Step 1: Create A Base Map

Data Description

Taking the production 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, please see: Obtain the Sample Data Package.

Operation Steps

  1. Open data: Find the local sample data folder 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 order.
  3. To highlight Hunan Province, you can create a buffer using its boundary. Create a buffer using the Hunan_L dataset. Click the Spatial Analysis tab -> Vector Analysis group -> Buffer button. In the generated Buffer dialog box, set the following parameters:
    • Data Type: Select line data.
    • Buffer: Select the Hunan_L dataset. 
    • Select flat, and uncheck left buffer, check right buffer.
    • Buffer radius: Unit: Meter.
    • Right buffer radius: 2500.
    • Result Dataset: Set the dataset name to Buffer2500 (or another appropriate name).

    Repeat the above steps to create another buffer with a right buffer radius of 5000, and set the dataset name to Buffer5000 (or another appropriate name). After completing the buffer analysis, the result dataset will be automatically added to the current map. Adjust the order of Buffer2500 to be above Buffer5000, and Hunan_L to be above Buffer5000.

  4. Modify the vector data styles in the base map: Double-click a 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 region polygon data (province) Foreground color: R252, G250, B224
    Line type: NULL
    Lake_R Lake polygon data Foreground color: R201, G225, B237
    Line type: Default solid line
    Line color: R154, G189, B206
    MainRiver_L Main river line data Line type: System0
    Line width: 0.4
    Line color: R154, G189, B206
    MainRiver_R Main river polygon data Foreground color: R201, G225, B237
    Outline line type: Default solid line
    Line color: R154, G189, B206
    Province_L Provincial boundary line data Line type: System0
    Line width: 2.0
    Line color: R232, G242, B227
    Province_L Provincial boundary line data Line type: Long dash-dot
    Line width: 0.1
    Line color: R127, G127, B127
    Buffer5000 2500-meter buffer of Hunan Province boundary Foreground color: R209, G224, B188
    Line type: NULL
    Buffer2500 5000-meter buffer of Hunan Province boundary Foreground color: R176, G198, B159
    Line type: NULL
    Hunan_L Hunan Province boundary Line type: Long dash-dot
    Line width: 0.1
    Line color: R127, G127, B127
    Notes:

    • If a dataset needs to be set with multiple different styles in the map, simply add this dataset to the map multiple times.

  5. To make the map display more realistic, 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 on this layer in the Layer Properties window:
    • Click the Settings button of Color Map in the Display Method group to open the Color Table dialog box. Then click the Edit button behind the Color Scheme 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 color to R255, G255, B255. Set the Color change method to Gradient and the Number of interval colors to 34. Click the Save As or Save button to apply this color scheme to the Hillshade180_1_2 layer.
    • In the Layer Properties window, under the Grid Parameters group, set Brightness to 30 and Contrast to 10.
  7. Right-click the Forest layer, select Create Thematic Map ... from the context menu, then select Grid Unique Value Map->Default, and click OK to create a unique value thematic map based on raster values.
  8. Then, in the properties panel of the Forest thematic map, modify the marker style for each unique value thematic sub-item:
    • Set R, G, B values of the thematic sub-item with segment value 0 to 253, 245, 222
    • Set R, G, B values of the thematic sub-item with segment value 1 to 170, 255, 127
    • Set R, G, B values of the thematic sub-item with segment value 2 to 153, 242, 109
    • Set R, G, B values of the thematic sub-item with segment value 3 to 137, 229, 91 
    • Set R, G, B values of the thematic sub-item with segment value 4 to 122, 216, 75
    • Set R, G, B values of the thematic sub-item with segment value 5 to 94, 178, 53
  9. Remove the Forest layer, open the Layer Properties window of the Forest thematic map layer, and modify Transparency: to 80% in the Display Control. This will cause it to overlay with the hillshade underneath to achieve a terrain relief display effect.
  10. After completing the above operations, you will obtain a base map with the following effect: