialog
box is displayed.
3-28 MAP Reference

• Select the Existing theme and the Existing table to join. (The table
that we just created).
• Type in a new theme name for the join.
• In the Query Builder select the Theme Field as erf numbers and use
the equal Comparison to erf numbers in the Table Field i.e.
[Stand Boundaries_Atr].[Erf_number] = [Table1].[Erf_number]
• Click on [Ok].
File Menu 3-29

Exporting Themes
No GIS worth its salt can live in isolation. The MAP module can
currently import and export data in ReGIS Feature and ArcView Shape
formats.
The final section of this session deals with the export of data into
ArcView Shape format.
• Select the File ►Export ►Export to GIS option. The following dialog is
displayed:
• Make the settings as shown above and then click the [Ok] button to
continue.
• The standard Windows Save As dialog is displayed. Navigate to a
suitable directory for storing the exported files and enter the base
name for the export.
• Click the [Save] button to continue.
A quick note about the terminology “base name” in the previous
paragraph. If you select just one theme for export then the base
name will be used for the exported files (which consist of a shp, shx
and dbf file). If you select more than one theme for export then the
exported files will be named with the base name followed by an
underscore followed by the theme name. For example, if the base
name is “Tutor” and you export themes Stands and Roads then the
file names used will be “Tutor_Stands” and “Tutor_Roads”.
Back to the export.
3-30 MAP Reference

Select all the themes as shown above (click on each one in turn) and then
click the [Ok] button to continue.
The following prompt is displayed:
Exporting selected themes to ArcInfo
The themes are exported.
File Menu 3-31

Notes:
3-32 MAP Reference

File Menu
The File Menu contains all the
functions to create, load and save
projects as well as import and export
CAD and GIS data. In addition it also
includes options to set up the security.
Edit Menu 4-1

Import
The import functions allow you to convert a drawing or a GIS model
created by another system into MAP.
Import from CAD

Import a CAD layer to a GIS theme
Icon Button Toolbar Shortcut Command

GISImportFromCAD
This option allows you to create/update a theme with data from CAD
elements. The full range of point, line and region themes is supported.
Procedure
The import procedure is carried out by means of a wizard. The second
and subsequent pages of the wizard change depending on the import
option chosen on the first page. Consequently only one possible path
through the wizard is shown here.
The Import from CAD dialog is displayed:
Layer selection - Visible Select this option to import data from all visible layers.
layers
Layer selection - Single Select this option (and select the required layer) in order
layer to limit import data to that contained on the selected
layer.
4-2 MAP Reference

Text layer Check this option if the text references are stored on a
CAD layer different to that being imported from. You
must also select the correct layer.
Existing theme Select this option and select the existing theme to
update that theme with the imported data.
New theme Select this option and enter the name of the theme to be
created to import data into a new theme.
Theme type Select the type of theme to be created if creating a new
theme.
Next Button Click this button to display the next page in the wizard.
Cancel Button Click this button to cancel the function.
Fill in the relevant data and click the Next button to proceed.
If you selected to create a new theme then the Create Table page is
displayed:
Name Column Enter the names of the fields to be created in the new
theme.
Type Column Select the data type of the fields. The options here are
Text, Numeric Integer (a number with no decimal places)
or Numeric Double (a number with decimal places).
Selecting a type will automatically set the Width column
to a default value suitable for the selected type.
Size Column Enter the storage space to be assigned to the field. This
field is only available if the selected Type is Text and
should be set to the maximum length in characters of the
text to be accomodated.
Edit Menu 4-3

Add Calculated Button Click this button to add the predefined field(s) LENGTH
(for line themes) or AREA and PERIMITER (for region
themes). The contents of these fields are calculated
when data is imported into this theme. This button is not
available for Point themes.
Add Text Button Click this button to add the predefined text control fields.
The contents of these fields are updated when data is
imported into this theme. The fields control the display of
text from themes.
Add Multimedia Button Click this button to add the predefined multimedia field.
The contents of this field control the loading of external
programs.
Back Button Click this button to return to the previous page in the
wizard (Import from CAD).
Next Button Click this button to display the next page in the wizard
(Select Raw or Polyline).
Fill in the relevant data and click the Next button to proceed.
The Select Raw or Polyline dialog is displayed:
Raw data Normal data or layer to be imported.

Polylines with Ids To be used when Polylines were created in cad mode.
Process visible portion of Only data visible on the screen will be imported.
drawing only
Fill in the relevant data and click the Finish button to proceed.
4-4 MAP Reference

The CAD Text dialog is displayed:
Combo Box Select the field in the attribute table in which to store the
CAD text.
OK Button Click this button to accept the current entries in the
dialog.
Fill in the relevant data and click the OK button to proceed.
Import from GIS

Import a file from another GIS system

GISImport
This option allows you to import data from other GIS systems into the
current project. The GIS systems currently supported are:
• DOS AllyMAP Boundary
• DOS AllyMAP Link ID (with an associated drawing)
• DOS AllyMAP Segment ID (with an associated drawing)
• DOS AllyMAP Object (with an associated drawing)
• DOS AllyMAP Point
• ReGIS Feature File
• ArcView ShapeFile
• MapInfo Interchange File
Procedure
The import procedure is carried out by means of a wizard. The second
and subsequent pages of the wizard change depending on the import
option chosen on the first page. Consequently only one possible path
through the wizard is shown here.
The GIS Import Type dialog page is displayed:
Edit Menu 4-5

Combo Box Select the type of GIS data you wish to import. Options
include:
DOS AllyMAP Boundary
DOS AllyMAP Link ID (with an associated drawing)
DOS AllyMAP Segment ID (with an associated
drawing)
DOS AllyMAP Object (with an associated drawing)
DOS AllyMAP Point
ReGIS Feature File
ArcView ShapeFile
MapInfo Interchange File
Next Button Click this button to display the next page in the wizard
(Select Data Source).
Select the required data type and click the Next button to proceed. The
Import File dialog page is displayed:
4-6 MAP Reference

Click on the Browse button and select the file to import. Click the Next
button to proceed.
The Import Theme page is displayed:
Input - Table The name of the file containing the GIS data to import is
displayed here.
Input - Coordinate format Only available for ArcInfo Shape import. Select the
format of the Shape file coordinates. The import routine
attempts to determine the format by analysing the
header of the selected Shape file.
Edit Menu 4-7

Output - Theme name Enter the name to be assigned to the new theme created
as a result of this import. The name is given a suitable
default which you can change if you wish.
Output - Theme type This is normally preset and depends on the file being
imported.
Output - Attribute table Enter the name to be assigned to the attribute (data)
name table of the new theme. The name defaults to that of the
theme with the addition of "_Atr".
Output - Coordinate table Enter the name to be assigned to the coordinate table of
name the new theme. The name defaults to that of the theme
with the addition of "_Crd".
Back Button Click this button to return to the previous page of the
wizard.
Finish Button Click this button to accept the import settings.
Fill in the relevant data and click the Finish button to proceed. If the
name of the new theme is the same as that of an existing theme then the
following message is displayed:
Click the OK button to return to the Import Theme page and change the
name of the theme to be created.
4-8 MAP Reference

Export
The export functions allow you to export an existing theme as Cad
entities or as a GIS model.
Export to CAD
Export a GIS theme to a CAD layer
GISExportToCAD
This option allows you to export an existing theme as CAD elements to a

new CAD layer. Note that only the data from the selected theme that is
currently visible on the screen will be exported. In other words, if you
have zoomed in such that some of the theme data is actually off the
screen, then that data will not be exported.
Procedure
The following message is displayed:
Click the OK button to proceed, or click the Cancel button to cancel the
function.
The Select Theme dialog is displayed:
Select the required theme and then click the OK button to continue.
Edit Menu 4-9
You will be prompted for the layer name on which to write the exported
data:
Enter CAD layer name for theme
The default name is related to the name of the theme being exported. Fill
in the relevant data and click the OK button to proceed.
Data from the selected theme is exported to the selected CAD layer, and
then the standard Windows File Save As dialog is displayed to give you
an opportunity to save the drawing.
4-10 MAP Reference

Export to GIS
Export themes to another GIS system
GISExport
This option allows you to export theme data from the current project into
other GIS systems.
The GIS systems currently supported are:
• ReGIS Feature File
• ArcView ShapeFile
You can select multiple themes for a single export. There is however a
difference in how export files are handled.
When exporting a ReGIS Feature File, all themes are written into the
named export file. With ArcView ShapeFile export however, if you select
a single theme to export then the named export file is used. If you select
multiple themes to export then the file names consist of the original
export file name, an underscore, and the name of the theme.
Procedure
The Export Type dialog is displayed:
ReGIS Feature File Select this option to export a ReGIS data file. You must
also select the display level for the exported data.
ArcView Shape File Select this option to export ArcView shape and data
files. You must also select the number of decimal places
for numeric data.
MapInfo Interchange File Not yet implemented.
Export latitude/longitude Check this option to have theme coordinates exported in
coordinates raw latitude and longitude form rather than projected
form.
Edit Menu 4-11

Fill in the relevant data and click the OK button to continue.
The standard Windows' Save dialog is shown. Enter the name of the
export file and click the Save button to continue.
Select one or more themes to be exported and click the OK button to

continue (use Shift and Left click to select/deselect a range, or Control
and Left click to select/deselect individual themes).
The export is then carried out.
4-12 MAP Reference

Edit Menu
The Edit menu allows you to edit the Cad IDs assigned
to different entities and also to view and edit the GIS
data.
Operations Menu 5-1

Edit CAD IDs
Change ID's on CAD entities

GISNewID
This option allows you to edit the ID's that have been assigned to CAD
entities. This option is normally used after exporting a MAP theme to
CAD.
During the export procedure the unique ID of the attribute data for each
theme entity is assigned to the CAD entity as a ID. If you now re-import
the CAD data to MAP (after possibly editing the CAD entities) using the
Previously Exported Polylines option, the CAD ID's are used to tie the
CAD entities back to the themes attribute table.
This option can be used to change the ID assigned to any CAD entity in
order to affect the way the tie back to the attribute table is processed.
Procedure
Select entity for key change
Click on a CAD item and the following prompt is displayed:
Enter new key for entity
The current ID of the selected entity is displayed for editing. Make your
changes and click on the tick icon (or press Enter) to change the ID of
the selected entity.
The function will continue prompting for an entity until you press
Escape.
5-2 MAP Reference

GIS Properties
Display the attribute data for any item in the displayed themes

GISProperties
This option allows you to view (and optionally edit) the attribute data for
any item in the currently displayed themes.
Procedure
Select object you want properties from
The cursor changes to an object indication mode. Click on the MAP
object you want the properties from. If objects from more than one
theme are located near the clicked position then the Select Theme dialog
is displayed:
Select the theme you want to process and click the OK button. The
Properties dialog is displayed:
Operations Menu 5-3

Field column Displays the names of the columns in the attribute table.
Value column Displays the value of the row in the attribute table.
The icons at the top of the dialog can be used for editing and/or
manipulating the displayed data.
Edit Field Toggle editing mode on the grid. Edit mode is turned off by
default. AllyMAP View cannot change the edit mode.
Select Fields Define the field filter. The filter restricts the fields that are
displayed in the grid. The Select Fields dialog is displayed.
Print Click this button to print the current data. The print format
depends on the dialog. Single item dialogs or dialogs in
vertical orientation are printed with one field per line. Multiple
item dialogs or dialogs in horizontal orientation are printed in
columns with one record per line.
Toggle Toggle the data grid layout between a column layout and a
Orientation row layout.
MultiMedia Access the multimedia object defined for this object. Only
available if the table contains the pre-defined MM_MEDIA
field. The Choose File dialog is displayed.
The function continues prompting for an object and displaying data until
you press [Esc] to cancel the function, or you use some other function.
5-4 MAP Reference

Utilities Menu
The Utilities Menu contains the bulk of
functions that allow you to query, edit and
manipulate the data set.
Operations Menu 6-1

Re-GIndex
The Graphical Index allows MAP to access data more quickly than
searching through the entire database. Sometimes it may be necessary to
re-index the project or theme.
Whole Project
Reconstruct the graphical index for all themes

GISGindexProject
This option allows you to recalculate the geographical index for all
themes in the project. Note that this function can take an appreciable
time on a project with many themes and lots of records in themes.
In order to speed up access to theme records, all the records in a theme
are assigned an index based on the geographical location of the theme.
When, for example, the record for an indicated theme object must be
retrieved, the index of the indicated position is first calculated. Then only
those records with a matching index are searched to retrieve the
required record.
The indexes for themes are stored in temporary files on the hard drive.
These files can become outdated due to various updates and deletions
within themes. Using this function will recreate the indexes based on the
current records in the themes.
Procedure
The graphical indexes for all themes in the project are recalculated. No
dialogs or prompts are displayed, but the re-index progress is displayed
on the progress bar at the bottom of the screen.
6-2 MAP Reference

Single Theme
Reconstruct the graphical index for a selected theme

GISGindexTheme
This option allows you to recalculate the geographical index for a

selected theme. In order to speed up access to theme records, all the
records in a theme are assigned an index based on the geographical
location of the theme. When, for example, the record for an indicated
theme object must be retrieved, the index of the indicated position is first
calculated. Then only those records with a matching index are searched
to retrieve the required record.
The index for a theme is stored in a tempory file on the hard drive. This
file can become outdated due to various updates and deletions within a
theme. Using this function will recreate the index based on the current
records in the theme.
Procedure
Select the theme to be reindexed and click the OK button to continue.

The geographical index for the selected theme will then be recalculated.
Operations Menu 6-3

Add Legend
Add a legend as a CAD entity to the drawing

GISAddLegend
This option allows you to create the legend for the currently displayed
themes as CAD entities. Note that this CAD legend is static and will not
be updated as the MAP legend changes.
Procedure
Enter top left point of legend
Click on the desired position in the view and the legend will be placed
such that its top left corner is at the indicated position.
6-4 MAP Reference

Browse Grid
Browse theme attribute table in a grid

GISSelectGridQuery
This option displays all the records for a selected theme and allows you
to manipulate them. These manipulations include, amongst others, the
ability to edit records, to select a subset of the records, and to create a
new theme from selected records.
Procedure
Select the required theme and click the OK button to continue.

The Browse Grid dialog is displayed:
Operations Menu 6-5

The theme data is displayed in the dialog. Use the dialog buttons to
manipulate the theme data.
Select in Asks for a polygon to be indicated in the view and then
Polygon toggles the selection status of all the theme records within
the indicated polygon. If a selection already exists then the
Process New Selection dialog is displayed.
Select in Circle Asks for a centre point and a point on the circumference of a
circle to indicated on the view and then toggles the selection
status of all the theme records within the indicated circle. If a
selection already exists then the Process New Selection
dialog is displayed.
Select by SQL Prompts for an SQL Where clause and then toggles the
selection status of those records that match the Where filter.
If a selection already exists then the Process New Selection
dialog is displayed.
Select by Asks for displayed theme records to be indicated in the view
Cursor and toggles the selection status of those that are indicated.
Invert Toggles the current selection status of all records. Those
records that were selected will now be deselected, and those
records that were not selected will now be selected.
Show Selected Toggles the record display between all records and only
selected records.
Zoom Zooms the view such that all selected records are displayed
Selected at the maximum possible magnification.
Clear Selected Clears the selection status of all selected records.
Edit Field Toggle editing mode on the grid. Edit mode is turned off by
default. AllyMAP View cannot change the edit mode.
Select Fields Set the visible fields filter. The filter restricts the fields that
are displayed in the grid.
Print Click this button to print the current data. The print format
depends on the dialog. Single item dialogs or dialogs in
vertical orientation are printed with one field per line. Multiple
item dialogs or dialogs in horizontal orientation are printed in
columns with one record per line.
Replace Replaces current text in a selected field with entered text, or
CAD text from a selected layer, for all currently selected
records. The Replace Fields dialog is displayed.
Update Allows the entry or update of reference and/or boundary
records for certain records. The records to be updated are
selected sequentially from a starting GG_ID value. The
Coordinate Update dialog is displayed.
Manual Makes it possible to manually edit the origin and boundaries
Classification of any region object.
Add Blank Adds blank records to the database
Record
6-6 MAP Reference

Delete Prompts for confirmation of the action and then deletes all
Selected selected records.
New Theme Creates a new theme that contains the currently selected
records from this theme. The Copy Selected dialog is
displayed.
Operations Menu 6-7

Theme View
Create a view theme based on an SQL Query on an existing theme

GISQuery
This option allows you to create a view theme from an existing theme.
The view uses an SQL Where clause to specify the records from the base
theme that will be contained in the view theme.
View themes do not physically contain the records from the base theme,
they merely store references to the original records. This means that
updating the base theme data will automatically update the view themes
data.
View themes are reliant on their base themes for data. Do not delete a
base theme before deleting a view theme as the view theme will no
longer work.
Procedure
The Query Theme dialog is displayed:
Existing theme Select an existing theme from which the view theme
should be created.
New theme Enter the name to be given to the view theme.
( Button Click this button to add an opening parenthesis to the
query.
Field Button Click this button to display a menu from which you can
select a particular field to add to the query.
6-8 MAP Reference

Comparison Button Click this button to display a menu of comparisons to
add to the query.
Value Button Click this button to display a menu of value entries
available in the query. Selecting an item from this menu
will display a further dialog that allows the entry of the
particular value to add to the query.
) Button Click this button to add a closing parenthesis to the
query.
Operator Button Click this button to display a menu from which you can
select a particular operator to add to the query.
dialog.
Fill in the relevant data and click the OK button to continue. If no errors
are encountered then the new theme is constructed and added to the
project.
Operations Menu 6-9

Query by Example
View theme records that match certain criteria

GISQueryByExample
This option allows you specify certain criteria for text fields in the
attribute table of a selected theme, and then to view all records which
match those criteria.
Procedure
Select the required theme and click the OK button to continue. The
Query By Example dialog is displayed:
6-10 MAP Reference

The data from the first record in the attribute table of the selected theme
is displayed. Use the dialog buttons to manipulate the data in the dialog.
Field Column Displays the field names of the record.
Value Column Displays the values for each field in the record.
Operations Menu 6-11

Buffer Theme
Create a new view of a theme as a geographically expanded view of the selected
theme

GISBuffer
This option allows you to create a new theme, which is a specified

distance larger than the theme from which it is being constructed. The
new themes are normally Region themes, except when a zero buffer
distance is specified. In this case the new theme is an exact copy of the
selected theme and retains that theme's type.
Procedure
The Theme Buffer dialog is displayed:
Theme to buffer Select the base theme for the buffer operation.
New theme name Enter the name for the buffered theme.
Buffer distance Enter the distance around the base theme at which to
create the buffered theme. Entering a 0 value here will
make the new theme an exact copy of the base theme.
dialog.
Fill in the relevant data and click the OK button to continue. The buffer
theme is then created and graphically indexed.
6-12 MAP Reference

Merge Themes
Merge the attribute tables of two themes with identical structures

GISMergeThemes
This option allows you to merge attribute table records from a secondary
theme into those of a primary theme. Both themes must be identical as to
type and the record structure of the attribute tables must be identical.
All the attribute table records from the secondary theme are added to
those of the primary theme with a new GG_ID value. No checking for
pre-existing records in the primary attribute table is carried out.
Procedure
Select the theme that will be the primary theme of the merge and click
the OK button to continue.
The Select Theme dialog is displayed again:

Select the theme to be merged into the primary theme (the secondary
theme) and click the OK button to continue. Do not, as in the example
shown here, select the same theme as both primary and secondary as the
merge will not be carried out.
The attribute tables of the selected themes are checked for consistency,
and only if both themes match exactly as to type and attribute table
structure will the merge proceed.
6-14 MAP Reference

Theme Join
Join a table to an existing theme

GISThemeJoin
This option allows you to join a stand-alone table in the project to the
attribute table of an existing theme such that the attribute table appears
to be a combination of the original attribute table and the joined table.
This function is used to join non-geographic data (such as Treasury
records) to existing geographic records (the themes).
It is a limitation of the current version of MAP that the table to be joined
to the theme must exist as part of the project. You must use Microsoft
Access to create the join table in the project.
Joins to external tables are not currently supported. In order to support
external tables you must use Microsoft Access to either import the
external table into the project, or to create a link (SQL SYNONYM) to an
external table.
Procedure
The Table Join dialog is displayed:
Existing theme Select an existing theme for the join.

Existing table Select an existing table for the join.
New theme Enter the name to be given to the new joined theme.

( Button Click this button to add an opening parenthesis to the
query.
Theme Field Button Click this button to display a menu of the fields in the
selected theme. Click an item on this menu to add the
selected theme field to the query.
Comparison Button Click this button to display a menu of available
comparisons. Click an item on this menu to add the
selected comparison to the query.
Value Button Click this button to display a menu of available value
types. Click an item on this menu to display a dialog that
allows entry of the selected value type. The entered
value is then added to the query.
Table Field Button Click this button to display a menu of the fields in the
selected table. Click an item on this menu to add the
selected table field to the query.
) Button Click this button to add a closing parenthesis to the
query.
Operator Button Click this button to display a menu of available
operators. Click an item on this menu to add the
selected operator to the query.
dialog.

If no errors are encountered then the new theme is constructed and
added to the project.
6-16 MAP Reference

Consistency Check
Check themes for internal consistency

GISThemeCheck
This option allows you to check themes for internal consistency. The
function is useful in locating errors in classification. The types of check
available are reference point consistency (for Region themes only),
attribute table consistency, and coordinate table consistency.
Reference point consistency checks that the reference point for each
obect actually lies within the object polygon. It is not actually an error if
the reference point is outside the polygon, but it can be an indicator of
mis-classified data. For example, if you are importing from CAD and
there is an object, which is not closed, the classification of the polygon
can leak out and cover areas that were not intended to be classified for
this object. In this case the reference point would most likely not be
within the defined polygon and this check will pick that up. This is a
report-only check.
Attribute table consistency checks that there is a defined object (i.e.
coordinate records) for each record in the attribute table. A missing
object record can occur if you have added some attribute table records
but not yet classified them. As this is not neccessarily an error, the check
just reports those records found. There is however an option to delete
these records if required.
Coordinate table consistency checks that there is an attribute record for
each defined object (i.e. coordinate record). Missing attribute records can
occur if you delete an attribute record using Microsoft Access but fail to
delete the corresponding coordinate records. It can also occur during
import from CAD. In this case text from the drawing is placed into the
attribute table. If the defined width of the field selected is not wide
enough to accept this text then the attribute record addition fails. The
object record addition has however already taken place, and it is now
orphaned. This is most definitely an error, so these orphaned records are
deleted automatically. If deletions do take place, then the theme is
reindexed.

Procedure
The Consistency Check dialog is displayed:
Reference point in object

polygon
Orphaned attribute
records
Delete records
Orphaned coordinate
records
Coordinate record closure
Select the required options and click the OK button to continue.

As each check is processed, its results are displayed in the MAP Output
window. Once checking is complete, scroll through the Output window
as a reference while you fix the errors that were discovered.
6-18 MAP Reference

Transform Themes
Apply a Helmert transformation to theme coordinates

GISThemeTransform
This option allows you to apply a Helmert transformation to the

coordinates of selected themes. You would use this to transform from, for
example, Clarke 1880 coordinates to WGS84 coordinates.
One or more themes can be transformed simultaneously, and a
subsequent transformation has the option of using the same
transformation parameters as the previous transformation.
Procedure
The Select Themes dialog is displayed:
Select one or more themes to be transformed (use Shift and Left click to
select/deselect a range, or Control and Left click to select/deselect
individuals). Click the OK button to continue.
If parameters from a previous transformation have been stored then the
following message will be displayed:
Click on Yes to reuse the previous transformation parameters, or click on

No to enter new transformation points.

If this is the first transformation, or if you selected No at the previous
step, then you will be prompted
Indicate point 1 in old system
Indicate a point that represents a coordinate in the untransformed
system. Any of the standard AllyCAD jumps or cursor moves can be used
to select this point. The prompt then changes to
Indicate the corresponding point 1 in new system
Indicate a point that represents the same coordinate as previously
selected in the transformed system. Once again any of the standard
AllyCAD jumps or cursor moves can be used to select this point.
This selection of points in the old and new systems will continue until
you have defined three common points. The following message will be
displayed:
Click on Yes to add another common point, or click on No to continue

the transformation. If you select Yes then the above message will be
displayed after every new point added.
Once you have selected not to add further common points, or if you
selected to use the previous transformation parameters, then the
following message is displayed:
(Details will differ depending on the number of points added and the
degree of adjustment required to transform the old system to the new).
Click on Yes to continue with the transformation, or click on No to cancel
the function.
The selected themes will then be transformed and the display refreshed.
6-20 MAP Reference

Clarke 1880 -> WGS84
You can transform data from the Clarke 1880 datum to the WGS84
datum.
Transform Themes
Apply a Clarke 1880 to WGS84 transformation to theme coordinates using KNB
files supplied by Mark Newling of Tritan Survey

GISThemeKNBTransform
This option allows you to apply a Clarke 1880 to WGS84 transformation

to the coordinates of selected themes. This function is applicable to users
in South Africa only. One or more themes can be transformed
simultaneously.
The KNB files used in the transformation process are supplied for a
particular degree square. Please contact Mark Newling of Tritan Survey
in Cape Town. Their address details are as follows:
Mark Newling
Tritan Survey cc
PO Box 18597
Wynberg
7824
Tel: 021 797-2081
Fax: 021 797-8195
EMail: tritansa@iafrica.com
The supply and use of the KNB files supplied by Mark Newling and
Tritan Survey is a matter between yourself and their company and
Knowledge Base will, other than to the extent of verifying that the
internal calculation used is correct, bear no responsibility for the
outcome of any transformation using these supplied files.

Procedure
The Select Themes dialog is displayed:
Select one or more themes to be transformed (use Shift and Left click to
select/deselect a range, or Control and Left click to select/deselect
individuals). Click the OK button to continue.
A Browse Folder dialog is presented.
You must select a directory, which contains the KNB files that you have
obtained. Click the OK button to continue.
The KNB files in the selected directory are then checked to ensure that
the correct files for the transformation are present and not damaged. If
any KNB file is missing or damaged then a list of files that are needed or
must be repaired is presented.
6-22 MAP Reference

If the KNB file test succeeds then the selected themes will be
transformed and the display refreshed.

Create Theme
Create a new, empty theme

GISCreateTheme
This option allows you to create a new theme without immediately

having to have data available to populate it.
After creating the theme you would normally use the Browse Grid
function to add records and define the graphical representation.
Procedure
The Create Theme dialog is displayed:
6-24 MAP Reference

Modify Theme
Modify the field structure of the attribute table for a theme

GISModifyTheme
This option allows you add new fields and delete existing fields in the
attribute table for a theme. Deleting fields from a table will result in all
the data contained in those fields being deleted permanently. There is
NO recovery option.
Procedure
Select the theme whose attribute table you would like to modify. Click
the OK button to continue. The Modify Theme dialog is displayed:

Fields to delete Select one or more fields to be deleted from the attribute
table. Note that any data contained in deleted fields will
be permanently lost.
Fields to add Enter one or more fields to be added to the attribute
table.
Add Calculated Button Click this button to add the relevant predefined fields to
the list. This will only add those fields which do not
already exist in the table.
Add Text Button Click this button to add the relevant predefined fields to
the list. This will only add those fields which do not
already exist in the table.
Add Multimedia Button Click this button to add the relevant predefined field to
the list. This will only add the field if it does not already
exist in the table.
dialog.
Fill in the relevant data and then click the OK button to continue.
6-26 MAP Reference

Remove Theme
Remove an existing theme from the project

GISRemoveTheme
This option allows you to delete an existing theme from the project.
There is no way to undo the action of this function so be sure that you
select the correct theme to be removed.
Please note that you should not remove themes that are the basis for
other themes. This is the case when you create a buffer theme or a view
theme. If you delete a base theme then the child themes will no longer
work. There is currently no checking of the relationship between themes,
but this will be built in to a later version of MAP.
Procedure
The Remove Theme dialog is displayed:
Fill in the relevant data and click the OK button to continue. The
selected theme will, after confirmation, be removed from the project.

Notes:
6-28 MAP Reference

Operations Menu
The Operations Menu allows you to build the
topology data used in determining the shortest route
between two points in a line theme.
Operations Menu 7-1

Build Topology
Build a topology file for a line theme

GISThemeTopo
This option allows you to build a topology table from a line theme that
can be used to determine the shortest route between theme elements.
The success of the topology table depends on the elements of the line
theme joining each other at end points only. You may also specify an
error distance to be used when the routine tries to determine join points
between elements in order to overcome small errors in joins.
Procedure
The Select Theme dialog is displayed (it will list only line themes):
Select the theme to be processed and click the OK button to continue.

The Node Separation dialog is displayed:
Fill in the relevant data and click the OK button to continue. The theme
data is scanned and a topology table is generated. The table has the same
name as the theme with the addition of "_topo".
7-2 MAP Reference

Once topology has been built use the Shortest Route function to
determine shortest routes.
Shortest Route
Determine the shortest distance between points in a line theme

GISThemeRoute
This option allows you to determine the shortest route between a

selected element in a line theme and any other element in that theme.
The shortest route determination depends on the topology table that was
built using the Build Topology function.
If the topology does not form what is known as a "spanning tree" (i.e. all
elements are interconnected in some way) the route scan will fail. In this
case it is advisable to manually edit your line theme to clean up
intersections.
Procedure
The Select Theme dialog is displayed (it will list only line themes):
Select the theme to process (for which a topology table must already
exist) and click the OK button to continue.
The Select Field dialog is displayed:
Operations Menu 7-3

Select the field to be used when reporting route results and click the OK
button to continue.
MAP will now prompt
Select origin object
Click on or near one of the elements in the selected theme. The shortest
route determination will between this element and any other selected
element.
MAP will now prompt
Select destination object
The shortest route will be determined (if possible). The route will be
highlighted and the determined route will be displayed in the Map
Output window (if that option has been selected). If the theme has a
LENGTH field, then the reported route will list the distances for each leg
of the route as well as the total distance for the route.
MAP will continue to prompt
Select destination object
You may continue determining routes until you press [Esc] at the above
prompt.
7-4 MAP Reference

Settings Menu
The Settings Menu allows you to change the
display settings and also allows you to toggle the
display of object references and the graphical
index.
Operations Menu 8-1

Display Object References
Display the reference points of theme objects in various styles

GISShowReference
This option allows you to toggle the display of object reference points.
This will enable you check on the positioning of the reference points as
this is the position where any text displayed by the object will be written.
The menu item will be ticked when this option is on, and will be clear
when it is off.
Procedure
If the toggle is being turned on then the reference points for all visible
themes will be displayed on the next redraw. If the toggle is being turned
off then reference points will be removed on the next redraw.
In order to set the reference point display use the Display Settings
dialog.
8-2 MAP Reference

Display Graphical Index
Display the graphical index used in determining theme object positions

GISShowIndex
This option allows you to toggle the display of the graphical index. This
will enable you to check that the index covers all the themes currently in
the project, and that there is no gross irregularity in the index due to bad
coordinate values. The menu item will be ticked when this option is on,
and will be clear when it is off.
Reference points for theme objects which fall outside the graphical index
will, for all intents and purposes, be invisible to MAP functions. If this is
the case then use the Re-GIndex Single Theme, or Re-GIndex Whole
Project options to reconstruct the graphical index.
Procedure
If the toggle is being turned on then the graphical index will be displayed
on the next redraw. If the toggle is being turned off then graphical index
will be removed on the next redraw.
Operations Menu 8-3

GIS ID Mode
Assign IDs to new CAD entities

GISIDMode
This option allows you to toggle the entry of entity ID's when creating
new CAD entities. This option is normally used after exporting a MAP
theme to CAD. If this mode is on then the menu item is checked,
otherwise it is cleared.
During the export procedure the unique ID of the attribute data for each
theme entity is assigned to the CAD entity as a ID. If you now re-import
the CAD data to MAP (after possibly editing the CAD entities or adding
new CAD entities with IDs') using the Previously Exported Polylines
option, the CAD ID's are used to tie the CAD entities back to the themes
attribute table.
8-4 MAP Reference

Display Settings
Opens the Display Settings dialog

DisplaySettings
This dialog allows you to specify the items that should be shown in the
graphical display and the manner in which they should be displayed.
Procedure
The Display Settings dialog is displayed.
Operations Menu 8-5

Notes:
8-6 MAP Reference

MAP V6.3: Reference Manual

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MAP V6.

0-ii MAP Reference

Where do I go from here?

MAP Basics 1-1

Conventions used in this manual

Clicking means to press and release a mouse button quickly.

1-2 MAP Reference

MAP Basics 1-3

1-4 MAP Reference

MAP Tutorial 2-1

There are three basic types of themes:

2-2 MAP Reference

GIS Geographic Information System - a database system

MAP Tutorial 2-3

2-4 MAP Reference

The first three fields will, if present, be updated during classification of

MAP Tutorial 2-5

2-6 MAP Reference

In the TownData directory would be stored the theme display

MAP Tutorial 2-7

2-8 MAP Reference

MAP Tutorial 2-9

2-10 MAP Reference

MAP Tutorial 2-11

2-12 MAP Reference

File Menu 3-1

3-2 MAP Reference

File Menu 3-3

Your selection here will depend on whether you have Microsoft

• Select [Yes] if this DSN should be available to any user logging on to

3-4 MAP Reference

File Menu 3-5

3-6 MAP Reference

File Menu 3-7

3-8 MAP Reference

• A default colour is always assigned to new themes.

File Menu 3-9

3-10 MAP Reference

Road Sections (a Line theme)

File Menu 3-11

Road Signs (a Point theme)

3-12 MAP Reference

File Menu 3-13

3-14 MAP Reference

File Menu 3-15

3-16 MAP Reference

Let us now adjust the display of this theme.

File Menu 3-17

3-18 MAP Reference

File Menu 3-19

3-20 MAP Reference

File Menu 3-21

Last record. Jump to the final record in the current query.

3-22 MAP Reference

• Fill in the dialog as shown above (remember the section in the

File Menu 3-23

3-24 MAP Reference

File Menu 3-25

• Select the secondary theme and click on the [Ok] button.

3-26 MAP Reference

File Menu 3-27

3-28 MAP Reference

File Menu 3-29