Symbols¶
Symbols are used to mark map locations that are read from the data file, and also to mark locations that are selected by clicking on a map location or a row in the table. mapdata includes 93 different symbols, and additional symbols can be loaded when a configuration file is read, or can be imported using the File menu.
Most of the built-in symbols are 16x16 bitmaps, and are shown in the table below. In addition to the 16x16 bitmaps, the ball, block, circle, and square symbols also have versions based on 20x20, 24x24, and 28x28 bitmaps. The q1, q2, q3, and q4 symbols also have versions based on 20x20 bitmaps. The names of those symbols have the bitmap size as a suffix (e.g., “circle24”).
Other bitmaps that are added may be of any size. Custom bitmaps must be specified in the X bitmap format.
The built-in symbols are:
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anchor
ball
ball_small
binoculars
bird
block
block_small
bookmark
camera
cancel
car
center8
checkbox
circle
circle_bar
circle_plus
circle_x
clock
darkeye
deposition
diag_ll
diag_lr
diag_ul
diag_ur
diamond
donkey
drop
elephant
eye
fish
flag
hand
heart
hidden
hourglass
house
info
leaf
mine
pennant
photo
picnic
plus
q1
q1_notch
q2_notch
q3
q3_notch
q4
q4_notch
qmark_circle
raincloud
rose
square
star
surprise_circle
target
trash
tree
triangle
triangle_open
wheelchair
vapor
wave
wedge
x
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10If any new symbol that is imported from a configuration file or loaded from the File / Import symbol menu has the same name as any of these built-in symbols, the built-in symbol will be replaced.
When there are multiple data rows at a single location, the symbols for those data rows will overwrite one another. If the data rows at a single location are distinguishable in some way (e.g., by date or depth), then data rows may be assigned different symbols. Some combinations of symbols are well-suited to be overlain without obscuring one another. Some of these combinations are:
For two categories: circle and ball_small, and square and block_small.
For four categories: q1, q2, q3, and q4.
For five categories: q1_notch, q2_notch, q3_notch, q5_notch, and center8.
Other combinations of symbols only partially overlap one another, and so may also be suitable for use when overplotting of symbols will occur.
Using distinct colors, as well as distinct symbols, for different categories will also help to clarify where data rows have been overlain on the map.