MapDraw

(Deed Plotter)

USER'S GUIDE

Copyright   1994-1996 Informatik Inc.
All rights reserved
3/96.

Installation

1.	Open the Windows Program Manager.

2.	Insert the Installation diskette in drive A: (or B:)

3.	Choose Run from the File menu.  The Run dialog box appears.

4.	In the Command Line, type A:SETUP.

5.	Choose OK.  The installation process begins.  

6.	The system suggests the directory for the new software.  
	If necessary, type another directory path.  Choose OK.

When you start the system for the first time, it will ask you to specify the standard of measurement (feet or meters).  The standard can later be changed from the File | Setup menu.

Copyright, Registration, Technical Support.

This system was developed by Informatik Inc, P.O. Box 868, Devon, Pennsylvania 19333.  For information on program modifications, systems integrations and custom applications, please contact Informatik Inc.

This product is copyright protected.  Except for evaluation purposes, you are not allowed to use the software unless you are registered.

To register

From the About menu, choose Copyright, Registration.

To obtain technical support

For detail, choose Technical Support from the Help menu.

Sample, Tutorial

From the Help menu, choose Demo Sample 1, 2, 3 or 4.  

The system will display the data and the map of a fictitious lot.  This sample lets you practice with the system and test the system to its limits.  Change the data, add data, remove entries, print, file, retrieve, etc.  

To make your entry effective (and to redraw the map) always press the Draw button, select the Function Key 8 or click the blank row at the bottom of the grid.

The data is hard-coded in the program, and you cannot destroy it.  

To restore the sample, simply re-select the Sample menu.  

Navigate the Screen

There are many ways to navigate the screen.  You can move to a field in one of the following ways:

-	Click the field

To move to the next field
-	Press Enter.
-	Press Tab.
-	Press the Right Arrow key.

To move to the previous field

-	Press Tab + Shift.
-	Press the Left Arrow key.

POWER USERS!  All entries can be made from the number pad.  Use a number key to toggle between values in the NS, EW (not available in the Azimuths version), and LR fields; press Enter or Right Arrow to move to the next field; press Left  Arrow to move to prior field.  Press F8 to confirm.

Angle, Direction, Bounds

MapDraw comes in two versions:

1.  Magnetic Bearing (North-South axis)
2. Azimuths (360 degrees)

Magnetic Bearing

The system uses the North-South axis.  East and West are secondary directions and are handled as angular deviations from North zero and South zero, except absolute due east and absolute due west.  To convert a East-West axis to a North-South axis, choose Convert | Reciprocal Angle from the Edit menu. 

In the data input section, the Angle data entry consists of five fields: North/South, Degrees, Minutes, Seconds and East/West.  An example of an entry is N 45 00 00 E.  

The NS and EW direction fields are toggle fields. Press any key other than N, S, E or W)  to alternate (toggle) between valid characters.  The Delete key removes the entry.  The Minutes and Seconds field may be left blank.

To increment an angle (deflection), enter a plus sign (+) in the first cell and enter the increment in the direction fields.  A minus sign (-) decreases the angle.

The system verifies the validity of the angle.  The degree cannot exceed 90 and the minutes and seconds must be less than 60.

Azimuths

This version of MapDraw is based on the Azimuth method, i.e. it uses 360 degrees.  Zero degree points due North, 90 degrees points due East, and continuing clockwise.

The system verifies the validity of the angle.  The degree cannot exceed 360 and the minutes and seconds must be less than 60.   Decimal values are allowed. 

Curves

Special considerations for curves

For curves, the direction (bearing) is optional.  If you specify a direction (by entering the absolute angle or an increment), it always refers to the bearing of the given or imaginary chord (even though the chord value not entered).  If the direction is not specified, the curve extends from the current angle, i.e. in the direction of the tangent.  To specify a new angle of a curve (not the chord), enter the new angle of the tangent with a zero distance and zero radius (a zero, not a blank), then on the next line enter the data for the curve, i.e. you must reset the direction before you draw the curve.

If you do not know the angle of tangent of a curve, but you know the angle of the chord, please use the 'Chord Angle - Tangent Angle' conversion under Conversions in the Edit menu.  This utility will give you the difference between the two angles.

Example:

Direction	Distance	Radius		Curve
N 45 16 20 E 	1000
N 50 20 30 E 	0		0		
		500		1000		R
N 55 30 45 E	1000

(In this example the second entry sets the new tangent.  Please note the zero entry for distance and radius.)

If you enter a chord length, you MUST enter the bearing.  If the bearing is not known, you can calculate the arc or the angle in 'Conversions' from the Edit menu.  Please also read the sections below.

Sometimes, in the case of non-tangent curves, neither the chord nor the tangent is known.  If the land description refers to the angle/direction to the radius point you can easily calculate the tangent.  The tangent is always at a right angle (90 degrees) to the radius point. The angle of the tangent is thus the reciprocal angle of the radius point angle.  You just need to determine the North-South East-West aspect.  The reciprocal angle can be obtained from 'Conversions' in the Edit menu.

If you are given the chord length and the radius (but not the arc length or the bearing), you need to run a quick calculation of the arc length.  From the Edit menu, choose Conversions and select 'Give me Arc'.  Enter the values as shown in the dialog box and press OK.  The system will give you the arc distance.  Enter the arc distance in the 'Distance' entry box and proceed.

When drawing a curve without specifying the angle of the chord, the curve begins at the current angle.  The current angle is the angle of the previous line, or the angle of the previous chord, or, if no chord was specified in the previous curve, the angle of the tangent of the previous curve (at end of curve).  

If you do not know the angle of tangent of a curve, but you know the angle of the chord, please use the 'Chord Angle - Tangent Angle' conversion under Conversions in the Edit menu.  This utility will give you the difference between the two angles.

If you know the radius and you know the arch length MapDraw can calculate the chord and the angle (deflection) of the chord.  This is a two-step procedure: 1.  From the Edit | Conversions menu, choose 'Give me Chord'.  Enter the Arch Length and the radius to get the chord length.  2.  Again from the Edit | Conversions menu, choose 'Give me Angle'.  Enter the Arch Length and the radius to get the angle.  Please note that the angle is the Exit Angle, i.e. the angle at the end of the curve. Therefore you must divide the angle by two.  This 50 % of the angle represents the deflection of the angle for the chord (i.e. the difference between the tangent angle and the chord angle.

The system only accepts curves with angles up to 180 degrees.  In the unlikely event of a curve with an angle higher than 180 degrees, break it into two sections. 

Distance, Metes, Radius, Chord, Curve, Arc

For straight lines, the distance is mandatory input.  

For curves, the radius must be entered together with either the distance (curve length, arc length) or the chord length.  The system will validate the curve values and reject incompatible input.  

In addition, a curve also requires a right/left orientation indicator (Curve).  This L or R flag is a toggle field.  Press any key to toggle between L and R.  If you leave the field blank, the system will use 'L' as a default.  The distance, chord and radius fields allow decimal values.  

When you start the system for the first time, it will ask you to specify the standard of measurement (feet or meters).  The standard (default) can later be changed from the File | Setup menu.

Posting

To post a new entry

1.	If the edit fields are not blank, click the blank line at the bottom of the list of entries.  The edit fields are cleared.

2.	Enter all required data.

3.	Choose the 'Draw' button (or Function Key F8).  Or, simply click the blank row at the bottom of the list of entries.

The 'Draw' button and the Function Key 8 clear the edit fields for a new entry.  'Power users' are advised to use the Function Key 8.

4.	The map is redrawn after each entry.  Select the scale of the map from the Scale list.

It is recommended that you save the data from time to time, especially if the input is extensive.  For a quick backup, choose Quick Backup from the File Menu.  The data is saved in the BACKUP.MAP file in the application's directory. 

POWER USERS!  All entries can be made from the number pad.  Use a number to toggle the between values in the NS, EW (not available in the Azimuths version) , and LR fields; press Enter or Right Arrow to move to the next field; press Left  Arrow to move to prior field and press F8 to confirm.

Edit

To edit an existing entry

1.	In the table of entries, click the cell that you want to edit. 

2.	The entry is transferred to the editing fields at the top of the window.

3.	In the editing fields, make the necessary changes.

4.	Press the 'Draw' button or press Function Key 8.  Or, you may simply select another line on the list of entries.

Property Description

The property description is printed as a header on the map.  

Enter the property description text in free form.  The text wraps to the next line, but you may also use hard returns.  The text should be kept relatively short.  If the text is longer than approximately five lines, it may crowd out the space reserved for the map.

The property description text does not support attributes such as fonts, underlines, italics, etc.  Tabs are not supported.  

POB - Point of Beginning

Often, you will want the system to calculate the last element of the map and 'close' the map.  

The system will resolve the closing leg of the map if you tag the Point of Beginning - POB (unless it is the first entry) and if you tag the last entry. 

To tag the POB

-	Select the entry that describes (leads to) the beginning point.  The POB tag is not required if the POB is the map's actual starting point.

-	Check the Point of Beginning box.

To tag the last entry

-	If the closing leg is a straight line (not a curve), open the blank record at the end of the list and check the Closing box.

-	If the closing leg is a curve, enter the curve parameters (radius and left/right orientation) as a separate and final entry and check the Closing box.  Leave all other fields blank.

-	Choose the Draw button.

Multiple Lots

To draw multiple lots with a common Point-of-Beginning, draw the map in the customary fashion.  If you want to calculate the acreage, be sure that all lots are consistently drawn either clockwise or counter-clockwise.  

To draw multiple lots with a common reference point

1.	Draw your first lot.  Optionally, mark the Point of Origin by checking the Point of Origin box.

2.	Select a blank row at the bottom of the grid.
3.	In the edit panel at the top of the screen, click the New Lot check box.  A "N" flag is inserted in the POB column.

4.	Starting on the next row below, post the values for the second lot in the usual manner.

5.	Repeat the process for other lots.

The acreage is not calculated for multiple lots.

Bi-directional Maps

Sometimes, you may want to draw a map and close it from two directions.  For example, one path leads from the Point-of-Beginning to the shore of a lake.  The second path leads from the same Point-of-Beginning to a different point along the shore.  The system then must calculate the distance and angle between the two shore points and close the map.

To close a map drawn from two directions 

1.	At the point where the path branches out (normally the Point of Beginning), check the Point of Origin box.  The letter 'O' is inserted in the POB cell.  (Essentially, this resets the Point of Origin)

2.	Specify the first path.

3.	At the end of the first path, click the Point of Beginning box.  The letter 'B' is inserted in the POB cell.

4.	On the next blank line, check the 'New Lot' box.  The letter 'N' is inserted in the POB cell. (This re-positions you at the 'Point of Origin'.)

5.	Specify the second path

6.	At the end of the second path, click the Close box.   The letter 'C' is inserted in the POB cell.

7.	Press the Draw button.

When drawing bi-directional maps,  you cannot calculate the acreage. 

Insert an Entry (between existing entries)

To insert a new entry 

1.	In the table of entries, click the row where you want to insert a new entry.

2.	Press the Insert button.  A blank row is created. 

3.	In the editing fields, type the required data.

4.	Press the 'Draw' button (or Function Key F8).  Moving to another line in the list of entries will also update the record.

Remove an Entry

In the table of existing entries,  place your cursor on the entry you wish to erase and press the 'Remove' button.  

Save/Open

You may want to save the data for later re-use.

1.	From the File menu, choose Save As (or Open).

2.	In the dialog, specify the file name.  Ensure that you are in the correct directory. 

3.	Choose OK.

For a Quick Backup of the data, choose Quick Backup from the File menu.  The data is saved in the BACKUP.MAP file in the application's directory.

Scale

The default scale of the map is Standard.  In this mode the map is scaled to fit comfortably into the display window and the printed page.  You can also select Minimum, Small or Maximum to shrink or enlarge the map, but the scale is still calculated by the system.  

You can select a fixed scale (100:1, 200:1. 400:1 and 800:1).  If you select a fixed scale, the map is centered but it may exceed the boundaries of the screen and/or printing paper.

To specify your own scale, choose Add Customized Scale from the Map menu (or select Custom in the Scale List).  In the prompt dialog box type the desired scale (e.g. 1000) and choose OK.  The new scale is added to the list of scales.  The customized scales are deleted when you log off.  For a one-off scale, you can simply type the scale in the scale box.

The specified fixed and customized scales are applied for printing only; the screen display always uses the automatic scaling.

Unless specified differently, the scale refers to 'Centimeter to Meters' and 'Inches to Feet'.  For example a on a 1:1000 scale, 1000 feet would be printed as one inch.  To change the scaling method to Feet-Feet and/or Meter-Meter, change the Setting in the INI file as follows:

ScaleMetric=57600
ScaleEnglish=17280

The default setting is:
ScaleMetric=576
ScaleEnglish=1440

The 'fixed' scale list can be set in the Mapdraw.ini file.

Magnification (Zoom)

The map can be displayed magnified.   This will allow you to inspect any overlaps in property lines.

To magnify the map, choose Magnify from the Map menu.  The magnified map is displayed in new window.  Most likely, the window will appear blank (because the upper-left segment of the map does not contain any sections).  Use the vertical and horizontal scroll bars to 'zoom in' on the section that you want to examine.

The magnified map is for viewing only.  You cannot print the magnified map.

Print, Copy the Data to the Clipboard

To print the map

1.	From the File menu, choose Print Map; or press the Print button..

2.	In the Print dialog, select the printer (if necessary).

3.	Choose OK.
The system prints the short property description (if entered), the map and the data, referenced to the map by index numbers.  To avoid overcrowding, some reference numbers may be omitted.

For print options,  choose Print Options from the File menu.  The print options allow you to include or exclude the property description, the reference points, the reference list and the frame.  The default desstings can be changed in the mapdraw.ini file.

If the printer does not print a curve (or any section), reduce the scale and print again.

The gap of the map can be balanced when printing.  Thus, MapDraw can spread the gap evenly over the straight sections so that the map appears without a gap.  To balance the map, check the Balance Gap check box in the Print Options.

To print the data

1.	From the File menu, choose Print Data.
2.	In the Print dialog, select the printer (if necessary).
3.	Choose OK.
4.	The data is converted to a columnar format and printed.

To copy the data to the clipboard

1.	From the File menu, choose Copy Data to Clipboard.
2.	The data is converted to a text format and copied to the Windows Clipboard.

Bitmap of the Map 

The displayed map can be captured and copied as a bitmap to the Windows Clipboard.  This allows you to import it into the Windows Paintbrush (and other programs).  Certain applications may not let you paste the image.  In such a case, paste the image to the Windows Paintbrush and save it as a file.  Then, in the other application, simply open this newly created image file.  From the File menu, choose Copy Map to Clipboard (bmp).

Calculate Acreage, Calculate Gap, Perimeter

To calculate the acreage

1.	From the Map menu, choose Calculate Acreage or Calculate Hectares.  

2.	The acreage is displayed at the top of the map display. 

The acreage is calculated to a high precision, except in a situation where a system-calculated closing section has a very pronounced curve (almost a half-circle).  The acreage will not calculate if there is a closing gap larger than one foot.  For a correct calculation, the input must be in feet or meters.

For acreage calculations, do not intersect the path.  If the map consists of more than one area, all areas must be drawn in the same direction, i.e. clockwise or counter-clockwise.  For example, if you draw plots in the shape of an '8', and you draw one circle clockwise and the other circle counter-clockwise, the calculated acreage is zero (one half offsets the other half).  If you draw the same shape with two circles, all clockwise, the acreage calculation will yield the correct result. 

The acreage is not calculated when you draw multiple lots.

To calculate the gap

1.	From the Map menu, choose Calculate Gap.  

2.	The gap is displayed at the top of the map drawing.

To calculate the perimeter

1.	From the Map menu, choose Calculate Perimeter.  
2.	The perimeter is displayed at the top of the map drawing.

Clear Entry, Clear All

To clear an entry or to clear the entire screen

The 'Clear Entry' button clears the edit fields and prepares the fields for a new entry.  The Clear Entry does not delete or erase posted records.

The 'Clear All' button clears the complete screen.  Unless the entries have been saved on disk, all entries are irretrievable lost.  Before the screen is cleared, the system will ask for a re-confirmation.

Conversions

Some traditional measurements (chains, links, rods, perches, yards, furlongs, meters) can be converted to feet.  Also, angles that are not based on the North-South axis can be converted to the reciprocal angle to facilitate input.  You can also calculate the arc length and the chord.  To convert an entire table, please read the Global Conversion section below.

To convert a value

1.	From the Edit menu, choose Conversions.

2.	Chose the type of conversion.

3.	Enter the value and press enter.

4.	The converted value is shown in the display box.  Measurement values are also copied to the Windows clipboard and can be pasted into other fields.

Angle Reciprocals

For example, if you want to convert a EAST 10 15 20 SOUTH angle to the equivalent angle on the North-South axis, choose Conversions | Reciprocal Angle from the Edit menu and enter 10 15 20.  The system returns an angle of 79 44 40.  This is the SOUTH 79 44 40 EAST angle on the North-South axis.  

Global Conversion

The Global Conversion converts the entire table from meters to feet, or from feet to meters.  The Global Conversion can be found in the Edit menu.