The GIS viewer standalone or

in the
Data Explorer and Data Selector

Kristina Jansson & Wietse Dol,

November 2009.

Introduction........................................................................................3
Starting the session...........................................................................4
In Data Explorer..............................................................................4
Description of the GIS tool..............................................................5
Starting in the GIS-viewer (opened stand-alone)............................6
To load and link data (from Access)................................................7
Link the data to the map................................................................8
To load and link data (from GDX)....................................................9
Changing the appearance of the map..............................................10
To set class breaks - automatic.....................................................10
To set class breaks through the use of user classes.....................12
How to change colors...................................................................13
How to change name and other legend settings..........................14
The final result..............................................................................15
Saving the work............................................................................16
Loading an old map......................................................................18
Some manipulations........................................................................19
Removing lines.............................................................................19
Moving the legend........................................................................21
Magnifying the map......................................................................23
Automatic generation of GIS images...............................................25

Introduction
This tutorial will provide you the basic skills to make maps in the GIS-tool of the Data
Selector, Data Explorer and MetaBase. It is possible to follow the tutorial in a stepwise manner to create a map, but is also useful as reference once the user is more
acquainted with the GIS-viewer. Furthermore, this tutorial can be used as a support
in courses for the new user.
The starting point for this tutorial is the first step in map-making either in the GIStool or in the Data Explorer/Data Selector to choose a map and link the map to the
data you wish to display. The next step is to divide the classes, which also includes
some fine-tuning regarding colors and naming. Saving the data and saving the map
is handled at the end of this tutorial as is some changes in the appearance of the
map like magnifying and moving the map on the screen.
Additional help-tools are the wizard, which is recommended for the first-time user and
the quick reference guide, which is recommended for the more advanced user.
The user should be aware that this is not an advanced GIS-tool. If the idea is to make
more than a basic map one might need more advanced tools and should ask a GISprofessional for help.

Starting the session

In Data Explorer
When you have your data in the table of the Explorer you can press GIS. A window
will open in which you will be asked to do the regional link between the map (choose
from the tree) and the data in the table. To do this it is important to know that the
regional level of the data can be linked to the regional level of the map. In the
example below FARO regional division is matched with the FARO shape file of the
map. Both of these have been specifically developed for the FARO project.

Figure 1. Selection of map.

How to do it:
1.
Click the GIS button
2.
Choose map in the tree
3.
Choose Regional indicator
4.
Press Make

Description of the GIS tool

When the GIS viewer has been opened the map will be displayed on the right in the
window. On the top seven different menus are shown: File, Class breaks, Map, Edit,
Options, Bookmarks, Help and Exit and directly beneath them there is a row of
buttons. On the left side of the window three tabs are available: Legend, Data and
Info. The default has Legend opened.

Figure 2. The window in the GIS-tool

Figure 3. Menus, buttons and tags

For more information on Menus, Buttons (Tags), see below.

Starting in the GIS-viewer (opened stand-alone)

When starting the session in the GIS viewer first a map has to be opened. After this
data must be loaded and linked to the map data.

Figure 4. Open map

How to do it:
1. Open file menu
2. Choose open map
3. Select map from the tree

To load and link data (from Access)

To load and link data you need to go through several steps. The data has to be in
MS-Access .mdb format.

Figure 5. Load data

How to do it:
1. Press the load Access data button
2. Choose the .mdb containing the data you wish to display by browsing in the field
called Database
3. Press Open

Link the data to the map

Just as when starting in the Data Explorer it is necessary to link the regional levels.
Otherwise the tool cant show any data in the map.

Figure 6. Load data

How to do it:
1. Choose the table (FaroVariables in the example) you wish to display from the
mdb file
2. Match the fields that will link the map with the data regional link. In this example
the field to use in the data is called region and the field to use in the map is called
FARO. Note that the names in the columns match!
3. Press OK

To load and link data (from GDX)

Figure 6a: Load GDX data

How to do it:
1. Press the load GDX data button
2. Choose the GDX file containing the data you wish to display
3. If you have one, choose the GREF file containing the meta information on the
data. If you do not have a GREF file you can still make GIS maps, only
realize that sets do not have a clear name and the elements do not have
descriptions.
4. Then select the set/index that will be used for the rows (note you can select
some elements by clicking on the filter button)
5. Select the set/index that will be used for the columns
6. If your parameter contains more sets/indices you can select which element is
used for creating the table. If you click on a row of the Other sets table a
combo box makes it possible to select the element you want.
7. Press OK

Changing the appearance of the map

To set class breaks - automatic
Class breaks are giving the boundaries for the groups you wish to display in the map.
The menu also allows you to change the colors of the groups. Most importantly here
you choose the variable to display.
When choosing the class breaks a new window opens where different options are
displayed. The first choice is the class fields which data shall be displayed. The
options given are the same as the columns in the data table you have produced. In
this example data for year 2000 has been chosen.

Figure 7. Class breaks menu

How to decide class breaks automatic
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Choose the class breaks menu or click the class breaks speed button:
Decide variable in the class field
Strata color: choose Start/End color.
Strata type: Choose Automatic
Number of groups: 3
Press Apply

FIREWORKS!!!!!! THIS IS YOUR FIRST MAP!!!!

10

Figure 8. The resulting map

By keeping the classes automatic and the default start and end colors three groups
are automatically formed (equally large numbers of regions in each class). Note that
the legend name (FARO 2007 in the example) must be active if you wish to change
the class breaks.

11

To set class breaks through the use of user classes

Class breaks can be defined by the user through the activation of user classes in
Strata type. This will expand the window and some more definitions will have to be
made.

Figure 9. Class breaks window expanded

How to use the User classes;

1. Pick user classes in Strata type
2. Leave the Legend format automatic (here you can change the number of
decimals)
3. In the selector groups select the number of groups
4. Set lower and upper limits for each group (in rows) and write a description
5. Press Apply
MORE FIREWORKS!!!!

12

How to change colors

There are two ways to change colors: by changing the Start/End color in the class
break window (click on the colored fields) or by double clicking the class name. It is
also possible to use [templates].

Figure 10. Change color

How to change color using the class legends

1.
Double click on the color field next to the class name
2.
Choose Fill
3.
Choose color in the palette or define a custom color
4.
Press OK
5.
Press Apply

13

How to change name and other legend settings

The name if the map need to be clear for the reader or listener. It should clearly state
what the map displays. In the legend settings window, not only names can be
changed, but also fonts and other details regarding the legend.
(legend settings)

How to do it:
4. Open the legend settings (button or in the help menu)
5. In the field legend title write the name of the map
6. Leave the field variable name empty or write a variable name.
7. Press OK
(You can also open the font and add comments here if you wish. Detail on legend
settings press [here])

14

The final result

If you have followed all steps in this tutorial you will have a map, similar to that in the
picture below.

15

Saving and loading the work

Saving the work
There are several ways to save the map. Most important is to save the GIS viewer
data to be able to return to the map later for further changes and edits. The saving is
done in the File menu: choose Save GIS viewer data and specify the file name. It
is also possible to save the map as a picture in the file menu and the map can also
be copied, inserted in Word and printed using the buttons [link to the save/print
button information].

Figure 11. Open the file menu

16

Figure 12. The save window

How to do it:
1. Open the file menu
2. Choose Save GIS viewer data
3. Choose directory and name for the data
4. Press save

17

Loading an old map

One can load an old map for further changes by choosing Load GIS viewer data in
the File menu and then select the map in the browse window that appears.

Figure 13. Load data

How to do it:
1. Open the file menu
2. Choose Load GIS viewer data
3. Choose the map from the directory
4. Press open wait a second

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Some manipulations
Removing lines
Some manipulations can make the map easier to interpret. Here the lines for the
classes have been removed by double clicking the legend name and choosing no
line in the drop menu. On the right hand side the map is changing. Without the
borders the map gets softer and the reader cant see which NUTS regions that sort
under the different classes but well where the different classes can be found in
Europe.

Figure 14. Removing the lines 1

19

Figure 15. Removing the lines 2

20

Moving the legend

The legend can be moved by simply dragging it with the default pointer.

Figure 16. Moving the legend 1

21

Figure 17. Moving the legend 2

22

Magnifying the map

To magnify the map (or part of it) the pointer needs to be changed from default to the
magnifying glass press the magnifying glass button. The pointer now looks like a
magnifying glass and by holding down the right button on the mouse and draw a
rectangle around the area one wishes to magnify the map will be zoomed in. In this
example we focus on UK and Ireland.

Figure 18. Magnifying 1

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Figure 19. Magnifying 2

If you want to go back to normal size simply click:

(restore)

24

Automatic generation of GIS images

You can create/edit a file that can be used to automatically create and save GIS
images. Just start the GIS.exe with the file as a parameter and it will automatically
create a GIS image and when specified save the results.
[Buttons]
;***********************************************************************************************
; SWITCH ON/OFF all buttons used in the GIS VIEWER
;***********************************************************************************************
OpenMap=1
*Show button to open a GIS map
LoadData=1
*Show button to load Acces table data
LoadGDXdata=1
*Show button to load GDX data
LoadImage=0
*Show button to load image
CopyToClipboard=1
*Show button "copy to clipboard"
SaveMap=1
*Show button "Save map"
ClassBreaks=1
*Show button for creating "Class breaks"
ShowShapeInfo=1
*Show "Info" button
DeafaultPointer=1
*Show "Pointer" button
MoveMap=1
*Show "Move map" button
ZoomIn=1
*Show "Zoom in" button
ZoomOut=1
*Show "Zoom out" button
RestoreZoom=1
*Show "Restore" button
Map=1
*Show "Map" button
Edit=1
*Show "Edit" button
SaveAsHTML=1
*Show "Save as HTML" button
LegendSettings=1
*Show "Legend settings" button
Help=1
*Show "Help" button
About=1
*Show "About" button
ShowLogo=0
*Show "LEI logo"
ShowWord=1
*Show "MS-Word" button

25

[Settings]
;***********************************************************************************************
;
APPLICATION SETTINGS
;***********************************************************************************************
TemplateName=LEI example
; This title is used in the GIS software to explain what this template does...
MapName="LEI\SHAPE_VOOR_TOOL2.SHP"
; Name of the MAP, first we look if it is defined in the MAPS.MDB database otherwise the file is
loaded
MAPIDfield=PLANID
; the MAP datafield that is used as an identifier to match user data (by default the value is
; taken from the MAPS.MDB)
PictureName="LEI\TOP50.bmp"
; this is the name of the picture that is loaded
; Note that in LEI\TOP50.bmw the coordinates are specified in a TXT file
ShowPictureInPanel=0
; 0=don't show 1=show in Panel
;***********************************************************************************************
; READING DATA FROM AN ACCESS DATABASE
;***********************************************************************************************
Database=
; the database containing user data
; if you leave this empty the database specified in xxx_GIS.INI is used, with xxx the username
TableName=
; the table with user data
; if empty the table xxx_MapData is used with xxx the username
RecordCount=
; number of records that the table should contain (used to wait until the table is completely
; written to the database)
; leave empty (used by DataExplorer)
IDfield=
; the table field name that will be mapped to the MAP
Add=0
; 0=don't add the data 1=add the user data to the map data table
;***********************************************************************************************
;
READING DATA FROM A GDX FILE
;***********************************************************************************************
GDXfile=
; specify the name of the GDX file to be used
GREFfile=
;specify the GREF file to be used, default (if exists) GDXfile.gref
Parameter=
;specify the parameter name to be used
Rows=
;specify the setname that is used as row data
Cols=
;specify the setname that is used as column data, the extra option is "Values"
OtherSet1=
;specify tupel "setname,elementname" of the other sets used in the parameter not used as rows/columns
OtherSet2=
;specify tupel "setname,elementname" of the other sets used in the parameter not used as rows/columns
OtherSet3=
;specify tupel "setname,elementname" of the other sets used in the parameter not used as rows/columns
ZeroAsBlanks=
;Boolean to ignore zerro values (i.e. treat them as non-existing/missing, default is 1
IgnoreFields=

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;Boolean: Ignore fields with same name as in map database, default is 1

OverwriteMapData=
;Boolean: Overwrite Map data with database data, default is 0
;***********************************************************************************************
Decimals=
*Number of decimals used when adding Floats dat the GIS data (using MDB or GDX), default=4
DecimalSep=,
ThousandSep=.
; decimal and thousand separator used in GIS program to display data
IgnoreFields=1
; The data columns of the TableName table are appended to the GIS data. With this option on,
; column from TableName which name are alreadyin the GIS data are ignored
DefaultMapColor=16777215
; Color that is used to display the map
[Actions]
;***********************************************************************************************
; USE ACTIONS TO AUTOMATE THE CREATION OF OUTPUT
;***********************************************************************************************
OutputType=
*select from
* BMP
* JPG
* EMF
* GIF
* DOC
OutputFile=
*specify full path and file name
PixelWidth=
*specify the width of the bitmap (i.e. height is automatically calculated, default=screen width)
PixelHeight=
*specify the heigth of the bitmap (i.e. width is automatically calculated, default=screen height)
*NB only specify the PixelWidth or the PixelHeight, don't use both
JPEGcompression=
*Spcify the compression rate of the JPEG (percentage between 0 and 100, default=100)
JPEGColors=
*24 of 8 bits, default 24 bits
JPEGGrayscale=
*boolean default is 0 (false)
WordMap=
*Boolean default is 1 (yes), create map in word document
WordIndividualData=
*Boolean default ias 0 (no), save individual data used in "class breaks" to a word table
WordAllData=
*Boolean default is 0 (no), save atll data to a word table
Exit=
*Boolean: 1 means exit after creation of the output; 0 means keep GIS viewer open

27

[Legend]
;***********************************************************************************************
; LEGEND SETTINGS
;***********************************************************************************************
LegendTitle=Glastuinbouw
; title of the legend
Variablename=Aantal Bedrijven
; name of the variable
; You can use the @CLASSFIELD in the variable name (it will be replaced by CLASSFIELD value
; in the ClassBreak section).
ShowMapNameinLegend=1
; boolean 1= show legend
ShowCompactLegend=1
; boolean 1= use compact legend
ShowBox=1
; Show the box around the Legend
CreateInterval=1
; boolean 1= create interval (i.e. lower and upper <[ >] indicators)
Low=[
; string used for lower bound
iBetween=;#
; string used for between lower and upper bound separator
Upper=]
; string for upper bound
Format=#,###,##0
; display format of the bounds (roundings will happen)
Comment=(c) LEI 2005
; comment below the legend
LegendFontName=Arial
LegendFontSize=10
; font name and size for the legend
CommentFontName=Arial Italic
CommentFontSIze=8
; font name and size for the comment
AutosizeLegend=0
;set to 1 the legend is automatically sized, set to 0 the values below asre used:
LegendPosX=10
LegendPosY=10
LegendWidth=110
LegendHeight=120
; Specify where and size of the Legend
; Note you van specify pixels or percantage of the screen, e.g. LegendPos=5%
Xmin=
Xmax=
Ymin=
Ymax=
; Specify the coordinates where to ZOOM into

28

[ClassBreaks]
;***********************************************************************************************
;
CLASSBREAK SETTINGS
;***********************************************************************************************
Method=1
; 0=Automatic 1=User classes 2=Unique values
ClassField=AANTAL_BED
; which variable you want to show
; use @LAST when you want to use the last column of ywoanr data table
Groups=3
; number of classes
CreateClasses=1
; 0 show classbreak form 1=perform class breaks on startup
StartColor=255
EndColor=70
; color for the classbreaks, defaults are the colors defined in the xxx_GIS.INI
UseColorTemplate=0
; switch to yes if youe want to use color template (see "GIS Documents\*.gtm")
ColorTemplate=grey6.gtm
; color template
AutoFormat=0
; Automatically format the Legend or use the FORMAT specified in [Legend]
AutoCreateGroups=0
; 1=for User groups we can autocreategroups
; 0=read classbreaks from settings below:
ClassLower1=0
ClassUpper1=<4
ClassName1=
ClassLower2=4
ClassUpper2=<8
ClassName2=
ClassLower3=8
ClassUpper3=12
ClassName3=

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(Minimum and maximum) DIV groups

30