Manuel Geoclip En

Géoclip

Builder

Operating Manual

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Géoclip Builder – Operating Manual - 2/29

Contents

1. Introduction ........................................................................................ 4

2. Installation .......................................................................................... 5

Directories ............................................................................................................................... 5

3. Converting base maps........................................................................ 7

Preparation............................................................................................................................... 7

Conversion............................................................................................................................... 9

4. Building a Géoclip............................................................................. 14

Managing superimposed layers ............................................................................................. 15

Setting layer displays: style .................................................................................................... 16

Setting layer displays: interactivity ......................................................................................... 17

Setting layer displays: labels .................................................................................................. 17

Setting layer displays: visibility............................................................................................... 17

Setting the overall view and information about the selection................................................. 18

Setting zooming and moving features.................................................................................... 19

Managing cartographic representations................................................................................. 21

Setting displays using proportional symbols.......................................................................... 22

Setting displays using brackets .............................................................................................. 23

Setting displays using individual values.................................................................................. 24

Importing additional data ....................................................................................................... 25


Setting cartographic representation options.......................................................................... 26

Managing colour palettes....................................................................................................... 27

Saving a Géoclip..................................................................................................................... 27

Retrieving cartographic representation definitions ................................................................ 27

Defining reference values ...................................................................................................... 28

5. Publishing a Géoclip ......................................................................... 29


1. Introduction

The Géoclip builder is a set of programs, from the Internet or on CD-ROM, used for performing

interactive cartography applications based on the Géoclip model. Geographical data needs to be

entered into the builder (i.e. a base map of France by department), combined with statistical data

relating to the map sections (e.g. results by department). The resulting Géoclip enables you to

display statistical data on the geographical base map, using a navigation interface.

You can use the builder to assemble various geographical data by overlaying several layers and to

set the display modes for statistical data using an interface which is similar to that of the final

Géoclip, thus enabling you to view the Géoclip as it is being built.

The Géoclip builder consists of two main programs:

One of them converts MapInfo (or Shape) files into Flash .swf files

(geoclipconverterfr.exe).

The other assembles layers to build a Géoclip and sets the display modes

(geoclipbuilder.exe).

You can include statistical data in the initial geographical files and then incorporate them into the

converted .swf files. You can also incorporate them separately, using a table imported into one

of the supplied Access database. This second method allows you to develop a Géoclip without

having to convert the base map again.

2. Installation

Preliminary information

Runtime VB6 is required to make the base map converter work.

You can download it from the following address if necessary:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=7B9BA261-7A9C-43E7-9117-

F673077FFB3C&displaylang=FR

Directories

The Géoclip builder installation procedure copies the directories and programs to

/ProgramFiles/ConstructeurGeoclip. This Géoclip builder installation directory contains

the following files and folders:

The /doc directory contains the documentation available for the Géoclip builder.

The /maps, /savedgeoclips and /web directories are empty to start with, but they are

provided so that the following can possibly be stored in them:

- in /maps: cartographic layers converted to .swf

- in /savedgeoclips: saved Géoclips

- in /web: published Géoclips.


http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=7B9BA261-7A9C-43E7-9117-F673077FFB3C&displaylang=FR

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=7B9BA261-7A9C-43E7-9117-F673077FFB3C&displaylang=FR


The .mdb Access databases are database models which have been prepared to store statistical

data tables, if required. You can convert these tables to the .swf format and incorporate them

into a Géoclip.

You can use the geoclipconverterfr.exe program to convert MapInfo (or Shape, depending

on the builder version) files into Flash .swf.

You can assemble layers to build a Géoclip and set the display modes using the

geoclipbuilder.exe program.

You can launch the converter automatically or by using the builder menu bar (File > Convert base

map).


3. Converting base maps

Depending on the version of the Converter, you can convert base maps in either the Shape or

MapInfo format to the .swf Flash format, using geoclipconverterfr.exe. This handbook

describes the procedure for converting initial base maps in the MapInfo format. The procedure for

converting base maps in the Shape format is identical.

Preparation

Before you convert base maps, you may need to perform a preliminary stage in the GIS software

in order to:

select and extract the various layers which have been assembled in the builder

check that they have all been projected in the same coordinate system

ensure that each of them contains objects of the same type: point layers, line layers or polygon

layers

simplify, as required, the layout of linear and polygonal geographical objects by reducing the

number of points.

Too much accuracy is actually not necessary for on-screen display; its downside is that the

resulting files are too large for on-line use. Approximately 10 to 15 points are sufficient on average

for drawing a polygon of a basic geographic unit.

The following layers have to be prepared in order to produce a Géoclip:

The main geographic layer, which contains the geographic units that will act as supports for the

cartographic representations. For example: all municipalities in the Haute-Garonne department.

This main geographic layer may contain an explanation field, with the names of the geographic

units which will then be displayed in a balloon. It may also contain statistical data fields which

can then be used for thematic analyses.

An environment layer which shows what there is around the main perimeter and prevents it

from being shown as if it were an island. For example, the conterminous departments of the

Haute-Garonne and northern Spain.

One or more zone layers, which can de displayed transparently over the main layer, to show

the groups of geographic units. For example, counties, population basins, communities,

municipalities and urban areas, etc.

One or more layers of complements which can be displayed in the foreground and act as

geographical landmarks. For example, major municipalities (point layers), main waterways or

roads (line layers), etc.

For instance, for a Géoclip to be built on the Haute-Garonne department here is the assembly of

layers to be prepared in MapInfo:

agglo31: complementary point layers of major municipalities, with their names labelled

hyd31 and rte31 : complementary line layers with main waterways and roads

dep31l: complementary line layer with the contour of the Haute-Garonne (just to make it look

better by emphasising the department (shown with a slightly thicker contour))

au31 and epci31: polygon zone layers, transparent on the municipality base map

com31: polygon reference layer with all municipalities in the Haute-Garonne, against which all

of the other layers will be set and which acts as the main support for the cartographic

representation of municipality data

env31: polygon environment layer, showing the units which immediately neighbour the Haute-

Garonne. Géoclip Builder – Operating Manual - 8/29

Conversion

When you launch the Converter, the first stage involves selecting the geographic layer to be

converted by locating it in the directory tree structure. Once you have selected the layer, the

following window will appear:

An essential point involves selecting a reference bas

coordinate transformation process between the map

systems on the screen. So that all of the other layer ar

base map, you will need to tick checkbox "set on an

reference layer for the conversion of these other layers (

e map (main layer), which will set the

coordinate systems and Flash coordinate

e correctly set in relation to this reference

other layer" and show the location of the

environment, zones and complements).


For each layer to be converted, you will need to specify the layer type from the following “type” of

drop-down list :

thematic

point or symbol

static

zone

environment.

The list only offers options which are possible for the file that is currently being processed. The

point object layers can only be of the point or symbol type (they can be used, if required, as

supports for a thematic analysis using proportional symbols). Line object layers can be of the

static or thematic type, depending on whether they are simple complementary layers (static) or

used as analysis supports (thematic). Polygon object layers may be of the thematic, zone or

environment type.

You can use the window with the multiple-choice list ”Variables to be incorporated” to select

the data fields to include in the converted file. It will only be

displayed for thematic or zone layers. You can make multiple

selections using the Shift or Ctrl keys. The incorporated fields will

either be used as variables for thematic analyses or as labels for the

balloon which you can see when you hover your mouse over

geographic objects. You can select this latter label field from the

corresponding drop-down list, amongst the variables that have been selected to be incorporated.

Window ”Polygon default style” will only be displayed if the selected layer is a layer of polygon

objects, in order to select the default appearance of objects for the base map and contour. You

need to set the transparency percentage for the zone layers which are displayed transparently

above the other polygon layers.

Another way of setting the colours for the base map and the contours is to integrate two extra

columns into the original file, which are called colf for the basemap colour and cols for the

contour and contain the definition of RGB colours numerically coded using the col = 256*256*R +

256*G + B formula.

For example, for a pale yellow coded in hexadecimal #FFFFCC:

R=255, G=255, B=204, so col = 65 536*255 + 256*255 + 204 = 16 777 164


Here, for example, is the data table for the Haute-Garonne environment layer.

This slightly longwinded method does,

however, let you assign different colours

to objects, which could prove useful for

environment base maps, as we have

here, for distinguishing France from

other countries.

Window “centroids” will only be displayed for thematic type polygon layers. It is used to show

two particular fields in which the program will read the X and Y coordinates of the centroid points

of polygon objects. This is used to optimise the positioning of symbols in the proportional

symbols analyses, particularly for objects which are “twisted”, crescent-shaped or consist of more

than one piece. These coordinates must be shown in the same projection system as the base

map. They may be calculated within the GIS software or originally supplied in the source file. For

example, the IGN’s (French National Geographical Institute) municipalities of France base map

includes the coordinates of the administrative centres of each municipality.

If you do not specify a field in the Converter, the program will put the symbols in the centre of the

rectangles drawn around the polygons. This may result in “twisted” polygons having symbols

placed outside their polygon.


symbols

T

t

w

d

T

C

T

s

/

t

F

F

he “layer of…polgons/polylines/points”

he selected incoming file. In particular, i

hich must not exceed approximately 5

isplay and navigation speed will not be

he final window allows you to select

onverter): Géoclip builder uses .swf fo

o complete the conversion operation, y

elect the location to which you would lik

maps directory. However, you may not

he initial MapInfo file name, prefixed and

or the prefixes:

E for environment layers

Z for zone layers

no prefix for the other layers.

or the suffixes:

_P for point layers

_L for line layers

_DR or _CR for polygon layers.

placed in the centre of the drawn rectangle

symbols placed in the administrative centre defined by its coordinates.

window gives a summary of the information read from

t provides information about the total number of points,

0,000 points for the reference layer, otherwise a good

maintained.

the conversion type (depending on the version of the

rmat layers.

ou need to click on the “Convert” button. You can then

e to save the .swf file. By default, it will be saved to the

select the file name, because its name will be based on

suffixed according to the converted layer type.


For example, MapInfo layers in the .tab format provide the following Flash layers in the .swf

format as an output:

Layers au31l, dep31l and epci31l are line layers which contain the contours of the polygons of

layers au31, dep31 and epci31. They act as complement layers with their essentially aesthetic

role and ensure the correct printing of the zone layers (management of print transparency).

4.


Building a Géoclip

Once the geographic layers have been converted to the .swf format they are ready to be

assembled with the Géoclip builder. If any of the layers are unsuitable, it is very easy to use the

Converter from the builder to redo the faulty layer. File > Converting base maps. The Géoclip

builder is shown at start-up as a sort of empty Géoclip, with an extra menu bar in the upper left-

hand corner:


To start assembling the Géoclip, select Current view > Add a layer. It is convenient and logical to

start by integrating the reference layer:

Managing superimposed layers

You can use the Current view > Layer management menu to integrate extra layers, to review the

order in which layers are superimposed, to define their interactivity, zoom thresholds and labels,

etc.


You can use the Layer management menu to organise superimposed layers, using buttons to add,

delete, raise or lower a layer. In the Add a layer dialogue box, the layers to be added are

suggested by type (point, line or polygon) from the File type drop-down list: …

Setting layer displays: style

You can define the style for point and line layers. For polygon layers, the style is defined in the

Converter.

For point layers, you can select the shape, size and

colour of the point symbol.

For line layers, you can select the line thickness and

colour. For the special case of roads and waterways,

you can vary the colour and thickness according to a

variable incorporated at the time of the conversion.


Setting layer displays: interactivity

Interactivity defines the behaviour of objects when you hover the mouse over them and in

relation to the selection tools. It can be set layer by layer.

For example, you can select the municipalities in the

reference layer using the mouse (selectable layer).

When you hover over any municipality, a balloon will

be displayed with its name (libgeo variable

incorporated during conversion) and the

municipality will be highlighted in the selected

colour.

Setting layer displays: labels

It is useful to complement some layers with labels, with names based on a variable that is

incorporated during conversion.

For example, for the point layer of major

municipalities you can specify the name of the

incorporated variable, text style (font, colour, and

size), position of the label in relation to the point

and possibly a zoom threshold. This zoom threshold

only makes labels visible from a certain zoom percentage upwards for very dense objects.

Setting layer displays: visibility

You can set the visibility of each layer according to a zoom interval. For example, a very detailed

waterway may only become visible with a 600% zoom. Otherwise, you can manage the visibility

of each layer using the toolbar above the map.

For complementary layers managed via the toolbar,

up to five further buttons may be displayed to allow

you to display/conceal roads, waterways, railways,

large municipalities or administrative boundaries

(the text field at the bottom of the dialogue box

shows which administrative borders are involved, in

the balloon for the last button). Each complementary layer may be visible or invisible at start-up.

For zone layers managed via the toolbar, a drop-down list of zones will be displayed at the end of

the buttons bar to allow you to select which zones to be displayed. The text field shows the name


which appears in the drop-down list. By default, a

zone layer is selectable, and it can also be used to

select objects form other layers.

For instance for EPCI (integrated cooperation

between French municipalities) zones, to select all of

the municipalities that belong to a given community of municipalities.

The settings described above give the following result:

Setting the overall view and information about the selection.

You can define the general parameters using the

Configuration of current view dialogue box:

background colour (e.g. blue for the sea), map

title and compulsory notices, etc.

You can also use the following item of the Current

view menu to set the overall view: You can use

the toolbar to define which buttons are displayed


in the toolbar above the map, from the selection tools (circular and rectangular selection, recall of

a saved selection) and search tools. All buttons will be displayed by default.

You can use the two items called Table options and Table content to set how the information

table operates on the selection, which is displayed as soon as the user selects one or more

selectable geographic objects, such as a group of municipalities. The first button shows the

function buttons in the top right-hand-corner of the table, including zoom-in on the selection,

save the selection and export the data to Excel. The three buttons will be displayed by default,

and the cancel selection button will always be displayed. You can use the second item to define

the variables which are shown in the table columns, including the variables incorporated during

the conversion, and to set how they are displayed.

First, you need to select the geographic layer ( ) which the variables are linked to from the

Current view > Table content menu, for example, the municipalities layer. Then, you need to

determine how these municipalities ( ) are defined, for example, by their “libgeo” name. Then,

you need to select which variables need to be shown in the table columns by checking or

unchecking the corresponding boxes ( ); by default, all of the present variables will be visible.

Finally, you need to define how each visible variable will be displayed ( ): name at the top of the

column, column width, number of decimal places, possibly a total added at the bottom of the

table.

Setting zooming and moving features

The zooming, moving and cropping buttons are always visible in the toolbar above the map. You

can also optionally integrate a navigation frame, using the Reference map item in the Current view

menu. The environment layers are to be integrated into this frame.


You can use the Layer management dialogue box to organise superimposed layers, making use of

buttons to add, delete, raise or lower a layer.


Managing cartographic representations

You can use the Analyses menu to define the different cartographic representations, layer by layer.

To define or modify a

thematic analysis, you

first need to select the

layer which supports it,

for example the reference

layer for the Haute-

Garonne municipalities.

You then need to select the indicators, or in other words the variables to

be shown on the selected geographic layout. To facilitate access to the

indicators, we suggest that they are sorted by theme. The Indicator

management dialogue box allows you to create or delete themes and

indicators and to organise them.

There are three possible display modes depending on the indicator type:

Analysis by proportional symbols, to show absolute quantities. For example, the number of

inhabitants of each municipality is shown by a circle which has a proportional size and is centred

on the municipality.

Choropleth analysis (using brackets), to show relative quantities. For example, the population

density is divided into brackets. A colour in a gradation corresponds to each bracket, and each

municipality is the same colour as the bracket which its population density belongs to.

Analysis by individual values, to show typologies. For example, a colour corresponds to each

category of urban area, and each municipality is coloured according to the urban area category

which it belongs to.

The builder interface can display cartographic representations as they are being defined. Indicators

are sorted according to type in the four drop-down lists in the top right-hand-corner. The key will

be updated according to the indicator which is selected.


Setting displays using proportional symbols

Once you have created the indicator, you need to

variable shown in the two drop-down lists . Then

colour, size, solid or empty, value displayed in a

names which are displayed in the key: title of the

To return to the Indicator management dialogue b

cartographic representation:

Analyses > Define/modify menu, select a layer a

Analysis > Modify current symbol menu.

define its type (proportional circles) and the

, you need to set the aspect of the circles :

balloon. You then need to specify the full

indicator, source, unit.

ox, to modify the parameters of the displayed

nd then select the indicator.


Setting displays using brackets

Once you have created the indicator, you need to define its type (choropleth) and the variable

type in the two drop-down lists . The variable type can either be precalculated, a ratio or the nth

root. You then need to complete the formula : the precalculated variable can, if required, be

multiplied by 100, the ratio is a relationship between two variables (for example, population/area

for calculating population density (x 100 to convert to km²), the nth root is used to calculate an

annual average evolution rate (for example, 9th root between 1900 and 1999 – the years of the

most recent two censuses).

Then, you need to set the brackets : division into brackets, number of brackets, colour palette,

displaying the value in a balloon. The division into brackets is performed manually by indicating

the threshold value or automatically by using the quantiles method (equidivision). You then need

to specify the full names shown in the key: title of the indicator, source and unit.

To return to the Indicator management dialogue box, to modify the parameters of the displayed


Analyses > Define/modify menu, select a layer and then select the indicator.

Analysis > Modify current choropleth menu.


Setting displays using individual values

Once you have created the indicator, you need to define its type (individual values) and the

variable shown in the drop-down lists . Then, you need to set the categories : colour palette,

names, displaying the value in the balloon. You then need to specify the full names shown in

the key: title of the indicator, source and unit.

To return to the Indicator management dialogue box, to modify the parameters of the displayed


Analyses > Define/modify menu, select a layer and then select the indicator.

Analysis > Modify current choropleth menu.

It may also be useful to carry out an analysis by individual values on a different layer to the

municipal reference layer, particularly on a point layer, and to show a typology for these points.

For example, on the point layer where the various Haute-Garonne emergency services are found,

it is possible to display SAUs (emergency departments), POSUs (emergency departments

specialising in hands and arms) and UPATOUs (local emergency departments), distinguishing

whether they are public or private establishments. To obtain this result, you first need to add the

point layer using the Current view > Add a layer or Layer management menu. You then need to

define the thematic analysis using the Analyses > Define/modify menu. Then select the point Géoclip Builder – Operating Manual - 24/29


layer and set the analyses: name, shape, size and colour of symbols for each detail of the

typology, title and source of the key.

Importing additional data

You can use the Analyses > Import Access database menu to import additional data stored in one

of the two Access databases which are supplied with the application. They are specially

configured so that the list of their tables can be read automatically in the builder. One is suitable

for Access 97 (dataV97.mdb) and the other for

later versions (data.mdb). This function operates

in the same way as the Update column in the

MapInfo function: you need a join field, which is

found in the cartographic layer and the Access

table that is to be imported, for instance the

municipality code, to gather variables concerning

accommodation in the Haute-Garonne, which are

found in table log31, imported into data.mdb.

These variables will be placed in a .swf file

associated with the reference file for Haute-Garonne municipalities.

The Analyses > Import Access data menu opens the Import from an Access database dialogue

box.

You then need to select the database table , the

geographic layer to which the variables will be linked,

the list of variables to be retrieved (multiple selection

using Shift or CTRL) and then specify which code the link is

made with (joint condition ) between the geographic

layer and the data table.

Important data is stored in a single file whose name is based on the geographic layer, suffixed by

_DT (for example, com31_DR_DT.swf).

You may then add new themes

or indicators and define new

thematic analyses, in the same

way as before, using the

Indicator management dialogue

box which is called up via the

Analyses > Define/modify

menu. The list of available variables includes the variables imported from the Access database

as well as the variables which have been incorporated into the geographic layer.

This import method is useful because it enables you to manage separately the geographic layers

and statistical data to be shown. Geographic layers can be converted in a single step, whilst the

geography is not modified. Statistical data can be updated and supplemented with new

indicators, using the Access database.

Setting cartographic representation options

You can use the builder to determine the options which the end-user can access.

For analyses using proportional symbols, the following options are available: changing the colour

of the circles and the circle size locking function between two successive analyses.

For choropleth analyses, the following options are available: automatic threshold calculation using

the quantiles method, the alteration of colour palettes and thresholds using the distribution

histogram and its cursors.

All of the options are offered by default. There are no options for individual value analyses.


Managing colour palettes

You can use the Analyses > Colour palettes menu to

modify the colour palettes used in the choropleth

analyses or to create new ones. You need to define a

palette name, a number of brackets and the colour of

each bracket.

Saving a Géoclip

You can use the File > Save a Géoclip menu to save a Géoclip in the builder, so that you can

retrieve and modify it at a later date.

You can use the File> New Géoclip menu to reset the builder.

You can use the File> Load a Géoclip menu to retrieve a saved Géoclip to the builder.

Retrieving cartographic representation definitions

Once you have created and saved a Géoclip, you can create another one for a different

geographical area (for example, municipalities in the Gers department) and allocate to it the same

map display definitions as the first one. You can use the Analyses > Load definitions menu to

show the name of the first Géoclip saved in the builder (for example, in the /savedgeoclips

directory): the definition for the various indicators and the settings for the various thematic

analyses are automatically applied to the second Géoclip. The geographic layers which act as

supports for the thematic analyses must have identical structures in both Géoclips, with the same

incorporated variables.


Defining reference values

You can use the Analyses >Reference

values menu to complete text fields in

order to provide the content for the

Reference values panel. These values

are relative to given indicator and

layer.

The Analyses > Reference values menu calls up a dialogue box which shows reference areas or

reference values (drop-down list ). You can define between one and three reference areas

and show the values which correspond to each area, for each of the available indicators.


5. Publishing a Géoclip

You can use the File > Publish for the web menu to publish a Géoclip in a directory of your choice;

it will prompt you to provide a name for the .htm start-up file.

We recommend that you publish the Géoclips in a different directory to the one where the layers

converted to the .swf format and the saved Géoclips are stored. You can use the sub-directory

/web for this.

The publishing process copies all of the required program files (Flash components and interface)

and all of the various layers which the Géoclip and building settings consist of.

Different published Géoclips can be kept in the same directory (for example /web).

A published Géoclip (named, for example, mongeoclip) consists of:

a .htm file (for example, mongeoclip.htm)

two carto.swf and geoclip_itf.swf files

two /geoclip and /maps_mongeoclip directories.

You can copy all of these elements onto any web server. If the Generate a full-screen map

launcher option is checked when the Géoclip is published, not one, but three .htm files will be

generated.

You can use the two extra .htm files to call up and close the Géoclip in full-

screen mode.


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