This section briefly reviews the menus and commands in order to understand the basic purpose of each. Figure 1 shows the program Menu Bar and Toolbar as they appear at startup.
The toolbar is displayed across the top of the application window, below the menu bar. The toolbar provides quick mouse access to many tools used in Global Mapper. To hide or display the Toolbar, choose Toolbar from the View menu.
The File menu offers the following commands:
The Open Data File(s) command allows the user to open additional data files into the main Global Mapper view. If no other data is already loaded and the user has not explicitly set a projection, the view will adopt the projection and datum of the first data file selected for loading. If other data is already loaded, the selected data files will be displayed in the current projection/datum.
Note: Global Mapper automatically opens files with tar.gz extensions without the use of a decompression tool such as Winzip. This is particularly useful for SDTS transfers, which are typically distributed in a .tar.gz format.
The Open Generic ASCII Text File(s) command allows the user to import data from a wide variety of generic ASCII text formats.
Selecting the Open Generic ASCII Text File command prompts the user to select the file(s) to load and then displays the Generic ASCII Text Import Options dialog (pictured below). This dialog allows the user to specify how the text file(s) are formatted so that they can be imported.
Global Mapper supports coordinates in decimal format as well as degree/minute and degree/minute/second coordinates.
The Import Type section allows the user to specify how they want the data in the file to be treated. The different import types are defined as follows:
The Coordinate Column Order section allows the user to specify in what order the coordinates are found on coordinate lines in the file. Coordinates can either be x followed by y (i.e. longitude then latitude) or the reverse. Elevation values, if any, are always assumed to come after the x and y values. The Columns to Skip at Start of Line setting controls what column the coordinates start in. For example, if the x and y coordinates are in the 3rd and 4th columns, set this value to 2 so that the coordinates will be grabbed from the appropriate place.
The Coordinate Delimeter section allows the user to specify what character the coordinates are separated by on coordinate lines. If the Auto-Detect option is selected, Global Mapper will attempt to automatically determine the coordinate delimeter. This option will usually work and should probably be used unless you have trouble.
The Coordinate Line Prefix section allows the user to specify whether coordinates start at the beginning of the line or if coordinate lines start with some other sequence of characters. For example, some formats may start coordinate lines with the sequence "XY,".
The Feature Classification section allows the user to specify what feature type to assign to area, line, and point features imported from the file.
If the Include attributes from lines with coordinate data option is selected, any text found AFTER the coordinate data on a line from the file will be including as attribute for the feature that coordinate is in. If not selected, only lines from the file that are not determined to contain coordinate data will be used as attributes.
If you are doing a Point Only import and the Column Headers in First Row of File option is checked, values in the first line from the file will be used at the names of attributes for attributes found in coordinate data lines. This is useful for things like CSV files.
If the Treat 3rd coordinate value as elevation option is selected and a numeric value is found immediately following the x and y (or lat and lon) coordinate values, that value will be treated as an elevation. Otherwise, the value will be included as an attribute if the Include attributes from lines with coordinate data option is selected. Typically you want to leave this option checked unless you are importing point data in which the 3rd column is an attribute that occasionally contains all numeric values, such as well names.
Pressing the Select Coordinate Offset/Scale button displays a dialog that allows the user to select an offset and scale factor to apply to each coordinate. The offset entered will first be added to each coordinate, and then each coordinate will be multiplied by the scale factor.
When generic ASCII text files are imported, Global Mapper will scan the attributes associated with each feature and look for any attribute names that are known to it. The following attribute names are currently recognized by Global Mapper when generic ASCII text files are read:
Click here for more instructions on creating generic ASCII data files with features of various types and click here for more documentation on the supported fields.
The Download Online Imagery/Topo Maps (TerraServer-USA/WMS) command allows the user to download seamless USGS topographic maps and satellite imagery for the entire United States, as well as high resolution color aerial imagery for select metropolitan areas from TerraServer-USA. In addition, access is provided to several built-in WMS (OpenGC Web Map Server) databases to provide easy access to digitial terrain data and color satellite imagery for the entire world. You can also add your own WMS data sources for access to any data published on a WMS server.
This is an extremely powerful feature as it puts many terabytes of usually very expensive data right at your fingertips in Global Mapper for no additional cost. Note that this feature requires Internet access to work.
When you select the menu command, the Select Online Data Source to Download dialog (pictured below) is displayed. This dialog allows you to select the type, or theme, of data to download, as well as the extents of the data to download. You can either select to download the current screen bounds, an area to download around an address, specify a lat/lon bounds explicitly, or select to download the entire data source.
Once the data to download is defined, Global Mapper will automatically download the most appropriate layer for display as you zoom in and out. This way, you can see an overview of the data when zoomed out, with more detail becoming available when you zoom in. You can also export this data in full resolution to any of the supported raster export formats, such as GeoTIFF, JPG, or ECW. The most appropriate detail level for the export sample spacing will be used to obtain the source data for the export.
Each data source load will appear as a separate layer in the Overlay Control Center. Each entry can have it's display options modified just like any other raster layer to drape it over elevation data, blend it with other layers, etc.
You can use the Add WMS Data Source button to display the Select WMS Data Source to Load dialog (pictured below). This dialog allows you to specify the URL of a WMS data source and select what layer(s) to add as an available data source on the Select Online Data Source to Download dialog. The URL that you should specify is the GetCapabilities URL, such as http://wms.jpl.nasa.gov/wms.cgi for the JPL WMS data server (a great source of data, like Blue Marble imagery). Once you've entered the URL, press the Get List of Available Data Layers button to query the server and populate the data control with the available data layers on that server. Then simply select the data layer and style that you want and press OK to have it added to the available data source list. Once a source is added, you can use the Remove Source button to remove it from the list of available data sources at a later time.
The Open All Files in a Directory Tree command allows the user to open all of the files matching a user-specified filename mask under a user-selected directory. You will first be prompted to select a folder from which to load the files. After selecting the folder, you will be prompted to enter a filename mask for all of the files that you would like to attempt to load. After selecting a filename mask, all files under the selected folder which match the filename mask and are recognized by Global Mapper as a known data type will be loaded.
The filename mask supports the * and ? wildcard characters. The default mask of * will check all files under the selected folder. You can also cause data to only be loaded from selected folders as well. For example, if you had a large collection of folders with data split up into 1x1 degree blocks with the folder names depecting the 1x1 degree block they held, you could use a directory name mask to load only those blocks that you wanted. For example, you might use a mask of N4?W10?\*.tif to load all TIFF files between N40 and N50 and W110 and W100.
You can also specify multiple masks if you need more than one to describe the set of files that you would like to load. Simply separate the masks with a space.
The Open ECW File from the Web command allows the user to open an ER Mapper Compressed Wavelet (ECW) image file directly from an Image Web Server URL. While these files may be terabytes in actual size, only the portion needed for the current display window is downloaded, allowing for the browsing of extremely large data sets.
Selecting the Open ECW File from the Web command displays the Load Image From Web dialog (pictured below). This dialog allows the user to either select a predefined web link for loading or to enter the URL of any available ECW file served by Image Web Server.
The tree on the left of the dialog allows the user to select which data file they wish to load. Global Mapper comes with several dozen useful links already entered into the tree.
To access your own ECW image from the web, press the Add Link... button. This button causes the Add New Web Link dialog (pictured below) to be displayed.
The Group Name drop list allows the user to select which group, if any, to place the new link in. Any of the predefined groups can be selected, or a new group name can be entered. Leaving the group name blank will cause the new link to appear at the root level of the tree.
The Description field is where you enter the human-readable description of the link. This is what will be displayed for the link on the main dialog. Leaving this blank will cause the URL to be displayed instead.
The URL field is the most important piece of this dialog. This is where you specify the address of the ECW file to load. The URL should begin with the prefix ecwp:// with the remainder being a valid path to an ECW file served using ER Mapper's Image Web Server software.
When you've completed entering information about the new web link, press the OK button to complete your entry and have it added to the web link tree in the Load Image From Web dialog.
Pressing the Edit Link... button allows the user to edit the currently selected web link. Note that the built-in web links cannot be edited.
Pressing the Delete Link... button will delete the currently selected web link or group from the web link tree.
The Unload All command unloads all overlays and clears the screen.
The Create New Map Catalog command allows you to create a "map catalog". A "map catalog" is a collection of map files which are grouped together to allow for easy loading, viewing, and export. Layers in a map catalog will be loaded and unloaded as needed for display and export, potentially greatly reducing the load time and memory requirements for working with very large collections of data.
Upon selecting this command and selecting the file to save the map catalog to, the Modify Map Catalog dialog (shown below) will be displayed, allowing you to add files to the catalog and control at what point data layers are loaded for display.
You can obtain metadata and projection information about layers in the map catalog by right-clicking on them in the Map List and selecting the appropriate option.
You can modify map catalogs again after loading them by opening the Overlay Control Center, selecting the map catalog layer, then pressing the Options button.
Note: Only registered users of Global Mapper are able to create map catalogs.
The Load Workspace command allows the user to load a Global Mapper workspace file (.gsw) previously saved with the Save Workspace command.
Note: Only registered users of Global Mapper are able to load Global Mapper workspace files.
The Save Workspace command allows the user to save their current set of loaded overlays to a Global Mapper workspace file for later loading with the Load Workspace command.
The Global Mapper workspace maintains the list of all currently loaded overlays as well as some state information about each of those overlays. When the workspace file is loaded, all of the overlays that were loaded at the time the workspace file was saved will be loaded into Global Mapper. This provides a handy way to easily load a group of overlays which you work with often.
The Global Mapper workspace will also contain any changes that you have made to loaded vector features as well as any new vector features that you have created. The user projection and last view on the data will also be maintained.
Selecting the Find Data Online command will open a web browser pointing to places on the internet where data compatible with Global Mapper is available for download.
The Run Script command allows users to run a Global Mapper script file that they have created. This is a powerful option that allows the user to automate a wide variety of tasks. Click here for a guide to the scripting language.
Selecting the Run Script command from the menu displays the Script Processing dialog, shown here.
The Script File pane displays the currently loaded script file. To load a new script file for processing, press the Load Script... button at the bottom left corner of the dialog.
If you would like the script file to make use of data already loaded in the main view and to also affect what is displayed in the main view, check the Run Script in the Context of the Main View option prior to running the script.
To run the loaded script file, press the Run Script button. Any warning, error, or status messages generated while running the script will be output to the Script Results pane.
When you are done processing scripts, press the Cancel button to close the dialog.
Note: Only registered users of Global Mapper are able to run Global Mapper script files.
The Capture Screen Contents to Image command allows user to save the current contents of the Global Mapper window to a JPEG, PNG, (Geo)TIFF, or Windows Bitmap (BMP) file. In addition, the generated image can be generated in a higher resolution than the screen to provide greater fidelity. Also, a world file for georeferencing in other software packages as well as a projection (PRJ) file describing the native ground reference system of the image can be optionally generated as well.
Unlike the raster export commands described later, the Capture Screen Contents to Image command also saves any vector overlays drawn to the screen.
Selecting the Capture Screen Contents to Image command from the menu displays the Screen Capture Options dialog, shown here.
The Image Format section allows the user to select the format of the image to generate. Different formats have their own unique strenghts and weaknesses which make choosing the best format vary depending on the desired end results. The supported formats are:
The width and height of the generated image in pixels are specified in the Image Size panel. By default, the size of the Global Mapper view pane are used. Using these values will generate an image that exactly matches what you see. You can change these values to generate a more or less resolute image with the obvious tradeoff of size vs. quality.
Checking the Generate World File option results in a world file being generated in addition to the image. The world file will be generated in the same directory as the image and will have the same primary name as the image. The filename extension will depend on the selected image type (JPEG=.jpgw, PNG=.pngw, TIFF=.tfw,BMP=.bmpw).
Checking the Generate Projection (PRJ) File option results in a projection file being generated describing the ground reference system of the created image. The projection file will be generated in the same directory as the image and will have the same primary name as the image with an extension of .prj.
Pressing the OK button prompts the user to select the name and location of the image to generate and then proceeds to generate the image.
Note: Only registered users of Global Mapper are able capture the screen to an image file.
The Export Global Mapper Package File command allows the user to export any or all of the loaded data to a Global Mapper package file. These files are similar to workspace files except that the actual data is stored in the files. Package files provide an easy way to pass around lots of data between Global Mapper users on different computers with a single self-contained file.
When selected, the command displays the Global Mapper Package Export Options dialog which allows the user to setup the package export. The dialog consists of a Package Options panel, a Simplification panel, a Gridding panel, and an Export Bounds panel.
The Package Options panel consists of options allowing the user to select the projection to save the data in, how to handle dynamically streamed TerraServer data, and other options.
In the Projection section of the panel, the user can either select to save all loaded data in the currently selected view projection (this is the projection selected on the Projection tab of the Configuration dialog) or in latitude/longitude coordinates (the "Geographic" projection) with the WGS84 datum.
In the TerraServer Export Options section of the panel, the user can select how displayed layers from the Download TerraServer menu option are exported. The Automatic selection for imagery themes (i.e. DOQs, Urban Area imagery) will save data slightly more detailed than what is displayed on the screen. For the DRG (topographic map) theme, the most detailed zoom range for the current scale of DRG map being displayed (i.e. 24K, 100K, 250K) will be determined and data from that scale will be saved. The other alternatives either save the most detailed scale available, creating potentially very large files, or the scale the most closely matches the current display scale on the screen.
The Simplification panel allows the user to set up the threshold at which points that don't contribute much to the shape of the vector line and area features being exported are removed in order to generate features with less vertices. By default, all vertices will be kept, but the user can move the slider to the right to get rid of relatively insignificant vertices and realize significant space spacings at the cost of some fidelity.
The Gridding panel allows the user to split up the data into regularly spaced tiles on export if desired rather than just exporting a single file.
The Export Bounds panel allows the user to select what portion of the loaded data they wish to export.
Note: Only registered users of Global Mapper are able capture the screen to an image file.
The commands on the Export Raster and Elevation Data submenu allow the user to export loaded raster and elevation data to various formats.
The Export Arc ASCII Grid command allows the user to export any loaded elevation grid data sets to an Arc ASCII Grid format file.
When selected, the command displays the Arc ASCII Grid Export Options dialog which allows the user to setup the export. The dialog consists of a General options panel which allows the user to set up the grid spacing and vertical units, a Gridding panel and an Export Bounds panel which allows the user to set up the portion of the loaded data they wish to export.
Note: Only registered users of Global Mapper are able to export data to any format.
The Export BIL/BIP/BSQ command allows the user to export any loaded raster, vector, and/or elevation grid data to a BIL, BIP, or BSQ format file.
When selected, the command displays the BIL/BIP/BSQ Export Options dialog which allows the user to setup the export. The dialog consists of an Options panel (pictured below), which allows the user to set up type of export to perform, the sample spacing, vertical units, and other applicable options, a Gridding Panel, and an Export Bounds panel which allows the user to set up the portion of the loaded data they wish to export.
Note: Only registered users of Global Mapper are able to export data to any format.
The Export BT (Binary Terrain) command allows the user to export any loaded elevation grid data sets to a BT (Binary Terrain) format file.
When selected, the command displays the BT (Binary Terrain) Export Options dialog which allows the user to setup the export. The dialog consists of a General options panel which allows the user to set up the grid spacing to use, a Gridding panel, and an Export Bounds panel which allows the user to set up the portion of the loaded data they wish to export.
Note: Only registered users of Global Mapper are able to export data to any format.
The Export DEM command allows the user to export any loaded elevation grid data sets to a native format USGS DEM file.
When selected, the command displays the DEM Export Options dialog which allows the user to setup the export. The dialog consists of a General options panel which allows the user to set up the quadrangle name, grid spacing and vertical units, a Gridding panel, and an Export Bounds panel which allows the user to set up the portion of the loaded data they wish to export.
Note: Only registered users of Global Mapper are able to export data to any format.
The Export DXF 3D Face File command allows the user to export any loaded gridded elevation data sets to a DXF 3D Face file.
When selected, the command displays the DXF 3D Face Export Options dialog which allows the user to setup the export. The dialog consists of a General options panel which allows the user to set up the grid spacing and vertical units, a Gridding panel, and an Export Bounds panel which allows the user to set up the portion of the loaded data they wish to export.
Note: Only registered users of Global Mapper are able to export data to any format.
The Export DXF Mesh command allows the user to export any loaded elevation grid data sets to a 3D DXF Mesh file.
When selected, the command displays the DXF Mesh Export Options dialog which allows the user to setup the export. The dialog consists of a General options panel which allows the user to set up the grid spacing and vertical units, a Gridding panel, and an Export Bounds panel which allows the user to set up the portion of the loaded data they wish to export.
Note: Only registered users of Global Mapper are able to export data to any format.
The Export DXF Point command allows the user to export any loaded elevation grid data sets to a 3D DXF Point file. The DXF file will consist of a 3D DXF point for each point in the elevation grid defined by the spacing and extents that the user specifies. This option may be useful when used with other software packages that do not specify the DXF mesh format.
When selected, the command displays the 3D DXF Point Export Options dialog which allows the user to setup the export. The dialog consists of a General options panel which allows the user to set up the grid spacing and vertical units, a Gridding panel, and an Export Bounds panel which allows the user to set up the portion of the loaded data they wish to export.
Note: Only registered users of Global Mapper are able to export data to any format.
The Export ECW command allows the user to export any loaded raster, vector, and elevation grid data sets to an ECW file. ECW files are highly compressed and great for storing things like satellite imagery. Due to licensing restrictions, the ECW files generated by Global Mapper are limited to 500 MB uncompressed. To determine how large an image is uncompressed, take the pixel width times the pixel height and multiple that by 3. So an image that would be 5000 pixels wide and 3000 pixels high would have an uncompressed size of 45,000,000 bytes (5000 x 3000 x 3), which is plenty small enough to create an ECW from.
When selected, the command displays the ECW Export Options dialog which allows the user to setup the export. The dialog consists of a General options panel which allows the user to set up the pixel spacing and target compression ration, a Gridding panel, and an Export Bounds panel which allows the user to set up the portion of the loaded data they wish to export.
Note: Only registered users of Global Mapper are able to export data to any format.
The Export Erdas Imagine command allows the user to export any loaded raster, vector,and elevation grid data sets to an Erdas Imagine file.
When selected, the command displays the Erdas Imagine Export Options dialog which allows the user to setup the export. The dialog consists of a General options panel which allows the user to set up the pixel spacing and format, a Gridding panel, and an Export Bounds panel which allows the user to set up the portion of the loaded data they wish to export.
Note: Only registered users of Global Mapper are able to export data to any format.
The Export Float/Grid command allows the user to export any loaded elevation grid data sets to a Float/Grid format file. The Float/Grid file will consist of a 4-byte IEEE floating point number for each elevation sample in the file, starting at the top-left corner and proceeding across, then down. In addition to the elevation data file, an ESRI-format .hdr file and .prj file will also be generated. There is also an option to allow exporting slope values (in degrees) rather than elevation values at each sample location.
When selected, the command displays the Float/Grid Point Export Options dialog which allows the user to setup the export. The dialog consists of a General options panel which allows the user to set up the grid spacing and vertical units, a Gridding panel, and an Export Bounds panel which allows the user to set up the portion of the loaded data they wish to export.
Note: Only registered users of Global Mapper are able to export data to any format.
The Export Geosoft Grid command allows the user to export any loaded elevation grid data sets to a Geosoft Binary Grid format file.
When selected, the command displays the Geosoft Grid Export Options dialog which allows the user to setup the export. The dialog consists of a General options panel which allows the user to set up the grid spacing to use, a Gridding panel, and an Export Bounds panel which allows the user to set up the portion of the loaded data they wish to export.
Note: Only registered users of Global Mapper are able to export data to any format.
The Export GeoTIFF command allows the user to export any loaded raster, vector, and elevation data sets to a GeoTIFF format file.
When selected, the command displays the GeoTIFF Export Options dialog (pictured below) which allows the user to set up the export. The dialog consists of a GeoTIFF Options panel, a Gridding panel, and an Export Bounds panel which allows the user to set up the portion of the loaded vector data they wish to export.
The File Type section allows you to choose what type of GeoTIFF file to generate. The various file types are described below:
When generating a 256 color (8-bits per pixel) GeoTIFF, it is necessary to select a palette indicates what 256 colors will be used to describe the image being exported. The following choices of palette are available:
The Vertical Units field allows the user to select the vertical units to use when exporting elevation data (i.e. meters or feet). Any input data not in the selected vertical units will be automatically converted on export.
The Resolution section allows the user to selected the grid spacing to use when generating the GeoTIFF. The default value is the average of the grid spacings of all the currently loaded raster and elevation overlays. If the Always Generate Square Pixels option is checked, the smaller of the specified x and y resolutions will be used for both the x and y resolution. Forcing square pixels ensures that the resultant GeoTIFF file will look good even in software that is not able to deal with pixels that aren't square. If you'd like to specify the spacing in units other than those of the currently selected view/export projection, press the Click Here to Calculate Spacing in Other Units button.
The DPI Value to Save in Image option allows you to specify a DPI (dots per inch) value to save in the TIFF header. Some software, in particular graphics editing software, makes use of this value when sizing TIFF files for printout. Specifying the default value of 0 will result in the DPI tag not being saved to the TIFF file at all.
If the Save Scale/Elevation Legend/Grid if Displayed option is checked, the distance scale, elevation legend, and coordinate grid will be saved to the GeoTIFF file (except vertical GeoTIFFs) if they are configured to show up in the main display.
If the Save Vector Data if Displayed option is checked, any loaded vector data that is configured to show up in the main display will be saved to the GeoTIFF file (except vertical GeoTIFFs).
If the Generate TFW File option is checked a TIFF world file will be generated with the same name as the GeoTIFF file with a .tfw extension. The TFW file is used by software that is not capable of reading the placement of the GeoTIFF file directly from the GeoTIFF header.
If the Interpolate to Fill Small Gaps in Data option is checked, any small areas with missing data will be filled in by interpolating the surrounding valid data. This is useful for filling small gaps between adjacent tiles or small holes in elevation data.
If the Use LZW Compression option is checked, the image data will be compressed using the LZW compression algorithm. This generally results in the best compression for TIFF files, but is not yet supported by all software applications. If the application(s) that you are going to be using the TIFF file with supports LZW, using this compression method is definitely suggested.
If the Generate PRJ File option is checked a describing the projection of the coordinates in the file will automatically be created
The Export Global Mapper Grid command allows the user to export any loaded elevation grid data sets to a Global Mapper Grid format file. The Global Mapper Grid format is a highly compressed elevation grid format that loads and draws very quickly and requires very little memory. If you have a choice for what format to store your gridded elevation data in, we suggest using the Global Mapper Grid format.
When selected, the command displays the Global Mapper Grid Export Options dialog which allows the user to setup the export. The dialog consists of a General options panel which allows the user to set up the grid spacing and vertical units, a Gridding panel, and an Export Bounds panel which allows the user to set up the portion of the loaded data they wish to export.
Note: Only registered users of Global Mapper are able to export data to any format.
The Export Gravsoft Grid command allows the user to export any loaded elevation grid data sets to a Gravsoft Grid format file.
When selected, the command displays the Gravsoft Grid Export Options dialog which allows the user to setup the export. The dialog consists of a General options panel which allows the user to set up the grid spacing and vertical units, a Gridding panel, and an Export Bounds panel which allows the user to set up the portion of the loaded data they wish to export.
Note: Only registered users of Global Mapper are able to export data to any format.
The Export Idrisi command allows the user to export any loaded raster, vector,and elevation grid data sets to an Idrisi file.
When selected, the command displays the Idrisi Export Options dialog which allows the user to setup the export. The dialog consists of a General options panel which allows the user to set up the pixel spacing and format, a Gridding panel, and an Export Bounds panel which allows the user to set up the portion of the loaded data they wish to export.
Note: Only registered users of Global Mapper are able to export data to any format.
The Export JPG command allows the user to export any loaded raster, vector, and elevation grid data sets to a JPG file.
When selected, the command displays the JPG Export Options dialog which allows the user to setup the export. The dialog consists of a General options panel which allows the user to set up the pixel spacing, a Gridding panel, and an Export Bounds panel which allows the user to set up the portion of the loaded data they wish to export.
Note: Only registered users of Global Mapper are able to export data to any format.
The Export Leveller Heightfield command allows the user to export any loaded elevation grid data sets to a Leveller Heightfield file for use with the Daylon Leveller application.
When selected, the command displays the Leveller Heightfield Export Options dialog which allows the user to setup the export. The dialog consists of a General options panel which allows the user to set up the grid spacing and vertical units, a Gridding panel, and an Export Bounds panel which allows the user to set up the portion of the loaded data they wish to export.
Note: Only registered users of Global Mapper are able to export data to any format.
The Export Optimi Terrain File command allows the user to export any loaded elevation grid data sets to an Optimi Terrain format grid file. These terrain files can be used with applications from Optimi.
When selected, the command displays the Optimi Terrain Export Options dialog which allows the user to setup the export. The dialog consists of a General options panel which allows the user to set up the grid spacing and vertical units, a Gridding panel, and an Export Bounds panel which allows the user to set up the portion of the loaded data they wish to export.
Note: Only registered users of Global Mapper are able to export data to any format.
The Export PLS-CADD XYZ File command allows the user to export any loaded elevation grid data sets to a PLS-CADD XYZ format grid file. These grid files can be used with the PLS-CADD software application.
When selected, the command displays the PLS-CADD XYZ Export Options dialog which allows the user to setup the export. The dialog consists of a General options panel which allows the user to set up the grid spacing and vertical units, a Gridding panel, and an Export Bounds panel which allows the user to set up the portion of the loaded data they wish to export.
Note: Only registered users of Global Mapper are able to export data to any format.
The Export PNG command allows the user to export any loaded data sets to a PNG file.
When selected, the command displays the PNG Export Options dialog which allows the user to setup the export. The dialog consists of an Options panel (pictured below), which allows the user to select whether to export an 8-bit palette-based PNG or a 24-bit RGB PNG file, as well as other applicable options, a Gridding panel, and an Export Bounds panel which allows the user to set up the portion of the loaded data they wish to export.
Note: Only registered users of Global Mapper are able to export data to any format.
The Export RockWorks Grid command allows the user to export any loaded elevation grid data sets to a RockWorks Grid format file.
When selected, the command displays the RockWorks Grid Export Options dialog which allows the user to setup the export. The dialog consists of a General options panel which allows the user to set up the grid spacing and vertical units, a Gridding panel, and an Export Bounds panel which allows the user to set up the portion of the loaded data they wish to export.
Note: Only registered users of Global Mapper are able to export data to any format.
The Export STL command allows the user to export any loaded elevation grid data sets to a STL format file for use with some CAD systems.
When selected, the command displays the STL Export Options dialog which allows the user to setup the export. The dialog consists of a General options panel which allows the user to set up the grid spacing and vertical units, a Gridding panel, and an Export Bounds panel which allows the user to set up the portion of the loaded data they wish to export.
Note: Only registered users of Global Mapper are able to export data to any format.
The Export Surfer Grid (ASCII Format) command allows the user to export any loaded elevation grid data sets to an ASCII format Surfer Grid file.
When selected, the command displays the Surfer Grid Export Options dialog which allows the user to setup the export. The dialog consists of a General options panel which allows the user to set up the grid spacing and vertical units, a Gridding panel, and an Export Bounds panel which allows the user to set up the portion of the loaded data they wish to export.
Note: Only registered users of Global Mapper are able to export data to any format.
The Export Surfer Grid (Binary v6 Format) command allows the user to export any loaded elevation grid data sets to a binary format Surfer Grid file compatible with Surfer v6 and above. Binary format Surfer Grids will be smaller than their ASCII-format cousins, so if you can use the binary format I would suggest it.
When selected, the command displays the Surfer Grid Export Options dialog which allows the user to setup the export. The dialog consists of a General options panel which allows the user to set up the grid spacing and vertical units, a Gridding panel, and an Export Bounds panel which allows the user to set up the portion of the loaded data they wish to export.
Note: Only registered users of Global Mapper are able to export data to any format.
The Export Surfer Grid (Binary v7 Format) command allows the user to export any loaded elevation grid data sets to a binary format Surfer Grid file compatible with Surfer v7 and above. Binary format Surfer Grids will be smaller than their ASCII-format cousins, so if you can use the binary format I would suggest it.
When selected, the command displays the Surfer Grid Export Options dialog which allows the user to setup the export. The dialog consists of a General options panel which allows the user to set up the grid spacing and vertical units, a Gridding panel, and an Export Bounds panel which allows the user to set up the portion of the loaded data they wish to export.
Note: Only registered users of Global Mapper are able to export data to any format.
The Export Terragen Terrain File command allows the user to export any loaded elevation grid data sets to a Terragen terrain file.
When selected, the command displays the Terragen Export Options dialog which allows the user to setup the export. The dialog consists of a General options panel which allows the user to set up the grid spacing and an Export Bounds panel which allows the user to set up the portion of the loaded data they wish to export.
Note: Only registered users of Global Mapper are able to export data to any format.
The Export VRML command allows the user to export any loaded elevation grid data and raster data sets to a VRML file for display in a VRML viewer, such as the Cortona VRML Client.
When selected, the command displays the VRML World File Export Options dialog which allows the user to setup the export. The dialog consists of a General options panel which allows the user to set up the grid spacing, vertical exaggeration, and compression options, and an Export Bounds panel which allows the user to set up the portion of the loaded data they wish to export.
Note: Only registered users of Global Mapper are able to export data to any format.
The Export XYZ Grid command allows the user to export any loaded elevation grid data sets to a comma-delimited ASCII XYZ file. Each grid point will be represented as follows (actual coordinate delimiter is configurable):
x-coordinate,y-coordinate,z-coordinate
When selected, the command displays the XYZ Grid Export Options dialog which allows the user to setup the export. The dialog consists of a General options panel which allows the user to set up the grid spacing and vertical units, a Gridding panel, and an Export Bounds panel which allows the user to set up the portion of the loaded data they wish to export.
Note: Only registered users of Global Mapper are able to export data to any format.
The Export Zmap Plus Grid File command allows the user to export any loaded elevation grid data sets to a Zmap Plus Grid format file.
When selected, the command displays the Zmap Plus Grid Export Options dialog which allows the user to setup the export. The dialog consists of a General options panel which allows the user to set up the grid spacing and vertical units and an Export Bounds panel which allows the user to set up the portion of the loaded data they wish to export.
Note: Only registered users of Global Mapper are able to export data to any format.
The commands on the Export Vector Data submenu allow the user to export loaded vector data to various formats.
The Export Arc Ungenerate commands allows the user to export any loaded vector data sets to an Arc Ungenerate format file.
When selected, the command displays the Arc Ungenerate Export Options dialog which consists of an Export Bounds panel that allows the user to set up the portion of the loaded vector data they wish to export.
Note: Only registered users of Global Mapper are able to export data to any format.
The Export CDF command allows the user to export any loaded vector data sets to a CDF (Common Data Format) file.
When selected, the command displays the CDF Export Options dialog (pictured below) which allows the user to set up the export. The dialog consists of a CDF Options panel which allows the user to set up the attribute code to assign to features and the text size in the export file, and an Export Bounds panel which allows the user to set up the portion of the loaded vector data they wish to export.
If the Use Default Attribute for All Features option is checked, the attribute selected in the Default Attribute Code panel will be used for all features. Otherwise, the selected attribute will only be used for those features whose Global Mapper classification could not be automatically mapped to one of the CDF attributes.
Note: Only registered users of Global Mapper are able to export data to any format.
The Export CSV command allows the user to export any loaded point data sets to a CSV (Comma Separated File) file.
When selected, the command displays the CSV Export Options dialog which allows the user to set up the export. The dialog consists of an Options panel which allows the user to set up whether or not to include an elevation attribute for each point as well as whether to include the name of each column in the file as the first row in the file. There is also an Export Bounds panel which allows the user to set up the portion of the loaded point data they wish to export.
Note: Only registered users of Global Mapper are able to export data to any format.
The Export DGN command allows the user to export any loaded vector data to a MicroStation DGN v8 format file.
When selected, the command displays the DGN Export Options dialog (pictured below) which allows the user to set up the export. The dialog consists of a DGN Options panel, a Gridding panel, and an Export Bounds panel which allows the user to set up the portion of the loaded vector data they wish to export.
The Text Size section allows the user to control how large display label text will be in the created file. The Unit Resolution value is used to specify the resolution unit saved in the DGN file. If the Generate PRJ File option is checked, a .prj projection file describing the projection of the coordinates in the file will automatically be created. If the Generate 3D DGN File if 3D Features Present option is checked, the entire DGN file will be marked as 3D and any features that have a elevation data associated with them will be stored as 3D features. If the Generate Tags for Feature Attributes option is checked, any attributes associated with exported features will be saved as tags in the resulting file. Note that this can significantly slow down your export in some cases.
Note: Only registered users of Global Mapper are able to export data to any format.
The Export DLG-O command allows the user to export any loaded vector data sets to a native format USGS DLG-O (Digital Line Graph Optional format) file.
When selected, the command displays the DLG-O Export Options dialog (pictured below) which allows the user to set up the export. The dialog consists of a DLG-O Options panel which allows the user to set up the banner name, DCU (digital cartographic unit or quad name), and category name, a Gridding panel, and an Export Bounds panel which allows the user to set up the portion of the loaded vector data they wish to export. If possible, the fields on the DLG-O Options panel are automatically filled in with the best guesses available based on the currently loaded data. The user is free to change the values to fit their needs.
Note: Only registered users of Global Mapper are able to export data to any format.
The Export DXF command allows the user to export any loaded vector data sets to an AutoCAD DXF format file.
When selected, the command displays the DXF Export Options dialog (pictured below) which allows the user to set up the export. The dialog consists of a DXF Options panel, a Gridding panel, and an Export Bounds panel which allows the user to set up the portion of the loaded vector data they wish to export.
The Display Labels section allows you to control if you want feature display labels included in the DXF files and, if so, whether you want them represented as TEXT entities in their own layer (called FEATURE_LABEL) or as DXF attributes. The default is to have them included as attributes associated with each feature. As some software packages cannot handle attributes in DXF files, you may have to switch to a different option (with the associated loss of information) to get your exported DXF files to work with some software packages.
If selected, the Generate Projection (PRJ) File option causes a projection file describing the ground reference system of the DXF file to be generated in addition to the DXF file itself. The PRJ file will have the same name as the DXF file with the .prj extension.
If selected, the Use Display Labels For Layer Names If Available option will make the layer name for any generated feautures use the display label for that feature rather than the description if the feature has a non-empty display label.
If selected, the Generate Zero-Width Lines option causes and line features created in the DXF file to be marked as having zero width. Use this option if you intend to use the resulting DXF file with a product such as MicroStation which has problems with lines of non-zero thickness.
Note: Only registered users of Global Mapper are able to export data to any format.
The Export Garmin TRK (PCX5) File command allows the user to export any loaded vector line data to a Garmin TRK (PCX5) format file. This file can be imported by a wide variety of GPS software, such as Garmin's MapSource®, to facilitate transferring track logs to a GPS unit.
When selected, the command displays the Garmin TRK Format Export Options dialog which allows the user to set up the export. The dialog consists of an Export Bounds panel which allows the user to set up the portion of the loaded vector data they wish to export.
Note: Only registered users of Global Mapper are able to export data to any format.
The Export Garmin WPT (PCX5) File command allows the user to export any loaded named point data to a Garmin WPT (PCX5) format file. This file can be imported by a wide variety of GPS software, such as Garmin's MapSource®, to facilitate transferring waypoints to a GPS unit.
When selected, the command displays the Garmin WPT Format Export Options dialog which allows the user to set up the export. The dialog consists of an Export Bounds panel which allows the user to set up the portion of the loaded vector data they wish to export.
Note: Only registered users of Global Mapper are able to export data to any format.
The Export GOG (Generalized Overlay Graphics) command allows the user to export any loaded vector data sets to a GOG format file.
When selected, the command displays the GOG Export Options dialog which allows the user to set up the export. The dialog consists of an Export Bounds panel which allows the user to set up the portion of the loaded vector data they wish to export.
Note: Only registered users of Global Mapper are able to export data to any format.
The Export GPX (GPS eXchange Format) commands allows the user to export any loaded point and line data to a GPX (GPS eXchange Format) file.
When selected, the command displays the GPX Export Options dialog which consists of an Export Bounds panel that allows the user to set up the portion of the loaded vector data they wish to export.
Note: Only registered users of Global Mapper are able to export data to any format.
The Export InRoads ASCII command allows the user to export any loaded vector data sets to an InRoads ASCII format file.
When selected, the command displays the InRoads ASCII Export Options dialog which allows the user to set up the export. The dialog consists of an Export Bounds panel which allows the user to set up the portion of the loaded vector data they wish to export.
Note: Only registered users of Global Mapper are able to export data to any format.
The Export KML/KMZ command allows the user to export any loaded vector data sets to a KML/KMZ format file for use with Google Earth.
When selected, the command displays the KML/KMZ Export Options dialog (pictured below) which allows the user to set up the export. The dialog consists of a KML/KMZ Options panel, a Gridding panel, and an Export Bounds panel which allows the user to set up the portion of the loaded vector data they wish to export.
The 3D Line Export and 3D Area Export sections allow the user to control whether or not area and line features with elevation values associated with them are drawn at the terrain surface or at the elevation values associated with the feature. You can specify whether the elevation values are relative to ground level or sea level if drawing the features above the terrain. If area features are drawn above the terrain, the Extrude Areas option allows you to control whether or not they will also be extruded, which means they will extend back to the terrain surface, making them look like solid 3D features. If this option is not checked, the areas will just be drawn in space as a surface and not a 3D closed object. If the Fake 2D Area Heights to Maintain Area Draw Order option is checked, exported 2D area features will be assigned fake elevation values in order to attempt to get them to layer properly when displayed in Google Earth. This is only necessary if you have overlapping areas that do not display in the correct order without this option checked.
The Filled Area Translucency section allows the user to control the degree to which filled polygons are see-through in the created file. If the Create Compressed KMZ File option is checked, a compressed KMZ file will automatically be created. This will result in much smaller files and is highly recommended unless you plan on manually editing the export result yourself in a text editor. If the Include Attribute Values in Feature Description option is checked, any feature attributes will be included in the description for a feature. If the Hide Point Features by Default When Loading File option is checked, all of the point features exported to the file will be hidden by default in Google Earth so as not to clutter up the display with a bunch of point icons.
Note: Only registered users of Global Mapper are able to export data to any format.
The Export Landmark Graphics command allows the user to export any loaded vector data sets to a Landmark Graphics format file.
When selected, the command displays the Landmark Graphics Export Options dialog which allows the user to set up the export. The dialog consists of an Export Bounds panel which allows the user to set up the portion of the loaded vector data they wish to export.
Note: Only registered users of Global Mapper are able to export data to any format.
The Export Lowrance USR command allows the user to export any loaded vector data sets to a Lowrance USR format file for use in Lowrance brand GPS devices.
When selected, the command displays the Lowrance USR Export Options dialog which allows the user to set up the export. The dialog consists of a Gridding panel and an Export Bounds panel which allows the user to set up the portion of the loaded vector data they wish to export.
Note: Only registered users of Global Mapper are able to export data to any format.
The Export MapGen command allows the user to export any loaded vector data sets to a MapGen format file.
When selected, the command displays the MapGen Export Options dialog which allows the user to set up the export. The dialog consists of an Export Bounds panel which allows the user to set up the portion of the loaded vector data they wish to export.
Note: Only registered users of Global Mapper are able to export data to any format.
The Export MapInfo MIF/MID command allows the user to export any loaded vector data sets to a MapInfo MIF/MID format file.
When selected, the command displays the MapInfo Export Options dialog which allows the user to set up the export. The dialog consists of a Gridding panel and an Export Bounds panel which allows the user to set up the portion of the loaded vector data they wish to export.
Note: Only registered users of Global Mapper are able to export data to any format.
The Export MatLab command allows the user to export any loaded vector data sets to a MatLab format file.
When selected, the command displays the MatLab Export Options dialog which allows the user to set up the export. The dialog consists of an Export Bounds panel which allows the user to set up the portion of the loaded vector data they wish to export.
Note: Only registered users of Global Mapper are able to export data to any format.
The Export Moss command allows the user to export any loaded area and line vector features to a Moss format file.
When selected, the command displays the Moss Export Options dialog which allows the user to set up the export. The dialog consists of an Export Bounds panel which allows the user to set up the portion of the loaded vector data they wish to export.
Note: Only registered users of Global Mapper are able to export data to any format.
The Export NIMA ASC command allows the user to export any loaded vector data sets to a NIMA ASC format file that can be used on many shipboard radar displays.
When selected, the command displays the NIMA ASC Export Options dialog which allows the user to set up the export. The dialog consists of an Export Bounds panel which allows the user to set up the portion of the loaded vector data they wish to export.
Note: Only registered users of Global Mapper are able to export data to any format.
The Export PLS-CADD XYZ File command allows the user to export any loaded vector data sets to a PLS-CADD XYZ format file. These files can be used with the PLS-CADD software application.
When selected, the command displays the PLS-CADD XYZ Export Options dialog which allows the user to setup the export. The dialog consists of an Export Bounds panel which allows the user to set up the portion of the loaded data they wish to export.
Note: Only registered users of Global Mapper are able to export data to any format.
The Export Polish MP command allows the user to export any loaded vector data sets to Polish MP format files. The Polish MP format is the input format used by the cGPSMapper application which creates custom maps for Garmin GPS units.
When selected, the command displays the Polish MP Export Options dialog (pictured below) which allows the user to set up the export. The dialog consists of a Map Options panel, a Gridding panel, and an Export Bounds panel which allows the user to set up the portion of the loaded vector data they wish to export.
The Map Name and Copyright fields allow to specify the name to use for the final map when created as well as the copyright text to associate with the map.
The Map Detail section allows you to control at what zoom levels the final map will be viewable at. More detail results in a map that better represents the shape of the source data but that requires zooming further in to see the map, while less detail will result in a rougher map that shows up sooner. You should tailer this to the approximate scale of your source data, will the lowest detail setting approximating source vector data of around 1:250K scale and the highest detail setting representing 1:24K or better scale data.
If selected, the Create as Marine Map option specifies that the created MP file will be marked as a marine map and marine features will be used if appropriate. Note that the Marine version of cGPSMapper is required to create marine maps.
The Make All Point Features Searchable controls whether or not all point features in the final map created from the MP file should be searchable on the GPS device. If the Create Transparent Map option is selected the map will be marked as transparent and any data under the map will show through.
When Global Mapper exports loaded vector data to a MP file, it will automatically attempt to determine the best type to save in the MP file based on the classification of the feature in Global Mapper. If no type mapping is known, the name of the assigned Global Mapper classification will be used for the 'Type' value in the MP file. If you updated your RgnTypes.txt file in your cGPSMapper folder with the type names and the appropriate type number, you can make this work as well. You can also manually specify the type number to use for a feature by adding an attribute named MP_TYPE with the type value to use as the attribute value. If the value that you provide is for a marine type you should also provide an attribute with a name of MARINE and a value of Y.
Note: Only registered users of Global Mapper are able to export data to any format.
The Export Shapefile command allows the user to export any loaded vector data sets to ESRI Shapefile format files.
When selected, the command displays the Shapefile Export Options dialog (pictured below) which allows the user to set up the export. The dialog consists of a File Selection panel, a Gridding panel, and an Export Bounds panel which allows the user to set up the portion of the loaded vector data they wish to export.
The Export Areas, Export Lines, and Export Points options enable area, line, and point export respectively. Pressing the Select... button next to each of those options allows you to select the name of the SHP file to generate. In addition to the SHP file containing the actual geometry of the features, an shape index file (SHX) and attribute database file (DBF) will be created as well with the same name as the SHP file.
If selected, the Generate Projection (PRJ) File option causes a projection file describing the ground reference system of the shapefile to be generated for each shapefile created. The PRJ files will have the same name as the SHP file with the .prj extension.
If selected, the Generate 3D polylines option specifies that 3D line objects should be created in the shapefile. The elevation stored for each vertex will be the first of the following which is available:
A value of 0.0 will be used if no elevation could be obtained via any of the prior methods.
Note: Only registered users of Global Mapper are able to export data to any format.
The Export Simple ASCII Text File command allows the user to export any loaded vector data sets (i.e. areas, lines, and points) to a delimited ASCII text file. Each vertex in an area or line and the position of each point will be represented.
When selected, the command displays the ASCII Export Options dialog which allows the user to setup the export. The dialog consists of an Options panel (pictured below) and an Export Bounds panel which allows the user to set up the portion of the loaded data they wish to export.
The Options panel allows the user to specify what character to user to separate the x, y, and z coordinates of each vertex. In addition, the user can specify that they wish to separate each vector feature with a blank line or some other custom separator text. The export of elevation data is controlled with the Export Elevations option. The Include Feature Attributes Before Coordinate Data and Include Drawing Style Attributes Before Coordinate Data options respectively control whether or not feature attributes or feature drawing style information is saved to the file on the lines preceding the coordinate data for a feature.
If elevations are being exported, Global Mapper first looks for an elevation associated with the vertex being exported. If no elevation is associated with the vertex, Global Mapper then checks all loaded elevation grid data in reverse order of display to see if any of them have an elevation at the vertex location. If so, that elevation is used.
Note: Only registered users of Global Mapper are able to export data to any format.
The Export Surfer BLN command allows the user to export any loaded vector data sets to a Surfer BLN format file used by Golden Software's Surfer package to specify breaklines.
When selected, the command displays the Surfer BLN Export Options dialog which allows the user to set up the export. The dialog consists of an Export Bounds panel which allows the user to set up the portion of the loaded vector data they wish to export.
Note: Only registered users of Global Mapper are able to export data to any format.
The Export SVG command allows the user to export any loaded vector data sets to a SVG (Scalable Vector Graphic) format file suitable for display on the web.
When selected, the command displays the SVG Export Options dialog which allows the user to set up the export. The dialog consists of an Export Bounds panel which allows the user to set up the portion of the loaded vector data they wish to export.
Note: Only registered users of Global Mapper are able to export data to any format.
The Export Tsunami OVR command allows the user to export any loaded vector data sets to a Tsunami OVR format file for use in the Tsunami software package.
When selected, the command displays the Tsunami OVR Export Options dialog which allows the user to set up the export. The dialog consists of an Export Bounds panel which allows the user to set up the portion of the loaded vector data they wish to export.
Note: Only registered users of Global Mapper are able to export data to any format.
The Batch Convert/Reproject command allows the user to easily convert multiple files in one format to another format.
When the command is selected, the user is first prompted to select the file type to convert from using the dialog pictured below. Once an input file type is selected, another dialog with a list of all compatible export file types is displayed, allowing the user to select what type of file to convert the input files to. Finally, after the input and output file types are selected, the Batch Convert dialog (pictured below) is displayed, allowing the user to set up the batch conversion.
The Source Files section displays the list of source files currently selected to be converted. Pressing the Add Files... button allows the user to select additional files for conversion. Pressing the Add Directory... allows the user to easily add an entire directory's worth of source files to the to-be-converted list. All directories under the added one can be recursively searched if so desired by answering Yes to the dialog that pops up immediately after selecting the directory. Pressing the Add Loaded Files button causes all files loaded into the main Global Mapper view that match that batch convert input type to be added to the list of files to be converted. Pressing the Add Onscreen Files button causes all files loaded into the main Global Mapper view that are currently at least partially onscreen and that match the batch convert input type to be added to the list of files to be converted.
The Directory section allows the user to choose where they would like the newly created output files to be created. The Use same directory as file being converted option causes the output file created off of each source file to be created in the same directory as the source file. The Specify output directory option allows the user to choose a specific directory to output all of the newly created output files to.
The File Names section allows the user to choose whether the newly created output files should have the same file name as the source file they were created from (Use Source File Name option) or whether the more readable quadrangle name (if available) should be used as the file name for the newly created output file (Use Quad Name option). If the Use Source File Name option is selected, you can also specify an additional text string to append to each new filename to identify it.
The Projection section allows the user to choose whether or not each newly created output file should either use the same projection as the file that it was created from (Use Source File Projection option) or if each file should use a projection specified by pressing the Projection button. If the user selects to specify an output projection and they select a zoned projection like UTM or Gauss Krueger, they will have the option on the projection selection dialog to have the best zone for the center of the output map automatically used if they select the Automatically Select Best Zone option in the Zone box on the projection selection dialog.
The Setup Gridding (i.e. Tiling) button displays a dialog allowing the user to specify if and how to break up each file being converted into multiple new files. This option is only available when converting to a raster or gridded elevation format.
The Setup Sample Spacing button displays a dialog allowing the user to choose to either keep the sample spacing of source raster and elevation files when converting the selected or to specify a new sample spacing to resample all of the selected input files at when performing the conversion. This option is only available when converting to a raster or gridded elevation format.
The Horz Datum selection allows the user to choose the horizontal datum that each newly created output file should use. By default, each output file will use the same horizontal datum as the source file that it was created off of. Alternately, the user can specify to have all output files created in NAD27, NAD83, WGS72, or WGS84 with the appropriate offset being applied automatically.
The Vertical Units selection is present only for some conversions and controls the output elevation units.
The Palette selection is present only for some conversions and controls the palette, if any, used in the output files. The palette values are defined as follows:
The additional list of options varies depending on the particular conversion being performed. The meaning of those options is defined below:
You can also right click on the list of files to convert and choose to save that list of files to a text file. This can be a convenient way to start a Global Mapper script to do other processing on the files. Other right-click options include the ability to remove all archive files, like .zip and .tar.gz from the list and to fill the source files list with files listed in a text file.
Note: Only registered users of Global Mapper are able to perform batch conversions.
The Generate Contours command allows the user to generate equally spaced contour lines from any loaded elevation grid data.
When selected, the command displays the Contour Generation Options dialog (pictured below) which allows the user to set up the contour generation process.
The Contour Options panel (displayed above) allows the user to set the contour interval and units as well as the grid spacing to use when generating the contours. In addition, options are available to generate isoheight area features in addition to contour lines as well as spot elevations at the highest and lowest points in the area over which the contours are generated.
The Simplification panel (displayed below) allows the user to set up the threshold at which points that don't contribute much to the shape of the generated contour are removed in order to generate lines with less vertices. The Gridding panel allows you to break up your contour generation into smaller pieces which can sometimes help reduce memory requirements when generating a very large amount of contour lines. The Export Bounds panel allows the user to set up the portion of the loaded elevation grid data they wish to consider when generating the contours.
The Print command allows the user to print the contents of the current view window. When selected the Print dialog (picture below) is displayed, which allows the user to set up the print process.
The Header field allows the user to specify text to be displayed above the printed map image. This text will be printed centered above the map image on the printout.
The Footer field allows the user to specify text to be displayed below the printed map image. This text will be printed centered below the map image on the printout. The footer text will default to the text displayed on the status bar for the active tool, such as the measurement information for the current measurement in the Measure Tool.
Selecting the Print in Black and White option causes the printout to be generated in black and white, rather than full color even when printing to a color printer. The generated image will be a 256-level grayscale image.
Selecting the Use White Background Color option causes any background areas being printed to be filled with white so as not to use any printer ink. Uncheck this option is you want the currently configured background color to be maintained on the printout.
The Print To Scale option allows you to specify that you want the printed result to match a certain scale, like 1:1000. This means that one inch on the printed paper will correspond to 1000 inches in the real world. If you choose to print to a certain scale, the printout will be centered on the center of your current screen view, but the appropriate amount of information will be rendered to achieve the requested scale.
The Print To File section allows you to specify that the printout be directed to an image file rather than to the printer. This can be handy if you either want to save the results of the printout to email to someone or post on a web site, or you are having trouble printing and would like to print out the data generated by Global Mapper using another application.
The Print Preview command allows the user to preview what a printout of the contents of the current view window would look like.
The Print Setup command allows the user to setup their printer for printing the current view window.
The Exit command closes the Global Mapper application.
The View menu offers the following commands:
Use this command to display and hide the Toolbars, which includes buttons for some of the most common commands in Global Mapper. A check mark appears next to the menu item when the Toolbar is displayed
The status bar is displayed at the bottom of the Global Mapper window. To display or hide the status bar, use the Status Bar command in the View menu.
. The left area of the status bar describes actions of menu items and toolbar icons. The left area of the status bar will also show color or elevation of the current pixel if it's over a raster image, or the description of the closest vector overlay component.
The right areas of the status bar indicate the currently selected tool and the current mouse position in both the global ground reference system and in the Position Display Format currently selected from the Configuration dialog.
The Background command brings up a color dialog box from which the user can select a color to be the new background color of your Global Mapper window. The background color selected will also be used to fill in areas of no data in exported raster imagery (i.e. GeoTIFF and JPG files).
The Center on Location command allows the user to manually enter a location to recenter the view on, providing a quick and easy way to center yourself on a particular location.
The Full View command zooms such that all of the currently loaded overlays fit in the view window. This command also places the overlays in the center of the view window.
The Zoom In command zooms the current view in by a factor of 2.
The Zoom In Micro command zooms the current view in by a small amount.
The Zoom Out command zooms the current view out by a factor of 2.
The Zoom Out Micro command zooms the current view out by a small amount.
The Zoom To Scale command zoom the current view to a user-specified scale. For example, to make one inch on the screen be equivalent to 1 mile of ground truth, you would enter a scale of 63360 (this is the number of inches in a mile).
The Save Current View command saves the current map view bounds. The saved view can later be restored by using the Restore Last Saved View command. This feature allows you to save a view at one spot, then pan and zoom around and load additional data, then restore your view to the saved spot in one simple operation.
The Restore Last Saved View command restore the map view to the location last saved using the Save Current View command.
The Search menu currently provides the following commands:
The Search By Name command allows for searching for features in all loaded vector data by name. When selected, the Find By Name dialog is displayed.
The Find By Name dialog displays a list of all of the vector features (areas,lines, and/or points) whose label starts with the search string specified in the Search String field. This field can contain the ? and * wildcard characters. In addition, one can control which vector object types (area,line, and/or point) to include in the search. Double-clicking on an item in the list will recenter the view on that object.
The Edit Selected button displays a dialog allowing the user to modify the name, feature type, and drawing style of any features selected.
The Delete Selected button will mark all selected features as deleted.
This dialog is particulary handy with the GNIS (Geographic Names) database which is freely available for download.
The Search By Attributes, Name, and Description command allows for searching for features in all loaded vector data by attribute value, name, and description/type. When selected, the Search Vector Data dialog is displayed.
The Search Vector Data dialog displays a list of all of the vector features (areas, lines, and/or points) which match the specified Search Criteria. The Search Criteria can be applied to any attribute value of the loaded features, the display label field, or the description/type field. Comparisons to the Compare Value can be done either textually or numerically. For text equal and not-equal searches, the Compare Value field can contain the ? and * wildcard characters.
In addition, one can control which vector object types (area, line, and/or point) to include in the search.
Once you have your Search Criteria set how you want for the search, press the Search button to actually perform the search and display the matching results in the results list. The results will be sorted in ascending order by the value that was searched on.
Double-clicking on an item in the list will recenter the view on that object.
The Edit Selected button displays a dialog allowing the user to modify the name, feature type, and drawing style of any features selected.
The Delete Selected button will mark all selected features as deleted.
If you right click on the results list, additonal options will appear, such as the option to select all of the results in the list. If multiple line features are selected in the results list, when you right click there will be an option to combine those line features into new line features if the selected lines connect at their endpoints.
The Find Address command displays the Search for an Address in the US dialog (pictured below) which allows searching for an address, city, or zip code in the United States.
If an address is found that matches the requested location, a results dialog (see sample below) is displayed with the matching location information, as well as button to allow creating a new point feature at the address location, re-centering the map view on the address, and copying the address information to the Windows clipboard for easy pasting into another application.
The dialog also includes a Geocode Addresses from File button that allows you to geocode a bunch of addresses at once. The text file that you select to convert can either contain a list of files with addresses in the single line form accepted when searching on a single address, or it can be a comma or tab-delimited file with named columns, like Address, City, State, and Zip (see the example file contents below). Note that you are limited to about 5,000 address searches within a single 24 hour period.
Sequence,Name,Address,City,State,ZIP,Phone 1,McPeak Betty,,North Pole,AK,99705,907-488-4879 2,McPeak P,,Anchorage,AK,99501,907-770-2957 3,McPeak Roger,,North Pole,AK,99705,907-488-8823 4,McPeak Allan,1011 McCay Ave,Mobile,AL,36609,251-633-0931 5,McPeak Bill,395 Dupree Dr,Huntsville,AL,35806,256-837-2657 6,McPeak Carol,5923 Lumsden Battery Cir,Mobile,AL,36619,251-661-0989 7,McPeak Dwight,5548 Heath Row Dr,Birmingham,AL,35242,205-991-8862 8,McPeak Faye,146 Larkin St,New Market,AL,35761,256-379-5416 9,McPeak Faye,395 Dupree Dr,Huntsville,AL,35806,256-837-2657
Once you complete a batch geocode operation, the results are displayed in a list in a dialog (see sample below). The Batch Geocode Results dialog contains buttons allowing you to create new point features from the matched address results or to export the results to a new file.
The Help menu offers the following commands:
The Online Help... command open the table of contents for the Global Mapper User's Manual in your browser window. You must be connected to the Internet in order to access the online manual.
The FAQ... command opens the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for Global Mapper in your browser window. You must be connected to the Internet in order to access the FAQ.
The User's Group command open the Global Mapper Yahoo User's Group in your browser window. You must be connected to the Internet in order to access the user's group.
The Register Global Mapper... command displays the Registration dialog which allows the user to enter their registration name and code they obtained after purchasing a license for Global Mapper.
The About Global Mapper... command displays the About Global Mapper dialog which contains version and contact information for Global Mapper.