Process map

This function allows you to prepare a defined map for plotting.

To run this function: Choose Plotting > Process > Map, or...

In the Function Chooser, type PROCESS MAP, and press ENTER.

After entities and maps are defined, the definition is held in a library. When you want to produce a given map; you simply choose Process Map and nominate the map definition by name. The specified data are gathered from the named files and are used to prepare the final map sheet.

The end result of processing a defined map is a plot file (.dwf) which contains a plotter-independent representation of the final map. The name of the file is formed from the leading five characters of the defined map name, a consecutive alphabetical character and a file extension, .dwf. During preparation of the plot file, any symbols or text clashed off the plot are written to a .cf file with the same name as the current plot. For example, a map definition called contour will produce a file called contoa.dwf the first time it is processed, then contob.dwf the second time and so on.

When you ruin this function, the Process existing map definitions form is displayed.

Note: You can process multiple map definitions and have them all plot on a single sheet. For example, for plotting multiple borehole sections on a sheet, or section and plan views of the same data on a single sheet. To do this, you enter the names of each of the maps to be processed on as many lines as necessary in the scrolling region of the Process Existing Map Definitions form. Separate presentation parameters will be requested for each map, allowing each one to be assigned to a separate defined drawing area on the selected sheet.

After the Process Existing Map Definitions form is applied, the Plot Presentation Parameters form is displayed. You can use this form to alter any of the plot presentation parameters to ensure that the map has the appropriate scale, the correct sheet size, and the correct title block. The first time a map is processed, default values for the sheet setup characteristics are obtained from the defaults.ssi file. You may alter these values to suit your preferences as required. On successful processing of a map, various items of data are retained in intermediate files so that when that same map is processed at a later time, the values previously entered will be re-used in preference to the values from the defaults.ssi file.

Pre-defined sheet entities

Map presentation refers to those elements which are plotted on a map sheet but which are not read from string or note files. These elements of the plot are called sheet entities. Sheet entities include:

These sheet entities are defined in a number of files in the SSI_PLOTTING: directory. New software installations are supplied with a suite of sheet entities sufficient for creating maps for most purposes. Additional sheet entities can be easily created using the suite of functions provided for managing sheet setup characteristics. Each sheet entity is given a unique name and it is referred to by using this name when processing maps.

Border definitions

Drawing Area definitions

Title Block definitions

Grid definitions

Altering Presentation Parameters

A plot sheet is viewed as having the following basic attributes, all of which are defined in the sheet setup files in the SSI_PLOTTING directory.

1. Sheet

2. Drawing area

3. Border

4. Title block

Plotting of string, image and note data are restricted to within the drawing area. Data which will not fit in this area at the nominated orientation and scale will be clipped off and ignored.

The border and drawing area sizes are defined relative to the sheet edges, and so the same border and drawing area definitions may be used on sheets of any size. The drawing area may be defined as any size up to and including the same area as the border.

Any of the plot presentation parameters may be altered to achieve the desired result. To aid you in choosing the appropriate plot presentation parameters the data extents and minimum scales to suit each defined sheet size, for the chosen drawing area, are displayed.

Data extents, Minimum and Maximum Y and X

The extents of the data processed for the map are displayed. This is useful in providing a quick check to ensure that the correct data have been processed.

Sheet sizes and minimum map scales

For each defined sheet size, the minimum scale necessary to ensure all data will appear on the map for the most commonly used orientations, Landscape Centred and Portrait Centred, are displayed. The scales are interpreted differently depending on the value of the Data units field.

If the data units are:

Metric - The scales are interpreted as 1 : scale value
Imperial - The scales are interpreted as 1 inch = scale value feet.

Each of the presentation aspects on the Plot Presentation Parameters form are described below. Together they define the final presented appearance of the plot. The sheet entity identifiers, e.g. BORD, DRAW, YXA3, and NMA3 shown above, relate to sheet entities created and managed using the Sheet Setup functions.

If you have selected to process multiple maps onto a single sheet, the Plot Presentation Parameters form is displayed for each of the maps that have been selected.

Fields on the Plot presentation parameters form

Field	Description
Map name	The name of a map which exists in the plotting library.
Output file name	The name of the output plot file. Note: If a plot file of given name already exists the filename of any subsequent plot will have a number suffix appended to the name to make it unique.

Field

Description

Map name

The name of a map which exists in the plotting library.

Output file name

The name of the output plot file.

Note: If a plot file of given name already exists the filename of any subsequent plot will have a number suffix appended to the name to make it unique.

Field	Description
Minimum scale to fit data	The minimum scale required to produce a plot containing all data within the data extents. This value replaces the scale lookup table used by Autoplot in previous versions of the software. It is calculated using the currently selected sheet, orientation, data unitsand also the plan strip option.
Lock X/Y scale	Controls the appearance of the Scale field. Normally, the scale used is the same in both the X and Y directions, and in this case you should select this option. Then you can enter a single value in the Scale field. However, if a different Y scale is required, clear this option, and separate fields are provided for the X and Y scales.
Scale	Controls the scale of the plotted data.
Sheet size	The sheet size for your plot. A0. 1125 x 810 (mm) A1. 785 x 565 A2. 565 x 370 A3. 380 x 250 A4. 270 x 165 A5. 165 x 100 B0. 1414 x 1000 B1. 1000 x 707 B2. 707 x 500 B3. 500 x 353 B4. 353 x 250 B5. 250 x 176 B6. 176 x 125 The sizes of sheets may be changed and new sheets added by using the Plot Sheet Sizes function from the Plotting menu. Note: A plot file is prepared on the basis of the sizes defined here, and you can see a picture of what is prepared on a graphics screen in Plot Preview. However,it is possible that the size cannot physically be accommodated on your particular plotter. In this case, edges of your plot will be truncated and you will need to reduce the sheet sizes defined here until the plot fits your plotter.
Border	The border style for your plot. If you do not want a border, leave this field blank. Borders may be changed and new borders added by using the Plot Borders function from the Plotting menu. A border is defined relative to the edges of the selected sheet size thus permitting the same border to be used for any sheet size. The maximum border area is the sheet size, but may be some fixed distance in from each edge, for example, 1 cm all around the sheet. Note: Title blocks are associated with borders. So if you choose to not have a border it will not be possible to have a title block on the map. However, It is possible to have a border definition that has no lines and still have a title block drawn on the map. The border definition NOBO is supplied specifically for this purpose.
Drawing area	The only area string and note data is plotted. This area is a subset of the area contained within the border. Typically this is 1 mm inside the border all round. However, it is also common to define the right-most edge of the drawing area to be inside the title block, leaving a blank panel above the title block as illustrated in this diagram. Different drawing area definitions are given unique names, and are created and managed using the Plot Drawing Areas function on the Plotting menu. The Plotting module permits multiple maps to be processed such that all are drawn onto the same sheet of paper. To achieve this, a drawing area must be defined for each part of the sheet of paper into which the map data is to be drawn. For example, the following illustration shows how three different maps may be 'stacked' on an A1 sheet using three standard drawing area definitions supplied. You may devise others to plot side by side, or on different sheet sizes. Three maps on one sheet The following image shows from left to right: Plot A (VA1L), Plot B (VA1M), and Plot C (VA1R). Note: In this supplied multi-map definition there is only one title block for the entire plot. This has been achieved by only choosing to plot a border and title block for Plot C.
Grid	The grid to display with your plot. If you do not want a grid, leave this field blank. A number of grid definitions are supplied at installation. These pre-defined grids are described above. The presentation of grid lines and labels on a map are determined by the grid definitions that are managed by the Plot Grids function on the Plotting menu. Additional grids may be defined as required using the Plot Grids function. The Grid Line Spacing and Grid Style form will be displayed if you defined a Grid in the Plot Presentation Parameters form. Different line types may be plotted in each of the Y and X directions. Grid Line Spacing and Grid Style form Interval Y, X. The space between grid markings.. Type Y, X Possible line types include: full lines - Full lines from one side of the drawing area to the other. In the following diagram, Y = Full, and X = Full. border ticks - Tick marks around the limits of the drawing area only. In the following diagram, Y = Tick, and X = Tick. grid crosses - Tick marks around the limit of the drawing area and grid crosses over the middle of the drawing area. In the following diagram, Y = X (crosses), and X = X (crosses)
Title block	The title block for your map. If you do not want a title block, leave this field blank. Note: If you have not used a border you will not able to have a title block on your map. A number of pre-defined title blocks are provided when the software is installed. The Plot Title Blocks function on the Plotting menu can be used to manage these title blocks and to create new title blocks and to modify existing title blocks. If a title block has been specified then the User Definable Title Block Lines form will be displayed so that you can define each of the title lines for your title block.
Plot orientation	The orientation of your plot on the sheet. Orientations you can choose. Plot orientations Landscape Fixed This moves the map up, down, left or right relative to the sheet, depending on the coordinates chosen for the reference corner. The grid is aligned with axes which define the coordinate system. The ground coordinates for the lower left hand corner of the Drawing Area must be defined. The following diagram shows a plot that is north facing, in normal orientation, with a fixed reference corner in the lower left The grid lines are parallel to the sheet sides. Portrait Fixed This is a rotation of the map through 270 degrees in a clockwise direction so that the Y direction (generally North) runs right to left across the sheet, and east runs vertically up the sheet. This is useful since it simply aligns North with the long dimension of the sheet, and East with the shorter dimension. The ground coordinates for the lower left corner of the Drawing Area must be defined. The following diagram shows a plot that is right-facing, rotation 270, with a fixed reference corner in the lower left. The grid lines are parallel to the sheet sides. Rotate About Point The positive Y direction (generally North) is rotated clockwise, about the reference corner, through and angle you define. The location of the lower left hand corner of the Drawing Area must be defined. the following diagram shows a plot with orientation RX, rotated about a fixed corner in the lower left. The grid lines are rotated through the angle specified. Rotate About Centroid The positive Y direction (generally North) is rotated clockwise, about a point that is at the centre of the data being processed, through and angle you define. The centre of the Drawing Area is located at the rotation point, centring the data in the drawing area. The following diagram shows a plot with orientation RD, rotated about the centre of data. The grid lines are rotated through the angle specified Landscape Centred. The positive Y axis (generally North) points up the page. The Drawing Area is centred on the point at the centre of the data being processed. The following diagram shows a plot with orientation NC, normal orientation and centred. The grid lines are parallel to the sheet sides. Portrait Centred The positive Y axis (generally North) is rotated through 270 degrees in a clockwise direction so that it travels from right to left. The Drawing Area is centred on the point at the centre of the data being processed. The following diagram shows a plot with orientation RC, rotation 27 0, centred The grid lines are parallel to the sheet sides. Orientations Landscape Fixed, Portrait Fixed and Rotate About Point should be used when you require the plot to be 'anchored' in a fixed orientation on the sheet. You need to enter the real world coordinates to be fixed at the reference corner of the sheet. The reference corner is the one that lies closest to the origin of the selected coordinate system. In a North-East system, the reference corner is at the lower left of the sheet, whereas in a South-West system the reference corner will be the upper right corner of the sheet. If you choose one of these orientations, the Reference Corner form will be displayed to allow you to enter the Y and X Ground coords. Orientations Rotate About Centroid, Landscape Centred and Portrait Centred provide alternative orientations of the plot relative to the centre of the actual data. These orientations will always position the 'centre of the data' in the centre of the sheet, and Rotate About Centroid and Portrait Centred allow the data to be rotated about that point. Orientations Rotate About Point and Rotate About Centroid allow you to rotate the data through some arbitrary angle on the map sheet. If you choose either of these options you will be prompted for the required angle of rotation on the Orientation Angle form. Note: If you have selected DEGREES as your Angle units, the angle must be entered in DDD.MMSS format. If you have selected GRADS as your Angle units, the angle must be entered in GRADS to four decimal places. The orientation Rotate About Centroid with an angle of 270.0000 DEGREES (300.000 GRADS) is equivalent to orientation Portrait Centred. However, orientation Rotate About Point with an angle of 270.0000 DEGREES (300.000 GRADS) is not equivalent to orientation Portrait Fixed with the same reference coordinate. Orientation Rotate About Point translates the data in its landscape orientation to fix the reference corner, then rotates the plot about that corner. Orientation Portrait Fixed rotates the data, then translates the plot to fix the reference corner. With Landscape Centred and Portrait Centred you can produce a sheet with no data showing if the data is widely spread. This is illustrated below. 1. drill hole 1 2. drill hole 2 3. map sheet centred
Quadrant	The coordinate system for the map. The different quadrants are used to determine the orientation of the reference direction. The reference direction, the positive Y direction (North for plan data), typically travels from the bottom to the top of the map sheet. This is the North-East quadrant which is the way most plots are processed. The list below shows the effect the different quadrants have on the orientation of the reference direction. North-East. Reference direction travels from bottom to top of map sheet. South-East. Reference direction travels from left to right of map sheet. South-West. Reference direction travels from top to bottom of map sheet. North-West. Reference direction travels from right to left of map sheet.
Data units	The system of measurement for your map data. Note: When Data Units are set to Metric, the scale (e.g. 500) is interpreted as 1 m = 500 m. When Data Units are set to Imperial, the scale is interpreted as 1" = 500'.
Overprint	Selected: Ignores the priorities of items on the maps and cause overprinting to occur. Cleared: Prevents any overprinting of map elements from occurring unless the priorities of overlapping items demands it. Note: Although allowing over printing to occur gives lower quality maps (you may even find spurious annotations inside the title block) it is useful for processing large maps very quickly to determine if a suitable result will be produced. After making any necessary adjustments you may then choose to process the map again and prevent over printing to create a high quality map.
Text rotation	Selected: Text written with a rotation angle greater than 90 degrees, and less than 270 degrees, is rotated so that you can read it from the bottom edge of the plot. Cleared: Text remains oriented to the data. You might prefer this setting when plotting complicated borehole sections where you want the text to remain oriented with the hole. Note: If you are using entities that are plotted using bearing you must say No to text rotation to have the text written in the correct direction.
Display plot after processing	Selected: The plot is displayed after processing. Cleared: The plot does not display after processing.
Save current settings as default	Saves the settings on this form as default plotting settings (for this file only or for all files in default.ssi?).

Note: This tab is only active if you have chosen blank, NOGR or any of the oblique grid definitions on the Plot Parameters tab, in the Grid field.

Field	Description
Plot Northing and Easting grid lines	Selected: Vertical Northing and Easting lines are drawn on the plot. Cleared: Vertical Northing and Easting lines are not drawn on the plot.
Section file	The file that contains the section line definition point.
Section line string number	The string number for the section line. Note: The description fields of the first point in this string define the section end points in the D fields. D1 and D2 are the Northing and Easting of the origin of the section, D3 and D4 are the Northing and Easting of the other end of the section line.
Grid	The grid used to display Northing and Easting lines on the plot. By default, the OBLIQUE SECTION grid is specified.
Type	The type of grid that you want plotted for the Northing and Easting directions. Full lines: The grid is drawn from one side of the sheet to the other. Border ticks: Grid ticks are only drawn around the outer limits of the drawing area. No lines: No grid lines are drawn.
Interval	The space between grid lines.

Note: You can plot your oblique section with real world X, Y and Z grid lines by selecting OBA3 in the Grid field, on the Plot Parameters tab, and selecting OBLIQUE SECTION in the Grid field, on the Oblique Section Grid tab. You will need to enter parameters for the Z grid lines, in the YInterval and Type fields, on the Grid Line Spacing and Grid Style form that displays when you have accepted the parameters on the Plot presentation parameters form.

Result

A device independent plot file that contains the necessary plotting commands to display the plot on the screen or to output the plot to a hardcopy plot device.

Further Processing

On completion of processing a map you can use the Plot Preview function to graphically preview the map that has been created to ensure that the desired results are achieved. Alternatively, you may elect to use the Plot Driver function to submit the plot to one of the supported hardcopy devices.

DRAW	A standard drawing area 1 mm inside the standard border. The line which surrounds the drawing area is drawn with pen 1.
NODA	Defines the same drawing area as DRAW but has no line drawn around it.
VA3L	A drawing area which occupies the left third of an A3 map sheet.
VA3M	A drawing area which occupies the middle third of an A3 map sheet.
VA3R	A drawing area which occupies the right third of an A3 map sheet.
VA1L	A drawing area which occupies the left third of an A1 map sheet.
VA1M	A drawing area which occupies the middle third of an A1 map sheet.
VA1R	A drawing area which occupies the right third of an A1 map sheet.
VA0L	A drawing area which occupies the left third of an A0 map sheet.
VA0M	A drawing area which occupies the middle third of an A0 map sheet.
VA0R	A drawing area which occupies the right third of an A0 map sheet.

NMA3	Title block suitable for an A3 size map sheet. Drawn in the lower right hand corner of the map sheet at a normal orientation.
NMA0	Title block suitable for an A0 size map sheet. Drawn in the lower right hand corner of the map sheet at a normal orientation.
RTA3	Title block suitable for an A3 map sheet. Drawn in the upper right hand corner but it is rotated through 90 degrees.
RTA0	Title block suitable for an A0 size map sheet. Drawn in the upper right hand corner but it is rotated throughout 90 degrees.
NOTB	No title block.

YXA3	Plan view grid for an A3 map sheet. Annotations: Y="N" X="E" Text height: 1.8 mm
YXA0	Plan view grid for an A0 map sheet. Annotations: Y="N" X="E" Text height: 2.5 mm
ZXA3	East-West section view grid for an A3 map sheet. Annotations: Y="El" X="E" Text height: 1.8 mm
ZXA0	East-West section view grid for an A0 map sheet. Annotations: Y="El" X="E" Text height: 2.5 mm
ZYA3	North-South section view grid for an A3 map sheet. Annotations: Y="El" X="N" Text height: 1.8 mm
ZYA0	North-South section view grid for an A0 map sheet. Annotations: Y="El" X="N" Text height: 2.5 mm
OBA3	Oblique section view grid for an A3 map sheet. Annotations: Y="El" X="Offset" Text height: 1.8 mm
OBA0	Oblique section view grid for an A0 map sheet. Annotations: Y="El" X="Offset" Text height: 2.5 mm
OBLIQUE SECTION	Oblique section grid for and A3 map sheet. Annotations: Y="N" X="E" Text height: 1.8 mm
OBLIQUE SECTION TWO LABELS	Oblique section grid for an A3 map sheet. Annotations: Y="N" X="E" Text height: 1.8 mm Labels at both ends.
NOGR	No grid to be plotted.

BORD	A standard border with a single line drawn using pen 2.
NOBO	The same border definition except that no lines are drawn. It defines the same area on the plotting sheet.