Create Dataset

Feature Description

The New Dataset feature in SuperMap can create 14 types of datasets: point, line, polygon, text, CAD, model, attribute table, 3D point, 3D line, 3D polygon, raster, image, mosaic, and video.

Feature Entry

  • Start Tab->New Dataset group.
  • Context menu of a datasource in workspace->New Dataset->Dataset type item.
Tip:
  • The gallery control in the New Dataset group is only available when there are open datasources in the current workspace.
  • Based on the selected dataset type, the New Dataset dialog will prioritize displaying the selected type. The New Dataset dialog allows creating multiple datasets of same or different types at once.

Steps

Taking creating polygon dataset as example, the steps are:

  1. Click Start->New Dataset group, select Polygon, and the New Dataset dialog box will pop up.
  2. Set parameters for new dataset in the list: dataset name, target datasource, type, etc.
    • Target Datasource: Specifies where to store the new dataset. The drop-down menu lists aliases of all open datasources in current workspace.
    • Type: Defaults to the dataset type corresponding to the clicked control (here Polygon). Use drop-down to reselect type.
    • Dataset Name: Editable by double-clicking cell. For naming rules see Dataset Naming Rules.
    • Add to Map: Options: No, New Map, Current Map (visible when workspace has open maps). Selecting New Map adds dataset to new map; Current Map adds to existing map.
  3. After setting parameters, choose template usage in right panel:
    • No Template:
      • Encode Type: Available for line/polygon datasets. See Dataset Encode Types.
      • Charset: Defaults to ASCII (Default) or UTF-8 for Unicode version. See Charset List.
      • Project Settings: When creating a new dataset, it uses the same coordinate system as its datasource by default. Please check more configuration information via Projection Settings.
    • Use Template: Creates dataset with same structure/properties as template (projection, charset, domain, etc.).
      Tip:

      New dataset will have bounds=0, no spatial index, and zero object count.

    • Storage Format: If you choose a PostGIS database datasource for storing the dataset, you can opt for either the SuperMap or WKB storage format. WKB is a binary format used to represent spatial data (such as points, lines, and polygons), while SuperMap is a custom storage format developed by SuperMap.
    • SmID Field Type: If the data source chosen for storing the dataset is a PostGIS database data source, you can select either a 32-bit integer or a 64-bit integer field type.
    • Coordinates Include M Values: When creating a vector dataset (2D point, line, and polygon datasets as well as 3D point, line, and polygon datasets), select the “Coordinates Include M Values” option to add independent M value attributes to geometry objects, supporting the storage of nonspatial measurement data such as mileage, time, and pressure. It is unchecked by default.
      • Currently only the PostGIS Database is supported.
      • M Values (Measurement Value) are additional coordinate dimensions of geometry objects (such as points, lines, and polygons) used to store additional measurement information related to the geometric shape. They usually stand alongside X (Longitude), Y (Latitude), and Z (Elevation), but are independent of spatial coordinates and are specifically used to represent a linear reference system (LRS) or dynamic measurement data.
      • Difference Between M Values and X/Y/Z
        • X/Y: Represent geographic positions (such as latitude/longitude or projected coordinates).
        • Z: Represent elevation or the vertical dimension.
        • M: Represent dynamic measurement values related to the geometric shape (such as time, mileage, or temperature), independent of position.
      • Typical Use Cases of M Values:

        • Linear Reference System (LRS)

          • Road Management: Store road milepost data (such as M = 0, 100, 200) for incident location and asset management.

          • Railway/Waterway: Record mileage markers at stations or navigation aids along the route.

        • Dynamic Attribute Binding

          • Pipeline Monitoring: Embed pressure and flow values (M = pressure value) at pipeline vertices to support segmented analysis.

          • Mobile Trajectories: Attach timestamps (M = time) to trajectory points for spatiotemporal path analysis.

        • Engineering and Geospatial Analysis

          • Dynamic Segmentation: Map attribute data to M value intervals of line features (such as calculating pollutant concentration in the M = 100–200 interval of a river).

          • Dynamic Labeling: Display location labels based on M values (e.g., “150 meters from the starting point”).

  4. After completing settings, click OK at bottom to finish.
Caution:
  • When selecting multiple datasources in workspace manager, the topmost one becomes default target datasource.
  • Dataset Naming Rules:
    1. Consists of Chinese characters, letters, numbers, and underscores, but cannot start with number or underscore.
    2. Length between 1-59 characters. Excess characters will be truncated.
    3. No spaces, brackets, or other special characters.
    4. Avoid database reserved keywords.

Related Topics

Database Reserved Keywords List