Examples

This topic provides links to examples in this documentation.  

Examples By Category

Introductory Examples

 

Tables and Queries Examples

 

Queries Examples

 

Data Sources Examples

 

Selection Examples

 

Drawings Examples

 

Style Examples

 

Images Examples

 

Layout Examples

 

Format Examples

 

Join Dialog Examples

 

Transform Images Examples

 

Transform Examples

 

Projections Examples

 

Programming Examples

 

Interoperability Examples

 

Introductory Examples

Example: Project Pane Tutorial - In this example we take an extended tour of the Project pane, engaging in a variety of simple but typical moves that are illustrated step by step.

 

Example: Import a Shapefile - ESRI shapefiles are a very popular format for publishing GIS and other spatial data.  Unfortunately, shapefiles often will not specify what projection should be used.  This example shows how to deal with that quickly and easily.

 

Example: Import Shapefile and Create a Map - Step by step process to import a shapefile and to create a map.

 

Example: Reproject a Drawing - An essential example on changing the projection of a drawing, either within the drawing itself, or by changing the projection of a map window that shows the drawing and on the fly reprojects the drawing for display.

 

Example: Change the Pixel Size of a Terrain Elevation Image - Use the Reproject Component dialog to change the pixel size of a terrain elevation image, reducing the total number of pixels used.  This process is also called resampling.

 

Example: Layers Tutorial - We take a tour of the Layers pane, learning how to manage layer display order, select layers, turn several layers on and off at the same time, alter opacity settings for one or more layers and how to change background color.

 

Example: Create Maps - Maps are used to show layers that can be drawings, images, and labels.  This topic shows how to create new, blank maps, how to create maps from existing components, and how to create maps from other maps.

 

Example: Add Labels to a Map - How to manually add labels to a map.

 

Example: Closing without Saving - An example that shows how File - Close without saving the project can affect local tables and components differently from those saved already into a data source, such as an .mdb file database.

 

Example: Spectacular Images and Data from Web Servers - A must see topic providing a gallery of views illustrating how Manifold can use web servers such as image servers and other free resources to provide a seemingly endless selection of spectacular background maps, satellite images and GIS data with nearly zero effort.

 

Example: An Imageserver Tutorial - An extensive tutorial showing step by step how to add new data sources that are image servers, how to show them as layers in a map, how to create a new drawing that matches the projection of the map and how to trace over what is seen in an image server layer to create an area object in the drawing.

 

Example: Edit a Shapefile In Place - How to edit a shapefile "in place," that is, leaving the data in the shapefile and only linking it into a project and not importing it into the project.

 

Example: Style Pane Quickstart - A tutorial introduction to using the Style pane to apply color, symbology, size and rotation to areas, lines and points in drawings.

 

Example: Change Point Style - Using new Style pane controls to change point style, either very rapidly one property at a time, or using the total Style button to compose a new style with changes to several properties at once.

 

Example: Bounded Areas - Given line objects, the Bounded Areas transform template creates areas in regions entirely enclosed by overlapping or otherwise touching lines.  A quick look at how the Transform pane helps create new drawings.

 

Example: Locations - Save Locations and use saved Locations to quickly navigate to desired views in windows.

 

Example: Create Many Locations from a Drawing - Given a drawing of points, we quickly create a folder with Locations for all of the points, allowing us to quickly pan and zoom to a local view around each point.

 

Example: Trace an Area in a Map over an Image Background - In a map with a drawing layer above an image layer (served dynamically by an image server), create an area object in the drawing by tracing over the outlines of something seen in the image layer below.

 

Example: Transfer DEM Terrain Heights to Areas in a Drawing - Given a map with an image layer that shows terrain heights taken from a DEM, and a drawing layer that contains areas, using a small SQL query we transfer the average terrain height within each area to that area as a Height attribute for the area. Easy!

 

Example: Create a Drawing from a Geocoded Table - A partner example to Example: Create a Geocoded Table from a Drawing   A geocoded table has records with a latitude and longitude for each record.   This example starts with a table containing a list of cities with a latitude and longitude field for the location of each city.   We create a geom from the latitude and longitude fields using a template in the Transform pane and then we create a drawing that shows the cities as points.  This example shows all the infrastructure steps involved.

 

Example: Create a Drawing Dynamically from a Geocoded Table - A more general, cooler way to create a drawing from a geocoded table, without adding any fields to the table.   We create a small query that generates geometry on the fly, and then we create a drawing from the query.   This is how more advanced users often do it, using a technique that is perfect for creating drawings from tables in remote DBMS packages or read-only files.

 

Example: Use Edit - Join to Map a Pandemic - Creating a data source for a CSV web server, we acquire current data on cases and deaths worldwide for the Covid-19 pandemic.  We then use the point and click Edit - Join dialog to rapidly join that data, automatically aggregated as we desire, into a world map for visualization.

 

Example: Find Percentages of Open Space in ZIP Code Areas - Given a drawing showing ZIP codes as areas (polygons) and another drawing showing open spaces like parks and nature preserves, we add a field to each ZIP code area that gives the percentage of open space in that ZIP code area.  The workflow we show handles situations where some open space regions overlap multiple ZIP code areas, correctly reckoning only that part of the open space within each ZIP code area.

 

Example: Create a Map Showing OSM Use by Country -  A start-to-finish real life example of map creation that combines various Manifold capabilities.  Copying a table of numbers from a web site, we create a map that is thematically colored to show usage of OpenStreetMap by country in proportion to the population of that country.

 

Example: Compare Sizes of Countries - An example that combines multiple facilities within Manifold to create a presentation that allows comparison of the relative sizes of different countries.

 

Example: Convert a 0 to 360 Degree Projection - We often encounter data, both images and drawings, using latitude and longitude degrees that appears to be in Latitude / Longitude projection but which has longitude values from 0 degrees to 360 degrees and latitude values from 0 degrees to 180 degrees, instead of the usual arrangement of -180 degrees to 180 degrees for longitude centered on the Prime Meridian, and -90 degrees to 90 degrees for latitude centered on the Equator.  This example shows how to utilize such data by assigning the correct projection.

 

Example: Split Highways by States -  We use the Split template cut operation to split interstate highways in the US by boundaries of US states, and then we transfer a state name to highway lines within that state by using the Join dialog.

 

Example: Join Districts to Building Footprints - Given a map of a city with a drawing layer containing the footprints of buildings as polygonal areas, and a second drawing layer containing districts in the city as polygonal areas, we use the Join dialog to add a new attribute field to each building giving the district in which it is located.   We consider first the simple case where district boundaries always fall between buildings, so buildings are always only in one district.  Next, we deal with the case where buildings can straddle district boundaries, so parts of the same building can be in different districts.  In that case we use the Transform pane to quickly build centroids for building footprints, and then we use the centroids to guide the spatial join.

 

Example: Vector Layers from an ArcGIS REST Feature Server - Visit an ESRI web site, copy a URL, and then use that URL to connect to an ArcGIS REST web server that shows petroleum fields in Kansas, getting the data as a vector drawing layer. Style the layer as if it were local.  ESRI refers to ArcGIS REST servers that provide vector data as feature servers.  

 

Example: Connect to a WMS Server for National Map Layers - Visit the National Map services web page, copy a URL for a shaded relief layer from USGS, and then use Style to enhance that shaded relief data for combination with other layers and really spectacular effects.

 

Example: Create USGS File Names with Transform - NAIP images cover almost all of the United States with aerial photography in 4 bands at 1 meter or 0.6 meter resolution.  We would like to download NAIP images for our areas of interest via direct download from the USGS archives on Amazon AWS.  We can create our own indices for NAIP imagery by using the Transform pane to extract and transform the data we want from generic USGS indices for quads and quarter-quads.

 

Example: Georegister a Drone Photo - We take a raster image, a drone photograph in Everson, Washington, that was imported from an ordinary .jpg file, and we georegister it using a map that shows a Google Satellite view of the same region, casting the drone photo into Pseudo-Mercator projection.   We use previews to see how well the control points we have added will work, before creating a georegistered image.

 

Example: Georegister a Vector Drawing - We take a vector drawing with an unknown coordinate system that shows the provinces of Mexico and we georeference it to a map containing a Bing Streets web-served layer, casting the Mexico drawing into Pseudo-Mercator coordinate system.  We begin the process using only two coordinate points and then we do a preview to see where accuracy of the proposed georeferencing result should be improved by adding more control points.  We add more control points and then georeference the Mexico drawing with good accuracy.

 

Example: Georegister a Whole World Image - We make a screenshot of a map we see on the web that covers the whole world, from +/- 90 degrees of latitude and +/- 180 degrees of longitude.  The image shows the position and geology of continents as they were 200 million years ago.  We georeference the image using four control points placed at the  +/- 90 degrees and +/- 180 degrees corners, using a target map with a Bing streets background layer.  We use the Show Coordinates option in the Register pane to quickly set exact target control point locations.  As a bonus, we show how to knock out "background" pixels if our image is a palette image.

 

Example: Edit Tables with the Transform Pane - This topic shows how fast and easy it is to edit tables using the Transform pane.  Repetitive edits applying similar changes to different fields can be done rapidly with highly efficient workflow.  Best of all, on the fly previews make it easy to use sophisticated editing techniques like regular expressions without fear of getting something wrong.

 

Example: Unique Names using Regular Expressions - We have a table with a text field that contains a list of names, separated by commas.  Some of the names are repeated.   We would like to transform the list of names into a similar list, but without any repetitions of names.   This topic shows how using a regular expression.   It shows the power and speed of a concise regular expression, and the flexibility with which regular expressions can be used in SQL queries as well as in the Transform pane.

 

Example: Create and Use a Survey Form - Create a new survey form on the KoBoToolbox site, and then modify the form to provide a starting view for map widgets used to collect locations.  Use the form to collect data in the field, automatically syncing collected data into our KoBo account on the KoBo servers.

 

Example: Connect to Data Collected in the Field - Use the Web Server: kobo dataport to connect to KoBo servers, using your KoBo account's API key to automatically authenticate your connection to your KoBo projects on the server, with automatic linking of data from those servers as tables and drawings in the Manifold project.  Use KoBo data to create a map of restaurants surveyed in Chartres, France.   Add new data and refresh to see new locations appear in the Manifold map.

 

Status Bar - Scale - A topic from the user manual that reads like an Examples topic because of the many step-by-step examples in it.

Tables and Queries Examples

Example: Editing Records in a Table - How to edit the contents of an existing record using mouse and keyboard.

 

Example: Adding Records to a Table - How to add a new record to a table using mouse and keyboard.

 

Example: Create a Table and Add a Record - Create a table with required fields and then add a record with value for those fields.  Creates the OGR-required table to prepare a Manifold project for use by OGR as detailed in the Example: Connect to Radian from QGIS topic.

 

Example: Add a Field to a Table and Fill It - We add a field to a table and simultaneously for all records fill the field with a specified value.   We do that in two examples, first a very simple one and second, a more elaborate example that also shows restriction to a selection as well as use of the Transform pane.

 

Example: Add a Computed Field to a Table - In this example we add a computed field to a table, illustrating how the computed field automatically changes when changes are made in the fields it uses for computation.   We also show how computed fields can use geometry, automatically updating centroids when areas are changed.  Last, we show how geometry can be created using computed fields, to create effective radius circles for antennas based on the power of the antenna.

 

Example: Add a Second Computed Geom Field to a Table  - We can create tables with more than one geom field in the table and then we can create drawings which use those additional geom fields.   This topic shows how to create a second geom that is a computed field based on the first geom.  The topic also shows some "real world" methods, such as how to remember the use of a geometry function to do what we want, and how to restore a geom that has been moved.    We close with some illustrations of how multiple geoms might be used, and how selection from any drawing or labels based on the same record selects the corresponding objects or labels in all other components based on that record.

 

Example: Expression Context and Computed Fields - When creating a computed field in the Schema dialog, using the Expression Context tab can increase efficiency, legibility, and maintainability of the expressions that power the computed field.

 

Example: Create a Table with a Constraint - Create a simple table that includes a simple constraint upon one of its fields.  

 

Adding an Index to a Table - A basic topic on adding an index using the built-in capabilities of the mfd_id field.

 

Example: Add a UUID-based Index to a Table - Create a new computed field that is filled with UUID values on creation and then create an index on that field.   This technique creates an indexed field that has guaranteed unique values for all records and thus the indexed field and record values may be used in other projects.

 

Example: Add a Spatial Index to a Table - A typical use of an index is to provide a spatial index on a geom field in a table, so the geom data can be visualized in a drawing.  This example shows how to add a spatial index using a geom field in a table.

 

Example: Create a Geocoded Table from a Drawing - A partner example to Example: Create a Drawing from a Geocoded Table   A geocoded table has records with a latitude and longitude for each record.   This example starts with a table for a drawing of points where the geom field in the table contains geometry information for each point.   We extract the Y and X locations for each point  from the geom field to create latitude and longitude fields in the table for each record.

 

Example: Street Address Geocoding -  Geocode a table of street addresses using the Google geocoder.

 

SQL Example: Create a Table with a Constraint via a Query -  A simple example using SQL to create a table with a constraint.

 

SQL Example: Force an Anomaly in Constraints - Constraints are only evaluated when we insert or update records.   If a constraint refers to external data, such as the values in a different table, we can force an anomalous condition where the table with the constraint may contain data that no longer meets the requirements of the constraint.

 

SQL Example: Using the mfd_id Field and mfd_id_x Index - A sequence of SQL examples of working with the mfd_id field and mfd_id_x index.   

 

Example: Create a Table from Locations - Create a table that contains, as records, all of the Locations components in a project.  Each record contains the Name, Latitude, Longitude, and Scale of a location.  We use simple, point-and-click operations using the Select and Transform panes.

Queries Examples

Example: Create and Run a Query -  See how the different parts of a command window operate when creating and running SQL queries.   Includes use of the Log tab as well as the ?expression and !fullfetch commands.

 

Example: Export the Results of a Query - How to export the results table of a query for use in other applications.

 

Example: Refer to a Table within a Data Source -  Within a query, how to refer to a table that is in a data source.

 

Example: Switching between Manifold and Native Query Engines - How to use the !manifold and !native commands to switch a query in the Command window from use the Manifold query engine to whatever query engine is provided by a data source.

 

Example: Automatically Generating CREATE Queries - How to use the Command window to automatically generate SQL in the form of CREATE queries that create a desired component.

 

SQL Example: Miscellaneous SQL Functions - A variety of small examples using SQL functions.

 

SQL Example: Create Lines from a Table of Points - A classic task in GIS is to rebuild objects from data in file formats, such as CSV, which decompose GIS objects like lines or areas into individual points.  In this example we recover the original lines from a table of points that has been imported from a CSV file.   The points mark the positions of coordinates (vertices) that originally represented lines marking the boundaries of ice shelves in Antarctica.  Each point has a field giving the line of which it was a part, and also a field giving the order of the point within that line.   We use SQL and Manifold SQL functions to build lines from that table, automatically grouping points from each line in the correct order to reconstruct each line.

 

SQL Example: GeomOverlayAdjacent Function - Using the GeomOverlayAdjacent function, an example that shows how this function and similar functions such as GeomOverlayContained, GeomOverlayContaining, GeomOverlayIntersecting and GeomOverlayTouching operate.

 

SQL Example: GeomOverlayTopologyUnion Function - A continuation of the SQL Example: GeomOverlayAdjacent Function example, using the GeomOverlayTopologyUnion function, an example that shows how this function and similar functions such as GeomOverlayTopologyIdentity, GeomOverlayTopologyIntersect and GeomOverlayTopologyUpdate operate.

 

SQL Example: Extract Airport Runways from an OpenStreetMap PBF - We write a simple SQL query using INNER JOIN to extract runway lines from an OpenStreetMap PBF of Cyprus, and to save those lines to a new drawing and table.

 

SQL Example: Compute Area of an NDVI Interval - We use a small query to calculate the total area covered by pixels within a given NDVI interval range in an NDVI raster image.  For example, if our NDVI intervals have an interval colored in a shade of brown that indicate regions without foliage, we can calculate the total area covered by such regions.   If we made such calculations for the same region, perhaps by computing NDVI rasters for different years in which NAIP images were acquired, we could quickly see if regions without foliage were increasing or decreasing in area.

 

Data Sources Examples

Example: Closing without Saving - An example that shows how File - Close without saving the project can affect local tables and components differently from those saved already into a data source, such as an .mdb file database.

 

Example: Create a New Data Source from a Web Server - Many web servers are image servers, providing image.  tiles for a geographic view to browsers or to applications.  Typical image servers are Bing, Google Maps, Yandex and many others. Image servers can provide street maps, overhead satellite imagery, combinations of streets and satellite imagery and other data as well.  This topic shows how to create a new data source that is an image server.  Using image servers is one of the most popular Manifold features.

 

Example: Create a New Data Source from a MAP File - Create a new data source from an existing Manifold .map project file.   This is the classic way to nest projects, one calling another, to create libraries of data and projects.   Access to nested projects has effectively zero performance loss and the links within projects take up effectively zero space so we can create huge constellations of data at our fingertips.

 

Example: Create a Data Source within an Existing Data Source - When a data source is writable, for example, if the data source is a Manifold .map file, we can work within that data source as if it were at the top level of our project.   For example, we can create a new data source that is nested within the existing data source.   This example shows how.

 

Example: Create and Use New Data Source using an MDB Database - This example Illustrates the step-by-step creation of a new data source using an .mdb file database, followed by use of SQL.  Although now deprecated in favor of the more current Access Database Engine formats, .mdb files are ubiquitous in the Microsoft world, one of the more popular file formats in which file databases are encountered.  

 

Example: Link GPKG and Save Style - A companion topic to the GPKG topic.   How to link a GPKG, open a drawing, Style it and then save so the styling is retained within the GPKG file.

 

Example: Convert an ESRI File Geodatabase into a .map Project - How to convert data in ESRI's current file geodatabase format into a  Manifold .map project in a single step.  We convert ESRI's example NapervilleGas GDB geodatabase, all 857 files, into a single, unified Manifold .map project.

 

Example: Convert an ESRI Personal Geodatabase into a .map Project - How to convert data in ESRI's legacy personal geodatabase format into a  Manifold .map project in a single step.

 

Example: Connect to a WFS Server for State Government Data - Gathering our courage, we connect to a WFS server that provides 1200 vector layers, run by the state of Massachusetts.   We open a layer showing airports and then scrape the vector data into our own local storage.  

 

Example: Connect to a Custom Server for Cadastral Data - We connect to a custom image server that provides cadastral information originally from the French national cartographic agency, IGN.  We create a map and use the Style pane to re-style the web served image on the fly into a more usable form.

 

Example: Connect to a Custom OpenRailwayMap Server - We connect to a custom server that provides an OpenRailwayMap view of railroads worldwide, showing railway, tram, and subway infrastructure based on OpenStreetMap data.  Our first try at creating a data source does not work.  After consulting the Log Window we try again with a slight adjustment and our second try works.

 

Example: Connect to an OSM Vector Server - We connect to an OSM Server that provides a vector layer containing points and lines in the OpenStreetMap database.  We then show how to scrape (copy) data from the OpenStreetMap server into local storage.  We extract building footprints from the local copy.

 

Example: Raster Layers from an ArcGIS REST Image Server - Visit an ESRI web site, copy a URL, and then use that URL to connect to an ArcGIS REST web server that provide a raster layer showing a mosaic of aerial photographs near Portland, Oregon.

 

Selection Examples

Example: Select a Range of Records in a Table - We can select or deselect a range of records between any two records in a table window using fast and easy mouse commands.

 

Example: Mouse Selection in a Drawing Window - Using the mouse to select objects in a drawing window.   This could be a drawing layer in a map or simply in a drawing window.

 

Example: Combining Selections using the Select Pane - How to use selections to solve a one-off problem casually that would be more difficult to solve rigorously with SQL.   The objective in the example's scenario is to visit a point of tourist interest while travelling.    We will use the Transform pane as well as the Select pane.

 

SQL Example: Using Selection Query Functions - How to manipulate selections within a query.

 

Example: Using Select Pane Templates - A sequence of actions using Select pane templates.

 

Example: Using Select Pane Expressions - Make selections by writing snippets of SQL into the Select pane Expression template.

Drawings Examples

Example: Draw Lines, Areas and Points - Simple example of using basic mouse moves to add points, lines and areas to a drawing.

 

Example: Drawings use Geom Fields in Tables  - An essential discussion on how drawings are created from geom fields in tables, including how the drawing knows which coordinate system to use.

 

Example: Repair a Wrong Edit using a Backup - How to quickly make a backup table and to then copy and paste geometry from that table to repair errors made when editing objects.  This technique is a life-saver when edits go astray.

 

Example: Multiple Drawings from the Same Table - Illustrates how easy it is to create multiple drawings that use the same table and same geometry by copying and pasting an existing drawing.  Each new drawing takes no additional storage space in the project, but can be formatted differently.   

 

Example: Two Drawings from the Same Table - Take a table with a geom field that is visualized by a drawing.  Add a second geom field to the table and create an rtree index on that field so it can be visualized by a drawing.   Copy the first drawing, paste it and adjust the pasted copy so it uses the second geom field. Demonstrate how to use the Transform pane to show "live" modifications in the second drawing compared to the first drawing.

 

Example: Create Custom North Arrows with Manual Edits - This topic uses the map of Italy created in the Rotated Views topic.  This topic shows how to add embellisments to a map by creating objects in drawing layers.  In this example we create custom North arrows as a way to learn how to create and edit objects in drawings.

 

Example: Create a Drawing from a Geocoded Table - A partner example to Example: Create a Geocoded Table from a Drawing   A geocoded table has records with a latitude and longitude for each record.   This example starts with a table containing a list of cities with a latitude and longitude field for the location of each city.   We create a geom from the latitude and longitude fields using a template in the Transform pane and then we create a drawing that shows the cities as points.  This example shows all the infrastructure steps involved.

 

Example: Create a Drawing Dynamically from a Geocoded Table - A more general, cooler way to create a drawing from a geocoded table, without adding any fields to the table.   We create a small query that generates geometry on the fly, and then we create a drawing from the query.   This is how more advanced users often do it, using a technique that is perfect for creating drawings from tables in remote DBMS packages or read-only files.

 

Example: Create a Drawing from Read-Only Geocoded CSV File - A detailed example using a mix of dialogs and SQL to create a drawing that shows data from an external, read-only geocoded CSV file that is linked into the project.  

 

Example: Create a Drawing from a Query - Everybody knows we can create a drawing from a table, but we can also create a drawing from a query.  When the query reports different results the drawing changes too.   This example show step by step how to create a query and then how to create a drawing from that query.   We show how to command Manifold to write a query for us that grabs a selection, and then how to create a drawing based on that new query.   This example duplicates the Drawings from Queries video using the Mexico_queries.mxb sample project that may be downloaded from the Examples page on the Manifold web site.  

 

Example: Create a Line using the Info Pane - Step by step creation and modification of a line in a drawing using the Info pane Coordinates tab.

 

Example: Create an Area with a Hole - Create an area in a drawing where the area includes one or more holes.  This is similar to how we create areas that have islands as part of the area.   

 

Example: Create an Area with Holes and Islands - Create an area in a drawing where the area includes holes and also islands.

 

Example: Create a Multipoint - This topic provides two examples:  First we create a multipoint and then next we create a multipoint having two branches.  The purpose of this topic is to help teach the implementation of geometry in Manifold and other spatial packages using an unusual and rarely met object type, the multipoint, which combines what appear to be many separate points into a single multipoint object.

 

Example: Edit Coordinates While Creating an Object - When creating an object in a map using a tool such as Create Area, right in the middle of the process we can edit coordinates in the Info pane Coordinates tab.   This example shows the step by step process.

 

Example: Edit Attributes and Move a Point - We look at the attributes for a point in a drawing layer and edit one of the attributes using a more expanded Edit dialog.  We then move the point to a new location. Easy!

 

Example: Edit Attributes, Larger Text, IME for Asian Languages - A tour showing how to edit attributes in a drawing using the Info pane Values tab and the expanded Edit dialog, including advanced Unicode facilities and use of the built in Input Method Editor (IME) to input text in Japanese language.

 

Example: Change the Shape of Areas - Step-by-step editing of an existing area in a drawing: changing the shape by moving a vertex, by moving several vertices together, by moving the entire object, by deleting a vertex and by adding a vertex.

 

Example: Edit Areas in a Layer to Align with Another Layer - Editing areas in one layer so their boundaries align, either all or in part, with boundaries of areas in a different layer is a common task in GIS and CAD. For example, we might want area boundaries in a layer with different zoning areas for tax or regulatory purposes to be guided by the boundaries of administrative jurisdictions, such as the boundaries of cities, in a different layer.  This example shows how, using fast and simple techniques.  

 

Example: Add Vertices in the Middle of a Line being Created - During the creation of a new object we can go back and make corrections, additions and deletions to coordinates already marked.  In this example we start creating a new line, and then notice we have skipped over some locations we wanted to click.  We go back to add those vertices (coordinates), and then we continue with creating the line.

 

Example: Create Parcels from Traverse Files - Traverse files using ESRI traverse file format are widely used by surveyors and government organizations in the US to define parcels and lines by describing a sequence of directions, distances and curves from a starting point.  Manifold automatically handles both tangent and non-tangent curves in ESRI traverse file format as well as the full variety of options used to specify angles, distances and curves.  This video shows how it's easy to create a parcel from a traverse file.

 

Example: Edit Covered Objects - Working with drawings where some areas completely cover smaller areas is a bad idea, but sometimes we have to work with data in that form whether we like it or not.   This topic shows techniques that can help us select and edit objects that are completely hidden by higher objects.

 

Example: Tanaka Contours - Also known as illuminated contours, Tanaka contours give the appearance of three dimensionality to contour lines by brightening lines on a slope facing a presumed light source while darkening lines on a slope facing away from the light source.  Lines are also made wider when perpendicular to the light source.  This topic shows how to create the Tanaka effect in contour lines.

 

SQL Example: Kriging - We use SQL functions to create a raster terrain elevation image from vector contour lines in a drawing, using SQL functions for Kriging interpolation.

 

Style Examples

Example: Format a Drawing using the Style Pane - In this example we provide a first, step by step look at how to format areas in a drawing using the Style pane.  We can specify the same formatting for all areas or use a field to automatically set formatting, a process usually known as thematic formatting.

 

Example: Format the Size of City Points by Population - A common GIS task is to format the size of points in a drawing based on some value.  For example, the size of points that represent cities might be formatted based on the value of the city's population, with cities that have larger populations being marked by larger point icons.  This is an example of thematic formatting and is easy to do using the Style dialog.

 

Example: Formatting Tricks - The visualization capabilities of Manifold using Style can be exploited to provide many visual effects.   This topic provides some examples of how to use Style in unexpected ways to create a range of more elaborate effects.

 

Example: How Not to Format a Drawing -  When using Style to format a drawing it is a really bad idea to use the same color for objects that is used for the background color.    It can also be a bad idea to use transparent color.   This topic illustrates why.

 

Example: Add, Delete and Edit Thematic Formatting Intervals - This topic provides a step by step example of adding, deleting and editing intervals in the Style dialog that are used for thematic formatting.

 

Example: Style Overrides - Working with style overrides to individually style areas, to use or not use style overrides, to find all records using style overrides and to clear style overrides.

 

Example: Complex Point Style using a Circle Box - This example creates a complex point style, which uses a variety of different colors within the different effects tabs in the Point Style dialog.

 

Example: Point Style using Move and Rotate -  The Move parameter for symbols allows us to move symbols in an angular direction even as we rotate them.   This example shows how to create point symbols that are clock faces with hands, using Move and Rotate.

 

Example: Line Style with Multiple Effects -  We can use effects from all of the Line Style dialog tabs to create a more complex line style.  This example shows how to create a line style with an arrowhead symbol at the end of the line, a symbol at the beginning of the line and accessory lines in different colors to the left and right of the main line.

 

Example: Fill Areas with Bitmap Images - We can use bitmap images as "fill" symbology for areas, including for the fill of the area itself, or as fill for Inner or Outer effects.  In this example we use Style Overrides to fill different areas in a map of provinces with a different bitmap image pattern.

 

Example: Use Repeating Images to Fill Areas - Areas are often filled with bitmap images that form a seamless pattern when tiled.  If we like, we can use any bitmap image that can be used as a symbol, which will repeat within the area.

 

Example: Inner and Outer Effects using a Bitmap - The Inner and Outer effects with area styles can use bitmap images for fills.   We first illustrate an Outer effect using a bitmap, and then add an Inner effect.

 

Example: Style Properties in the mfd_meta Table - Style properties for drawings such as colors for areas are stored in human readable JSON values as properties in the mfd_meta system table.   This example shows how we can copy formatting from one drawing to another by simply copying values between records in the mfd_meta table.

 

Images Examples

Example: How Images use Tiles from Tables - An example showing how an image is made up from data stored in a table in tiles.

 

Example: Create Two Images From One Table - More than one image can show data from the same table, including from the same tile field.

 

Example: An Image using Computed Fields in a Table - How an image can be created from tiles where the data for the tiles is taken from a field that is computed on the fly.

 

Example: Change the Contrast of an Image - In this example we use the Style dialog to change the contrast of an image.

 

Example: Using the Assign Channels Button - The Assign Channels button in the Style pane for images allows us to assign channels to the standard three Red, Green, and Blue display outputs using frequently-desired arrangements.   The button provides a short cut way to assign all channels at once instead of doing each channel individually.

 

Example: Assign Channels - How to use the Style pane for images to assign channels to display outputs such as R, G, B or A.  This topic shows examples of channel combinations and the visual results.

 

Example: Display an NAIP Four Band Image as Color Infrared (CIR) - How to use the Style pane for images to re-assign channels in a four band NAIP image to produce a Color Infrared (CIR) image display.

 

Example: Shuffle Channels with a Raster Self Join - We use the Join dialog to rearrange channels within an image,   Starting with a four channel image that has RGB plus infrared channels, we rearrange the order of channels so that infrared values are in the first channel powering the red output, red values are in the second channel powering the green output, and green values are in the third channel the blue output.   This is the classic Color Infrared (CIR) channel arrangement.  Unlike a virtual rearrangement using Style shown in the  Example: Display an NAIP Four Band Image as Color Infrared (CIR) topic, rearranging channels in this way changes the structure of the data so that any exported image will retain the new arrangement.

 

Example: Set Image Transparency using Alpha - The A row in the Style dialog allows us to specify what transparency we want to apply to the image, either by applying the same value for A for all pixels or by using one of the other channels to also control the A value.

 

Example: Autocontrast and Hill Shading Images using Style - This example shows how the Edit - Style dialog can hill shade an image using the values of pixels as heights and generating shadows as if the Sun were located at the specified azimuth and altitude.   This capability is used most frequently with raster images to give an impression of three dimensionality in cases where the values of pixels represent terrain elevations.

 

Example: Style Applied to an Image Server Image - Because the Style dialog simply changes the way an image is displayed and not the data, it can operate on read-only data served by various web servers such as WMS REST servers.    In this example we look at every detail of creating a data source using a WMS REST  server and then manipulating the appearance of the display with Style.  We will connect to a WMS server that provides LiDAR data in various forms, including as terrain elevation.

 

SQL Example: Re-tile an Image using a Different Tile Size - Starting with an image that uses a tile size of 128 x 128 pixels this SQL example creates a copy of the image using 500 x 500 pixel tiles.

 

Example: Merge Images - A step-by-step example using the Merge Images command showing how to merge dozens of images showing SRTM terrain elevation data into one image, with various tricks for faster workflow as an experienced Manifold user would do the job.  After creating the new image we style it with a palette and use hill shading to better show terrain elevation.

 

Example: Resize an Image using Merge - We can change the size of an image while maintaining georegistration by using the Merge Images command.  This example shows how to take an image that is 3,038 x 4,334 pixels in size, using approximately 36 meter pixels, and to create a re-sampled image that is 1,115 x 1,590 pixels in size, using 100 meter pixels.  

 

Example: Rescale a Raster Image - See how to rescale pixel values from one raster image, using a given range of values such as 8 bit unsigned integers, into a new raster image using a different range of values such as 16 bit unsigned integers, so that the relative distribution of pixel values, that is, the histogram, does not change.

 

SQL Example: Acquire Pixel Values within Areas - Given a map with two layers, an image layer that provides terrain elevations and a drawing with area objects, we use the TileGeomToValues function to find the three highest pixels in the image within each area object in the drawing.

 

SQL Example: Process Images with 3x3 Filters -  Shows a step-by-step example of developing an SQL query that takes a query written by the Edit Query button and then modifies that query into a general purpose query that can apply any 3x3 filter.   This makes it easy to use matrix filters we find on the web for custom image processing.   We extend the query by using parameters and adding a function, and then show how it can be adapted to use a 5x5 filter.

 

SQL Example: Process Images using Dual 3x3 Filters  - A continuation of the above topic, extending the example query to utilize two filters for processing, as commonly done with Sobel and Prewitt two filter processing.

 

SQL Example: Process RGB Images using Matrix Filters - A continuation of the above two topics, extending the example query to process three channel, RGB images.

 

SQL Example: Create NDVI Displays - How to create a query that creates an NDVI display from a four-band NAIP image, with tips and tricks on how to copy and paste existing information to get the result we want.

 

SQL Example: Create Topographic Position Index TPI Displays - In this example, we use a few short lines of SQL to create a Topographic Position Index (TPI) display.  TPI characterizes the undulations of a terrain elevation surface.  TPI value above zero show locations that are higher than then average of immediately surrounding terrain, and thus tend to show ridges.   TPI values below zero show locations that are lower than the average of immediately surrounding terrain, and thus tend to show valleys.  TPI values that are zero show areas of constant slope.

 

Example: Enhance Terrain with Curvatures -  We enhance a terrain showing Crater Lake, Oregon, by using mean curvature calculation to bring out details.   The example uses a 4 GB project containing a large terrain elevation surface.  Using a point-and-click dialog with no SQL, we apply automatic CPU parallelism and GPU parallelism to absolutely crush a task in two and a half minutes that would take non-parallel software days.

 

Layout Examples

Example: Layout Properties - Editing properties which appear in the mfd_meta table for a layout changes the content of that layout.   We can exploit that effect to create standardized layouts which are then re-cycled for different content.

 

Format Examples

Example: Import AutoCAD DWG and Georeference - Neither AutoCAD DXF nor AutoCAD DWG format provide coordinate system information.  This example shows a typical case where documentation provided on the web site from which we have downloaded a DWG allows us to quickly and simply georeference the imported drawing.

 

Example: Import AutoCAD DXF and Georeference - Neither AutoCAD DXF nor AutoCAD DWG format provide coordinate system information.  This example shows a typical case where we import a DXF using an unknown coordinate system, but based on a lucky guess we accurately georeference the imported drawing.   

 

Example: Import an ESRI ADF File and Apply Style and Hillshading - In this example we import an ESRI ADF format file that provides a raster terrain elevation data set for the region near Yosemite National Park in the United States.   The data set imports as an image.  We then use Style to style the image and to provide hillshading.

 

Example: Import BIL and Combine 3 Bands - A very technical example in which we import a BIL file that produces three images, each using one band from the BIL.  We then create an image that uses the three bands for R, G and B.

 

Example: Import CSV and Create a Drawing - Import a CSV file by creating a New Data Source, copying and pasting the table conveyed by the CSV, prepping the table for use as a geocoded table and then creating a drawing.  

 

Example: Import CTG Grid Cell File and Style - A companion topic to the Example: Import GIRAS vector LULC File and Style topic.  We import a CTG LULC Grid Cell file containing raster data showing land use and land cover and then we use Style to provide a more understandable display.

 

Example: Import DDF SDTS DEM Raster File - We import a raster data terrain elevation surface from USGS SDTS format using DDF files.

 

Example: Import DDF SDTS DLG Vector File - We import a vector data roads drawing from USGS SDTS format using DDF files.   We use the Select pane to quickly reduce the data to line objects only, excluding points and area objects.

 

Example: Import E00 and Rearrange - An intricate example showing how to use Manifold tools to adapt legacy data imported from E00 format into useful, modern form.  We also use the Join dialog to add a column.

 

Example: Import or Link ECW -  Step by step examples showing how to link an image from an ECW file into a project and also how to import an image from an ECW file into a project.

 

Example: Import GeoJSON File - Import vector footprints for all buildings in the District of Columbia, using a GeoJSON file published as open data by Microsoft.

 

Example: Import GIRAS vector LULC File and Style - A companion topic to the Example: Import CTG Grid Cell File and Style topic.   We import a USGS land use file in GIRAS vector format and then we use Style to provide a more understandable display.

 

Example: Import GML / OS Open Map Local - Import an Ordnance Survey, UK, vector map in GML format from the OS Open Map - Local series.

 

Example: Import from GPKG and Modify Geometry - This topic provides a complete example that shows a simple, but typical, task involving spatial data.  We import a country-sized data set from GeoPackage (GPKG) format, change all areas in the data to the boundary lines for those areas, and then save those boundary lines as a new drawing and table.

 

Example: Import KML with GroundOverlay Image - KML files can contain GroundOverlay references to images that are stored in other files and which are intended to be used as part of the KML.  Manifold will automatically import GroundOverlay images that are stored on the local machine or which are accessible through local network references as part of the KML import.  

 

Example: Import Multiple MapInfo TAB Images - MapInfo TAB format can store images as well as vector drawings.  This example shows how multiple images at the same time can be imported from TAB format.

 

Example: Link NLCD using Scan Raw Binary File - Use the Scan Raw Binary File tool to scan and to prepare a configuration file, which we use to link an NLCD raw binary file providing land cover data for Delaware as a raster image.   We use a standard palette to color the land cover data and then we assign a projection to the newly imported image so it can be used as a correctly georegistered layer in maps.

 

Example: Import ERDAS GIS with GDAL and Assign Coordinate System - A multistep example that covers import of an unwieldy format using GDAL, followed by use of Assign Initial Coordinate System and Repair Initial Coordinate System to deal quickly with real-life complications.

 

Example: Create Terrain Elevation Raster from a NASA PDS Table - A long, multistep example showing many powerful features of Manifold in various steps.  We import terrain elevation raster data from a NASA PDS archive and style the images with an elevation palette and hillshading.  We notice one of the images was wrongly georegistered by NASA, so we import the original LiDAR point data from a table in the PDS archive.  We transform the imported table from 0 to 360 degree longitudes into +/-180 longitudes, construct a geometry field, and then we create a drawing from the table that shows the LiDAR point data in the table.  Next, we use Kriging to create a terrain elevation raster from the LiDAR point drawing, and then we style that and hillshade it so it can be exactly overlaid on a Bing satellite layer to enhance the satellite photography with enhanced terrain relief.

 

Join Dialog Examples

Join Example: Add Publisher Name to a Table of Book Titles - A table to table join:  We use the Join dialog to add the name of a book's publisher to a table that has a list of book titles.

 

Join Example: Join Data from Many Records into One Record - A table to table join:  We take data from many records and add that into a single record, as a list, as an average and as a maximum value from the many records.

 

Join Example: Joins between Data Sources - The Join dialog works with tables and queries within the same data source.   This topic shows how to use tables and queries from other data sources by aliasing them into the current data source.

 

Join Example: Joins Entirely within an External Data Source - The Join dialog also works when both the original table and the joined table are in an external data source, assuming that data source is not read-only and it allows modification of tables.   This topic provides an example where both the original table and the joined table are in an external data source.

 

Join Example: Update an Existing field with Join - In other Join examples we add new fields to the original table, which are then populated with data from the joined table.   We can also populate an existing field in the original table with data from the joined table.  This topic shows how.

 

Join Example: Converting between Different Data Types - When using the Add button in the Join dialog to add new fields to an original table, there is no need for conversion since the data type of the newly-added field will be the same as the data type as the field from the joined table that was chosen to populate the new field.    However, when using the Join dialog to load data from the joined table into existing fields in the original table, the data types may be different, but close enough that automatic conversion can occur.  This example topic explores such automatic conversion, and shows how to control rounding.

 

Join Example: Join into a Query - A table to query spatial join:  The source, joined table used with the Join dialog can be a query, but the Join dialog also can also use a query as the target, original table, to be used to copy data into the query. We create a query and then copy data from the publishers table into the query using the Join dialog.

 

Join Example: Join into a Query into a Selection - A table to query spatial join:  A table to query spatial join:  The source, joined table used with the Join dialog can be a query, but the Join dialog also can also use a query as the target, original table, to be used to copy data into the query. We create a query and then copy data from the publishers table into the query using the Join dialog.  We write the query so it steers the joined data only into selected records.

 

Spatial Join Example: Add Names of Provinces to Cities - A drawing to drawing spatial join:  Given a drawing of cities and a drawing of provinces, we copy the name of the province in which it is located to each city.

 

Spatial Join Example: Add State Names to Cities - A drawing to drawing spatial join:  Given a drawing of cities and a drawing of states in the US, we copy the name of the state in which it is located to each city.

 

Spatial Join Example: Add the Sum of City Populations to States - A drawing to drawing spatial join:  Given a drawing of cities in the US, with a population for each city, and a drawing of states, we sum the population of each city located in a state to get the population for that state.  

 

Spatial Join Example: Join Areas to Areas - A drawing to drawing spatial join:  Given a drawing showing circular buffer zones, and a drawing of provinces in Mexico, we explore the results of different spatial joins between the provinces and buffer zones, showing the effect of touches and contains join criteria, and the effect of different transfer options, such as union areas, copy and more.

 

Spatial Join Example: A Spatial Self Join - A drawing to drawing spatial join where the same drawing is used both as the source, joined drawing and the target, original drawing.   A self join is when a drawing or table is joined to itself.    This is one of those nuanced concepts in data science and SQL that the Join dialog makes easy.  We consider a classic example, doing a self join using a spatial relationship.   We then apply that example to find small gaps in line sequences, a typical job when cleaning up sequences of lines that are to be used as road or other networks.

 

Spatial Join Example: Copy Terrain Heights to Points - An image to drawing spatial join:  Given a raster terrain image that shows terrain elevations, and a drawing of points, we transfer the heights in the terrain elevation raster at the location of each point into a new Height attribute for each point in the drawing.  We will use a map similar to that used in the Example: Transfer DEM Terrain Heights to Areas in a Drawing  topic.  This example is directly analogous to that example, but instead of using ESRI-style overlays we do the same thing more easily using the Join dialog.

 

Spatial Join Example: Copy Terrain Heights to Parcel Areas - An image to drawing spatial join:  Given a raster terrain image that shows terrain elevations, and a drawing of areas, we transfer average height within the terrain elevation raster within each area into a new Height attribute for each area in the drawing.  We will use a map similar to that used in the Example: Transfer DEM Terrain Heights to Areas in a Drawing  topic.  This example is directly analogous to that example,  but instead of using ESRI-style overlays we do the same thing more easily using the Join dialog.

 

Spatial Join Example: Transfer Drawing Attributes into Image Pixels - A drawing to image spatial join:  Given a raster terrain image that shows terrain elevations, and a drawing of areas with Z value for each area, we transfer the Z value for each area into the pixels in the terrain that fall within that area.   We show how the Join dialog works when areas do not overlap, and what happens when multiple areas overlap so a given pixel in the terrain might fall within more than one area.   

 

Spatial Join Example: Create RGB Image with a Raster Join - A raster to raster join:  Given three images, each of which is a single channel image containing only red channel, blue channel or green channel data, we use the Join dialog to join the three images into a new RGB image.

 

Example: Import E00 and Rearrange - An intricate example showing how to use Manifold tools to adapt legacy data imported from E00 format into useful, modern form.  We also use the Join dialog to add a column.

 

Example: Trace Vector Areas from Raster Pixels - This example follows the Trace Vector Areas from Raster Pixels video on the Gallery page.   We use the Trace Areas template in the Transform pane for images to create a drawing with vector areas covering regions of similarly-colored pixels.  Next, we use the Join dialog to add classification codes.   To show how to do the same thing using SQL, we use a simple query to add classification codes from a USGS table of classes to the resulting drawing, using a simple INNER JOIN SQL statement.

 

Transform Images Examples

Example: Rearrange Channels using an Expression - We use a simple expression in the Transform pane to rearrange the order of channels within the data.

 

Example: Transform Elevation Image to Flatten Bathymetry to Zero - Using the Transform pane with an image, which contains a single data channel for terrain elevation data for land together bathymetry data for oceans, we use the Expression template in the Transform pane to reset all pixel values less than zero to zero.   This takes all below-zero elevations and sets them to zero, in effect removing bathymetry effects so that ocean areas are represented with zero elevation.  

 

Example: Parallel Speed Increase in an Image Transform - A short example illustrating how using all CPU cores (on by default) increases speed by a factor of four in a simple use of the Transform pane to modify an image.

 

Example: TileMaskRange Expressions - Using the TileMaskRange SQL tile function within an expression in the Transform pane to mark as missing pixels a desired range of pixel values in a single channel Landsat image. The TileMaskRange function is a fast way to eliminate unwanted black or white regions outside of non-rectangular visible pixel regions, like the black border regions in a rotated Landsat image.

 

Example: Find Flatter Areas in Terrain - In this example we find flatter areas in terrain that are suitable for airports, better farm land, or for hobbies like falconing. We import an SRTM file and create a map using Bing Streets as a background layer.  With a few clicks we then create a Slope layer from the terrain elevation layer and then we color the Slope layer so that regions with slope less than 5 degrees are transparent, allowing the underlying base map to show through in "flat" regions.

Transform Examples

Example: Transform Template Units - Templates in  the Transform pane often include parameter boxes using units of measure.  This example uses the Buffer template to show how to change units of measure quickly to whatever units are desired.

 

Example: Copy one Column into Another Column with Transform - How to use the Transform pane to copy the contents of one column in a table into another column, but only for selected records.  Uses the Products table from the Nwind example data set.  

 

Example: Transform Field Values using an Expression in the Transform Pane - How the Expression template in the Transform pane may be used to change the values of fields.  

 

Example: Overlay : Intersect - In this example we use the Overlay : intersect operation in the Transform pane to trim a drawing of points so that all points which do not fall within areas in a second drawing are deleted.   At the end of the topic, we repeat the operation using the Join dialog in a different approach.

 

Example: Merge : areas (dissolve) - In this example we combine multiple area objects into a single area object by using the Merge template in the Transform pane, using the areas (dissolve) option.  A drawing of French regions shows some regions as more than one area.  We would like each region to be one area so the table of regions has one record per region.

 

SQL Example: Learn SQL from Edit Query - Merging Areas - We learn how to write an SQL query that does a Merge : area (dissolve) operation by cutting and pasting from what the Edit Query button automatically generates.

 

Example: Construct JSON String using Select and Transform - Use the Select pane and Transform pane to manually construct a JSON string using values from other fields in a table. Shows how we can manipulate text to build desired contents in a field.

 

Example: Edit a Drawing with Transform Templates - In this example we open a drawing and edit objects in the drawing using Transform pane templates.  Includes examples of saving results to a new component and also the Edit Query button.

 

Example: Use a Transform Expression to Create Buffers in a Drawing - Use the Expression template in the Transform pane to create three different sizes of buffers for different lines in a drawing and then automatically create a query which does the same thing.  Includes examples of saving results to a new component and also the Edit Query button.

 

Example: Clip Areas with a Transform Expression - Use the Expression template in the Transform pane to clip areas in a drawing to fit within horizontal bounds.   Includes examples of saving results to a new component and also the Edit Query button.

 

Example: Simplify Lines with a Transform Expression - Use the Expression template in the Transform pane to make lines smoother in a drawing so that longer lines are smoothed more.  Includes examples of using the Edit Query button to show how different queries are created automatically depending on if we want to update a field or to add a new component.

 

Example: Transform Templates, Expressions and Queries - We learn to use a function by clicking on a template in the Transform pane, seeing what it does in a preview, looking at the query Manifold creates and then trying out the function in the Expression tab.

 

Example: Contour Areas and Contour Lines - In this example we use the Contour : area transform template in the Transform pane for images to create a drawing with vector areas showing height contours at desired altitude steps.   We color the areas using the attribute fields automatically created by the template.  Next, we apply a similar procedure using the Contour : line transform template to create a drawing with vector lines showing height contours at the desired intervals.

 

SQL Example: Custom Contour Intervals - This example builds on the Example: Contour Areas and Contour Lines topic, using the Edit Query button in the Transform pane for images to learn how to slightly alter the generated SQL to create contour areas or lines on whatever intervals we like, and not just evenly spaced intervals like the default transform creates.   It's incredibly easy.

 

Example: Trace Vector Areas from Raster Pixels - This example follows the Trace Vector Areas from Raster Pixels video on the Gallery page.   We use the Trace Areas template in the Transform pane for images to create a drawing with vector areas covering regions of similarly-colored pixels.  Next, we use the Join dialog to add classification codes.   To show how to do the same thing using SQL, we use a simple query to add classification codes from a USGS table of classes to the resulting drawing, using a simple INNER JOIN SQL statement.

 

Example: Vector to Raster using Kriging - Using the Interpolate: Kriging Transform pane template, we take a vector drawing of contour lines where each line has a Height attribute and we create a raster image that is a terrain elevation surface.   This example, uses a point and click Transform template to accomplish the same task as shown using an SQL query in the SQL Example: Kriging topic.

 

Example: Create a Bounding Box for Building Footprints with Merge - We would like to create a rectangular area that covers our area of interest, a region for which we have building footprints, that we can use to clip other data. We  import a shapefile containing building footprints, and then we use the Merge template to create a rectangle that is the bounding box for all building footprints.   

 

Example: Flooded Roads - We consider a hypothetical case of a 10 meter rise in sea level in the San Francisco Bay area, and we find what highways and major roads would be flooded by such a rise.   The example uses both raster and vector data sets, combines a number of techniques and uses the Contour, Buffer, Merge, and Clip transform templates.

 

Example: Voronoi Diagram from Areas - Voronoi diagrams are normally created from points.  This example shows how to create a Voronoi diagram for polygonal areas, so that every location in a given cell in the Voronoi diagram shows which area is the closest to that location.

 

Example: Get Tokens From a String - Step by step instructions to extract tokens from strings using a simple regular expression in the Transform pane.

 

Projections Examples

Example: Assign Initial Coordinate System - Use the Info pane to manually assign an initial coordinate system when importing from a format that does not specify the coordinate system.

 

Example: Change Projection of an Image - Use the Reproject Component command to change the projection of an image, raster data showing terrain elevations in a region of Florida, from Latitude / Longitude to Orthographic centered on Florida.

 

Example: Adding a Favorite Coordinate System -  Step by step example showing how to add a frequently used coordinate system to the Favorites system.

 

Example: Detecting and Correcting a Wrong Projection - A lengthy example exploring projection dialogs and a classic projection problem.  We save a drawing into projected shapefiles and then show on import how a projection can be quickly and easily checked and corrected if it is wrong.   

 

Example: Create a Rotated View of a Map - Illustrates use of rotated views, that is, map displays which are not "North up," using a  Bing street map image server layer, to show how even layers fetched on the fly from a web server can be rotated.  The topic also shows an alternate way of creating North arrows that is initially simpler, but ultimately much less convenient than the more sophisticated method illustrated in the Rotated Views topic.   

 

SQL Example: List Transformation Grids - In this example we use a few snippets of easy SQL to list NTv2 and NADCON transformation grids that are available within the grids.dat compressed collection of transformation grid files.   Grid transformation files can be used when creating custom base coordinate systems, for NADCON / HARN / HPGN and NTv2 high accuracy transformations that use grid files.

Programming Examples

Example: Create and Run a JScript.NET Script - How to create and run simple JScript.NET scripts.

 

Example: VBScript to Create Locations from a Table - Use VBScript to take a table where each record has a name, scale, latitude and longitude and for each record create a Location component in the project.

 

Interoperability Examples

Example: Create an ODBC Data Source with Windows - How to create an ODBC data source (a DSN) using dialogs built into Windows 10.

 

Example: Connect to Manifold from Release 8  - Step by step procedure to connect from Manifold System Release 8 to a Manifold .map file using Manifold's ODBC driver.

 

Example: Connect to an ESRI GDB File Geodatabase - Connect Manifold to an ESRI GDB file geodatabase, display the contents, make a selection in the GDB and overlay in a map.

 

Example: Connect to an ESRI GDB usng GDAL/OGR  -  Instead of using Manifold's built-in ability to connect to modern ESRI GDB file geodatabases, use the Manifold GDAL/OGR dataport to take advantage of the GDAL library's ability to connect to deprecated GDB formats.

 

Example: Connect to a Shapefile usng GDAL/OGR - Instead of using Manifold's native ability to connect to shapefiles, use the Manifold GDAL dataport to connect to a shapefile.

 

Example: Connect Through Manifold ODBC to a Third Party  - With Release 8, use an ODBC connection to a Manifold .map to connect through the .map project to a third party, external data source, an ESRI GDB file geodatabase.  We use Manifold facilities as an intermediary to give Release 8 capabilities it does not have on its own, to link into data stored within an ESRI file geodatabase.

 

Example: Connect LibreOffice Through Manifold to an ESRI GDB - A companion example topic to the Example: Connect Through Manifold ODBC to a Third Party  topic.  Shows how to connect LibreOffice Base, the database part of LIbreOffice, through Manifold to link an ESRI GDB file geodatabase table into LibreOffice.

 

Example: Connect to Manifold from QGIS - Step by step procedure to connect from QGIS 2.8.9 to a Manifold .map file using Manifold's ODBC driver.