How to define Map Characteristics

The first step when you create a map or template consists in defining its Paper and Data Characteristics: use the option Edit - Characteristics... on the main menu.

This window is subdivided into two parts: Paper Characteristics and Data Characteristics.

Paper Characteristics

You should define the paper size and orientation for the map or template, based on your output device (Plotter or Printer).

Defining Paper Characteristics:

  • click on Edit on the main menu and select Characteristics... to open the dialog box Template Generation. Notice that this option will only be available after you connect to a database and a project, and create a map or template;
  • in Paper Characteristics select the parameters described next;
  • click on Size and choose one of the options available: A4, A3, A2, A1 and A0. It is also possible to personalize the size of your map, smaller than the standard available.
  • click on Orientation and choose Horizontal or Vertical. Observe that the fields Width(cm) and Height(cm) present the values for the size and orientation chosen;
  • click on Draw on the main window. Observe that the window is adjusted according to the parameters chosen.

NOTE: The fields "Drawing Area (cm)" present the borders of the paper. These values can be changed limiting the printing area of the paper. The system presents the initial and final points according to the size chosen by the user. If you want, type new values at X1, X2, Y1 or Y2 respecting the size of the paper chosen.

Data Characteristics

Now, choose the scale, limits and position of the data area - the layout the project ILs will be presented.

Scale

Defining the data scale:

  • in Scale: type in the desired value;
  • click on Draw on the main window every time you change this value.

NOTE: In case you want to use the maximum area of the paper, use the button Restart, which calculates the scale considering the paper size and orientation. Usually the values for the scale seem awkward but, from them, you can calculate others that adapt to the paper characteristics.

Manual Positioning

The data area can be defined by Paper (cm) or Coordinates. When you use Paper (cm) it is necessary to define the boundaries for the data area and a bottom left point defined in geographic or planes coordinates from the project. When you use Coordinates, you will need to define a bottom left point in coordinates (cm) and the boundaries in geographic or planes coordinates from the project. A warning message will be presented, in case the values do not fit on the paper or scale.

Position: Paper (cm):

  • in Position, click on Paper (cm):
  • in Coordinates (cm), indicate the bounding box where the data will be, typing the values for (X1,Y1), lower bottom point, and (X2, Y2) upper right point. The data area must always be inside the map area;
  • in Coordinates (project), inform Long1: and Lat1: and the initial point. If Planes, inform the values for X1: and Y1:) for the initial point. If the point is not inside the project area, when the option Draw is performed, the system shows a warning message. Click on Continue and type in a new point.

NOTE: click on Restart to adjust the values to the data area, therefore all the project area will be presented and the scale automatically recalculated.

Position: Coordinates:

  • in Position, click on Coordinates;
  • inform the initial point (X1, Y1) of the data area, in centimeters (bottom left point);
  • in Coordinates, select: Geographic or Planes. If Geographic, inform the bounding box (Long1, Lat1, Long2, Lat2) and if Planes, (X1, Y1, X2 e Y2).

NOTE: After typing in all the values, click on Draw to see the changes on the screen.

Interactive Positioning

The interactive positioning is done by moving (resizing) the rectangle (data area) using the cursor. The sequence of procedures to adjust the data area is shown on the figures below:

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

  • click on Restart. This function is usually used after defining the paper size and orientation, so that SCARTA will present all project area fitted on the paper (observe STEP 1 above);
  • click on the bottom left or upper right of the data area and drag it to where you want the new position to be (observe STEP 2). Observe that the values for coordinates are adjusted while you move the border line on the data area;
  • click on Draw to clean the external part of the data area. Observe that the scale is still the same.
  • click on the center of the data area and drag the whole rectangle to the position you wish (STEP 3), leaving some space for the map elements.

Usually the values for the scale seem awkward but, from them, you can calculate others that adapt to the paper characteristics. Do the adjustments if necessary.

NOTE: In case you want to move the boundaries again, access the option Edit Characteristics... on the main menu.


See also:

Generating and Printing Maps - Introduction
Learn more about Cartographic Concepts