Creating Maps and Layers with MapConv

Vector map layers are imported using the MapConv desktop program included in this release. Input may be in GRASS ASCII vector or ESRI Shape file formats. MapConv generates metadata entries in the map catalogue file.

In the above illustration, the "Canterbury" example map is selected in the upper (Map) section of the display. Here, the description may be edited. The layer "Modern base" is selected in the lower (Layer) section. Here, the line colour and description may be modified.

The File menu includes the following functions:

• New Map... Create a new map project
• Import raster layer... not implemented here.
• Import rector layer... Convert a .asc or .shp file to FieldMap .vec format.
• Export rector layer... Convert a FieldMap .vec file to a simple XML format. Currently this is of limited general value beyond testing.
• Exit Terminate the MapConv program.

Vector map layers

To import a new layer into the current map, selecting the Import Vector layer... function. This leads to the Open Import File dialog:.

Select either GRASS ASCII Vector format (.asc) or ESRI Shape file format (.shp) in the Files of Type: list and navigate to the directory containing the required file. In the above example, the "roads.asc" file will be imported. In the illustration below, the layer has been imported and its line colour and description have been set. The bounding box coordinates (Bounds:) are calculated as the file is imported..

Raster map layers

The current release of MapConv does not support the import and export of raster map layers.

Note map layers

Note layers are 'virtual' layers. No mapping data is stored in the project map directory, but a metadata entry is included in the map catalogue file. The entry is made automatically when a new Note Group is created on the Notes preferences page in FieldMap.

Creating a new map project

To create a new map, select New Map from the File menu. Enter the map name into the ensuing dialog and press the OK button:

The new map name appears in Map name:list. Now, the description can be entered and the spatial reference system can be selected from the Ref. System: list. The new map is now ready for importing map layers.

The map catalogue file

Metadata for all map layers is stored in the map layer catalogue in <installdir>\MobiComp\FieldMap\<projectName>\<projectName>.xml under Windows or <installdir>/MobiComp/FieldMap/<projectName>/<projectName>.xml under Linux.

The XML Schema for this file will be included in a future revision of this manual.