GeoSymbol for MapInfo Help Contents
GeoMapSymbol© Help Contents

The Contents lists Help topics available for GeoMapSymbol. Use the scroll bars to see entries not currently visible in the Help window.

Using GeoMapSymbol

Overview

New in this version

Installation

Getting Started

Data File formats

Handling Angle Labels

Potential problems

Adding new symbols

How symbols are stored

Editing the Symbol TableForcing the Symbol Table to Redraw New Symbols


Overview

GeoMapSymbol for MapInfo extracts and plots geological directional data (such as bedding, cleavage, fold plunges, flow directions, etc.) into MapInfo from existing files containing angle and azimuth data. These files can be existing MapInfo Tables, ASCII text files, or EXCEL worksheets. GeoMapSymbol, when run, resides in the TOOLS menu on the menu bar.

Angle labels can also be attached, but are initially plotted in the Cosmetic Layer - where they can subsequently be moved to any other permanent layer if desired [see Handling angle labels].

Directional orientation data must be azimuths of either dip/plunge direction, or Right-hand–rule strike/plunge direction [see Data file formats]. -ve dip angles can be used to indicate data that require separate symbols (eg for overturned beds). Data that are directions only (e.g. palaeoflow vectors) can also be plotted. If both the dip and the azimuth columns contain zeros then no symbol is plotted.

The plotted symbols are selected from a user-definable symbol Table (GEOMAPSYMBOL.TAB) that can be expanded to accommodate an unlimited number of symbols [see How Symbols are stored and Editing the symbol table].

GeoMapSymbol© for MapInfo is a product of Dr Rod Holcombe,

Holcombe Coughlin & Associates,

Australia

It is distributed ONLY over the net from :

HTTP://www.holcombe.net.au/software/


New in this Version

GeoMapSymbol© version 4 is a modest upgrade of the earlier versions that corrects a number of anomalies and malfunctions and increases the number of symbols.

The main changes in version 4 are:

•	Removal of all registration requirements when first starting up.

•	Correction of a number of malfunctions in the Table selection process including correcting the Select.... Where clause that has previously caused an error.

•	Added a few additional symbols to the GeoMapSymbol table produced at the initial start-up, but also released a version of this Table on-line at (http://www.holcombe.net.au/software/index.html) that contains 100 symbols. The set of files for this Table (.tab, .dat, .map, & .ID) replace those produced initially by GeoMapSymbol in the directory where GeoMapSymbol.mbx resides.

•	Set up the program to automatically redraw any new symbols when new custom symbol lines are added into the GeoMapSymbol table.


Earlier Version Changes

Features added in version 3.1 include:

•	Added current Selection to the list of Input Tables that can be processed. This allows	symbols to be plotted for only partial rows in a Table.

•	Added option to append Input Table rows to Output Tables that have exactly the same structure as the Input Table (previously the Output Table was always completely overwritten).

Version 3.0:

GeoMapSymbol© version 3 is an upgrade of GeoSymbol version 2. It has been renamed because of a conflict with a Rockware product of the same name.

When run for the first time version 3 automatically recognises and converts existing GeoSymbol.Tab tables to GeoMapSymbol.Tab with no other changes. Registration for GeoSymbol Version 2 will continue to be recognised for GeoMapSymbol Version 3.

Features added include:

•	Ability to use the location of existing objects in the Input Table to locate where symbols will be drawn in the Output table.

•	New option to preserve the full structure of the Input table in the Output Table.

•	Added automatic querying of how to handle symbol labels at end of plot processing.

•	Settings such as units, and symbol and label sizes, are preserved between sessions. Values are stored in row 1 of the GeoMapSymbol table.

•	Corrected minor shape problem with the default Cleavage3 symbol shape (replaced a missing tic mark). Corrected a few other very minor cosmetic items.

Version 2

GeoSymbol version 2 was an upgrade of MI_GeoSymbol. Although loosely based on MI_Geosymbol in appearance and general function, the procedure for defining symbols was been changed and upgraded.

Note: Geosymbol version 2 will only run under MapInfo version 5, or higher.

Major changes from MI_GeoSymbol were:

•	Structural symbols included filled polygon symbols in addition to polyline symbols.

•	Options were added for separately defining whether angle labels are used for horizontal and vertical symbols (rather than automatically omitting them).

•	Changes were made to the selection of Input and Output Tables to allow currently open Tables to be used.

•	A ‘Where’ selection option was added to allow refinement of the data selected for plotting.

•	Options were added to handle data that are in Right Hand Strike format, and data that are directions only.

•	A registration procedure was added that unlocks the limit on the number of symbols that can be selected in the dialog. The unregistered version only allows 9 symbols in the symbol drop-down list boxes.

•	The format for defining symbols was changed  [see How Symbols are stored and Editing the symbol table]. This means that old GEOSYMBL.TAB files do not work directly - although they can be manually modified, if necessary. GeoSymbol produced a much larger initial menu of symbols (although these were all only available to registered users).

•	Several bugs in GEOSYMBL were trapped and put to rest. The most annoying of these was its inability to handle any projection system except Lats/Longs. Now any valid basic projection can be nominated, although the ability to handle custom projections and affine transformations has not yet been implemented.


Installation

GeoMapSymbol consists of the application file GEOMAPSYMBOL.MBX, and a help file, GEOMAPSYMBOL.HLP. When first run it will also generate the symbol table, GEOMAPSYMBOL.TAB and its associated support files, GEOMAPSYMBOL.DAT, GEOMAPSYMBOL.ID; and GEOMAPSYMBOL.MAP.

This set of files can reside anywhere on the system but must be kept together as a group. Note that, if required, GEOMAPSYMBOL can be edited to produce new symbols so that, in a network situation, the files may need to reside in a directory accessible to the user.

The program is loaded into MapInfo from the Tools… Tool Manager menu and adding the program as a new tool by using the browser to select the file GEOMAPSYMBOL.MBX.

GEOMAPSYMBOL.TAB can be deleted at any time; it will be redrawn the next time the program is run. Note that if it is deleted then any user-defined symbols and registration information will be lost.

Note that the tool remains loaded under the Tools menu until specifically closed or the MapInfo session finishes. While it is loaded it is incorporated into any saved workspaces. This may cause problems with workspaces transported to other systems. Thus it is best to close any loaded tools when saving a workspace.


Getting Started

Run GEOMAPSYMBOL.MBX from either the File...Run MapBasic Program menu or from the Tool Manager add-in in the Tools Menu....

When first run, information from the MapInfo projection file will be loaded prior to opening the main GeoMapSymbol dialog box. (A registration Splash screen also will be displayed).

[For all subsequent plots select GeoMapSymbols... from the Tools menu until GeoMapSymbols is unloaded from the same menu].

In the main dialog box:

1.	From the Input drop-down list box select the Table that contains the geological data and coordinate information. The names of the available Columns in this table will be added to the adjacent four drop-down list boxes. The current Selection table is a valid Input Table.

2.	Select the Output Table name that is to receive the plotted symbols. This can be the same as the Input Table - but note that this will replace all existing symbols in that table. If the Input and Output tables are different, but have identical structures, then a checkbox is made visible that allows rows to be appended to the Output Table rather than replacing the whole table.

3.	Either:

•	Select the columns in the drop-down list boxes that contain Lat/Long or Easting/Northing information. Use the drop-down box to select the projection/coordinate system of these data if it is different from the Input Table. By default the coordinate system of the Input Table is selected;

or

•	If each row in the Input Table already contains an associated object (e.g. a point object or a previous geological symbol) then use the checkbox to indicate that the location of these existing objects will be used to locate the new symbols in the Output Table. Note that it is the centroid of each existing object that defines its position. The centroid depends on the shape of the object; hence using the location of the objects to repeatedly replot symbols will cause their position to change slightly each time.

4.	Select the columns in the drop-down list boxes that contain the dip (or plunge) angle and dip (or plunge) azimuth. Select "not used" in the dip/plunge drop down box if the data are only a single column of directions only. Use the checkboxes to indicate whether the azimuth data are dip/plunge directions or are strikes (using the Right Hand convention). Note that for arrow symbols this setting is ignored - the direction given is treated as the plunge direction for the arrow.

5.	Optional: If required to filter the input data further, then filter your selection by filling in the three Where... columns. These columns are ignored if the central one (the condition symbol) is left blank.

6.	Select the type of symbol (Strike or Arrow) using the check boxes. These selections merely limit the choice seen in the drop-down list boxes. To see all available symbols in the drop-down boxes select All. [Use the check boxes at the bottom of the dialog to view a legend of the symbols].

•	Select the normal symbol shape (ie, a symbol whose dip or plunge ranges from 1-89) from the drop-down list box, and indicate the plotted size of the symbol relative to the chosen map scale. Set line widths, styles, and colour from the Pen Picker button. If the symbol is a polygon symbol then the colour of any fill area can be selected using the Brush Picker.

•	Select symbol shapes for data with 0, 90, or -ve dip/plunge angles from the other drop-down list boxes. Optionally these data can be omitted from the plot by choosing ‘not plotted’ in each case.

7.	Select the size of the symbol in map units.

8.	Check whether angle labels are to be plotted (in the Cosmetic Layer) for each of the symbols used. This will only be applicable if a Mapper Window is chosen to receive the plotted data.

9.	Indicate the size of the label as a percentage relative to the symbol size.

10.	Choose the Font button to select a font typeface. Note that the font size will have no effect as this is defined by the %age of the symbol size you have selected in the preceding step.

11.	Check whether the labels are to be plotted unrotated (i.e. in the conventional manner), or are to be rotated along with the symbol.

12.	Select which Browser or Mapper windows are to receive the plot.

13.	Select OK when ready.

[Subsequent uses of this dialog will use your selections as defaults]

Note that if labels are to be plotted these will actually reside in the Cosmetic Layer of the Mapper, not in the chosen Output Table. After the symbols have been plotted you will be prompted as to what you want to do with these labels. They can be moved, if desired, to the Output Table, or to a new Table, or any other, permanent layer. If you wish to handle this manually (using the Map...Save Cosmetic Objects... menu) then this prompt can be turned off.

.


Editing the Symbol Table

Symbols are stored in the table GEOMAPSYMBOL.TAB].

Each symbol is defined by column entries in a single row of GEOMAPSYMBOL.TAB. These entries can be edited within MapInfo and new rows can be added to define a new symbol. Do not edit Row 1 - this row is reserved for storing GEOMAPSYMBOL configuration data. The names and meanings of each of the columns are shown here.

The first five columns in this table are used to identify the symbol and to relate it to any other symbols. The SymbID number is used to define the ordering of the symbol whose name (SymbName) is then shown in the drop-down list boxes. The value of the ID number also distinguishes arrow symbols (>1000) from strike symbols. The V_Sym, H_Sym, and Inv_Symb columns then cross-reference this symbol to any other symbols that might be appropriate for representing 90, zero, and –ve dip orientations. These are the default values that are displayed in the appropriate drop-down listboxes labelled Vertical, Horizontal, and –ve  Dips. A value of 0 means that it will be initially shown as "not plotted".

Each symbol is represented by defining the shape of a unit sized symbol (size 1 unit), located at the origin (0,0), and dipping or plunging to the north (azimuth 360).

Each symbol is initially defined as either a polyline or polygon symbol in the IsPolygon column. The shape is then defined by listing the x and y coordinates of consecutive nodes at the ends of any number of polyline or polygon segments. - the number of segments being registered in the NumSegs column. Note that only polygon symbols can contain a solid or pattern fill; polyline symbols are lines only.

The definition of each polyline/polygon segment consists of an initial number, indicating the number of nodes in the subsequent segment, followed by that number of pairs of columns representing consecutive nodes (ie,. each node is represented by an x, followed by a y, coordinate). The total number of node coordinates and initial node numbers is 150.

Example: in the bedding symbol shown, the value of IsPolygon is F (false), the value of Num Segs is 2, and then the subsequent values of node1, node2, etc are: 2, -0.5, 0, 0.5, 0, 2, 0, 0, 0, 0.18. Note that the 2 value at the start indicates that there are 2 nodes in the line defining the strike, and the 2 value in the middle is the start of the second polyline that defines the dip tick which also consists of 2 nodes.

The LabelX and LabelY columns hold a pair of coordinates that are used to define the position of an angle label if it is to be plotted. This set of coordinates describes the location ON the symbol that will be closest to the central point on the base of the label when it is plotted without rotation. In the example shown this will be the point 0, 0.18.

The GEOMAPSYMBOL table contains a number of pre-defined symbols (>50). These can be used for reference in defining new symbols. The symbol table is mappable and contains a picture of each symbol. If new symbols are added manually then these will automatically be drawn into this table the next time GeoMapSymbol is run.

Note that a version of the GEOMAPSYMBOL tables with 100+ predefined symbols can be downloaded from:
http://www.holcombe.net.au/software/index.html

If existing rows in the GEOMAPSYMBOL table are edited to modify existing symbols then these will not be automatically redrawn. However, an automatic redraw can be forced.


The Symbol Table Columns

The structure of the Symbol Table is:

ColumnName	DataType	Meaning
Symb_ID	Small Integer	Unique integer for each symbol used to sort symbol names in the drop-down lists. Also used to separate strike symbols from arrow symbols. Symb_IDs>1000 are assumed to be arrows.
SymbName	String	Name used to identify the symbol in the drop-down lists
V_Symb	Small Integer	Symb_ID of symbol normally used for dips/plunges of 90 [Must be an existing Symb_ID entry]. A value of 0 will select ‘not plotted’ at run time]. Note that this only indicates the usual choice - the selection can be over-ridden at run-time.
H_Symb	Small Integer	Symb_ID of symbol normally used for dips/plunges of 0 [Must be an existing entry]. Note as above.
Inv_Symb	Small Integer	Symb_ID of symbol normally used for dips/plunges <90 [Must be an existing entry] Note as above.
LabelX	Float	x coordinate of the position ON the symbol that is closest to the bottom centre of the angle label, if used.
LabelY	Float	y coordinate of the position ON the symbol that is closest to the bottom centre of the angle label, if used.
IsPolygon	Logical	Polygon = T (true); polyline = F (false)
NumSegs	Small Integer	The number of separate polyline/polygon segments in the symbol.
Node1	Float	No of nodes in the first segment
Node2	Float	x coordinate of the 1st node of the first segment.
Node3	Float	y coordinate of the 1st node of the first segment.
Node4	Float	x coordinate of the 2nd node of the first segment.
		y coordinate of the 2nd node of the first segment.
:	:	[Repeat consecutive x & y coordinates for the first segment]
Nodei	Float	No of nodes in the second segment
Nodej	Float	x coordinate of the 1st node of the second segment.
Nodek	Float	y coordinate of the 1st node of the second segment.
		etc
:	:	[Repeat for the each of the subsequent segments]
Node150		Maximum number of node columns


Forcing the Symbol Table to Redraw New Symbols

When existing rows in the GEOMAPSYMBOL table are edited to modify existing symbols then these changes will not be automatically redrawn for display. However an automatic redraw can be forced by reducing the value of the NumSegments column in the first row of the table. This entry contains the number of current rows in the table and if it is set to a smaller value then the symbols will be automatically redrawn when the program is NEXT run.


How symbols are stored

Symbols definitions are stored as rows in the GEOMAPSYMBOL.TAB table. GEOMAPSYMBOL.TAB must reside in the same directory as the GEOMAPSYMBOL.MBX application file. If GEOMAPSYMBOL.TAB is not found a new version containing a number (>50) of pre-defined symbols will be created in this directory.

GEOMAPSYMBOL.TAB is editable and new symbols can be created or existing ones changed.

In addition GEOMAPSYMBOL.TAB is mappable so that examples of each of the pre-defined symbols can be viewed if the table is opened in a mapper. A set of checkboxes in the main dialog open and close a mapper to display these symbols (and switch the labels on and off).

[Note that the map projection used for this table is lat/long and the images are centred around coordinates (0,0)].


Handling angle labels

Dip or plunge angle labels can be plotted adjacent to each symbol. You can choose whether these are to appear upright and unrotated or whether the label is to be rotated along with the symbol. Most map conventions choose the former.

The size of the angle label is defined as a percentage of the actual symbol size rather than as a font size. In addition, the actual font typeface and colour can be set using the font picker in the GeoMapSymbol dialog box.

Note that labels are plotted into the Cosmetic Layer of the Mapper, not in the chosen Output Table. They can be moved, if desired, to this Output Table, or to a new, or any other, permanent layer using the Map...Save Cosmetic Objects... menu. A dialog prompting you to do this will be displayed at the end of each plot (unless you choose to switch this dialog off).

Important: Remember to clear the cosmetic layer before running GeoMapSymbol so that it doesn’t contain extraneous material.


Potential problems and restrictions

1)	When GeoMapSymbol is loaded it also loads GEOMAPSYMBOL.TAB as a hidden table. This table is left loaded unless you manually unload it (in order to save time with multiple symbol drawing operations) or you close the GeoMapSymbol program. Thus, like any other loaded table, it will be incorporated into any saved workspaces - which may produce undesirable effects.

2)	Note that in order to edit GEOMAPSYMBOL.TAB (to define or modify symbols) while GeoMapSymbol is being run, a new, unhidden, version of GEOMAPSYMBOL.TAB must be reloaded.

4)	Please bring other problems to the attention of the author [see About GeoMapSymbol... in the menu].

GeoMapSymbol (c) for MapInfo is a product of Rod Holcombe

email: rod@holcombe.net.au

It is distributed ONLY over the internet from : HTTP: http://www.holcombe.net.au/software/index.html


Registration

GeoMapSymbol for MapInfo (v.4.0) is now a free program and no longer requires registration.


Data file formats

Data files can be existing MapInfo Tables, ASCII text files, or EXCEL worksheet files. Each line of the data file must contain at least the four sets of data required to define dip/plunge angle, azimuth, and an easting/latitude and northing/longitude.

Geological orientation data must be in plunge, plunge azimuth format for lines and dip, dip azimuth format or dip, strike format, using the Right Hand convention, for planes. Conversion utilities such as GeoCalculator (obtainable from http//www.earth.uq.edu.au/~rodh/software/) can be used to convert between different orientation conventions.

-ve dips can be used to identify data that require special symbols for plotting (eg., overturned beds, lines that are "upwardly" directed).

Do not use orientations of 0, 0 to represent either horizontal dips or plunges but use 0, 360. The occurrence of zeros in BOTH the dip Column and the Azimuth Column is used by GeoMapSymbol to detect the absence of data. Rows in the input data containing these values will not be plotted.

Note that although separate symbols can be chosen to represent horizontal or vertical dips these symbols will also be rotated to the given dip/plunge azimuth. Hence, even if special symbols exist for horizontal dips, say, or vertical plunges, an azimuth must also be given, and this controls the orientation of the symbol. If symbols of constant orientation are required then the azimuths in the data must also be constant (eg. 360).

Data that are directional only (eg., younging directions, vergence) can be represented by choosing "not used" in the "dip" column. Such data will then be plotted using the symbol used for normal data and the other symbol options will be disabled.


Right Hand rule

A convention for choosing one of the two possible strike directions of a plane. The chosen strike direction is that in which the dip direction is to your right. That is, it is the strike direction that is to your left, looking down-dip on the plane. Such a convention allows you to eliminate the necessity to show a sense of dip when planes are given as strike and dip.


Azimuths

Directions given as 360° angle going clockwise from north. East is 090, south is 180, west is 270, and north is either 000 or 360.


Polyline symbols

Polyline symbols are those with no enclosed areas (e.g. a bedding strike and dip symbol). The colour and line style of polyline symbols are chosen using the pen picker. Brush picker settings are ignored.

Selected polyline symbols are commonly easier to see than polygon symbols because the selected lines are highlighted.


Polygon (region) symbols

Polygon (region) symbols are those with enclosed areas (e.g. an arrow with an enclosed head). The colour and style of the lines of polygon symbols are chosen using the pen picker and the brush picker is used to set the colour of the filled area.

When polygon symbols are selected it is commonly hard to see the selection highlight pattern because it is the small filled areas that are highlighted by the selection process, and not the line outlines.