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What's New in LayMan version 3.00.
![](images/ui1.jpg)
LayMan version 3.00 is a major release. It is now a
Microsoft .NET client application and an OLE client of MapInfo
Professional. It is designed to facilitate navigation between windows and
enhance the traditional window, table, map, layout and workspace functions
within MapInfo. Attached to an edge of your MapInfo work area, LayMan responds
dynamically to your normal MapInfo window interaction. There have been major
improvements to the user interface and the functions since the previous
version. LayMan version 3 supports MapInfo Professional versions 5.5 to 8.5. It
will most likely run without problems on earlier versions back to version 4.0
(the first version supporting Integrated Mapping – or OLE automation).
Supported Windows platforms are all .NET supported platforms (xp/2k/nt/me/98).
MapX is not supported in version 3. The
previous versions support
MapX.
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LayMan is licensed per CPU for US$49. LayMan’s functions are free use but with
occassional registration reminder. Support LayMan development by purchase and
registration.
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Delete Selected Poly Node(s) is now available on the Object Grid
for polylines or regions. Use this in conjunction with row selection to delete
nodes. Use this as a data grid-based alternative to MapInfo node editing and
deletion.
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A bug was introduced to the Table Catalogue Filter in version 3.10.
This may have caused a number of filter operations to fail including Show only
Tables Intersecting Map.
v3.10, 30Jul06
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The Line Direction layer grid attribute cell was disabled for line layers.
Fixed. It is now disabled for symbol and region layers.
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Layer Grouping has been enhanced to save assigned groups in the table catalog
rather than in the LayMan.prf preferences file. This allows grouping to be
defined by table path rather than by map. When a map layer grid is loaded, the
groups are automatically assigned by reference to the table catalog. See the
Info button documentation for usage details.
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All data grids (workspace, layer, table, table metadata, table object,
symbol catalog)can now be printed. Right click for the context menu and preview
or print. Columns are adjusted proportionally to fit the page width.
Collapsed columns and rows are not printed. All rows are printed (selection is
ignored). To print the contents of a catalog, load the associated table
(lmTableClass, lmWorClass, lmAppClass) and print. (Alternatively print from a
Browser).
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Workspace search
provides the facility to search all or selected workspaces in the catalog for a
nominated string. The matching line is displayed and a summary of all
workspaces presented at the end of the search.
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Layer icons would sometimes load incorrectly. Fixed.
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The layer grid user function as a MapBasic script or program was not
functioning correctly. Fixed.
v3.06-07, 25Jul06
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(3.07) Some layout objects in the navigation pane were unnamed. Fixed.
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Double click on Label Properties in the Layer Grid, would result in window
focus problems, requiring a restart of LayMan. Fixed.
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A Label Style click on the Layer Grid
resulted in the font icon displaying in the Object Style column, rather than
under Label Style.
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Check box clicks in the data grid have been changed to a more intuitive 2-way
setting rather than the previous 4-way for multiple selected rows.
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(3.06) The Session node context menu has been extended as follows:
Arrange windows always – LayMan monitors new MapInfo window locations
and shifts them to ensure they are not covered by the LM window.
Auto start – LayMan will start automatically when MapInfo starts.
Close temp tables on MapInfo exit – LayMan closes any temporary tables
or tables located in the temporary directory. Use this to ensure mapinfow.wor
does not include temp tables on restart.
Layout and paper units > …
- Sets the units for use with layout position editing. Must match the units
assigned to the layout.
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A problem with the LayMan window disappearing on the first click after starting
(and reappearing on the second click) has been corrected.
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The wrong workspaces mmay have been run when multiple workspace catalog nodes
were selected and run in safe mode. Fixed.
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Improved handling of workspaces run in safe or step execute mode
without continuation line indenting
. Previously each continuation line would have been treated as a new statement
and the line skipped with an error. (Note that Save Workspace in MapInfo
results in indenting for most statements, excluding Browse col1, col2 ….
Manually edited workspaces may not have indenting.)
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In safe or step execute
mode, workspace lines with more than 254 characters were truncated. This has
been corrected by splitting the long line at the appropriate delimiter
character for loading into the data grid.
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During safe or step execute mode, continuation lines in workspaces were shown
graphically by a blank icon. It is now “…
”.
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LayMan has been tested with MapInfo Professional v8.5.
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The font “MapInfo Dispersed Groups” is loaded into the Symbol Catalog if v8.5
is the current version. (If you are an existing LayMan user, delete the table lm_Install_Dir\lmSymClass
to force this load).
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Layer grid groups were not restored correctly when the same map was reloaded.
Layer attribute changes with a group collapsed were not correctly set on each
layer within the group. Note that any attribute changes to a group in collapsed
mode will be made to all contained layers even though the particular setting
may not have been identical in all contained layers. When a group is double
clicked to collapse, the master (displayed) layer was not left selected. This
has been fixed.
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Layer grid operations (insert, remove, optimal order) were not supporting
collapsed or expanded layer groups. Fixed.
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Documentation on layer
grouping has been added to the LayMan Info window.
v3.05, 17 May 06
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An
object grid is now available for display and edit of polyline and
region objects. Right click a table row to load the object grid. Click the
table icon in the Info window for help on the new feature.
This is a useful alternative to an Edit > Reshape
in MapInfo Pro, as it allows browsing by object part (section/polygon) and node
and editing by coordinate value.
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Table editing now supports multiple selected row update from a single altered
cell. This is now consistent with layer grid editing.
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A window sizing problem which could reduce the LM window to dot size has been
fixed. The minimised window size is now the smallest window.
Version v3.04, 8 Apr 06
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Performance of the tree view load, select (esp. shift-select) and action has
been improved. This is most noticeable with a large number of tables open.
Acceptable performance with 1000 or more open tables should be expected
(working with this number of open tables in MapInfo Professional is not
desirable). Tree view panel flashing during multiple load corrected.
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Open and map selected items in the tree view stopped with a table error.
Operation now skips the problem table and continues.
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During open table list and table catalog open and map, the LayMan progress bar
is enabled.
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Changes to unregistered operation. All functions available but with occassional
registration reminder.
Version v3.03, 20 Feb 06
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The registration dialogue has been updated to the Spatial Projects standard,
including check for updates support and transfer registration to another PC.
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The table catalogue loads significantly faster than the previous version (40
secs for 6000 items).
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Show selected table bounds has been added to the tables, layers, table catalog
item menus. This will add the MBR of chosen tables to the front map if they
intersect or a new map if they don’t.
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Table catalog filter provides the ability to quickly filter the catalog to a
subset of types shown on the menu. The types include base, seamless,
unmappable, image, link, query, view, WFS, WMS. Also filtered by object type:
symbol, line, polygon, text, mixed. The filter also has a Show only tables
intersecting map
option.
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Map selected tables
now checks the current map to see if the table bounds intersect. In this case,
the table is added to the existing map. Any chosen tables that do not are added
to a new mapper.
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Info and registration dialogue button clicks now minimizes the LayMan window.
The window is restored when the dialogues are closed.
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Optimal Layer Order
improvements in the ordering of image layers. Images are place on top of solid
fill contiguous region layers and underneath transparent region layers.
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A number of corrections and enhancements to workspace safe mode and
step execute. Approximate table name
matches now provided against the catalog.
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(3.03) Patched to run with MapInfo Pro
version 5.00. Minor improvements to “Handshaking Off”
mode.
Version v3.01, 28 Sep 05
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Buttons have been upgraded to a buttonpad style. A minimize and restore button
allows LayMan to switch between a minimum size showing just the buttonpad and
the user-specified window size.
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MapInfo handshaking “Off” mode has been improved to reduce the amount of
interaction with Mapinfo while still responding to window state changes.
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Previously, workspace catalog, Show by Workspace Path
was not sorting the list.
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In the layer grid, the label override style was displaying in the feature
override style column.
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The symbol catalog did not support symbol changes in the cosmetic layer.
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User functions in the layer grid were sometimes not saved and were not copied
to multiple selected rows properly.
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View entire layer on raster layers now functions correctly.
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Seamless layers were dropping from mappers on window focus change or on
selecting objects in the map window. This was apparently due to a MapInfo bug
in that “a query table close
for a query derived from a seamless layer causes the layer to be dropped from
any mappers”. Query table operations on seamless tables in LM have been
restricted.
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Remove layer function wasn’t updating the layer grid.
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Workspace catalog display is refreshed after a build.
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Optimal layer order wasn’t supporting image layers correctly.
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Navigation tree <-> data grid select response improved for layouts and
layers.
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Refresh LayMan button may have caused LM to remain behind MI.
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Mapper object select with the layer grid displayed was scrolling the navigation
node in to view but not the layer grid row. Similarly, navigation layer node
selection wasn’t scrolling the layer grid into view. Fixed.
![](images/ui_improve1.jpg) |
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Icons for objects
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Drag and Dock to any edge of the MapInfo work area
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Resizes on MapInfo size change
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Minimizes/restores with MI
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Improved data grid operation
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Auto arrange MI windows to fit LM position
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MI statusbar and scrollbar position detected
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Improved context menus
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Catalog build progress displays in the LM data grid panel.
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Applications
shows running apps
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Tables
has open tables.
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Table catalog
provides the ability to open and map any registered table on your network.
Filter the list by table type and intersecting current map window.
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Workspace catalog
shows registered workspaces on the network. Edit or run from the list.
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Application catalog has registered applications. Run from the
list.
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![](images/ui_improve2.jpg) |
Docking and MapInfo Interaction
Dock with any edge of the MapInfo workarea. Adjust panel widths to suit and make
adjustments to layer properties with immediate changes in MapInfo.
Your previous dock status will be restored on subsequent
sessions.
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![](images/ui_improve3.jpg) |
While editing map objects, the data grid is best displayed at the
top or bottom of the MapInfo window. |
![](images/sol_tv_nav1.jpg) |
Bring selected MapInfo windows to the front and then select frames
within a layout or layers within a Mapper.
Browse the table, workspace, application catalogs.
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![](images/sol_tv_nav2.jpg) |
During a MapInfo operation, or at a MapBasic application statement
that pauses operation, LayMan navigation panel may be used to bring windows to
the front or browse for names.
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Normal
mode is full interaction with MapInfo
Click
"Ignore MapInfo" if you are about to run intensive window or
object select /edit functions. This will remove a small CPU load from your
processing and avoid unnecessary updates in LM.
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Improved Handshaking with MapInfo
LM Responds to single feature selections when a table or layer
grid is displayed; window focus changes; windows contents changes in Map
window.
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Using Layer Grouping
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Layer grouping allows you to show a single master layer for all layers in the
group and apply any layer grid changes to all layers in the group in a single
click. The same effect can be achieved by selecting multiple layers, however
groups:
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Reduce the visible layer clutter in the list.
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Can be expanded and collapsed with a double click on any grouped layer name.
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Are saved between sessions to the table catalog;
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Preserve existing layer attribute assignments until a click on a collapsed
layer group attribute;
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May be set globally for all users in an office network by building the table
catalog once for networked tables, assigning the groups and then distributing
the catalog table (lmTableClass) to all users. Users may then update the
catalog with local tables if appropriate.
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![](images/layergroup1.jpg) |
Defining a layer group:
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Select the layers to be grouped.
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Click on the first selected layer group cell and type the group name (allRds). Enter
to complete.
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The name is applied to all selected layers.
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Repeat for other groups within the same map, assigning a different name.
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Note that grouped layers do not need to be from adjacent layers in a mapper.
Just select the layers using ctrl-click if they are not adjacent.
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![](images/layergroup2.jpg) |
Manipulating Layer Groups
Collapse a group by double clicking on the first layer in a named set.
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![](images/layergroup3.jpg) |
Expand a group by double clicking the
collapsed group name |
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![](images/layergroup4.jpg) |
Setting Attributes on Grouped Layers
When you select a grouped layer, the corresponding navigation nodes select.
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![](images/layergroup5.jpg) |
Change a grouped attribute and all grouped layers are
adjusted. This includes style settings, so ensure that this is really what you
want to do first! |
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Deleting Saved Group Information
Session > Remove Saved Map Group Details deletes all the accumulated
map groups on your system.
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When layers and tables are shown, icons
indicate the layer type and contents. A catalog summary of table
characteristics is a cornerstone for LayMan operations. Their simplest function
is to provide quick user feedback as to table contents.
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Symbols only layer
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Symbol/polyline only layer
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Region only layer (unclassified in table catalog) ...
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Contiguous, transparent region layer
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Contiguous, filled region layer
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Contiguous, semi-transparent region layer ..
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Disjoint, transparent region layer ...
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Thematic layer
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Grid layer
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View, Seamless or Query layer
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Image layer
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Linked DBMS layer
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![](images/table_wfs.bmp) |
WFS table |
![](images/table_wms.bmp) |
WMS table ... |
![](images/wnew_eq.jpg) |
Icons alongside the layername indicate if the layer has unsaved
edits and if it is a query table. |
![](images\lm_layer_menu.jpg)
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Right click a layer or table icon to see a context menu of
available functions.
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![](images/tabcat_menu.jpg)
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Build catalog builds or refreshes tables from a
starting directory (eg. "C:\")
Apply the selected filter changes
to the catalog view.
Show the catalog by table name or
path. This is a quick view change.
Remove duplicates removes consecutive references in by
name view if the name and row count are the same.
Show only tables intersecting.. removes tables from
the list if their MBR does not intersect the front mapper MBR. Click on
another mapper and click Apply Filter to quickly see
the tables that would contribute to that map.
Show base .. WMS tables removes tables from the list
that are not shown checked.
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![](images/lm_table_menu.jpg)
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Show selected table.. loads the table for view and
edit.
Show..bounds shows the selected table bounds and name on
the front mapper. A display layer is created and inserted into the map.
Pack Table Definition compacts string fields to the
maximum length required to hold all data.
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Validated workspace (runs without
error) Unvalidated – not yet
checked Checked and runs with an
error.
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Workspace Catalog
Build catalog from network and run each workspace in safe mode to check
validity.
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![](images/lm_wor_menu.bmp)
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Workspace Functions
Safe mode detects and corrects for:
. already open tables
. non-existant paths but with catalog entries
. opened but unused tables
. Dim statement errors (already dimensioned)
. Any MapInfo error (traps for user correction)
Safe mode can be run on all catalog entries without user
interaction to check for errors.
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As each line executes, an icon indicates the status of that line
as:
run successfully
currently running this
line
run and edited
skipped (at user command)
exited at this line (in
safe mode) due to error
exited at this line due to
user command
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Workspace Safe and Step Modes
Icons give a clear indication of the status of each statement as it
runs. Provides for auto or manual correction of problems.
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![](images/whatsnew6.jpg) |
Step execute a workspace, repairing broken table references
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![](images/lm_app_menu.bmp) |
Application Functions
Uses RemoteMsgHandler to interrupt, pause, message or end an
application. Sample MBX and MB provided.
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![](images/wnew_symcat.jpg)
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Symbol QuickPick
(a version 2.3 feature)
A customisable, well organised and fast symbol picker for existing
map symbol objects.Catalog builds from standard MI fonts.
Edit class table and add your own fonts.
Click on mapper point object and click catalog symbol to change.
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![](images/whatsnew_nav1.jpg)
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Table View / Edit
Navigation window provides a 2-level tree view of windows, layers and tables.
List is updated dynamically as MapInfo windows gain focus, open and close.
Click to set focus. Double click to activate the table, mapper or
layout in the edit grid on the right.
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![](images/whatsnew_tab1.jpg) |
Table grid edits include data checking with warning messages. The
object column is exposed allowing object properties to be changed with the
other attributes.
The initial display of table grid data is formatted such that column
widths adjust to the largest data item.
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![](images/objedit1.jpg)
![](images/objedit2.jpg)
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Region and polyline View or Edit
Right click a polyline or region row in the table grid and click Load Selected
Object Details.
An object grid for the selected object replaces the table grid
and nodes display on the map object.
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![](images/objedit4.jpg)
![](images/objedit3.jpg)
![](images/objedit6.jpg)
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Select some rows (nodes) from the grid. The selected nodes are also
highlighted in the map.
Alter one of the selected node coordinates and see the changes in the
grid and map object.
Coordinates are the only editable columns in the object grid.
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Use reshape in the normal manner in MI Pro. and refresh
in LM to update the object grid. |
![](images/whatsnew_lay1.jpg)
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Layout grid provides layout object properties for select and
editing. Easy to find and select small or hidden frames and objects. Click the
object type cell to quickly adjust properties. |
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