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written by Nigel James
 
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MAPINFO How to...  
No. 8: Using the drawing tools  
(References to tables, folders etc., are not applicable outside the Map Room, so if you are located elsewhere, you should substitute your own)  
   

This explains how to use the drawing tools. MapInfo How to No.1 should be used for step-by-step instructions on creating and saving maps and layouts.

 
   

When using the drawing and text tools on your map, it is very important to know on which layer you are drawing. Normally, any added symbols, shapes and text is added to the cosmetic layer, which is the topmost layer and can be made editable. Dataset layers are read-only and cannot be edited. Remember that if you wish to save the added objects when you finish your session, you must save your work in a workspace. If you do not, any objects on the cosmetic layer will be lost. The Drawing toolbox is only active if the selected layer is editable. To make a layer editable, the editable checkbox must be ticked:

 
 
   
With the current layer active, the tools in the Drawing toolbox will be enabled:  
 
   
The four lowest buttons set the styles:  
 
If you set the style first, then each subsequent object or text string will be the same. Alternatively, you can create an object, then change its style by selecting the object, then clicking the appropriate style button.  

Symbols are like text, they are in effect single characters so can be sized in the same way. They can also be bold, shaded etc., and the colour can be changed.
Lines have three settings: Style (e.g. single, dotted, dashed etc.), Width (in pixels or mm) and Colour.
Regions have borders and fills, and each can be set as required. The border is set in the same way as lines. If a non-solid fill is used (e.g. dots) then the background can be solid or transparent. A solid background can be a different colour to the pattern (e.g. green dots on a blue background). With no background set, the fill will allow the underlying map to show through, making it useful for showing areas such as marshland, for example.

A useful tip for irregular areas is to set the border to none. This gives a softer outline, especially when used with a dotted fill pattern.

 

 
Text styles can be set in the same way as text in a word processor. Effects such as expanded are useful for naming large areas such as oceans.  
   
Lines and shapes are drawn with the upper set of tools:  
 
The symbol tool places a single symbol on a layer when it is selected, then clicked on the map layer. Symbols can be moved by selecting them, then holding down the lft mouse button and dragging to a new position. To place a symbol precisely, double-click the symbol and enter coordinates.  
   
The line tool draws straight lines. To constrain the line to a vertical, hroizontal or 45° angle, hold down the shift key while you draw the line.  
   
The polyline tool draws segmented lines. Each time you click the left moue button, a node is fixed and the line can be continued in a new direction. Double-click the finish the line.  
   
The arc tool draws arcs. Hold down shift to draw a circular arc. Hold down the control key to daw the arc outwards from the start point, and rotate it as you draw.  
   
The polygon tool draws multi-sided shapes, which can be transparent (no fill) or filled. Draw in the same way as with the polyline tool. When you click on the starting point, the shape is finished.  
   
The rectangle tool draws rectangles. Hold down shift to draw squares.  
   
The rounded rectangle tool draws rectangles and squares with rounded corners.  
   
The text tool is ued to add text labels to maps and layouts. Text can be rotated by dragging the offset handle to the lower right of the text block. To edit existing text, double-click the text.  
   
When you are working with polylines and polygons, three additional tools are available:  
 

The reshape tool is used to display the nodes which are created at each change of direction. These can be moved to reshape the polyine or polygon. To use the tool. Click the object to select it, then click the reshape tool. The nodes will then be displayed.

To add extra nodes to a polyline or polygon (to enable the shape to be changed further), click the object, then the reshape tool, as above. Next, click the Add node tool and click on the object where new nodes are required. To remove excess nodes, click one, then press Delete.
Remember that the Smooth tool can be used with polylines (but not polygons). To use the tool, click the object to select it, then open the Objects menu and click Smooth. A polygon can be converted to a polyline by clicking Convert to polylines in the Object menu, and polylines can be converted to polygons by clicking Convert to regions.

 
   
Using Snap  
If you are tracing a shape (such as a building) on another layer, use Snap. This will "snap" the new nodes to the nodes of the object, speeding up the tracing process. To activate snap, simply press s on the keyboard. Press it again to turn it off.  
   
If you have drawn objects on the cosmetic layer, you can save them to a new layer by opening the Map menu and clicking Save cosmetic objects. Select and click Save. Save the table in your folder. If you leave the objects on the Cosmetic layer they will be lost if you do not save a workspace. It is easier to work with your maps if you create separate tables for different categories of objects, rather than have everything on the Cosmetic layer.  
   
   
This is a brief and specific guide to this topic, for more general information, see: MapInfo - an easy guide for new users  
Nigel James
Bodleian Library 2001
 
Bodleian Library Map Room