Versatile Mapping Techniques for Map Presentation

Map presentation is an important part of GIS functionality. SuperMap GIS has versatile mapping techniques to enhance map presentation effect.

　　◆ Semi-transparent display of the layer

Semi-transparent display can avoid layer being overlapped. Both raster dataset and region dataset support this function, and you can adjust transparency at your wish.

Figure 12 Opaque VS 60% transparency

　　◆ Gradient fill effect

The region dataset of SuperMap GIS supports gradient fill, and gradient between any two colors can be in linear, circular, quadrangular and conical etc. manners.

Figure 13 Gradient fill effect

　　◆ Transparency combined with gradient fill

In SuperMap GIS, you can apply transparent and gradient fill to the map at the same time. These fill effects can also be applied to thematic maps, such as unique value map, pie chart, column chart, area chart, stacked column chart etc., and all of these settings can be saved into the map, and the same display effect will be available next time when opening the map.

Figure 14 Thematic mapping

Figure 15 3D Scene and transparency

　　◆ Various thematic mapping methods

SuperMap GIS offers various thematic map, making visualization of attributes data possible. Thematic mapping methods include: Unique Value, Ranges, Graduated Symbol, Graph, Dot Density, Label and User-defined maps, in which, the Graph map includes area chart, step chart, line chart, scatter chart, column chart, 3D column chart, pie chart, 3D pie chart, Rose chart, 3D rose chart, Stacked column chart, 3D stacked column chart and so on.

Figure 16 multiple types of Thematic Map

There are a lot of options available for thematic map controlling and editing, as shown below:

　　○ Label thematic map offers label offset, floating text, label along the line and label rotation;

　　○ The width of Column chart and original angle of pie slice in pie chart are allowed to adjust;

　　○ All thematic maps support display scale setting, you can set the maximum and minimum display scale for thematic maps;

　　○ All thematic maps can be exported to XML files, which can also be directly imported when creating thematic maps;

　　○ The style of each value or range can be set respectively in unique value and ranges thematic maps;

　　○ Thematic maps can be saved as CAD dataset;

　　○ Create thematic map using the expression containing field or fields;

　　○ Reserve field value when creating unique value thematic map.

Figure 17 Parameter settings of thematic mapping

　　◆ Easy-to-use symbol creator and manager

SuperMap GIS has a powerful function of spatial information visualization, not only provides default marker, line, and fill symbol styles but also embedded with the symbol editor, in which you can customize various symbols according to your needs.

　　◆ Marker symbol editor

The characteristics of marker symbol editor are shown below:

  　　○ Create, edit, delete vector symbol;
  　　○ Import image with .ico and .bmp format as raster symbol;
  　　○ Import .dxf, .dwg, .dgn, .cel and other format data to the SuperMap GIS symbol format;
  　　○ Batch import True Type symbols and allow convert them into SuperMap vector symbols, which can be independently used without True Type library;
  　　○ SuperMap GIS has text interchange file format (.smi) for marker symbol, for easy reading and conversion in other information system.

　　◆ Line symbol editor

SuperMap GIS has rich line styles by which you can design various sub line styles by selecting line style template and setting template parameters, then by adjusting the relationship between sub line styles you can compose the line style you want.

Figure 18 Line symbol editor

Figure 19 Marker symbol editor

　　◆ Fill symbol editor

In fill symbol editor, you can edit, create and modify each fill style. You can also import .bmp images as fill style.

Figure 20 Fill symbol editor

　　◆ Map layout

Map layout function provides text, WordArt, symbols, line, polyline, polygon, map, complex map frame, compass, scale bar, map legend, and other layout elements and combined presentation of some layout elements. The map in layout view can be clipped, copied, panned, zoomed in/out and so on. In addition, you can output the map layout to various kinds of printers, scanners and the map layout will be printed in one or more pages according to the specified paper size.