Working with Mapinfo Professional (v 11.0.

4)
Practice Guide 2013

Groep Urbanistiek Peter van der Waerden Maart 2013 Translated by: Paul van der Waerden

Introduction
In a time of progressing automation a plethora of software packages is being offered which can support a wide range of activities. This is also true for applications for which Geographic Information Systems (GIS) can be used. These applications are characterized by the combined use of spatial and non-spatial data.

It is impossible to master all GIS-software packages. The available packages often have similar principles related to: Types of Data: Data Management: Data Manipulation: data types; Data Presentation: Generating maps, tables, and reports. The combining of spatial and non-spatial data; The recording of these data in multiple data files; Offering of selection- and analysis methods which are connected to the

In any given GIS software package, these principles are extensively featured. The packages only differ in their internal organization (icons used, file types, etc.). The possibilities regarding the creation of files, the selection of objecs, running spatial analyses, and creating data presentations are available in all packages.

GIS and Urban Planning

GIS could support the Urban Planning process on a number of occasions. One could think of: 1. Providing basic data of different objects within the planning area, such as surface and circumvence of areas, location of important points and line lenghts; 2. Generating relevant data such as population/residential density and distance between different spatial aspects; 3. Offering a possibility to set variables and calculate the effects of these variables on the space; 4. Providing (thematic) maps for presentations and reports.

Figure 0.1: Global Zoning (from Van Leusden & Van Nunen, 1998)

Goal
The course goal is to provide insight into the workings of the subdivisions of GIS and the way in which these are integrated in software packages. On top of that an image is created of the way in which Urban Planning could be supported by GIS. In this course the software package MapInfo Professional version 11.0.4 (MapInfo Corp) will be used

Figure 0.2: Proposed access structure (from Van Leusden & Van Nunen, 1998)

MapInfo
The MapInfo application offers the possibility to save, analyze, and present (large sets of) geographical data. With the application a number of complex geographic analyses can be conducted, such as polygon overlay analyses, buffer analyses, geographical selections, and spatial aggregation. The application also offers easy ways to produce a variety of thematic maps and overview tables.

Course structure
This course consists of the following elements: 1. Introduction to MapInfo (lesson 1) 2. Building and maintaining databases (lessons 2 to 5) 3. Conducting geographical analyses (lessons 6 and 7) 4. Producing thematic maps (lesson 8)

Users instruction
Read the instructions and accompanying text carefully before conducting the activities This symbol indicates that the user should conduct an activity Attention: the images in this guide are in the first place illustrative for the to be conducted activities. The images also offer some guidance in what the results of the activities should look like. It can happen, however, that the results on the screen differ slightly from the images in this guide, but this does not necessarily mean that the user has incorrectly conducted the activities.

Required materials
To successfully complete the course you will need the following materials: -MapInfo Professional version 11.0: to be installed via \\archnas1\software\MapInfo\ver11.0 -File DC_Quad.tab: this can be found via \\archnas1\software\MapInfo\ver.7.5\MAPINFO\DATA\tut_data\tut_usa\USA\DC

Lesson 1: Introduction to MapInfo

A further submergence into the phenomenon GIS will take place with a guided walkthrough of a GIS software package. In this walkthrough a range of proceedings and possibilities with a strong link to GIS will be discussed. Lessons Goal: In this lesson we will get acquainted with the structure of MapInfo and some basic commands. Start, save, and shutdown commands will also be covered in this lesson. Sub-sections: -Starting up MapInfo -Creating a Working Surface -Map views -Saving and closing

Starting up MapInfo
MapInfo can be launched in two different ways. You can launch the program by clicking on the MapInfo shortcut on the desktop. When there is no icon on the desktop it can be started via the Windows Start menu Start >Programs>MapInfo>MapInfo Professional 11.0 Make sure you launch the correct version of MapInfo After launching a dialog box for quick start will appear. The Quick Start menu contains the following options (fig. 1.1) 1. Restore Previous Session: load the session (combination of geographic and attribute file) you last worked on; 2. Open Last Used Workspace: (sometimes combined with the name of the last used workspace) load the last used workspace, including page layout; 3. Open a Workspace: load a specific workspace; 4. Open a Table: load a specific data file.

Figure 1.1: Quick Start menu

 Click Cancel to continue Now we see the next screen (fig. 1.2). This is the standard screen of MapInfo. This image can vary, depending on your operating system. Elements like scale, location, shape, size, and visibility of the tool bars or function bars can be different in every computer environment.

Figure 1.2: Main screen of MapInfo Professional version 11.0.4

The opening screen consists of several elements. Here you can find a short description of these elements. During the course most elements will be discussed in depth. Title Bar: Indicates which data files (both geographic and attribute files) and windows (both maps and data) are opened. Menu Bar: Toolbar: This bar contains the main functions like file, edit, and table. Standard function bar with menu options for maintaining and editing files, such as open, copy, and paste. A number of toolbars can be placed at any location on the screen, as well as in the top toolbar. The two most important bars are the Main toolbar and the Drawing toolbar: Main toolbar: contains options for selecting and scaling of objects and requesting and showing (graphical) information. This bar also contains the important function Layer Control. Draw toolbar: contains functions to create and edit spatial objects. DBMS toolbar: toolbar used to access remote databases. Web Services: toolbar used to access online workspaces and data.

Floating Toolbars:

Status Bar:

The bar at the bottom of the screen displays messages that could be helpful when working with MapInfo. It displays which window is active and relevant information that goes with that window.

Let us continue this introduction with some simple proceedings.

Creating a Working Surface

We start creating a new design on an existing surface. For this course we will be using a street map of the city center of Washington DC (fig. 1.3). A surface will usually be a grid image (.TIG, .GIF, or .MPG file type) which has been scanned in. File > Open Table or use the Open Table button on the toolbar Go to the directory: \\archnas1\software\MapInfo\ver.7.5\MAPINFO\DATA\tut_data\tut_usa\USA\DC Open the file DC_quad.tab

Figure 1.3: Roster map of Washington DC

You have just opened a full-color map of the city center of Washington DC. A colored map can be distracting, so you want to adjust the color scheme this way: Click Layer Control in the Main toolbar Double-click the layer DC_Quad In the popup window make sure the Style Override box is checked and click on the icon underneath it. In the next window, set the conversion to Grayscale and adjust the Brightness to 60% Click OK twice to return to the main workspace We now have a map in grayscales.

Display
The map we now have is not very large and therefore not very usable for designing. You can maximize the map window by clicking on the Maximize icon at top right corner. With the zoom-in, zoom-out, and grabber functions from the main toolbar you can adjust the map view to suit your needs. Activate the Main toolbar by clicking on it Perform a number of zoom and move action to familiarize yourself with these functions When you want to return to the full map quickly, you go to: Map > View Entire Layer: a dialog box appears with all connected layers. Select DCQUAD to be shown in its entirety. Click Ok to view the whole map.

Measuring Units
For every application it is important that the measuring units used on screen and in analyses are correctly presented. Depending on your version of MapInfo or operating system, the standard unit is set to Miles. For the rest of this course we will convert this to Kilometers (fig. 1.4). Select Map > Options If necessary, change Distance Units to kilometers and Area units to square meters Click OK to confirm the changes

Figure 1.4: Map Options Menu

Save and Quit

To conclude this lesson we save the map into a workspace. Go to File > Save Workspace Your workspace is the entire view of your screen in MapInfo: all open windows (maps and tables), zoom changes, styles, etc. Save your workspace as MapInfo Tutorial in your documents or on a removable disk. Close the map window by clicking on the bottom X in the top right corner (Do not close MapInfo, just the map window) or press Ctrl+F4. You would expect that the map is actually closed (as per usual with Windows programs), but this is not the case. The map is just not visible. Go to Window > New Map Window or press F3 or click the New Mapper icon in the Toolbar to make the map reappear on your screen. When you want to remove the map from your workspace you go to File > Close Table (you will learn more about tables in the next lesson). Close your session by using this command. Again a dialog box will appear with all opened tables (fig. 1.5).

Figure 1.5: Close Table menu

Click Close. You will return to the opening window of MapInfo as we started with at the beginning of this lesson. When you want to temporarily end this tutorial simply close MapInfo via File > Exit or the X in the top right corner. If you want to continue right away please turn the page.

Lesson 2: Creating a Coordinates file

The most elementary spatial object is a set point, a place on a map that is only indicated by an X- and Ycoordinate. The set point has no length, circumference, or surface. For set points one can think of cities, parks, etc. on a 1:20,000 scale map, or fire hydrants, lamp posts, and trees on a 1:500 scale map. Lessons Goal: In this lesson we will learn what tables and table files are in MapInfo. We also learn how we can enter set points and adjust the layout of those points and their labels. Sub-sections: -Tables -Set Points -Labels -Saving a Table When MapInfo is not running yet: Run Mapinfo (see lesson 1). Select Open a Table in the Quick Start Menu and Open the file DC_Quad.tab (see lesson 1), or, Open your saved workspace MapInfo Tutorial.

Tables
A Drawing in MapInfo is built up from several different tables, where each table is a separate file on your hard disk. A table file consists of rows and columns: each row contains information of a specific spatial object (set point, line, or area); each column contains a certain theme (e.g. circumference, inhabitants, average income). The value of a theme can be saved as a whole number (Integer type: 100, 220, etc.), characters (Character Type: a, bb, etc.), or decimal number (Float type: 11.60, 13.3754, etc.). The bitmap we opened in the last lesson can only contain one drawing (the map of DC), so we need to open a new table when we want to add spatial objects in the drawing. In this lesson we will place a number of shopping malls on the map Go to File > New Table or click the New Table icon in the Toolbar Select both Open New Browser and Add to Current Mapper De-select Open New Mapper Click Create Now the data fields have to be generated in which information can be saved (fig. 2.1), such as names, store surface, and the number of stores of the shopping malls. Add one field by adding the following data. In the field Name Name, in the field Type Character, and in the field Width 16.

Figure 2.1: New Table Structure Menu

Click Create, save the table as Shoppingmalls in the same directory as your workspace. The following screen will appear (fig. 2.2).

Figure 2.2: Shoppingmalls Browser

Set Points
Now we will add five shopping malls to the map of Washington DC. Make sure the map window is active by clicking on it. To place set points on the map you have to select the Symbol icon from the Draw toolbar. Maximize the Map window to be able to easily find the locations. Place markers at the following locations: Dupont Circle, Logan Circle, Washington Circle, Mt. Vernon Square (near Library), and Plaza (below Union Station). When you want to use Map > View Entire Layer, make sure to select All Layers (instead of just DC_Quad) as the layer Shoppingmalls does not cover the entire area. Click OK to continue

Wrongfully placed points can be moved by selecting them with the Select icon in the Main toolbar and then dragging them to the right place. You can also remove points by selecting them and then choose Edit > Clear or press the Delete button on your keyboard. By placing the shopping malls on the map, MapInfo automatically creates a row (or record) for each one of them in the Shoppingmalls table. This becomes visible when you restore the map window to its original size. The standard symbols are perhaps not very suitable to indicate the shopping malls. Several characteristics of the symbols can be changed and we will manually change some of them right now. Activate the map window by clicking on it. Go to Map > Layer Control, or press Ctrl+L, or Click on the Layer Control icon in the Main toolbar. Click on the icon on the left of Shoppingmalls in the Layer Control menu. In the dialog box (fig. 2.3) select a suitable symbol and color. Leave the dialog box by clicking on OK. Close Layer Control. N.b. you can also reach this window by double clicking on Shoppingmalls in the Layer Control Menu. Other options in that menu will be discussed later in this lesson.

Figure 2.3: Symbol Style modification menu

Now the shopping malls need a name label. When you select one of them on the map (using the select option) the corresponding row in the Shoppingmalls table is selected as well. This works the other way round as well: when you select a row in the table the corresponding icon on the map is also selected. Activate the Shoppingmalls table Fill in the column Name with the names of the shopping centers: Dupont Mall, Logan Mall, Washington Mall, Mt. Vernon Mall, and Plaza Mall (fig. 2.4). If necessary, use the zoom functions. Make sure each shopping center receives the correct name.

Figure 2.4: Filled in Shoppingmalls Browser

Labels
As you can see, the names are not automatically displayed on the map. You can add them as follows: Activate the map window. Go to Layer Control. Make sure the Label option is active behind Shoppingmalls (rightmost icon) Double-click the Shoppingmalls layer to open the Layer Properties menu. Go to the Label Display tab in this menu (fig. 2.5). Click on the button underneath Styles and select a Bold 8 pt. Arial font. Click OK to return to the Label Display menu. In the Placement subsection, select the label position underneath the anchor point. Click OK to close this menu and close Layer Control.

Figure 2.5: Label Display Options menu

When you followed the steps correctly, your map should look something like this (fig. 2.6):

Figure 2.6: Map browser with labeled shopping centers

Saving a Table
We will now save the modified (table with added names) Shoppingmalls table (fig. 2.7). File > Save Table. In this menu you will see all adjusted tables. Select the Shoppingmalls table (the only adjusted table) and click Save.

Figure 2.7: Save Table window

For the rest of this course, modify your Workspace so that it looks like figure 2.8.

Figure 2.8: Modified Workspace screen for MapInfo Tutorial

Save your Workspace, for instance as the MapInfo Tutorial you created in lesson 1. You can now suspend this course by exiting MapInfo. If you want to continue, please turn the page.

Lesson 3: Creating a Line Database

In a Line Database information about varying line objects can be saved. Examples of line objects are streets, pipelines, and power grids. Lessons Goal: In this lesson we learn how to create, select, edit, and present line objects in MapInfo. Sub-sections: -Tables Part 2: the Line Database -Lines -Selecting and Editing Line Objects -The SNAP function -Labels Part 2 When MapInfo is not running yet: Run Mapinfo (see lesson 1). Open your saved Workspace MapInfo Tutorial. When you are continuing directly from lesson 2 you can proceed from here.

Tables Part 2: the Line Database

To be able to work with line creation we first need to create a new table. It is always wise to put different spatial objects in different tables, so it will be easier to add or remove a certain table later on. Go to File > New Table, but this time keep the standard selection (only Open New Mapper enabled). Click Create. Add one field Name of the type Character(20), and click Create. Save the created table as Roads in your own directory. What we see now is that an empty map window is created for the roads (because Open New Mapper was selected), the Roads table is not added to the existing map window (because Add to Current Mapper was disabled), and there is no data window visible (because Open New Browser was disabled as well). This is not what you need, so: Close the empty map window (Ctrl+F4 or X in the top right). Open a new data window (F2, or Window > New Browser Window, or the New Browser Window icon on the Toolbar) for which you select the Roads table by highlighting it (finish by clicking OK). The Data window for the Roads layer will now appear on your screen (fig. 3.1).

Figure 3.1: Roads Browser

To add the Line database to the map window, open Layer Control. Click on the Green Plus Symbol (Add Layer) to add a layer. Select the Roads layer and click Add. Important! As you can see in the Layer Control Menu, the Shoppingmalls layer is momentarily the Editable Layer, as the Editable icon is enabled. This means that, if you would add spatial objects to the map window, the new elements will be drawn in the Shoppingmalls layer. However, we want them to appear in the newly created Roads layer, so: Make the Roads Layer editable by clicking on the Editable icon next to it. Close Layer Control to continue. Have a look at the status bar at the bottom of your screen; it will now display the text Editing: Roads (fig. 3.2). This way, you can always see in what layer new spatial objects will appear in.

Figure 3.2: Status bar with Roads layer as editable layer

Save the new situation (fig. 3.3) in your Workspace.

Figure 3.3: Modified Workspace screen

Lines
Contrary to set points and symbols from the last lesson, we can create lines in three different manners. You can find the accompanying buttons on the Draw Toolbar. Line: Polyline: Arc: A singular straight line with one starting and one finishing point. A multiline with a starting and a finishing point with one or more inflection points in between, thereby dividing the line in multiple line pieces. A singular line with a starting and a finishing point with a bent line piece in between.

Draw some random lines on the map with these options to familiarize yourself with them. You will notice that these lines are drawn differently: For Lines and Arcs you click once and then drag your cursor to the end of the line, whereas for Polylines you click once for each inflection point and twice to end the line. When you try to draw the line outside the window the map will automatically move along with your cursor. To make the lines more visible you can edit the lines width and color in the Layer Control menu (see lesson 2).

Selecting and Editing Line Objects

In lesson 2 you have learned how to select and move objects using the Select button, but there are more options when dealing with Line Objects. Select one of the Polylines you just created and notice the four handles that become visible at the corners of the object. When we move one of the handles, we can enlarge or shrink the spatial object. When you hold Shift we make sure that the lines stay proportionally constant. By dragging while holding Ctrl, all four handles are moved from or towards the center of the object simultaneously. Perform some of the drag options as described above. The start-, finish-, and inflection points of a Polyline can be moved with the Reshape button from your Draw toolbar. When you activate this tool, the inflection points are made visible and you can move them to any desired location. The Add Node option is now also available, with which you can add extra inflection points to your Polyline. Move any point of a Polyline. Add an inflection point somewhere on a Polyline. Select an Arc and use the Reshape tool; instead of moving inflection points you can adjust the arc of the object. You cannot place additional nodes on an Arc. The lines you have drawn probably do not match with the underlying map anymore. Scale the map so you can see all line objects. You can delete them one by one, but there is a faster way by using the

Marquee Select from the Main toolbar. With this tool you can select all objects (in a layer) whose center is in the selected area. An even faster method is Query > Select All from Roads. Select all the lines you just created. Press Delete to erase all lines

Cleaning Out Table Files

You might notice that the rows in the Roads table of the roads you just deleted are still there, although they are made gray. This means that the objects have been deleted, but they still take up space in the database. Before we clean out the table, we save our Workspace (see lesson 1). With Table > Maintenance > Pack Table we can clean up our table (fig. 3.4). Select the correct table (Roads). Be sure that Pack Both Types of Data is selected. Click OK. MapInfo will now ask if it should save the table first. Click Save.

Figure 3.4: Pack Table menu

Now we see one of the downsides of MapInfo: when it packs a table it automatically closes the Roads window and removes the Roads layer from the map window. As we have just saved our Workspace this is not a big problem. Go to File > Close All to close the current Workspace Open the recently saved Workspace under File > Recent Files > 1. \MapInfo Tutorial.WOR. In case you forgot to save your Workspace you can always add the Roads table the same way you did earlier in this lesson (via New Browser Window).

The SNAP Function

Now we will start drawing some more detailed lines. We want to draw the road between Dupont Mall and Plaza Mall (Mass. Ave). As drawing in this line by hand from one set point to the other is nigh impossible, we use the SNAP function. There is no button in one of the toolbars or menu option to enable SNAP, the only way to enable or disable it is by pressing the S key on your keyboard. Press the S key(mo?).

In the Status bar the line SNAP now appears (fig. 3.5). When you move your cursor close to a set point on your map it will change into a crosshair to display that, when you click there, the coordinates of the set point will be used.
Figure 3.5: Status Bar with the SNAP-function enabled

With the Line tool from the Draw toolbar, draw in Mass. Ave on your map. Mass. Ave West runs from Dupont Mall to Mt. Vernon Mall and Mass. Ave East runs from Mt. Vernon Mall to Plaza Mall (fig. 3.6) Also Draw in New Hampshire Ave on the map (from Washington Mall to Dupont Mall) To be able to easily draw lines from Logan Mall to Mass. Ave we first add a node to Mass. Ave directly on Scott Circle (Select > Reshape > Add Node). Do the same for Thomas Circle. Now the two roads between Mass. Ave and Logan Mall are easy to draw in with the Line tool. To get from Washington Mall to Mt. Vernon Mall via Pennsylvania Ave en New York Ave we can use the Polyline tool. The inflection points we can place roughly on sight and connect the finishing point to Mass. Ave.

Figure 3.6: Overview of the created roads on the DC map

Name the roads accordingly (In order: Mass. Ave West, Mass. Ave East, New Hampshire Ave, Rhode Island Ave (north to Logan), Vermont Street (south to Logan), and Pennsylvania Ave; fig 3.7)

Figure 3.7: Filled in Roads Browser

Labels Part 2
If the different roads are still not extremely clear on the map, make them more visible on the map. Use Layer Control (see lesson 2) to give the lines a clearly visible color and width. Make sure the labels are displayed underneath the object. When 8 pt. Arial is not clear enough for you, you can add the option Background Halo; with this option the text is displayed with a small white border. When you look at the map now, you will see that not all labels for the roads are displayed. Only when other labels are not overlapping, a label will be displayed. Go to Labeling Rules (via the Layer Control menu) and check Allow overlapping text. Click OK for it to take effect (fig. 3.8). As you zoom in on the map it can happen that you can see part of a road but not the label. We can make the labels visible permanently by checking Label Partial Elements in the Labeling Rules tab. Check this option in the menu. Save all the changes in your workspace. You can now suspend this course by exiting MapInfo. If you want to continue, please turn the page.

Figure 3.8: Modified Screen for MapInfo Tutorial

Lesson 4: Creating an Area database

The third group of spatial objects is areas. These areas are built up from polygons and can have a range of characteristics, among which are circumference and surface area. Lessons goal: Getting to know the spatial object Area and the way in which MapInfo deals with it. Sub-sections: -Areas -Selecting spatial objectspart 2 When MapInfo is not running yet: Run Mapinfo (see lesson 1). Open your saved Workspace MapInfo Tutorial. When you are continuing directly from lesson 3 you can proceed from here.

Areas
To create and edit areas on the map there are similar tools available as for creating and editing lines. There are four tools that can be used: 1. 2. 3. 4. Polygon Ellipse Rectangle Rounded Rectangle A singular area consisting of one polygon. A singular area in the shape of an ellipse. A singular area in the shape of a rectangle. A singular area in the shape of a rectangle with rounded edges.

Polygons are created by clicking and double-clicking (like poly-lines). The other three spatial objects are created by clicking and dragging. Holding Shift makes sure height/width will stay proportional. Lets draw four areas on the map from the last lessons. Create a new table Regions and give it one Character(16) field Name (see previous lessons for how to create a new table). The four areas we want to make are: o North (above New York Ave. and Mass. Ave.) o East (right of New York Ave. and 14th street, above Constitution Lane) o West (left of Mass. Ave, New York Ave, and 14th street, above Constitution Lave) o South (the rest of the map, below Constitution Lane) Make sure the new Area-layer is the Editable Layer. Draw in the areas by using the Polygon tool from the Draw toolbar (fig 4.1). Use the SNAPfunction where possible (it can be turned on or off while drawing).

Figure 4.1: Shape and Size of the newly created regions

As you might notice, the underlying map is fully covered by the filling of the drawn areas. It is now almost impossible to see if the area borders are in the right place. Go to Layer Control, double-click Regions, enable Style Override, and disable the fill (top option). Make the borders of each area clearly visible (see fig 4.2).

Figure 4.2: The new map with the Roads, Regions and Map layer

Fill in the names of the areas in the Regions data table. Save the edited table Save your new workspace

Selecting Spatial ObjectsPart 2

Now that all four areas are drawn in, try to select Plaza Mall (in the area East). Youll see that it is not possible, and the area East is selected instead. This is because the areas have been drawn in last and therefore are the top layer by default. You can always click on spatial objects that in an underlying layer by pressing Ctrl and clicking on it. Wed rather have the Shopping malls on top of the areas (so we can select them first when drawing) so we will change the drawing order of the layers. Go to Layer Control. Select the Regions layer. Move the layer down using the blue arrow button at the top of the menu. We will leave the Roads layer above Shoppingmalls for now. Close Layer Control. In the last lesson we have got to know the Select and Marquee Select tools. MapInfo has two other selecting options as well. With the Radius Select tool you can select spatial objects within a certain range. Turn the SNAP-function on. Start a Radius Selection (found in the main toolbar) from one of the shopping malls. While you drag your cursor you can see the radius in the Status bar. Create an area with a 2 km (or 1.5 mi) radius and release the mouse button.

You will see that not the shopping malls, but rather the roads within radius have been selected. This is because the Roads layer is still above the Shoppingmalls layer. Go back to Layer Control and move Shoppingmalls above Roads. Perform another Radius Selection. Make sure that shopping malls are now being selected. When we want to select all spatial objects within an area, we can use the Boundary Select tool. With this tool, click within one of the areas to select all shopping malls that are in it. Save all the changes in your workspace. You can now suspend this course by exiting MapInfo. If you want to continue, please turn the page.

Lesson 5: Modifying Tables

There is a chance that, when working on a project, the structure of a table will have to be modified. Lessons goal: In this lesson we will pay attention to editing and modifying the structure and content of existing tables. Sub-sections: - Adding data - Editing spatial objectspart 2 - Data Aggregation When MapInfo is not running yet: Run Mapinfo (see lesson 1). Open your saved Workspace MapInfo Tutorial. When you are continuing directly from lesson 4 you can proceed from here.

Adding data
Lets add some data to the several tables we already have in our workspace. First, let us add Traffic volume to the Roads table. Go to Table > Maintenance > Table Structure. Select the Roads table and click OK. The following window should appear:

Figure 5.1: Modify Table Structure menu

Click Add Field. Name this field Traffic Volume and make the type Float. When you click OK you will get an error message (fig. 5.2). Apparently you are not allowed to use spaces in field names.

Figure 5.2: MapInfo warning window for an incorrect field name Click OK. Change the name to TrafficVolume. Click OK. As when packing a table, the data window for the Roads table will disappear and the roads have vanished from the map. However, before we load the workspace again: Add the fields DailyShops and NonDailyShops (both type Small Integer) to the Shoppingmalls table. Add the field Inhabitants (Integer) to the Regions table. Go to File > Close All and then File > Recent Files > 1. /MapInfo Tutorial.WOR to make the original workspace reappear. Fill the data files with the following data. Please keep in mind that the order in which the objects appear in fig. 5.3 5.5 might differ from the order in your workspace. Shopping Malls Dupont Mall Logan Mall Mt. Vernon Mall Plaza Mall Washington Mall Daily Shops 10 4 10 13 15
Figure 5.3: Shopping Mall Data.

Non-Daily Shops 50 16 20 32 40

Roads Mass. Ave West (between Dupont and Mt.

Vernon)

Traffic Volume 10,0 7,5 6,0 8,5 4,5 2,0

Mass. Ave East (between Mt. Vernon and

Plaza)

New Hampshire Ave Pennsylvania Ave Rhode Island Ave Vermont Street

Figure 5.4: Roads Data

Regions North East South West

Figure 5.5: Regions Data

Inhabitants 6000 7500 3500 5000

Adding Column data

First, we will add a column to the Shoppingmalls table. This new column will contain the sum of the columns DailyShops and NonDailyShops. First we have to create said new column before we can add the desired information. Add a new column (named TotalShops, type Integer) to the Shoppingmalls table by using Table > Maintenance > Table Structure. To be able to see the modified table you have to close all and re-open the workspace By using Table > Update Column we can now fill in the newly created column by using the Assist option (fig. 5.6).

Figure 5.6: The Assist option from the Update Column menu

Save the new structure and close all tables.

Figure 5.7: Filled in table for the Shoppingmalls layer

Generating Columns
Now we will have MapInfo add two columns to the Regions table: Area and Density (fig 5.8) Open your workspace Make sure the Regions Browser is the active window. Go to Browse > Pick Fields Click on Expression underneath Fields in Table.

Figure 5.8: Menu for automatically generating columns

Fill in Area(obj, sq km) with the aid of the Functions list. Then change the name to Area under Edit Browser Column (fig. 5.9).

Figure 5.9: Column definition menu (Assist tool)

Now we add another column by clicking on Expression again. This time fill in Inhabitants/Area(obj, sq km), with the aid of the Columns and Operators lists. Name this column Density (fig. 5.10).

Figure 5.10: Menu for automatically generating columns

Click on OK and check the newly created columns. The exact numbers may vary depending on the regions you created (fig. 5.11).

Figure 5.11: Modified Regions Browser

Save the modified Regions table and the new workspace. Close all windows and open the workspace you just saved to continue this lesson.

Modifying Spatial ObjectsPart 2

In the last lesson we drew in Mass. Ave in two separate Lines (Mass. Ave West and Mass. Ave East) and Pennsylvania Ave and Mew York Ave with the same Polyline. This is not ideal for research purposes so now we will first combine the first and then separate the second set of streets. To edit the Roads layer we first have to make the map window active and make the Roads layer editable in the Layer Control menu. Select one of the two parts of Mass. Ave (nb. Use Ctrl + click as the Roads layer is not the top layer). Go to Objects > Set Target or press Ctrl+T. To add the other part of Mass. Ave we select that part. If multiple parts have to added, they can all be selected.

 Select Objects > Combine and observe the Data Aggregation menu.

In the Data Aggregation menu (fig. 5.12) we have to fill in what should happen to the values of the original spatial objects. We can keep the name (denoted with Value), but for Traffic Volume it suggests taking the Sum. As the values for Traffic Volume are averages we want to take Average here as well. MapInfo does not have a standard option to take into account the length of the roads, so we use no weight. In our table we now see one Mass. Ave with an average Traffic Volume of 8.75.

Figure 5.12: Data Aggregation Menu

Splitting a line is a little bit more complicated. MapInfo can only split lines when they are divided by an area. We are going to split Pennsylvania Ave. The western part will stay Pennsylvania Ave, while the western part will become New York Ave. To do that, we have to go through the following steps. Draw the figure in 5.13 in any layer on the map by using the Polygon tool. Make sure the figure encompasses the entire section of the polyline to the right of the White House (being New York Ave). Use the SNAP-function to make one of the intersections of the Polygon the same as where the line has to be split.

Figure 5.13: Shape and size of the temporary figure

Make the Polyline (Pennsylvania Ave) the target of your next actions (Objects > Set Target). Select the area you just created. Select Objects > Split.

 For Data Disaggregation we can leave both methods at Value (fig. 5.14). Now we have two new line pieces, both with a Traffic Volume of 8.5. Click OK for the split to take effect.

Figure 5.14: Data Disaggregation menu

In the data table for Roads you will now see two items named Pennsylvania Ave. Change the name for the eastern part of the line to New York Ave. Delete the area on the map that was used to split the line. Meanwhile there are several grey lines in our tables because spatial objects have been removed. You can use the Pack-function (see lesson 3) to get rid of these lines. Clean up the Roads table. Save the Roads table file. To get the whole workspace back it is easiest to close all windows and open the workspace again. If necessary, click Save when asked if you want to save modified tables.

Data Aggregation
The last function we discuss in this lesson is data aggregation or the combining of data. When we joined to roads earlier in this lesson we already encountered the aggregation of data. Data aggregation is the uniting of numerical attributes for spatial objects that have been combined into a larger spatial unit. In MapInfo, the following aggregation functions are available (fig. 5.15).

MapInfo Average Count Minimum Maximum Sum Weighted Average Proportion Sum

Proportion Average

Proportion Weighted Average

Description Calculates the average values of the selected data cells Searches for the minimal value of all selected data cells Searches for the maximum value of all selected data cells Adds all data from the selected data cells Calculates the weighted average of the selected data cells Calculates the sum of the data cells, taking into account the part of the spatial object that is involved in the calculation Calculates the average of the data cells, taking into account the part of the spatial object that is involved in the calculation Calculates the weighted average of the data cells, taking into account the part of the spatial object that is involved in the calculation

Figure 5.15: Overview of available Aggregation functions

We are going to work out an example. Imagine we want to know how many shops for daily needs there are in each are. To start this process, select Table > Update Column (fig. 5.16). Fill in the menu as in fig. 5.16. You will notice that you cannot yet select Add new temporary column under Column to Update yet. When you skip this and fill in Get Value From Table, MapInfo will automatically fill in the previous field.

Figure 5.16: Update Column menu

 Now, when you press the Join button, the following menu will appear (fig 5.17). In this menu you can indicate whether you want to use the detailed (first option) or the simplified (second option) joining option. Leave the option as it is set by default.

Figure 5.17: Specify Join menu

Because we want to know the total number of daily shops within an area, we have to select Sum from the possible aggregation functions and Dailyshops from the possible data fields. When you press OK a new data window will appear with the results (fig. 5.18).

Figure 5.18: Modified Regions browser

(Please note, the exact numbers may vary, depending on where you placed the area borders. This is not important for the rest of the course). From this table, we can gather that there are 24 daily shops in the area North. This is congruent with the number of shops in Logan (4), Dupont (10), and Mt. Vernon Mall (10). The area West has 35 shops in it (Dupont, Mt. Vernon, and Washington Mall (15)); East has 23 shops (Mt. Vernon and Plaza Mall (13)); and there are no shops in the area South. As you notice, Dupont Mall and Mt. Vernon Mall are on the border of two (or even three areas) and as such count towards each areas total number of daily shops. If you want to suspend the tutorial you can exit MapInfo now. Do not save the workspace. If you want to continue immediately, please turn the page.

Lesson 6: Non-spatial selections

The most used application in a GIS-program is the selecting of spatial objects. In the previous lessons we encountered a number of spatial selection methods: - In lesson 2, we selected set points with the Select option. - In lesson 3, we selected multiple line objects with the Select option. - In lesson 4, we selected set points within areas we defined ourselves (e.g. with Radius Select) or with the help of existing spatial objects (e.g. Regions, with Boundary Select). However, it is also possible to select non-spatial objects, which will be the focus of this lesson. Lessons goal: In this lesson you will be introduced to two ways of selecting spatial objects in a data file. The selections are based on criteria for one or more attributes of the spatial objects which they have to meet. Sub-sections: -Queries -SQL Select When MapInfo is not running yet: Run Mapinfo (see lesson 1). Open your saved Workspace MapInfo Tutorial. When you are continuing directly from lesson 5 you can proceed from here.

Queries
By way of a query, MapInfo can select a number of spatial objects within an object layer based on criteria you set. First, we will make a selection of all roads with an average traffic volume over 7. Go to Query > Select (fig. 6.1). In the window that pops up, indicate that you want to select object from the Roads table, that meet the requirements TrafficVolume > 7 formula. You can insert this formula by hand or use the Assist option, selecting TrafficVolume under Columns and > (more than) under Operators and adding the 7 by hand.

Figure 6.1: Query Select menu

 When we click OK, all objects with a traffic volume over 7 will be selected. A new data window is generated, in which all these objects have been summed up. In the already existing Roads table, the objects are also highlighted. Please Note: Even though the new data window is a new window, it is still dealing with the same spatial objects from the Roads data file. You will notice when you select an object in either window, or change the mane of a spatial object. You can, however, save the Query table in a separate file via File > Save Copy As, where you will have to select the right Query table from the list. With every query a new table is added to the memory, so when you do multiple queries you can recognize them by the number. For important queries it is advised to save them under another name immediately.

Figure 6.2: Linked browsers for the Roads layer

SQL Select
When you need a more advanced selection you can use the SQL (short for Standard Query Language) Select function. For instance, when you want to select all areas that contain a shopping mall, you need data from two different tables (Shoppingmalls and Regions) and the selection has to match a geographical requirement (contains). Go to Query > SQL Select and behold the menu. In the field From Tables we have to indicate which tables will be used, in this case Shoppingmalls and Regions. Please Note: the table from which the selection will have to be made (in this case Regions) must be mentioned first. Activate the From Tables field. You can now select the tables one by one from the Tables dropdown menu. Now there should be Regions, Shoppingmalls in the From Tables field. When two tables are selected, MapInfo will automatically create a requirement that will have to be met, in this case Regions.Obj Contains Shoppingmalls.Obj, which means that all spatial objects from Regions will be selected that contain a spatial object from Shoppingmalls. This is already a great start, but we will add another requirement. Move the cursor to the Where Condition Field. Select And from the list of Operators. From Columns select Shoppingmalls.Totalshops, from Operators > (more than), and add the number 50. This field should now contain the formula Regions.Obj Contains Shoppingmalls.Obj And Shoppingmalls.Totalshops > 50 (see fig. 6.3). Click Verify to check the structur of the condition. If the syntax is correct, click OK twice and check if the areas North and West have been selected.

Figure 6.3: SQL Select menu

Oddly enough, there are 3 fields in the new Query browser. This is because for every combination of shopping mall and area that meets the requirements a separate entry has been made. Dupont Mall is situated in two areas, and is thus mentioned in both areas. Washington Mall also meets the requirements, so it is also mentioned, even though the area West is already mentioned for Dupont Mall. When you try to select one of the two West rows in the Query2 Browser, you will notice that the other is automatically selected as well; they are, in fact, the same spatial object (the region West). To end this lesson, close all windows. If necessary save the changes in the tables but do not save the workspace.

Lesson 7: Spatial Analyses

Aside from selecting and combining spatial and non-spatial objects, Spatial or Geographic Analyses form the core of every GIS-software program. With Spatial Analyses, both graphic and attribute data are used at the same time. Lessons goal: Familiarize with some simple spatial analyses. Sub-sections: -Redistricting -Buffer Analysis -Overlay Analysis When MapInfo is not running yet: Run Mapinfo (see lesson 1). Open your saved Workspace MapInfo Tutorial. When you are continuing directly from lesson 6 you can proceed from here.

Redistricting
A much-used operation within GIS is the joining of areas/lines/points into one area/line/point based on a characteristic (called Redistricting). Redistricting is used to execute calculations with a wide range of aggregated data with district totals as a result. With the aid of a District Browser the overall data per district can be presented. In the district browser, one record at a time is selected, which is called the Target District. In the following example, we will be combining the areas North and East into District 1 and the areas South and West into District 2. The aforementioned aspects of Redistricting will be encountered. Before we can execute the redistricting, we have to add a data field to the Regions table. This data field will determine to which district an area belongs. Go to Table > Maintenance > Table Structure and add a new column named District (type Character 8) to the Regions table. Please Note: When this column does not appear immediately in the Regions browser, right-click it, select Pick Fields and add the District Column to the browser. Fill in the newly created column as in the figure below (fig. 7.1).

Figure 7.1: Modified Regions browser

 Now select Window > New District Window. Look at the menu in which the following options are given (fig. 7.2). 1. Source Table, in which the combination should take place 2. District Field, in which is indicated to which district each object belongs. 3. Available fields; the fields which will be available after the combination, with indication with what they should be filled. For example, Sum(Inhabitants) means that, after combination, there will be a field with the total number of inhabitants for the district. 4. When you want these fields to show up after combination, you move them to the Fields to Browse list. By default the fields District (name of the district), Count (the number of underlying areas), and Fill (what filling pattern indicates the area) are included here.

Figure 7.2: New Redistrict Window

Fill in the menu with categories you want to show up (for instance Sum(Inhabitants) and Pct(Inhabitants)) Click OK to see the results. The image below (fig. 7.3) shows the result of a Redistricting. In the newly created layer and accompanying data window you can see two districts. The data for these districts are combined into one table. For instance, the number of areas is combined (Count) and the number of inhabitants has been added per district (Sum).

Figure 7.3: The result of the Redistricting action

 Close all windows. When you do this MapInfo will give you the following message (fig. 7.4).

Figure 7.4: Closing window when changes have not been saved

This concerns the newly created district data window that is not yet included in the workspace. It is not necessary that it is included in the workspace. Click Discard to unplug the application. Save the changes to the Regions table (addition of the District column).

Buffer Analysis
In this segment we will determine how many inhabitants suffer from traffic noise from the roads we have drawn in. To do that we will first draw a buffer around the roads that will indicate the affected area. We will place that buffer in a separate table. Open your workspace Add a new table to the current map window (only check the option Add to Current Mapper). Add one character field (Character 16) labeled Name. Save the new table under the name Buffer. The table will now be added to the map window. In Layer Control, make sure that the Buffer Layer is the editable layer. Select the Roads Browser. Go to Query > Select All to select all roads. Now make sure the map window is the active window! Go to Objects > Buffer. Check the option From Column and select Expression. In the window that now appears, add the formula TrafficVolume * 15 (either by hand or with the dropdown menus). Set units to meters. With the Smoothness option, you can adjust the number of segments for a circle (the higher the number, the smoother the circle). You can leave this set at its default (12). MapInfo can also create a separate buffer for every Polyline, or create one buffer for all lines. Select One buffer of all objects (the default setting). Click Next, and then OK. On the map a new area appears that represents the buffer (fig. 7.5)

Figure 7.5: Shape and size of the desired buffer

By using Options > Region Style you can edit the display of the buffer. When you choose a pattern filling and uncheck Background, the underlying map will be visible through the pattern. Make sure the underlying map becomes visible through the buffer (fig. 7.6).

Figure 7.6: Modified buffer zone on the DC map

To be able to decide how many people live in the buffer area, we will have to divide the buffer among the region areas. To do this we will have to make adjustments to the Regions table. As we might want to make other buffer analyses in this area, we will make a copy of the Regions table. Go to File > Save Copy As. Select Regions and save it as RegionsBuffer1. Open this table via File > Open On screen you will see a white-filled area (fig 7.7). To be able to work with the files we have to be able to see the underlying layers as well.

Figure 7.7: White filling of the new RegionsBuffer1 layer

We make the underlying map visible in the Layer Control Menu. Double-click the RegionsBuffer1 layer and set the fill to none (N). By default the Regions layer is on top of the Regionsbuffer1 layer, so any changes will occur to the Regions layer. You could move the Regionsbuffer1 layer on top of the Regions layer, but we are going to do something else. Make the Regionsbuffer1 layer editable. Make the Regions layer not selectable by deselecting the Selectable icon.

Overlay Analysis
Now the splitting can start. In essence, we will be performing an overlay analysis. With the actions to be executed we will combine two layers (Regions and Buffer) with each other. The three regions in which the buffer is situated will be divided into six smaller regions with the help of the buffer borders. Nothing will happen to the region South, as the buffer is not in that region. Select the three areas (North, East, West) in which the buffer is situated (by using the Shift key) and set them as the target for the split with Objects > Set Target. Select the buffer. Go to Objects > Split. We want to split Inhabitants by Area Proportion, so the total number of inhabitants will be divided relative to the new areas (fig. 7.8). Click OK.

Figure 7.8: Data Disaggregation menu

As a result from the Overlay Analysis, the RegionsBuffer1.tab table will now contain seven spatial objects, the new area sections. Open the data window for RegionsBuffer1 via Windows > New Browser (fig. 7.9). Select multiple areas in the newly opened browser window to view the exact borders of the different areas.

Figure 7.9: Modified RegionsBuffer Browser

To select all the new areas within the buffer zone, we will perform an SQL select. The tables used are RegionsBuffer1, Buffer(RegionsBuffer1 first, as that is the table we will be selecting form) and the condition is Buffer.Obj Contains RegionsBuffer1.Obj (Please Note: this is exactly the opposite of what MapInfo suggests). A new Query Browser (Query2 Browser, fig. 7.10) will be opened with the data of the areas that are within the buffer zone. There could be more categories in your table, depending on the data in the original tables that was or was not saved in previous lessons (such as Area, Density, or Sum of DailyShops).

Figure 7.10: Query2 browser

 With the Statistics Menu (Options > Statistics or the icon in the main toolbar) we can see that there are around 3000 people living in the buffer area (fig. 7.11). The exact number can vary, as you could have drawn the region borders slightly differently.

Figure 7.11: Query2 Statistics table

To end this lesson, close all windows. If necessary, save any changes to the tables.

Lesson 8: Thematic Maps

For a clear overview and presentation of attribute data within a map, it can be useful to use one or more thematic maps. Lessons Goal: Gain insight into the way thematic maps are generated. Sub-sections: -Thematic maps with scaled symbols -Thematic maps with colors and filling patterns. When MapInfo is not running yet: Run Mapinfo (see lesson 1). Open your saved Workspace MapInfo Tutorial. When you are continuing directly from lesson 7 you can proceed from here.

In general, and also in MapInfo, the following types of thematic maps can be generated: 1. Ranges: the available spatial objects are ranked on the basis of one data field, where every tier gets its own color or filling. A tier division can occur on the basis of number of objects within the tier, natural borders based on a specific algorithm, specified percentage borders, or manually specified borders. 2. Bar Charts: for every spatial object one or more data fields can be reproduced in a bar chart. 3. Pie Charts: for every spatial object one or more data fields can be reproduced in a pie chart. 4. Graduated: the data of objects is displayed with the aid of a scaled symbol. The size of the symbol is determined by the value of the data field. 5. Dot Density: The data of spatial objects is displayed with the aid of dots In the area. Each dot represents a number of occurrences, for instance 100 inhabitants. 6. Individual: The filling or color is displayed per spatial object (no gradation). 7. Grid: The data of point objects is presented with a continuous color gradation. The gradation is calculated by interpolating between point data in the table file. In the Thematic Map menu (which we will use in this lesson), graphic examples accompany the buttons for each option. Open your workspace. Select the map window. Go to Map > Create Thematic map. An extensive menu will appear with a multiplicity of options, with varying color schemes, symbols, and filling patterns. Browse through the menu and observe the different thematic map options, types, and templates (fig. 8.1).

Figure 8.1: First step menu for creating thematic maps

Thematic Maps with scaled symbols

We will create two thematic maps: one for the size of the shopping malls and one for the population density within the regions. We want to display the size of the shopping malls by using graduated circles. Select Graduated and then Graduated Symbol Default. Click Next to proceed to the next step (fig. 8.2). Select the Shoppingmalls table and the field TotalShops.

Figure 8.2: Second step menu for creating thematic maps

Click Next to continue to the final step of creating a thematic map (fig. 8.3).

Figure 8.3: Third step menu for creating thematic maps

Accept the default settings and click OK. On your map, the chosen theme is now displayed with scaled circles (fig 8.4). What the circles mean is displayed in the accompanying legend.

Figure 8.5: The result of creating the theme for the Shoppingmalls layer

We can make the theme even clearer by changing the settings (fig. 8.5). Go to Map > Modify Thematic Map and click Settings. Click Options. Here you can change the symbol and color if you would like to. Set the Graduate Size By to Constant. When you have clicked OK twice, you will see that the ratio between circles has changed.

Figure 8.5: Customize Graduated Symbols menu

Thematic maps with colors and filling patterns

A second variety of thematic maps we will illustrate by using the population density from the Regions table. Go to Map > Create Thematic Map and select Ranges. As color and filling pattern select the combination: Region Ranges, Solid Purple, Dark-Light and click Next. De data fields we want to use this time are the Regions table and Density column. When the Density calculation was not saved to your workspace, you can calculate it while creating a thematic map by defining an Expression in the second dropdown menu in step 2 (fig. 8.6).

Figure 8.6: Second step menu for creating thematic maps

Accept the default settings in step 3 and behold the results (fig. 8.7).

Figure 8.7: Thematic representation of inhabitant density per region

To make the underlying map visible again we have to edit the filling pattern via Map > Modify Thematic Map. This option will only appear when the map is the active window. Select Regions (Ranges by). Click Styles under Customize. Click the top color range (fig. 8.8) and select a filling pattern that is not solid and deselect Background so the underlying map will become visible. Click OK Click on the bottom color range and select the color green and the same filling pattern as the top range.

Figure 8.8: Customize Range Styles menu

When you click OK, you notice that the color gradation is made via an ugly brown (for the middle category). To change this, fold out the Options and set the color spread to HSV (Hue, Saturation, Value) instead of RGB (Red, Green Blue) under Auto Spread Style by.

 Click OK twice to return to the map. Back at the map (fig 8.9), you can now see that two areas have a low density (light color) and two have a high density (darker color),

Figure 8.9: Thematic map for inhabitant density per region

You might wonder where and how the information of these thematic maps is stored. Open Layer Control (fig. 8.10). You will see that the thematic maps have been stored in separate layers, but you cannot change the order of these layers (the up and down button are disabled). This is because the thematic layers are always right on top of the layer that they have been derived from. You can also see that the thematic layers cannot be made editable or selectable, or have a label attached to them. You can, however, make the layers (in)visible separate from their derived layer.

Figure 8.10: Layer Control menu

 Close Layer Control. The thematic layers are not treated as normal tables, and cannot be saved as such. You save thematic layers in your workspace. If the legend was not yet visible, you can make it appear by clicking the Legend symbol in the Main toolbar (next to the symbol). The contents of the legend can be edited through Map > Modify Map. Click Legend Change the titles of both generated thematic maps to Shopping Mall Size and Population Density (fig. 8.11).

Figure 8.11: Customize Legend menu

The final result will look something like figure 8.12.

Figure 8.12: End result of the thematic map lesson

End of the MapInfo Tutorial

References
Bremer, P. (1999) CAUD, Computer Aided Urban Design. Afstudeerverslag Technische Universiteit Eindhoven, Eindhoven.

MapInfo Corp. (1998) MapInfo Professional: User's Guide, Troy, New York.

MapInfo Corp. (1998) MapInfo Professional: Reference Guide, Troy, New York.

Van Leusden, L. & Van Nunen, B. (1998) Brandevoort, een andere kijk op VINEX, verslag Stedebouwkundige Planologie 5, Technische Universiteit Eindhoven, Eindhoven.

Van Nunen, B.L.T. (1999) GIS in de Ruimtelijke Ordening bij Gemeenten. Afstudeerverslag Technische Universiteit Eindhoven, Eindhoven.