tutorial -...

VISUALIZING DATA

Tutorial

GIS data is the foundation of today’sdigitally created maps. But how can thenumerical data contained within a .SHPfile be transformed into a visuallyappealing map?

Follow along in this tutorial and learn howCANVAS 11 GIS+ can quickly transform theappearance of map objects, coordinates andother GIS property values into an eye-catchinggraphic.

Map objects containing population density data, landuse descriptions, elevation or mineral depositinformation can be enhanced with custom or preset color,gradient or texture inks to produce a “topic-targeted”thematic map.

CANVAS 11 GIS+ contains an easy-to-use Visualize Datainterface that lets you custom-select and modify the symbology or appearance of map objects according toproperty value or other classification options. Bear in mind that the appearance of a thematic map dependson the data, topics and the message that you wish to deliver. This tutorial shows only one of several optionsthat are available to create thematic maps so we encourage you to experiment.

The goal of this tutorial is to provide you with an understanding of symbology and learn something aboutthe capabilities of Canvas 11 GIS+.

ObjectivesAfter this exercise you will be able to:

» Colorize shape files» Apply symbols» Open and visualiz data» Label data

Required knowledge to perform this exercise:» Open shape files and palettes» Move an object» Draw or place an object

1

VISUALIZING DATATutorial

STEP 1: OPENING FILESWe will start this exercisewith four Shapefilescontaining Florida GIS data.These files consist of area,line, and point objects.

To open the file choose GIS> Import. Navigate to thefolder and Shift-click all the.SHP files and click Open.

Tip: Rather than Shift-clicking the files and

opening them at once, youcan also open one file andthen click the Add button inthe Files / Layers List dialogbox to open the remainingShapefiles.

The Files/Layers List dialogbox will now open. If youwish to change an object’scolor, select the layer in thelist and click the Propertiesbutton to open the LayerProperties dialog box. Forthis tutorial, we will notmodify the projectioninformation; so leave theprojection information as is.However, you should knowthat the projection settingsfor the file can be modifiedat any time. Click OK to loadthe files.

2


The loaded Shapefiles should look like theimage on the right.

3

STEP 2: REMOVING FILL INKNow let’s start using the Visualize datacommand to change the appearance ofvarious map objects.

First, let’s remove the fill ink from all objectson the state and county layers by doing thefollowing:

At the bottom of the documentwindow, select the state layer andselect all (Ctrl+A).Click the fill ink icon in the Toolbox andselect no ink from the Presets palette.Select the county layer and performthe same steps.


4

Now select the airport layer and choose GIS> Visualize data. With this command, youcan change map objects’ appearances byusing the Symbol, Stroke, or Fill categories.For the first example, we will select Symboland the Single option. Since there is noselection, only Layer should be availablefrom the Scope menu.

For this exercise, we will change the size to3.0 pt and select the “Preserve symbolframe ink” and “Preserve symbol fill ink”checkboxes.

Tip: For these exercises, deselect theCreate Legend checkbox in the Visualize

data dialog box.

Continue to next step before clicking OK. Preserve original size - Select this radio button to keepthe size of the object being replaced by a dynamicobject.Change size to - Select this radio button and thenenter a size in the text field. The selected dynamicobject will be the chosen size.Preserve symbol frame ink - Select this checkbox touse the object’s original outline color.Preserve symbol fill ink - Select this checkbox to usethe object’s original fill color.

Next we will replace all the airport icons (triangles). Click the Select button to open the Select Library Itemdialog box. A list of categories should appear in the left pane with the available dynamic library itemsappearing in the right pane. Select the Transportation category beneath GIS Symbols. Select the Airportsymbol in the top row in the right pane. Click OK to replace. The result should look like the below image.


5

Now we will differentiate between thevarious airport facilities. With theairport layer still selected, open theVisualize data dialog box again. Wewill use the Symbol category and theUnique option.

1) Open the Property menu andselect FAC_TYPE. The relatedvalues should appear below.

2) Click to the left of eachvalue to open the Select LibraryItem dialog box.

3) Select a dynamic library objectfrom the various categories thatrepresents that value.

4) Click OK to replace the currentobjects.

Tip: If you work with files that have identical values, you can use the Match values to symbols in a fileoption. You must first create dynamic library objects and save the files via the Symbol Library palette. The

names of the dynamic library objects must be the same as the values in the files.

STEP 3:Next, select the runway layer and openthe Visualize data dialog box onceagain. We will use the Stroke categoryand the Unique colors option tomodify the stroke of the runways.

1) Select City from the Propertymenu.

2) Click Add all values to load thevalues for the selected property.

3) Click the Options button andselect Generate Random Colorpalette.

4) As shown in the image on theright, each value is assigned adifferent color.

5) Click OK to apply the colors tothe line objects.


6

Now, let’s change the stroke width of therunways so they are more visible.

1) Open the Visualize data dialog box andselect the Stroke category and Singleoption.

2) Click the Select button to open the penstroke options of the Presets palette.

3) Choose a Standard pen stroke with a2 pt width.

4) Click OK to apply the pen stroke to therunways.

1) Select ELEV from theProperty menu. The range ofvalues loads automatically.

2) Use the From and To fields todetermine the size range forthe pen stroke. From refers tothe thinnest width, and To isthe widest width. For this exercise,we will use 3 pt and 8 pt.

3) Click OK to apply the changes.

Tip: When using a Graduated option,only properties that have a numeric

data type appear in the Property menu.

Next, we will differentiate between the various runways byusing the Stroke category and Graduated stroke option.


7

STEP 4: APPLYING FILL INKNow, select the county layer and openthe Visualize data dialog box. We willapply a fill ink to various counties byusing Fill category and the Uniquecolors option.

1) Select COUNTY from theProperty menu.

2) Click the Add all values button.3) Click the Options button and

select Generate Random Colorpalette. Each value is assigned adifferent color.

4) Click OK to apply the inks to thearea objects.

5) Select all the objects on thislayer (Ctrl+A).

6) Lower the opacity to 25% byusing the Opacity slider in theProperties bar.

STEP 5: COLORING THE STATESNow, select the state layer and open theVisualize data dialog box. We will apply a fillink to the state by using the Fill category andthe Single option.

1) Select the Fill category and then Single.2) Click the Select button to open the

pop-up Presets palette.3) Select an ink type and then choose an

ink.4) Click OK to apply the ink to the area

objects.

In the example on the right, we used a verylight color ink.


8

STEP 6: LABELING MAP OBJECTSWe can also further enhance amapping project by adding labels toobjects. In this case, we will label thecounties.

1) Select the county layer.2) Choose GIS > Label by property

to open the Label By Propertyinterface.

3) Select COUNTY from theProperty menu.

4) Choose the Font options. We willuse a small font and a red colorso the labels are easily seen.

5) Select Hide Current Label forCollision detection.

6) Enter a value in the RotationAngle field and select areference point, if necessary.

7) Select Current Layer in theOutput menu.

8) Click OK to create the labels.

The final map project would appearlike the image on the right side.

© 2007 ACD Systems of America, Inc. All rights reserved. Canvas is a trademark of ACD Systems of America, Inc. The ACDSee logo isa trademark of ACD Systems International Inc. or its subsidiary and is used under license by ACD Systems of America Inc. All othertrademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

tutorial -...

Documents