Setting up a map with Mapshore
Step 1 The base map
Mapshore requires a base map for a location onto which it can load and position other layers of information. The boundaries used in the 2001 Census are often currently utilised for this purpose. Boundary maps are provided on Scamp-4 and other Pebbleshore CD-ROMs
Boundaries are loaded using the Retrieve command from the Boundary drop down menu in Mapshore. This shows the dialog box to choose an area.
This provides the base boundary map - in this case Plymouth wards -
Map Copyright: Ordnance Survey
Step 2 Adding background mapping.
Scamp-4 users are provided with OS 1:250000 raster - (Road Atlas type) tiles. To add this type of mapping, go to Retrieve Raster Background in the Data drop down menu. A similar dialog box to the one above enables you to choose the map tile. So long as it is named in the Ordnance Survey Grid Reference convention, the OSGR reference points of the corners of the background map, needed to position it, will be determined by Mapshore itself, so you will only need to OK them.
Map Copyright: Ordnance Survey
OR
You can add Ordnance Survey Landline tiles.
Users of OS Landline (.ntf) tiles go to Data and Retrieve Cartography Data to add these layers to the map. Zoom enlarges part of the map to show the Landline detail. The lower illustration shows selecting the layers to be shown. Zoom Layering provides a dialog box. Using the Right Hand mouse button, users toggle Yes and No in the Draw column to choose the map layers. If you add several tiles you can save these as one (.CAR) file using Data Save Cartography data. This makes loading all the tiles quicker next time. The Landline map shown is of the village of Hope in Derbyshire.
Step 3 Using Area Databases such as 2001 Census data.
You can add area data layers to the boundary areas, such as wards, to your map. These are called up by using Data and Retrieve Area Data, and choosing the topic file, such as one from Scamp-4, you wish to map.
Next you choose the variable
Map Copyright: Ordnance Survey Data: ONS copyright
The map is now a choropleth map. The shading represents data ranges, as shown on the key. The intervals, their type, the colours, and the shading can all be adjusted by the user. The black cross hatching indicates wards where more than one third of households do not have a car or van.
All Pebbleshore CD-ROM packs come with full support material. If you would like an interactive guide to Mapshore, for users to become familiar and cofident and trained in its use - Mapshore Skills Plus is available -
- see the order form