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Michael Conner
USA
2 Posts |
 Posted - 02/03/2010 : 17:55:39
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I've just downloaded the program for a tryout. So far I'm very impressed with the bang for the buck. I do have a few questions I was hoping someone could help with.
The manual, in Chapter 16, mentions an add-on module for scripts, but I don't see any mention of this on the web site. Is there such a thing?
I'm an archaeologist and would be using it for both large-scale gis ranging from areas 10-500 km across to the whole east half of the US to site level work, showing excavations and material found over a few meters to several hundred meters.
One thing I would like for site work is the ability to save setups such as which layers are visible and the scale so that multiple views could be printed from the same project. That is one print might have layer 1 and 3 on and another would have 1, 2, and 3. The save view function seems to only save the extent and center, not layer visibility. Is there any way to do this in map maker besides having different projects for different set ups?
One failure I've had so far is with 1.3 gb shaded color shaded relief map of the continental US. I've used this is going back to ArcView 3.2 and newer, but MapMaker chokes on it. I get a bitmap failure. Is there any chance the program could handle something this large? Is there a set limit to bitmap size in the program?
So far I've been testing it running Windows XP within VMWare Fusion running in Mac OS 10.4.11, so I may be a matter of available memory, though I have 1 gb allocated to windows. Does anyone have experience running MM is this manner?
Thanks for any help. |
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mapmaker
385 Posts |
Posted - 03/03/2010 : 09:48:26
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The reference in the manual to a scripts module is a mistake. Its an idea that never materialized. Howver there are macros which perform the same kind of tasks, see http://www.mapmaker.com/downloads/MMmacro.doc.
Regarding showing layers at particular scales, if you go to Layer set up, and look at the "Visibility" tab you set the drop-in and drop-out scale. The layer will only be visible when the scale is between these two values.
1.3gb is pushing it for a file size, but there is not a set limit to bitmap size. Its a case of trial and error on your particular system.
I cant advise on running MM on Macs but I'd be interested to learn of the experiences of those who are running it on Macs. |
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Hanno
United Kingdom
101 Posts |
Posted - 03/03/2010 : 10:23:20
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Hello Michael,
Welcome to the forum.
Indeed ‘save view’ only saves the scale and screen centre, the way forward is –as you already mentioned- saving various projects.
1.3Gb worth of bitmap would clog up any average and self respecting computer/software! Time to refocus and get things into perspective. If you are producing an overview map of the US then you don’t really need a DTM showing every molehill I suppose. I would resample the jolly thing and reduce it to something smaller.
Intersting to hear you are running MM on Fusion on a Mac!
Hanno |
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Michael Conner
USA
2 Posts |
Posted - 03/03/2010 : 18:16:38
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Thanks for the feed back. I'll check out the macro info. So far I've done ok using the demo running xp under fusion. I use whatever I need to get the job done, though for many years I worked at place that was all Mac. I took a new position two years ago and have continued with Mac because I like OS X for most work and like having Unix available when I need it for something. The Intel Macs and Fusion give me the ability to run Windows as well without a separate computer for it. So far it has done me ok.
Unfortunately the CAD program I've used for years for site work is now priced out of my range and the older version I have doesn't run on Mac 10.6 very well, so I'm mainly looking for something to replace it. MM caught my eye as a potential since all site work is coordinate based and often involves database info. And I often do work with USGS quad maps and need georeferencing capability.
Right now I'm still trying to wrap my head around the database part and entering info for objects. I'm sure more questions will come. |
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Gerhard
Ghana
13 Posts |
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Info for a shopper
