This brief example uses Spatial Overlay to transfer the Height value of a contour line to points that are on that line.
Our drawing contains a line. A series of points are superimposed on the line. Perhaps these points were created from the line using the Transform toolbar Points transform operator.
Examining the drawing's table we can see that the line has a Height value of 810 while the points all have a Height value of 0. We use the Type (I) intrinsic field in the table to show which records are points and which record is the line. Our task is to transfer the height value of the line to all of the points that are on the line.
Step 1: Specify Transfer Rules
In Manifold the Transfer Rules for each column specify how the column's values are transferred between objects. In the table, right click onto the Height column head and choose Transfer Rules.
In the Column Transfer Rules dialog, choose Copy as the method for 1 to N transfers. Transferring values from a line to many points that lie on it is a one to many or "1 to N" transfer. Press OK.
Step 2: Make saved selections
The most convenient way of using Spatial Overlay is to save the objects involved into saved selections.
Select the line and save it as a saved selection called line in the Selections pane.
This is a very simple example with only one line. If we had many lines (as in a contour map) we would select all of them and save them as a saved selection.
Select the points.
This is most rapidly done in a large map by setting select objects to Select Points and then pressing CTRL-T or choosing Edit - Select By Type.
Save the selection as a saved selection named points in the Selections pane.
Step 3: Apply Spatial Overlay command
From the drawing, choose Drawing - Spatial Overlay.
In the Spatial Overlay dialog, choose line as the Source and points as the Target. All saved selections will be available in the Source and Target list boxes. Choose Line to contained points as the Method. Press OK.
Like magic, the Height value from the line is transferred to all points on the line (that is "contained" by the line). In this example we had only one line with a value of 810, so all points receive that same value. If we had many lines each with different values then each point on a line would receive that line's Height value.