Usage
AccuGlobe makes it possible to add graphics and text on to a map for annotation purposes.
These graphics are saved in the map project file.
The Drawing Toolbar
The graphical and text abilities of AccuGlobe are accessible by the Drawing toolbar. This toolbar, by default, is docked to the bottom of the screen. If the toolbar is not visible it can be turned on by following the steps below.
Steps For Showing Or Hiding The Toolbar
- Using the mouse right-click over any area of the visible toolbar.
- A popup menu will appear listing all available toolbars.
- Using the mouse left-click over the toolbar called DDTI.AccuGlobe.Toolbars.Drawing.
- The Drawing toolbar will now be visible. The toolbar is shown below.
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Functionality
The Drawing toolbar offers significant functionality (in order from left to right):
- Selection Pointer
Use this tool to click on existing graphics and text to select them. After a graphics or text object is selected it can also be modified using this tool (such as resized).
- New Geometry
Use the drop-down arrow next to this tool to select the geometry type of the graphic to add to the map.
- New Point Geometry
Use this tool to add a new point to the map. To add a point, move the mouse over the map and single left-click. A new point will be added using the default symbol.
- New Line Geometry
Use this tool to add a new line to the map. To add a line, move the mouse over the map and single left-click to plot the starting point for the line. Move the mouse and single left-click multiple more times to add additional points to the line. To add the last point to the line double click the left mouse button.
- New Ellipse Geometry
Use this tool to add a new ellipse to the map. To add an ellipse, move the mouse over the map and single left-click and hold down the mouse button to plot the center of the ellipse. Move the mouse, still holding down the left button to specify the size of the ellipse. To draw the ellipse release the mouse button.
- New Circle Geometry
Use this tool to add a new circle to the map. To add a circle, move the mouse over the map and single left-click and hold down the mouse button to plot the center of the circle. Move the mouse, still holding down the left button to specify the size of the circle. To draw the circle release the mouse button.
- New Square Geometry
Use this tool to add a new square to the map. To add a square, move the mouse over the map and single left-click and hold down the mouse button to plot the first corner of the sqaure. Move the mouse, still holding down the left button to specify the size of the sqaure. The greatest distance in x or y from the start point to the current mouse position will determine the length of the squares sides. To draw the square release the mouse button.
- New Rectangle Geometry
Use this tool to add a new rectangle to the map. To add a rectangle, move the mouse over the map and single left-click and hold down the mouse button to plot the first corner of the rectangle. Move the mouse, still holding down the left button to specify the size of the rectangle. To draw the rectangle release the mouse button.
- New Polygon Geometry
Use this tool to add a new polygon to the map. To add a polygon, move the mouse over the map and single left-click to plot the starting point for the polygon. Move the mouse and single left-click multiple more times to add additional points to the polygon. To add the last point to the polygon double click the left mouse button.
- Create New Text
Use this tool to add text annotation to the map. Move the mouse over the map and click a point that will act as the anchor point for the text. Don't worry about placing this point accurately as it can be changed later. The Map Text dialog will display and prompt for the text string to place on the map. Type in the text and click OK. The text will be placed on the map using the font settings shown in the drawing toolbar. See section below for font settings.
- Font Settings
AccuGlobe permits changing the default font settings for newly created text. Text on the map can also be changed after it has been created.
- Font Name Use this drop-down to select from fonts installed on this machine.
- Font Size Use this drop-down to select the font size.
- Bold Select this option to make new text bold by default.
- Italic Select this option to make new text italic by default.
- Underline Select this option to make new text underlined by default.
- Font Color Click the drop-down arrow to bring up the color selector. Use this tool to select the default color for new text.
- Fill Color
Click the drop-down arrow to bring up the color selector. Use this tool to select the default fill color for geometry drawing objects. This setting has no effect of point a line geometries.
- Pen Color
Click the drop-down arrow to bring up the color selector. Use this tool to select the default line color for geometry drawing objects. For ellipses, circles, squares, rectangles and polygons this setting effects the outline color.
- Clear All Graphics
Use this tool to clear all graphics from the project. Individual graphics can be deleted by using the selection pointer tool and right-clicking on a graphic. From the resulting popup menu, click Delete.
- Export Graphics
Use this tool to export the graphics to a shapefile. Shapefiles can only support a single geometry type, so each type must be exported into it's own shapefile. Points can be exported to a point based shapefile. Lines can be exported to a line based shapefile. Ellipses, circles, squares, rectangles and polygons can be exported to a polygon based shapefile.
Steps For Exporting Graphics To A Shapefile
- Click on the export graphics tool of the drawing toolbar.
- The Export Graphics dialog will be displayed. Choose which geometry type to export.
- UsiSelect a new shapefile name to export the graphics to. Use the browse button to do this.
- Click the Export button.
- After the export is complete, click Yes to add the new shapefile to the existing project, or click No to continue without adding the shapefile.
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