Symbols

Symbol-analyses visualize data with pixel graphics. Depending on the analysis subtype, one symbol is created per area or per data set. The analysis type determines the freedom in symbol display.

You insert the analysis via the control window data per drag&drop. After selecting the analysis type, the analysis type and the assignment, the symbols are inserted directly into the map after clicking on Ok.

Note: You can also insert your analysis via the menu bar Analyze. You get an analysis without predefined settings and value classes.

  • The Advanced button allows you to specify whether the analysis should consider an existing clip map when calculating classifications - more on the analysis reference.

The properties of the symbol display determine

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.

If you have inserted the symbol analysis per drag&drop, classes for the color are set automatically. If you do not want to distinguish your analysis by color by default, but want to adjust the size or symbol, you change the default settings in the Options. If you have inserted your analysis via the main menu Analyze, your symbols in the map will all have the same symbol shape, color and size - they are thus not affected by no column of data. Color, symbol and size can be changed in the respective subsections.

Control symbol shape, color and size from different data columns

First select symbol, color or size a column in the different sections.

  • 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.

  • 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:

If a data column is selected to distinguish the symbol, a classified data evaluation can be carried out.

  • : Enter the count of classes and the method of classification to divide the symbols according to the selected column. A simple and fast selection of symbol representations are offered by Symbol sets.
  • For more information on how to create value classes, see here.

The symbol color may be either Uniform (not data-driven) or Classified 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.
    • For more information on how to create value classes, see here.
  • Continuous: This option colors the symbols without specifying classes in a continuous color gradient depending on the selected column. The symbols can only be colored continuously 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.

The size of the symbol can be set in this range depending on a data value classified or proportional (selectable under data evaluation).

  • 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.
    • For more information on how to create value classes, see here.
  • Proportional: The size and width are calculated continuously based on a factor derived from the data values that are analysed. The data value defines...
    • ...height/width: The symbol height and width is calculated linearly taking the data value into account. This implies that the symbol sizes vary rather strongly. More information.
    • ...Surface Area: The symbol surface results directly from the data value, i.e. the symbols differ less strongly in size. More Information.
    • Minimum: Insert the required size for the symbols here. Thus, you can directly determine the factor that controls the symbol’s size.
    • 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 symbols can only be controlled from one column

If you want the properties of the symbols in form, color and size to be controlled only by one and the same column, you must first link the analysis. You can find the Link Color, Size and Symbol function either in the Properties of the analysis (at the bottom of the Properties window) or in the context menu for analysis in the control window Contents. Then the structure of the Properties window 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?

Select one of the three settings offered here that were already defined for color, size, or symbol. In the linked symbol analysis, the system tries to combine the classes set so far using the data column selected here. Then check the output value classes in the area Display.

Select column

In the Display area you can now select a Data column which controls the characteristics Symbol, Color and Size simultaneously. These are combined in a value 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.

    • 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

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 display styles for certain value intervals (classification) of the analysis. Here you can use various commands to edit Classes and various design features (color, symbol, size).

  • The design features and class boundaries can be edited by double-clicking in the relevant cell. For example, you can select a symbol from the program directory by double-clicking on the symbol for the relevant class.
  • for further information on editing classes, symbols, colors and sizes, see 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.

Choose between never visible, always visible or scale dependent visible here. The last option provides the settings for Automatic Zoom.

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.
Mutual 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.
Show original location
Here you can determine what happens when a symbol is moved. Here a line can indicate the original position and thus an easier allocation of the data and orientation can be achieved. To display the original position for all symbols, select all symbols in the map and open the Properties of the several selected objects from the context menu. In the Display item, you can specify that the original position should be displayed (select Yes setting).
Style, Line Width, Line Color, Start, End

Here you can set how the arrows between text and position point are to be displayed. You can specify the start and end points of the lines, the line width/color, and the style. Applications and other settings for the original position indicator can be found here.
Texts for legends
Class Label For standard symbols and circumference analyses, you can enter a text for the corresponding legend here. For legends, switch on the class description to see the text.
Shadow
Color and Spacing You can specify a shadow and the corresponding color for symbols, texts, and relationships. The shadow distance is specified in cm from the symbol. The shadow color is used to draw the shadow in the map.
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.

Labeling

The symbols can be labeled on the map (e.g. with the name of the district to which the symbol refers). Open the properties of the Symbol analysis in the content window > section Labeling.

  • If the analysis area-related is created, EasyMap offers the possibility to label each symbol or object with the name or number of the corresponding area (geographical data).
  • With the analysis subtype Location-related, however, only the columns of the data table used as the data basis for the analysis can be used for labeling. For instance, the location symbol for each individual customer can be given a name and customer number. This makes it easier to identify customers on the map.

Note: How to insert symbol texts and how to influence the display of the texts can be found here.

Create tooltips for analysis

As an alternative to labeling symbols, you can display tooltips when you move over the symbols on the map. Displaying tooltips instead of labels is a better approach, especially for a large number of locations.

Note: You can find out how to implement tooltips here.