mapinfo training

62
MapInfo Training Concepts & Definitions

Upload: api-3706414

Post on 13-Nov-2014

86 views

Category:

Documents


13 download

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: MapInfo Training

MapInfo TrainingConcepts & Definitions

Page 2: MapInfo Training

MapInfo Training CourseThere are 3 Sections to this course

1. Concepts & Definitions• Coordinate Systems• Projections• Introducing MapInfo

2. MapInfo Training – Part 1: Basics• Tables• Maps• Layouts

3. MapInfo Training – Part 2: Advanced• Thematic Maps• Selections• Queries• Sample Application

Page 3: MapInfo Training

What is GIS?• GIS Refers to software tools which use spatial /

geographic techniques to visualize and analyze data

• Typically, GIS is used to relate different types of geographic data. o Polygons (e.g. counties)o lines (e.g. rivers or utility lines)o points (e.g. population centers)

• This information can then be geographically identified and related

• Spatial relationships between data translate to mathematical expressions and can be evaluated by GIS tools

Page 4: MapInfo Training

What GIS is NOT!• GIS is not equivalent to digital mapping• There are better programs available (i.e. Adobe

Freehand or Illustrator) for creating presentation quality digital maps

• Questions such as “Which county has the highest population?” can be answered by a database

• Questions such as “Which county has the highest density of potential customers within 5 miles of potential radio sites?” use GIS

Page 5: MapInfo Training

Coordinate Systems• A coordinate system is used to create a

numerical representation of geometric objects.• Each point in a geometric object is represented

by a pair of numbers. • Those numbers are the coordinates for that

point.• In cartography*, coordinate systems are closely

related to projections. • You create a coordinate system by supplying

specific values for the parameters of a projection.

* Cartography is the art and science of making maps. In GIS it is the graphic presentation and visual interpretation of data.

Page 6: MapInfo Training

Coordinate SystemsLatitude• The North-South position of a point• The Y-Axis• Measured in degrees or decimal degrees above

or below the equator.• Latitude lines are the horizontal lines on a map• Latitude lines increase from 0 degrees at the

Equator to 90 degrees at both the North (+90.0 degrees) and South (-90.0 degrees) poles.

Page 7: MapInfo Training

N

S

EW

Equator(-) 41 12 23

(+) 41 12 23

Lines of Latitude

Page 8: MapInfo Training

Coordinate SystemsLongitude• Used to describe the East – West position of a

point• The X-Axis• It is reported as the number of degrees East (to

–180.0 degrees) or west (to +180.0 degrees) of the Prime Meridian (0 degrees)

• Represented by vertical lines running from North to South.

• Lines of Longitude are farthest apart at the Equator and intersect at both poles, and are therefore not parallel.

Page 9: MapInfo Training

N

S

EW

Prime Meridian

(+) 76 02 14(-) 76 02 14

Lines of Longitude

Page 10: MapInfo Training

Converting Lat & Longs• MapInfo uses Latitude and Longitude

coordinates in the decimal degrees format.

• 30 minutes = half a degree• 30 seconds = half a minute

• Latitude (+) 41 12 2341 Degrees 12 Minutes 23 Seconds41 + (12 Minutes / 60 Minutes) + (23 Seconds / 3600 Seconds)41.206

• Longitude (-) 76 02 14-76 Degrees 2 Minutes 14 Seconds-76 + (2 Minutes / 60 Minutes) + (14 Seconds / 3600 Seconds)-76.037

Page 11: MapInfo Training

Projections• A Projection is a mathematical model that

translates the location of features on the Earth’s surface to locations on a two-dimensional surface.

• All projections have a degree of distortion• A map projection can preserve area, distance,

shape or direction but only a globe can preserve everything!

• MapInfo has a wide range of projections for displaying maps, it defaults to Latitude / Longitude.

Page 12: MapInfo Training

Projection Example

Page 13: MapInfo Training

Examples of ProjectionsSome well known projections are:• Mercator – Produce maps suited for navigation• Lambert – Produce maps suited for visual

analysis

In MapInfo• Latitude/Longitude NAD27 – Bahamas, Cape

etc.*• Latitude/Longitude NAD83*• Various other options

* Used by many Network Planning Software tools

Page 14: MapInfo Training

What is MapInfo?• MapInfo Professional

Windows based Mapping (thematic)Can handle both Vector & Raster dataData AnalysisSQL Query, Geographic QueriesImports/exports to many popular data formatsCartographic LegendsLayout (Presentation)Graphing / Charting

Page 15: MapInfo Training

Raster and Vector Data

Vector RasterConstructed by joining points with lines. Nodes are the start and end points, vertices are the points where there is a change of direction.

Pixels are used to represent features. Each pixel covers a set area of the ground, dependant upon resolution. Used mainly for representing areas.

Page 16: MapInfo Training

What is it used for?Areas of Application• Marketing / Market Planning

o Locate customers / users, prioritize market launch• Strategic Planning

o Business case analysis, trending, forecasting• RF Engineering

o Enhance site selection / maximizing demographic coverage

• Network Engineeringo Interconnect / backhaul planning

• Maintenance / Optimizationo Analysis / Mapping of network problems, complaints

Page 17: MapInfo Training

MapInfo TrainingPart 1: Basics

Page 18: MapInfo Training

Tables: Structure• Tables typically consist of between 3 and 4 files

associated by MapInfo• Tables can represent either raster data, vector

data, or non-geographic data• Tables can be in the native MapInfo format

(.tab) or external formats opened in MapInfo (mdb, xls, dbf, jpg, gif)

• It is estimated that up to 85% of the Worlds databases contain some sort of Geographic information (lat/long, post code, etc.)

Page 19: MapInfo Training

Tables: File Structure

Table definition, ASCII file containing structure (.tab)

File containing tabular data. (.dat, .xls, .dbf, etc)

File containing raster data. (.bmp, .jpg, .gif, etc)

OR

File containing graphical objects. (.map)

File cross-referencing tabular data with graphical objects. (.id)

File indexing tabular fields for searching. (.ind)

Page 20: MapInfo Training

Tables: Opening

• To open a file use the Open Table Dialog;o Menu (File > Open..)

• Default view is automatic, but this can be changed.

• When you open a file you register it with MapInfo as being open

• Just because there is no map or browser window open it does not mean that there are no files open!

Page 21: MapInfo Training

Tables: OpeningThe View Options Are:

o Automatic (Default)o Browsero Current Mappero New Mappero No View

• Automatic setting is quite intelligent and will be fine for most uses.

• Double-click a file name to open, or select the name and click the OK button.

Page 22: MapInfo Training

Tables: Closing

• Closing a window does NOT close a table!• Tables remain open until you specifically tell

MapInfo to close them• This is done in one of two ways, depending on

what you are trying to doClosing Single Tables:Menu (File > Close Table)

Closing All Tables:Menu (File > Close All)

Page 23: MapInfo Training

Tables: Saving• After editing tables you need to save the table

in order to save your changes• This is done by using the save dialog

o Menu (File > Save Table)• MapInfo will present a list of tables that have

had changes done to them, select the table you wish to save from the list and click OK

• If no tables have been edited then the “Save Table” option in the “File” menu will be greyed out

• Before closing tables or exiting, MapInfo will warn you if there are any unsaved changes in tables.

Page 24: MapInfo Training

Tables: Saving Copies Of• Occasionally you will need to save copies of

tables• This is especially true if you import tables that

are not MapInfo native• Before you can edit the structure of these

tables they must be in a MapInfo native format• Use the Save Copy Dialog to do this

o Menu (File > Save Copy As..)• MapInfo shows a list of all open tables• Select the table you want to make a copy of• Enter a location and file name in the dialog• Click OK

Page 25: MapInfo Training

Tables: Creating New

• Sometimes it will be necessary to create your own blank tables, into which you can put your own data. This might be some new Cell sites that you want to plot

• Use the File > New Table menu option• Select whether you want to open a browser or

mapper, or both!• Use a mapper if you will be drawing objects

(such as point locations)• Use a browser if you want to type data into a

table (like a spreadsheet)• The “Create New Table Dialog” will appear

Page 26: MapInfo Training

Tables: New Table Dialog• Click the “Add Field”

button• Give the field a name• Choose a field type

(character, float, integer, etc)

• Enter a value for the maximum width of the fied

• Tick “Table is mappable” box (for map tables!)

• Choose a projection (default is Latitude / Longitude)

• Repeat for all fields• Click create new• Give it a file name• Click OK

Page 27: MapInfo Training

Tables: Viewing• To view the data in a table MapInfo uses

Browser windows• Browser windows show the data in a tabular

format, much like a spreadsheet program (Excel)

Page 28: MapInfo Training

Tables: Importing Files• MapInfo can open and view several different file

typeso dBASE DBF (.dbf)o Delimited ASCII (.txt)o Lotus 123 (.wk1, .wks, .wk2, etc)o Microsoft Excel (.xls)o Microsoft Access Database (.mdb)

• The method of opening varies with each file type

• The most common types viewed are Excel and ASCII

Page 29: MapInfo Training

Tables: Important Issues• Opening a non MapInfo file format only allows

you to view the data• You cannot edit / map etc a non-native file

format• This method of opening is merely a dynamic

link to the original file• If you make changes to the original file then

these changes would be reflected in MapInfo• This method of file opening is good for viewing

sample data• To import the file you need to save a copy of

the table as mentioned previously

Page 30: MapInfo Training

Tables: Exporting • MapInfo can export its tables to the following

formats:o MapInfo Interchange (.mif)o Delimited ASCII (.txt)o AutoCAD DXF (.dxf)o dBASE DBF (.dbf)

• The most common use of export is to text files, these can then be read by virtually any other program

Page 31: MapInfo Training

Tables: Table Maintenance• It is very important to know how to maintain

tables• It allows you to:

o Alter table structureo Delete tableso Rename tableso Pack tables

• The table maintenance options can be accessed via:o Menu (Table > Maintenance)

• This opens a sub menu containing the maintenance options

Page 32: MapInfo Training

Tables: Structure Dialog• You can add, remove, or rename a tables fields• You can also alter the position of fields in a

table• The properties of a field may also be altered

(name, type, and width)

Page 33: MapInfo Training

Tables: Deleting• Using this function will delete a table and all its

associated files from your hard disk• Accessed via:

o Menu (Table > Maintenance > Delete Table)• Can NOT be undone!• Select the table to delete from the list that

appears

Page 34: MapInfo Training

Tables: Renaming

• This option allows you to rename an open table• It renames the table within MapInfo, and also

renames all associated files• Accessed via:

o Menu (Table > Maintenance > Rename Table)• Select table to rename from list that appears• Give it a new file name in the save dialog• Click “Save”• All files are renamed and the tables entry in

MapInfo is also renamed

Page 35: MapInfo Training

Tables: Packing• When you delete a row from a table you only

delete the data in that row• You do NOT delete the actual row• To delete empty rows from a table you must

use the Pack Table function:o Menu (Table > Maintenance > Pack Table)

• Select the table to pack from the list• Select the pack method• Click OK

Page 36: MapInfo Training

Tables: Pack Table DialogPack Options1. Pack Tabular Data

o Only packs the table2. Pack Graphic Data

o Only packs graphical objects

3. Pack Both Types of Datao Packs both tabular and

graphical data

• If your table is just tabular then use option 1, otherwise use option 3

Page 37: MapInfo Training

Maps: Map Window• The map window is the fundamental view in

MapInfo• It allows a geographic view of data supporting

many different projections• Requires that your table has geographic objects

Page 38: MapInfo Training

Maps: Objects• Hidden column in mappable tables called the

“obj” column• The “obj” is a symbolic link to the “.map” file of

your table• There are four basic types of map objects:

o Regions: Closed objects covering a given geography Examples: Countries, Counties, Provinces

o Points: Single locations / Coordinates Examples: City, Tower, Building

o Lines (Single, Arc, Poly): Open linear objects Examples: Motorways, rivers

o Text: Text with geographic links Example: Labels

Page 39: MapInfo Training

Maps: Object Styles• Map objects have default styles saved to tables

when created• Typically when mapping, it is necessary to

change these styles for esthetic reasons• Changes can mean variations in color, fill, line

thickness, or text style depending on the type of objects

• Global style changes (affecting all objects in a table) are set in layer control (Display Option) using a Style Override

• Permanent style changes can be made directly to an editable table, but not recommended

• Changes can also be made using Thematic Layers

Page 40: MapInfo Training

Maps: Object Labelling• Each map object can be labeled• Labels can be made automatically or manually• Labels are typically based on tabular data• Automatic labels created from label control,

manual labels are set with the label tool (Main Button Pad)

• Label Styles set from Layer Control (Source, Font, Color, etc..)

* Note: Labels are not permanent additions to tables, they are merelyannotations saved in the current session (saved in Workspaces)

Page 41: MapInfo Training

Maps: Layer Control• Maps consist of tables displayed as layers• Analogy: Each table can be viewed on a

transparency, and these transparencies are then stacked to create a map

• Order of layers controls the appearance of your map

• Layers can be tables, thematic views of tables, or mapped queries

• The “Layer Control” dialog is a tool to help you manipulate your layers

• Accessed by:o Menu (Map > Layer Control)o Right-Click in a map window > Layer Control

Page 42: MapInfo Training

Maps: Layer Control Dialog• Allows you to:

o Add / Remove layerso Change order of layers (influencing map composition)o Change layers display propertieso Control layers labellingo Turn layers on or off

Page 43: MapInfo Training

Maps: Zooming & Panning• Zooming and Panning is

easily controlled through buttons on the Main button pad

• Change View will allow you to set a specific zoom level and center for your map

• Grabber will let you pan your map manually

Zoom In

Zoom Out

Change View

Grabber

Page 44: MapInfo Training

Maps: Cosmetic Layers• Each map has a cosmetic layer by default,

which serves as a ‘scratch pad’ for temporary data

• You can use this layer to store map objects temporarily, with the ability to save or discard objects

• Objects in the cosmetic layer are saved in workspaces

• Objects in cosmetic layers are not by default saved to tables, they can be saved or discarded by selecting menu items from the Map menu

Page 45: MapInfo Training

Maps: Saving Objects• As mentioned, objects in the cosmetic layer can

be saved into their own table• Accessed by:

o Menu (Map > Save Cosmetic Objects)• In the save dialog that appears choose a

location and name to save the table to• Click OK• The table will be added to MapInfo’s list of

current tables

Page 46: MapInfo Training

Layouts: Description• Layout Windows are a page layout feature which allows

the user to arrange map, browser, and graph windows along with annotations and prepare for printingo Layout Windows are the preferred method of printing from

MapInfoo Layouts are specific to a paper size and orientationo Layouts use frames to organize map, graph, and browser

windowso Layouts are WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get), the

only true representation of how your maps will appear when printed

o Annotations can be added directly to the Layout Window (Text, Lines, Regions) and are saved in Workspaces

o Frames can be added using the Frame Tool on the Main Toolpad

o Scale of maps can be precisely indicated using Layout Windows

Page 47: MapInfo Training

Sample Layout

Text Annotations

Map Frame

Legend FrameBrowser Frame

Page 48: MapInfo Training

MapInfo TrainingPart 2: Advanced

Page 49: MapInfo Training

Thematic Maps: Description• Map Layers can be shaded Thematically

o Object Styles (Color, line width, fill, etc..) can be controlled based on values of tabular data associated to that object

o Thematic Layers help display geographic trends of data

o Types of Thematic Layers: Ranges: Shade based on ranges of data values Individual: Shade each unique value individually Other: Pie Charts, Bar Charts, Graduated Symbols, Dot Density,

Grid

Page 50: MapInfo Training

Thematic Maps: Creating• First decide exactly what it is you are trying to

display• Select Menu:

o Map > Create Thematic Map• Select the type of thematic map to create• Select the table containing the data• Select the column with values to use• Make adjustments to the legend • Click OK!

Page 51: MapInfo Training

Thematic Maps: Legends• The appearance of your thematic map is

controlled by the final section of the wizard• From here you can adjust the following

o Rangeso Styleso Legend Propertieso Legend label order

Page 52: MapInfo Training

Thematic Maps: Important Points• Appear in Layer Control above tables they are

based upon• May be visible even if base tables are not• Ranges can be set in a variety of ways,

including statistically calculated methods• Styles & Ranges can be customized and saved

to templates which can be applied easily to other tables

• Thematic layers are saved in workspaces and are not modifications of base tables

• Thematic maps can be modified

Page 53: MapInfo Training

Legends: Description• The legend for the thematic map is displayed in

a window• Extra components can be added to the legend• Click the right mouse button in the legend

window and select the “Add Frames” option• Use the wizard to add or remove elements from

the legend• Double clicking a component in the legend

window opens the editing dialog• This can be used to alter the appearance of the

component (title, style, etc)

Page 54: MapInfo Training

Selections: Described• Selections are subsets of table data created by

the usero Selections can be created manually either through

map windows or browser windowso Selections can be created automatically through

query capabilities of MapInfoo Selections are temporary tables created by MapInfo

and can be saved to permanent tableso Selections are also known as Queries, and are

represented in MapInfo as temporary tables named QueryN, where N represents an integer

Page 55: MapInfo Training

Selections: Using• Selections can be :

o Added to maps as new layerso Viewed in browser windowso Used to edit subsets of tableso Appended to other tableso View / Analyze subsets of datao Make further selections

• Selections can be made using the screen• Or by querying the data

Page 56: MapInfo Training

Selections: From Screen• Tools: Select Tool, Radius Select Tool,

Boundary Select Tool, Marquee Select Tool, Select All, Unselect All

• Tools can be used to make selections directly from map windows on the screen

• Selections can only be made from a single table, whose selectable status is enabled

• Selections are highlighted on the map• Multiple selections can be made using

the Control key in conjunction with tools

Page 57: MapInfo Training

Selections: From Queries• Allows you to create expressions based on data

fields and query tables based upon those expressions

• For Example, you can ask MapInfo to:o Show Post Code regions where the population >

50,000o Show Buildings where expected revenue > $20,000o Show Cell Sites co-located with Bell Atlantic?

Page 58: MapInfo Training

Queries: Expressions• Expressions are logical statements which ask

the questions to MapInfo• If you wanted to know which Zip Codes had a

population > 50,000 your expression might be:o POP_90 > 50000

• Expression are typed directly into the Select Dialog, the expression assistant can help in forming the expressions

• Expression can be complex containing logical operators (such as OR, AND, NOT) and mathematical operators (such as + / = *)

• MapInfo’s query language is SQL

Page 59: MapInfo Training

Miscellaneous: MapBasic Window

• MapBasic is MapInfo’s scripting language• The MapBasic window can be opened by:

o Menu (Options > Show MapBasic Window)• Any time MapInfo performs an operation the

relevant MapBasic command is printed in the window

• Commands can be typed into the window• The window is handy for controlling elements of

MapInfo, such as selections• Example command:

o Select * From table Where condition Into new table

Page 60: MapInfo Training

Miscellaneous: Workspaces• Workspaces are a feature in MapInfo that

enable you to save your current work session. By saving a workspace, you will keep track of:o Tables you currently have openo Views are open for tables (Map, Browser, Graph)o Thematic Layerso Querieso Legend Windowso Labelso Style Settings for all map windows

Page 61: MapInfo Training

Miscellaneous: Workspaces• When opening a workspace, you will be

recreating your saved work session o Tables will automatically be openedo Views will be created, including Layout Windowso Global Styles and Thematic Styles will be applied

• Save and Open workspaces from the file menu• Saving workspaces will not save current edits to

tables, editing or renaming tables may invalidate saved workspaces

• Workspace files are simply text files containing a series of MapBasic commands which tell MapInfo what to do

Page 62: MapInfo Training

Questions & Answers