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The process for exporting a file will vary a little depending upon the file format you choose. First we will discuss the steps of the process that are common to all formats. Then we will look at some stuff that is specific to PS and HTML.

Common steps

To export a map to an image or HTML file, select Export from the File menu, and choose the appropriate item from the cascading menu.

The File Export window pops up. This window lets you define your image by setting three parameters, which are best set in the order listed:

If you chose to export HTML, there will be no File Format button because you have already chosen your format.


The Coverage button has an image of the currently selected area that your exported image will cover. To change the selected area click the button. Alternatively, you may click the Edit button (which is only standing by in case you forget that the image is also a button).

(Note: The image shown is only used to indicate the area of coverage. Graphic characteristics are not drawn to scale, so this is not a representation of your exported image.)


The Coverage window pops up. The first time it pops up, the area of coverage is the same as the area in the Work Box of the main window. Subsequently it will show the area of coverage that you last set. Anytime that you want to set it to match the current area of the Work Box, click Reset.


You may zoom and move the map surface just like you do in the main window. For instance, if your area of interest is not visible you may zoom out. Do this by holding the left pointer button, moving the pointer up to describe a small rectangle, and releasing the button.


The map is zoomed-out.

Once your area of interest is fully visible, you may zoom in on it. To do this, first point to an upper corner of the area, then hold the left pointer button, move the pointer down to draw a rectangle around the area, and release the button. It is better to include too much in the rectangle than too little.


The map is zoomed in. Areas outside of your area of interest are grayed-out. The gray areas will not be part of your image.

If you included too much in the last step (as suggested), now that you have zoomed-in you may draw a new rectangle with greater precision.


The map is zoomed in a bit more.

If your area of interest is not centered quite the way you want it, you may hold the middle pointer button and slide the map around. While you do this, the gray areas will be black.


Once you are satisfied with the area you have chosen, click Close.


The Coverage window closes, and your chosen area is shown on the Coverage button.

The File Format menu button shows the current file format. Hold the button to choose a format:




The Image Size button shows the current image size. Click the button to change the size.


The Image Size window opens, showing the image at the same scale as your exported image will be. To change the image size, click the + or - buttons. Alternatively, you may point at the text boxes, use Backspace to clear the current value, and type in a new value. The maximum value for each is 1600. If you type an unacceptable value, a warning will appear.


If you make the image too big to be displayed in the Image Size window, you may use the scroll bars to examine the image.


When you are satisfied with the image size, click Close.


The Image Size window closes, and the new size is shown on the Image Size button.

Clicking the Details toggle button will provide details that you usually don't need to know, but can occasionally be handy.


When you are satisfied with your chosen coverage, file format, and image size, click Export .


The first File Export window closes, and -- if you are exporting a PNG or XPM image -- a window will open where you can supply the filename and the directory to export to. If you are exporting PS or HTML, another window will open before this window, as will be discussed below.

This window will look familiar to you if you have used the Open or Save items in the File menu. Like those windows, this window contains the following:

To open a directory, click on the directory name, then click Export, or just double-click on the directory name. Alternatively, you may point at the Selection box and type in the directory name before clicking Export.


Point at the Selection box and type in the file name. Alternatively, to overwrite an existing file, click on the file name.


To export the file, click Export.

(To prevent a misguided click from overwriting the wrong file, double-clicking is disabled for exporting files.)


Here is the image that was exported.

Additional steps for PS

When exporting PS, additional items are added to the File Export window.

The map scale is given in the Details section, and a Pixels per inch button appears beneath the Image Size button. The button shows the current pixels per inch. To change this value, click the button.


The Image Size window appears -- yes, it is the same window that appears when you click the Image Size button. When exporting PS, this window has four new items, one of which allows you to change the number of pixels printed in every inch by your printer. Theoretically, increasing this can give you better resolution. However, if you don't know how well your printer supports this, you may want to just leave it at 72. If you do change it, you may find that multiples of 72 (such as 144) work best.


When exporting PS, you will see the Export PS window. This window allows you to set the position of the image on the paper, the paper's orientation, and various other parameters related to the page size.

The large rectangle under Position represents the paper. The small rectangle represents your image. Point to the small rectangle.


Hold the left pointer button and slide the "image" around on the "paper" until you have it where you want it.


To change the orientation, hold the Orientation menu button and select an item from the menu:




To change any of the Page size parameters, point to the text box, use Backspace to clear the current value, and type in a new value. Here the page length has been changed from 11 to 14.


When you have things set up the way you want, click Export. Then choose the location and name for your file as already shown above.

Additional steps for HTML


When exporting HTML, you will see the Export HTML window. This window allows you to provide a title for the document, select pointnode attribute fields to put in the document, and define how you want the information in those fields displayed.


Point to the Title box and enter a title. This title will appear at the top of your HTML page.


To select an attribute field for your HTML page, first go to the Available list and click on one.


Then click on the Add button.


The attribute field is moved to the Selected list.

If you change your mind about adding a field, you may click on it, then click on the Remove button. (Or, to remove all fields you may click on the Clear button.)


The field is moved back to the Available list.


Continue adding fields until you have selected all you want. The order is important. Those at the top of the list will be at the left in the HTML tables, and at the top in the HTML lists.


If you don't like the placement of one of the fields, click on it.


Then click Move Up or Move Down.


The field moves up or down in the list.

Hold the Arrangement menu button to select an arrangement for the information in your fields. Sample arrangements are shown below.


Table produces a simple table with one row for each pointnode within the coverage area, and one column for each of the fields you chose.

Museum Art Fogg Art Museum 32 Quincy St. Cambridge
Museum Art Museum of Fine Arts 465 Huntington Ave. Boston
Museum History John F. Kennedy Library and Museum Columbia Point Boston
Museum History Longfellow National Historic Site 105 Brattle St. Cambridge
Museum Science Museum of Science 1 Science Park Boston
Performance Dance Boston Ballet 19 Clarendon St. Boston
Performance Music Hatch Shell Storrow Drive Boston
Performance Music Symphony Hall 301 Massachusetts Ave. Boston

List produces a simple hierarchal list.

List of tables produces a hierarchal list in which the lowest item in the hierarchy is a table.

Hierarchal table produces a table in which the names each member of the hierarchy is shown only once with its children grouped below it. This is similar to the list of tables, but entirely in table form.

Museum
Art
Fogg Art Museum 32 Quincy St. Cambridge
Museum of Fine Arts 465 Huntington Ave. Boston
History
John F. Kennedy Library and Museum Columbia Point Boston
Longfellow National Historic Site 105 Brattle St. Cambridge
Science
Museum of Science 1 Science Park Boston
Performance
Dance
Boston Ballet 19 Clarendon St. Boston
Music
Hatch Shell Storrow Drive Boston
Symphony Hall 301 Massachusetts Ave. Boston

With the three Show toggle buttons, you may choose to show or hide Table headings, a List key, and Empty Cells. Depending upon the arrangement you have chosen, some of these buttons may be unavailable. The results of setting these buttons are shown below.


Table headings puts the names of your attribute fields at the top of the table's columns.

Attraction Type Name Address City
Museum
Art
Fogg Art Museum 32 Quincy St. Cambridge
Museum of Fine Arts 465 Huntington Ave. Boston
History
John F. Kennedy Library and Museum Columbia Point Boston
Longfellow National Historic Site 105 Brattle St. Cambridge
Science
Museum of Science 1 Science Park Boston
Performance
Dance
Boston Ballet 19 Clarendon St. Boston
Music
Hatch Shell Storrow Drive Boston
Symphony Hall 301 Massachusetts Ave. Boston

List key places a box with the names of your attribute fields at the top of the list.

Key for the following list:
  • Attraction
    • Type

Empty cells shows empty cells as empty cells, not missing cells.

Like this:Not This:
XOX
   
O X
XOX
O X

When you have things set up the way you want, click OK. Then choose the location and name for your file as already shown above.


Copyright © 2005 by Dapper Mapper

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