From jschuler@tulip.itc.nrcs.usda.gov Thu Apr 16 19:25:06 1998
Subject: Re: MAPGEN STEPS and Commands


Requirements:

 The datum shift requires a file called DATUM_INFO

For nad27 locations:              For nad83 locations:

datum: nad27				datum: nad83
region: conus				region: conus

(the proj4.3.0 code under src.related/mapgen is identical 
to the src.contrib/nrcs/libes/proj code.)

this uses evendens nad2nad code.  A man page for this is
under $GISBASE/mapgen/docs/nad2nad.  This is a postscript file.  

-------------------
Xzoom (src.related/mapgen/xzoom2).  
This is a very nice gui for display of mapgen overlays.  
There is a postscript doc for xzoom under 
$GISBASE/mapgen/docs/xzoom.ps.z

==================================================================
BASIC MAP MAKING STEPS USING THE GRASS-MAPGEN INTERFACE

GRASS Commands
d.vect - a boundary vector layer showing the extent of the 
   area to be mapped.
d.zoom - redefine your grass region as close to the area 
   to be mapped.
g.region save=name - to save your newly created window

GRASS-MAPGEN Interface Commands
1.  mapgen4.1

2.  make.mapdef

3.  make.neatline  - to define data area and plot area

4.  make.line - to define the extent of the data area 
                relative to the data window. 
                (note: if you do not have gzip/gzcat
                 under $(GISBASE)/tools
                 then you must run dig.to.geo -a vector_name
                 prior to running the make.line command)

5.  show.sh - displays the overlays to the graphics monitor
    d.ovm - provides a list of overlays to display and erases 
         the screen 
    show.colorchrt - displays the  default pen colors 
    create.colortb - creates a default colortable or user 
        defined colortable

6.  verbose - to determine how big the map is related to 
       paper size

EVALUATE THE DISPLAY TO DETERMINE IF SUITABLE SPACE IS 
AVAILABLE TO ADD MAP SUPPORT INFORMATION (i.e., bar scale, 
source note, title, legend, etc.)

7.  make.text - add map text like title, source note, legend 
           subtitle
    show.font - displays mapgen fonts
    show.char - displays font characters
    show.size - displays text in user defined size

8.  make.line - bring in additional map line layers
    make.symline - build symbols lines like railroads, 
             pipeline, etc.
    make.rast - builds a GRASS raster as a line file 
    show.line - shows the mapgen line patterns to the monitor

9.  make.label - bring in geographic data area labels

10. make.symbol - bring in geographic data area symbols

11. make.fill - build thematic interps: fill polygon areas 
                with different
                patterns

12. make.grid - build a geographic grid

13. make.barscale - build a graphic barscale

14. make.arrow - build a north arrow indicator

15. plot.sh - to plot a hardcopy map

GRASS -> GEOREFERENCE COMMANDS TO MAPGEN DIG_GEO LINE FILE
dig.to.geo - default georeference command build grass vector      
iso.to.geo - builds grass vector for iso line labeling with 
               make.linelabel
flow.to.geo - builds grass vector with different pen width
             for flow maps based on values in the dig_att file   
linepat.to.geo - builds grass vector file with unique line 
              patterns based on values in the dig_att file
unit.to.geo - sets label value at a user specified distance 
              in meters.  Can be used to place drainage arrows 
              along lines at set distance to allow
              user to move/delete symbols.

GRASS -> GEOREFERENCE COMMANDS TO MAPGEN SITES_GEO POINTS FILE
sites.to.geo - converts grass site_lists file to mapgen 
          points file
att.to.geo - converts grass vector label points and code 
            to mapgen points file
cats.to.geo - converts grass vector label points and 
           description to mapgen  points file.

HELPFUL EDITING TOOLS
edit.geosites - allows user to reposition labels generated 
                  using make.label.  works with xzoom.
edit.geoarrow - allows user to reposition arrow symbol posted 
                 along a line.

HELPFUL MAP MANAGEMENT COMMANDS
g.list maps
g.list geovect
g.list geosites


g.mapman - online mapgen manual

g.copy [maps,geovect,geosite]

geo.to.ascii - converts a binary dig_geo file to ascii

trim.data - trims the map definition data window using the 
            mouse
            Note: be careful with this command it tends to 
            trash your map.def.par and map.def file.  I 
            normally avoid using this by setting my window 
            in GRASS before running the make.mapdef command.

I hope this helps.

MAPJILL
                                                     . 
Jill R. Schuler                                     / \
USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service        /.....\/\    /\
2627 Redwing, Suite 120                          /       \_/\_/  \
Ft. Collins, Co 80526                         /\/             _/\ ---------
_____________________________________________/

FAX:970-282-1930   VCOMM:9010-2418   PHONE:970-282-2418 
e-mail:jschuler@itc.nrcs.usda.gov

"A map is the greatest of all epic poems.  It's lines and colors show the 
realization of great dreams."  Gilbert Grosvenor, National Geographic Editor