What's New in MapViewer 8?
We have compiled a list of some of the top new features in MapViewer 8. This list is only a small sampling of the new features added to MapViewer 8.
New and Improved User-Interface
Find commands more easily than ever with the new ribbon bar user-interface. Commonly-used commands have larger icons to make them easier to find, and commands are grouped in more intuitive ways. Additionally, find customization tools more easily than ever in the newly-redesigned managers.
"I would like to congratulate you and your team on the new version of MapViewer. It looks great." – Kazimierz J Zaniewski, Ph.D., Professor of Geography, Geography and Urban Planning, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
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| Quickly create and customize your map with the intuitive new ribbon bar interface and the redesigned managers. |
Create Multi-Graph Maps
Multi-graph maps are a new thematic map type that display a unique line graph in or on each map boundary. Multi-graph maps make it easy to compare continuous information (like population over time) for multiple areas at once.
"It was easy to use this Multi-Graph Map. This will be very handy for mapping with oil and gas production data." – Mike Brickey, Retired Geologist
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| Overlay multi-graph maps to compare different variables for your boundaries. All aspects of the graphs are fully customizable so you can create a map that will wow any audience! |
Create Bivariate Symbol Maps
Symbol Maps have been an effective means of communicating data in previous versions of MapViewer, but they are even more powerful in MapViewer 8. Now you can color your symbols by a different variable than the variable with which you sized the symbols. This new feature doubles the amount of information your map conveys!
“My first effort at a bivariate symbol map produced a good map quickly and easily.” – David Hillier, Retired Plant Ecologist
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| Use the new bivariate option for the symbol map to create visually dynamic maps that display both of your variables in an easy-to-understand way. This map, from beta tester Thierry Hatt, displays house surface area as symbol size and percentage of house surface area divided by property surface area as symbol color for Strasbourg, Alsace, France (1765 land survey information). |
Create Contiguous Cartogram Maps
Contiguous cartograms are maps that vary the area of a map boundary based on a variable, and maintain the connectivity of adjacent boundaries at the expense of shape. Use this intriguing new cartogram map feature to display your data in an obvious and interesting way.
“I LOVE the contiguous cartogram…very elegant.” – Bob McConnaughey, Ph.D., Epidemiology Support and Analysis, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
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| Contiguous cartograms can be used to effectively display your data while maintaining the connectivity of adjacent boundaries. |
Create Proportional Pin Maps
Exercise full control over your pin map display by using the proportional symbol size pin map method. This allows you to set a minimum and maximum symbol size, then have the symbol sizes vary within that range based on the values in your data column.
“I mainly use Pin maps for our organization…In the new version I see a benefit to be able to use multiple data sources. This is a great feature.” – MapViewer 8 Beta Tester
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| Impress your audience by creating a professional-looking pin map with the new proportional symbol size pin map method. |
Download Online Maps
More information is now at your fingertips. Download image layers from hundreds of free online Web Mapping Services (WMS) through MapViewer’s new, integrated WMS browser. Connect to online data sources, pick the layers of interest you want to download, and MapViewer seamlessly downloads the images into your projects.
“The new interface looks great and I am very happy to see the WMS support.” – Tobias Spears, Consultant, Spears Agile Solutions, Inc.
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| MapViewer’s new WMS browser efficiently locates and downloads high resolution images to use as base maps. |
Query Across Multiple Layers
No longer are you limited to querying only objects in the same layer. Now select points from one layer that are within boundaries on another layer, apply properties to polygons on separate layers that share a given criteria, etc. MapViewer will show you patterns in your data you never knew existed!
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| Use the powerful Query across multiple layers to perform repetitive tasks (like selecting points with given criteria) in an instant! |
Use Text Columns for Territory Map Territories or Choropleth (Hatch) Map Classes
It’s finally here! Create the same visually-dynamic choropleth maps and territory maps you always have, but use text variables rather than assigning these to data values. Eliminate tedious data reformatting forever!
“I didn't use text classes in my work but I must say it's very efficient. … I must confess it seems very powerful and much more useful than I thought. Congratulations.” – Thierry Hatt, associated researcher EA3400 team, historical GIS cartographer, Université de Strasbourg, France
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| Never reformat your data again! With the ability to create choropleth maps or territory maps from text classes, you no longer have to assign numbers to your text classes just to map them. |
Increased Customization of Data Labels
Customize your map presentation by adding data labels from any data column, changing the font/format of labels, moving all labels in as set or individual labels, and adding leader lines. Your maps will look exactly how you want with minimal effort!
"Using the new approach to dealing with data labelling was straightforward and intuitive. The flexibility and range of facilities provided are very good." – John Cooper, retired Professor and Property Systems consultant
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| Customize each of your label sets by moving/formatting them as a unit, or customize each individual label’s location and formatting. MapViewer 8 makes it quick and easy to create a unique and informative graphic. |
Support for Unlimited Number of Attributes
Import an unlimited number of attributes with your boundaries for use as data labels to present a myriad of information about your map.
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| Select any or all of your boundary files attributes in the Import Options dialog to present a complete picture with your map. |
Embed Data in MapViewer Project (GSM) Files
Have trouble remembering where your data files went? Forget to send the data files with the GSM file when you’re sharing your project with a coworker or technical support? Never again. The redesigned GSM file allows you to embed data so one file is all you need!
“A great idea to embed data files within the GSM file; excellent!” – Alberto Vargas, San Jose, Costa Rica
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| Check the box in the File | Options dialog to Embed worksheet in [.GSM] file and say goodbye to having to keep the data file and the GSM file together so your project can be opened. |
Improved Coordinate System Dialog
Benefit from a flexible new coordinate system dialog that lays out the systems in a more intuitive fashion. Additionally, new functionality has been added to search for coordinate systems to make it easier than ever to find your desired system. Surfer users will find this dialog familiar and will delight in the improvement, since this dialog and Surfer’s are one and the same.
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| Choose from a number of pre-existing coordinate systems or create your own using MapViewer’s projections and datums to easily georeferenced your plot. |
Font/Format Support for Legend Entries
Add a custom legend to your plot to give all of the information that your audience needs to get out the valuable information you put into your maps. Use the new Font Properties and Label Format sections to add prefixes and suffixes to your legend entries, modify the font size and color, and so much more!
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| Customize your legend by manipulating the font and format properties in the Layer tab of the Property Manager. |
New Import/Export Formats
Take advantage of the newly available or enhanced import and export formats!
| Import formats: | Export formats: |
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New Coordinate Systems, Datums, and Projections
| New Coordinate Systems: | New Datums: |
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New Projections:
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Additional New Features
In addition to the mind-blowing features listed above, here are a few more long-awaited and highly sought-after new features:
- 64-Bit Installation Option
"I have created my very first 1.28 Gbyte Mapviewer8 file. I certainly could never have done that in Mapviewer7!" – Jim Lance, Independent Geophysicist
- Full Transparency Control of All Map Objects Including Images
- Full Unicode Support
- New Text Editor Dialog
- And many more!
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| Exercise more control over your text than ever in the new Text Editor, and display text in any language with Unicode support. |
Updated March 13, 2018
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