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PCensus Tip: Leverage “Hybrid” features for the best of
MapPoint & MapInfo
Note: this tip sheet applies only to
PCensus for MapInfo.
Think
of PCensus™
as a layer of analytic software that functions with any of three mapping
platforms: MapInfo®, MapPoint® from Microsoft, ArcView®
from ESRI.
This mapping autonomy enables you to leverage the mapping platform you’re
already invested in while quickly reaping the benefits of PCensus data
integration and analytic capabilities. All PCensus mapping is performed by
one of these three mapping software packages—each with its pros and cons. However,
two of them can be used in tandem for optimum efficiency and mapping quality.
By using both MapInfo and MapPoint with PCensus for MapInfo users will enjoy
automated atlas-type base map overlays (below), immensely simplified base map
management, quick address look-ups, and numerous seamless MapPoint
efficiencies. MapPoint users will benefit from micro-level block group
thematic mapping and the power of a world-class GIS package.
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The
PCensus hybrid features allow you to add the atlas-like MapPoint map as a
map layer—effortlessly showing and labeling appropriate map features as you
zoom and pan.
This is an extraordinary feature
that reduces the number of map layers needed and the time spent managing
them in layer control.
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If Microsoft MapPoint is installed on
your computer, PCensus for MapInfo will recognize it automatically. When you run PCensus, the “Map Extender”
toolbar will appear on the bottom of the PCensus window:
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The Show/Hide
Navigation Controls button toggles the MapPoint Navigation bar.
The Find control lets you
locate addresses in a single operation.
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The MapPoint Legend button toggles the display of the MapPoint
Legend and Overview pane, adding perspective and conveying the meaning of
visual map elements.
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The Use MapPoint for Searching button allows you to leverage
MapPoint for quick address look-ups when creating circle or drive time
study areas—a big time saver, and more convenient than map-layer based
address searching.
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The Use MapPoint Drivetimes button determines whether the
MapPoint or Freeway engine will be used to create drive time study areas.
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The Use MapPoint Thematics button determines whether MapPoint or
MapInfo will be used to generate thematic maps. MapPoint thematics do not
require a boundary map layer to be open, but are limited to MapPoint’s
built-in boundaries; in general. MapInfo provides more flexibility in
thematic mapping.
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The MapPoint Options button allows you to enable MapPoint
features such as toolbars, and you can select custom base maps that you
have created in MapPoint.
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The MapPoint Layer on Bottom button sinks the MapPoint layer behind
other map layers.
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The MapPoint Layer on Top button raises the MapPoint layer over
top of other map layers.
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The Translucency slider control makes the MapPoint layer
progressively more transparent, so that underlying thematics or other map
layers become visible. This is very useful for balancing the visibility of
all map elements.
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The Transparent Color control lets you select a color from the
MapPoint layer and make it invisible. For example, you can make the street
background invisible, which has the effect of making the underlying
thematic visible, while the streets are still visible.
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The following buttons are added to the MapInfo toolbar.
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The MapPoint Layer button toggles the MapPoint layer on/off.
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The MapPoint Toolbar button toggles the screen-bottom toolbar
on/off.
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More Information
For additional
help on working with these MapInfo/MapPoint hybrid features:
- User’s Guide: See Chapter #4
of the PCensus for MapInfo User’s Guide.
- PCensus
Onboard Help: Select “Using MapPoint with PCensus for MapInfo” from the
content tab in PCensus for MapInfo Help.
Do you have the latest Version of PCensus?
Check the PCensus web site to see What’s new in
PCensus V8.6.
If you have PCensus version 8.5, you can download a free upgrade.
Let us hear from you!
Need more help?
Tetrad Sales and Support: (800) 663-1334
If you
would prefer not to receive future tip-sheets from Tetrad, please click here.
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Tetrad
Computer Applications Inc.
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3873 Airport
Way, Box 9754
Bellingham, WA 98227-9754
Tel: 360.734.3318
Fax: 360.734.4005
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500-1445 West Georgia St.
Vancouver, BC V6G 2T3
Tel: 604.685.2295
Fax: 604.685.2352
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