Step 1: Creating a Base Map

Data Description

Taking the creation of a tourism resource map of Hunan Province as an example, this section introduces how to create a complete base map.

The sample data used in this case is located in SampleData\ThematicMap\TourismResource. The sample data package needs to be installed separately. For details, see: Get the Sample Data Package.

Operation Steps

  1. Open data: Find the folder containing the local sample data and open Hunan.smwuworkspace in the corresponding path.
  2. Add base map data: Click the Hunan data source node, expand the datasets under the current data source collection node, and add Province_R, Lake_R, MainRiver_L, MainRiver_R, Province_L, and Hunan_L to a new map in sequence.
  3. To highlight Hunan Province, create a buffer using its boundary. Use the Hunan_L dataset to create a buffer. Click the Spatial Analysis tab -> Vector Analysis group -> Buffer button. In the pop-up Buffer dialog box, set the following parameters:
    • Data Type: Select line data.
    • Buffer: Select the Hunan_L dataset. 
    • Select flat, uncheck left buffer, and check right buffer.
    • Buffer radius: Unit: Meters.
    • Left buffer radius: 2500.
    • Result Dataset: Set the dataset name as Buffer2500.

    Repeat the above steps to create another buffer with a left radius of 5000, setting the dataset name as Buffer5000. After completing the buffer analysis, the result datasets will be automatically added to the current map. Adjust the order of Buffer2500 above Buffer5000, and Hunan_L above Buffer5000.

  4. Modify vector data styles in the base map: Double-click the layer in the layer manager to open the layer style window. Modify the marker styles according to the following table.
    Dataset Name Description Styles
    Provinces_R Administrative division polygon data (province) Fill color: R252, G250, B224
    Line style: NULL
    Lake_R Lake polygon data Fill color: R201, G225, B237
    Line style: Default solid line
    Line color: R154, G189, B206
    MainRiver_L Main river line data Line style: System0
    Line width: 0.4
    Line color: R154, G189, B206
    MainRiver_R Main river polygon data Fill color: R201, G225, B237
    Outline style: Default solid line
    Line color: R154, G189, B206
    Province_L Provincial boundary line data Line style: System0
    Line width: 2.0
    Line color: R232, G242, B227
    Province_L Provincial boundary line data Line style: Dash-dot
    Line width: 0.1
    Line color: R127, G127, B127
    Buffer5000 2500-meter buffer of Hunan Province boundary Fill color: R209, G224, B188
    Line style: NULL
    Buffer2500 5000-meter buffer of Hunan Province boundary Fill color: R176, G198, B159
    Line style: NULL
    Hunan_L Hunan Province boundary Line style: Dash-dot
    Line width: 0.1
    Line color: R127, G127, B127
  5. To enhance the realism of the map display, add the Hillshade180_1_2 hillshade dataset and Forest to the map, and move them above the Province_R layer.
  6. Right-click Hillshade180_1_2, select Layer Properties from the context menu, and perform the following operations in the Layer Properties window:
    • Click the Settings button for Color Map in the Display Method group to open the color table dialog. Then click the edit button next to the color display box on the toolbar to open the Color Scheme Editor. Delete the original colors, add two new colors: set the first color to R102, G102, B102, and the second to R255, G255, B255. Set Color transition to gradient, and Number of interval colors to 34. Click Save or Apply to apply this color scheme to the Hillshade180_1_2 layer.
    • In the Grid Parameters group of the Layer Properties window, set Brightness to 30 and Contrast to 10.
  7. Right-click the Forest layer, select Create Thematic Map ... from the context menu, then choose Grid Unique Value Map->Default, and click OK to create a unique value thematic map based on raster values.
  8. In the Forest thematic map properties panel, modify the marker style for each unique value thematic sub-item:
    • Set the R, G, B values for the sub-item with segment value 0 to 253, 245, 222
    • Set the R, G, B values for the sub-item with segment value 1 to 170, 255, 127
    • Set the R, G, B values for the sub-item with segment value 2 to 153, 242, 109
    • Set the R, G, B values for the sub-item with segment value 3 to 137, 229, 91 
    • Set the R, G, B values for the sub-item with segment value 4 to 122, 216, 75
    • Set the R, G, B values for the sub-item with segment value 5 to 94, 178, 53
  9. Remove the Forest layer, open the layer properties window for the Forest thematic map layer, and modify Transparency: to 80% in the display control. This achieves terrain relief display effects when overlaid with the underlying hillshade.
  10. After completing the above steps, the resulting base map will appear as follows: