Import an Export Marker Symbol Library File

Symbol Library Files

SuperMap provides symbol library files, in file format, to store symbol libraries and symbols. These files also save the logical management organization of the symbol libraries. Logically, one symbol library file stores one symbol library. In the Symbol Library Manager, you can load a symbol library file to load its corresponding symbol library into the manager. You can further manage the symbol libraries within the file through the Symbol Library Manager and save your work results by saving the symbol library file.

  • Marker Symbol Library File: A marker symbol library file uses the .sym file extension and stores a marker symbol library and point symbols.
  • Line Symbol Library File: A line symbol library file uses the .lsl file extension and stores a line symbol library and line style symbols.
  • Fill Symbol Library File: A fill symbol library file uses the .bru file extension and stores a fill symbol library and symbols.

Import a Marker Symbol Library File

Importing a symbol library file appends all symbols from the imported symbol library to the current symbol library in the Symbol Library Manager. The imported symbols retain their original symbol group hierarchy. During import, the root group of the imported symbol library becomes a sub-symbol group under the root group of the current symbol library, while other group hierarchies remain unchanged.

  1. In the Marker Symbol Selector, click the File menu, then select Import -> Import Marker Symbol Library from the dropdown menu;
  2. The Open dialog box appears. Browse to and open the desired symbol library file (*.sym) to complete loading the corresponding marker symbol library.
  3. If there are symbols in the imported library that duplicate those in the current symbol library, the Repeat Symbol dialog box appears:
    • Symbol Matching Rule: Select a matching rule from the combo box at the top of the dialog. Options are Symbol Number, Symbol Name, and Symbol Style. The default is Symbol Number matching.
    • Repeat Symbol List: Displays the import symbol number, import symbol style/name, existing symbol number, and existing symbol style/name in table form. You can use checkboxes to select which symbols to keep. The import symbol list is selected by default.
    • Result Handling:
      • Select Keep the Import Symbol: The import symbol replaces the existing one. If the import symbol number duplicates an existing number, it replaces the existing style and number entirely. If the numbers are different, the import is kept.
      • Select Keep Existing Symbol: Abandons the import symbol. The symbol number ID remains unchanged.
      • Select Both Import and Existing Symbols: The old and new symbols coexist. If the import symbol number duplicates an existing symbol number, the import number is automatically modified to (current symbol library max ID + 1). If the numbers are different, the symbol is appended normally.

Export Marker Symbol Library

Exporting a marker symbol library file allows you to save the currently loaded symbol library in the Symbol Library Manager as a new symbol library file. You can also export a specific symbol group from the current symbol library as a symbol library file. In this case, the exported symbol group becomes an independent new symbol library, with that group becoming the root group of the new library, and the subgroup structure under it remains unchanged.

  1. In the Marker Symbol Library Selector, click the File menu, select Export from the dropdown menu, then choose Export Marker Symbol Library from the submenu;
  2. The Export Marker Symbol Library dialog box appears. Browse to the storage location for the exported file, enter a filename for the new symbol library file, and click Save.

Export a Symbol Group as a Marker Symbol Library File

  1. Identify the symbol group to export. Right-click the node of that symbol group in the symbol group structure tree;
  2. From the context menu that appears, select Export;
  3. The Export Marker Symbol Library dialog box appears. Browse to the storage location for the exported file, enter a filename for the new symbol library file, and click Save.

Export Point Symbols to a Marker Symbol Library File

  1. In the Symbol List, select the point symbols to export. You can use the Ctrl key to select multiple symbols simultaneously;
  2. Right-click any selected point symbol. From the context menu that appears, select Export Point Symbols to Library File;
  3. The Export Marker Symbol Library dialog box appears. Browse to the storage location for the exported file, enter a filename for the new symbol library file, and click Save.