Lines
The behavior of the Lines analyses is quite similar to the area shading analysis, except that linear objects are analyzed here. In addition to the color, the line width as well as the line’s dash style may be controlled by the underlying data.
A good example of a line analysis is the evaluation of a road Shapefile using a data column such as a road classification (motorway, country road, traffic-calmed roads, etc.)
Line analyses require a layer containing line-shaped objects with a number that can be used to bind data to the lines. As soon as a Shapefile with line objects (e.g. roads) is added to a map sheet, the Line Analysis is enabled.
Note: Line analyses are not available with LTG-base maps.
Creating a New Analysis
Like all other analyses, line analysis begins with the selection of the right data. On the one hand, external tables can be used, which are linked to the shapefile via the key column. On the other hand, Shapefiles can also supply factual data via their DBF file that can be used for line analysis (e.g. classifications or values).
- Select the Table with the data in the control window Data that are to be evaluated in the analysis. For example, if the data is integrated in the Shapefile used, you can find it under Data from Table > Geographic Data. Drag and drop this table onto the map using Drag&Drop.
- Select Line analysis.
- Make the correct assignment between your data and the level.
- Then click on Ok.
Note: You can also insert your analysis via the menu bar Analyze. You get an analysis without predefined settings and value classes.
- What does the assignment result tell you?
- Would you like to place your data on the map using geographical coordinates? So the The Data Input for an Analysis.
- The Advanced button allows you to specify whether the analysis should consider an existing clip map when calculating classifications - more on the analysis reference.
Determine the properties of the lines
Properties refers to all settings for calculating and displaying the analysis. You can select certain columns of the previously defined table to control certain aspects of the display (for example, the color). You also reach this settings dialog if you want to edit existing analyses.
The lines or arrows can be made dashing, color and line width dependent on different columns,
Note: The default setting for these three properties is that they are controlled by no column. Thus, changes in color, width, or dashing are applied to all relationship lines.
Control dashing, color and line width from different data columns
First select in the different sections Drawing, Color and Line width a Data column.
- With a area-related analysis you can additionally determine aggregation of the data of the selected column. This specifies the rule how data are combined if several data are available for an area.
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The Format option is only available for area-specific analyses. Normally, the formatting of the selected data column is also used for the analysis result; this is always the case for site-specific analyses. For certain aggregation procedures (for example, number of values), however, this formatting cannot be used meaningfully. You can define a new formatting here, which is used in legends for this analysis, for example.
- Under Statistics you can display statistical information (e.g. number of data records, min., max.) for the selected column - click on the button in the field next to Statistics.
Settings for changing:
The line style or dashing can be data evaluation only classified based on the selected data columns.
- Specify the number of Classes and the Classification method to differentiate the lines.
- More information on class formation can be found here.
- Select Drawing different line styles for the different classes.
- At name you can enter an alternative text to be displayed in the legend.
The color of the lines can be colored either classified or continuous and default depending on a data column.
- Classified:You can use classes to specify a schema that determines how these are to be displayed for a range of values. When the analysis is presented, the class in which the value falls is then checked and the presentation of the design characteristic concerned is determined from this.
- You can find more information about the formation of classes here.
- Continuous: This option colors the relationship lines without specifying classes in a continuous color gradient depending on the selected column. The continuous coloring of the lines is only possible for number columns. As with the classified option, you can restrict the analysis area, define a gradient or set the color outside the analysis area.
- Preset: With the option Preset a color value in HTML color definition (e. g. #00FF00) can be retrieved directly from the data.
Specify the width of the line as a function of a data value. The width of the lines can be set depending on a data value classified or proportional.
- Classified:You can use classes to specify a schema that determines how these are to be displayed for a range of values. When the analysis is presented, the class in which the value falls is then checked and the presentation of the design characteristic concerned is determined from this.
- You can find more information about the formation of classes here.
- Proportional: Use this type of classification for continuous widths that are calculated using a factor derived from the analyzed data. The data value defines...
- ...height/width: The line width results linearly from the data value, i.e. the lines differ strongly in their width from each other. More information.
- ...Surface Area: Check this box if all brick numbers beginning with a certain digit are to be considered and assigned to the corresponding area. Example: Area A is to be assigned all postal codes beginning with 2; 37-39; 4. The work with wildcards (* or ?) is not necessary here.
- Size/Width: Insert the desired line width here. Among others you may determine the factor that is used to calculate the width from the data value.
- Dynamic sizing:
- Preserve ratio: This setting maintains the value entered in the 1.00 cm equivalent to field.
- Preserve max. symbol size: This setting maintains the value entered in the Maximum field.
The properties of the lines can only be controlled from one column
If you want to control the properties of the lines in color, line width and dashing only from one and the same column, you must first link the analysis. The Color, Line Width and Dashing Link function can be found either in the Properties of the analysis (at the bottom of the Properties window) or in the context menu for analysis in the Contents control window. The structure of the properties window then changes.
If you select this option and have previously selected different data columns for one or more design features, another dialog opens. There you will be asked which classes should be used for coupled classification?
Here you can select one of the three available settings that were already defined for color, line width or dashing. In the linked line analysis, an attempt is made to combine the value classes set so far using the data column selected here. Then check the output value classes in the area Display.
Select column
In the area Display a Column can now be selected, which controls the features Drawing, Color and Line width simultaneously. These are combined in a class list.
- With a area-related analysis you can additionally determine aggregation of the data of the selected column. This specifies the rule how data are combined if several data are available for an area.
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The Format option is only available for area-specific analyses. Normally, the formatting of the selected data column is also used for the analysis result; this is always the case for site-specific analyses. For certain aggregation procedures (for example, number of values), however, this formatting cannot be used meaningfully. You can define a new formatting here, which is used in legends for this analysis, for example.
- Under Statistics you can display statistical information (e.g. number of data records, min., max.) for the selected column - click on the button in the field next to Statistics.
Number of classes and classification method
A classification can be used to display the lines. In the middle area, enter Classes, the Count for classes, and the method of automatic Classification or set here to User defined to edit your own classes. In addition to Analysis range, you can also specify an interval within which the values are to be taken into account. Values outside the interval always fall into the residual class "unclassified".
Edit classes
In the lower area you can define the details (class list) of the analysis. Here you can use various commands to edit Classes and various design features (dashing, color or width of the line).
- The design characteristics and class boundaries can be edited by double-clicking in the relevant cell.
For more information on editing classes, symbols, colors, and size/width, see here.
Section Labeling
In the area Line labeling the lines can be labelled data-dependently. Only the columns of the data table used as the data basis for the analysis can be used for labeling. In addition, you may also enter a standard text for all lines in the User-Defined Labeling box.
How to insert labels is explained here.
Determine the details of the analysis
In Details you define other (non-data-dependent) properties of the analysis.
Visibility | |
General |
Here you can control the visibility of objects and elements. |
Scale range |
Here you can set whether the selected object or plane should be visible at each scale. Or you can specify the scale or zoom level at which the object or layer is visible. |
In reports |
In Reports there is the possibility to change the environment only partially to zeigen. You can use this property to specify whether the layer is also visible outside the report area in this case. |
Size adjustment |
Specify here how the size of a symbol or diagram behaves when the map scale is changed. This can change e.g. after zoom within the map, after setting a clip map or within a report, because only a part of the map is displayed. More about Size adjustment at auto zoom. |
Alternating visibility group |
Set a group for mutual visibility here. If the element is to be made equally visible with other elements, you must use the same name for the visibility group. |
Simultaneous visibility group |
Set a group for simultaneous visibility here. If the element is to be made mutually visible with other elements, you must use the same name for the visibility group. |
Style | |
Left |
Defines the representation of the beginning of the line. By selecting a suitable display, you can display an arrow. |
End |
Defines the representation of the end of the line. By selecting a suitable display, you can display an arrow. |
Common | |
Comment | Enter here a comment for the display of the workbook in EasyMap Xplorer. The comment is also displayed in EasyMap as a tooltip in the control window Contents. |
Create tooltips for analysis
When crossing the lines on the map, you can display user-defined information about them.This information is very useful to identify the symbols on the map.
Note: You can find out how to implement tooltips here.
The commands of the context menu
You can right-click on an analysis in the control window Contents or on a selected object in the map window to open its context menu (right-click). This offers some actions that can be performed on this object.
Transfer Selection to |
Transfers the current selection geographically to another object. Details... |
Visible |
Shows whether the object is visible and allows switching the visibility. |
Order |
Here you can change the selected element in the character sequence. Another option is to drag and drop the selected element within the content view. |
Align |
Aligns several objects flush or aligns an object within its parent object. Details... |
Input Data... |
Displays the data settings for the selected analysis. You can use this command later to change the connection between the analysis and the data. Further information can be found here. |
Show Results Table | Displays the results of the selected analysis in a table. |
Ignore filter |
Defines whether an Analysis filter should be considered or not. |
Restore defaults |
Undoes all manual changes to this layer. |
Restore Original Position | Executing this command places all moved texts or symbols at their original position. |
Clip Map |
Here you can define a different clip map for the analysis. |
Map XY | Here you find a selection of context menu commands of the map. |
Copy |
Copy the object (if necessary with all subobjects) to the clipboard to paste it elsewhere. The object can be inserted in other applications as a graphic, or inserted in EasyMap as a copy of this object using the Insert command. |
Paste |
Pastes the contents of the clipboard into this object as a child object. |
Delete | Deletes the selected element. (See also: delete objects) |
Rename |
Changes the content view to an edit mode to give the object a new name. (This can also be achieved by clicking on an object that has already been marked.) |
Properties... |
Opens a properties dialog in which you can edit the Properties of the selected object. If several objects are selected, many properties can also be changed simultaneously for these objects. |