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Basic Operations

This article explains common operations in the map production module. For map production, we recommend following this sequence: create a map production layout, set the paper, insert the map and elements, adjust the layout, save a layout template, and export the final output.

For element types and attribute descriptions, see Map Elements. For layout organization and output requirements, see Layout Design and Map Printing.

1. Create a Map Production Layout​

Description​

Create a map production layout to add a new layout page to the current project. Each layout page is an independent layout that can be used to create thematic maps, final map layouts, location maps, or atlas pages.

Steps​

  1. In the map production module, click New map production.
  2. The system creates a new layout page.
  3. On this page, continue inserting elements such as map frames, legends, scale bars, north arrows, text, and images.

Recommendations​

  • Use one layout page for one theme whenever possible.
  • You can create multiple map production layouts in the same project to manage multiple final map layouts.

Suggested illustration: the position of the New map production button and the layout page list interface.

2. Paper and Page Settings​

Description​

Paper settings control the size, orientation, and margins of the layout page. These settings directly affect map frame placement, element arrangement, and the final print result.

Common Settings​

  • Paper size: such as A4 or A5.
  • Page orientation: landscape or portrait.
  • Margins: control the white space between the content and page edges.

Recommendations​

  • Use a landscape page when the map extent is wider from east to west.
  • Use a portrait page when the map extent is longer from north to south.
  • Reserve enough edge space when you need to place many legends, explanatory notes, or inset maps.

Notes​

  • Confirm the paper settings before formal layout work.
  • After the paper size or orientation changes, you usually need to readjust the map frame and other element positions.

Suggested illustration: the paper properties panel, showing page size, orientation, and margin settings.

3. Map Navigation​

After a map frame is inserted, you can pan, zoom in, and zoom out to adjust the display extent and determine the main map content and layout composition.

1. Pan​

Description​

Pan changes the displayed position inside the map frame without changing the scale.

Use Cases​

  • Adjust the position of the main area.
  • Reserve space for elements such as legends and text.
  • Fine-tune the composition of map content on the page.

2. Zoom In​

Description​

Zoom in reduces the map display extent so you can view more detailed spatial content.

Use Cases​

  • Highlight key areas.
  • Improve the readability of details such as roads, boundaries, and place names.

3. Zoom Out​

Description​

Zoom out expands the map display extent so you can view a larger area.

Use Cases​

  • Check the overall composition.
  • Show a larger area in one map.

Notes​

  • When adjusting the map extent, also check whether the positions of legends, text, and inset maps remain balanced.
  • Map navigation is mainly used to determine the map expression extent. Avoid frequent repeated changes before finalizing the map layout.

4. Select Elements and Set Attributes​

1. Select Elements​

Description​

The selection tool selects layout elements on the layout page so you can move, scale, delete, group, adjust layer order, or modify their attributes.

Selectable Objects​

  • Map frame
  • Legend
  • Scale bar
  • North arrow
  • Text
  • Image
  • Shape

Steps​

  1. Activate the selection tool.
  2. Click the target element to select it.
  3. To select multiple elements, use box selection or combined selection.

2. Set Attributes​

Description​

The attributes panel is used to view and edit the parameters of the current element. Attribute items vary by element, but usually include name, position, size, style, font, color, rotation angle, and associated relationships.

Recommendations​

  • When you need to adjust position and size precisely, use the attributes panel first.
  • When the page contains multiple similar elements, rename them first to make identification and management easier.

Suggested illustration: the page state after an element is selected, showing both the selection border and the attributes panel.

5. Delete, Group, and Ungroup​

1. Delete Elements​

Description​

Delete removes the currently selected element from the layout page. This operation does not affect the original layer data.

Notes​

  • Before deleting, confirm that the correct object is selected.
  • For complex pages, save the current map production layout before deleting elements.

2. Group Elements​

Description​

Group combines multiple elements into one unit, making it easier to move, scale, and arrange them together.

Use Cases​

  • Group a legend with explanatory text.
  • Group a north arrow with explanatory text.
  • Group an image with annotations.
  • Group multiple decorative shapes.

3. Ungroup​

Description​

Ungroup restores grouped elements to independent objects so they can be modified separately.

Use Cases​

  • Adjust only one text item or image inside a group.
  • Rearrange elements inside a group.

6. Adjust Layer Order​

Description​

Layer order adjustment controls the overlap relationship among multiple elements on the page.

Common Operations​

  • Move up: move up one level.
  • Move down: move down one level.
  • Bring to front: move to the top level.
  • Send to back: move to the bottom level.

Use Cases​

  • Keep titles, legends, and explanatory text visible.
  • Place background color blocks, watermarks, or decorative shapes on lower levels.
  • Resolve overlap between elements.

Recommendations​

Determine the main map content first, then adjust the order of supporting elements, and finally handle background and decorative elements.

7. Alignment​

Description​

Alignment unifies the positional relationships among multiple elements, improving layout neatness and the consistency of final map layouts.

Common Alignment Options​

  • Align left
  • Align right
  • Align top
  • Align bottom
  • Center horizontally
  • Center vertically

Use Cases​

  • Arrange multiple paragraphs of explanatory text.
  • Place elements such as legends, scale bars, and north arrows consistently.
  • Arrange multiple inset maps or images neatly.

Notes​

  • Before aligning, roughly place the elements first, then fine-tune them together.
  • Alignment only improves positional neatness. It does not replace layout whitespace or visual hierarchy design.

Suggested illustration: a before-and-after comparison of aligning the same group of elements.

8. Save and Open Layout Templates​

1. Save a Template​

Description​

Save a template to store the layout structure and style configuration of the current layout page for later reuse.

Typical Saved Content​

  • Paper size and orientation
  • Map frame position
  • Positions and styles of elements such as legends, scale bars, and north arrows
  • Common explanatory area and title area layouts

Use Cases​

  • Batch map production
  • Regularly updating similar thematic maps
  • Standardizing final map layout styles within a team

2. Open a Template​

Description​

Open a template to quickly create a new layout page based on an existing template.

Recommendations​

After the template is loaded, focus on checking whether:

  • The current data has been replaced correctly.
  • The legend matches the current layers.
  • The title, time, and explanatory text have been updated.

9. Export Image​

Description​

Export image outputs the current layout page as a static image for presentation, printing, archiving, or sharing.

  • Whether the map extent is final.
  • Whether the legend, scale bar, and north arrow are complete.
  • Whether any text is blocked or misplaced.
  • Whether images and inset maps are clear.
  • Whether page whitespace and the visual center of gravity are balanced.

Recommendations​

  • For screen display, use a standard resolution.
  • For report figures or printing, use a higher resolution.

For layout design principles and printing requirements, continue reading Layout Design and Map Printing.

We recommend completing map production in the following sequence:

  1. Create a map production layout.
  2. Set the paper size and orientation.
  3. Insert a map frame and adjust the map extent.
  4. Add elements such as legends, scale bars, north arrows, and text.
  5. Use tools such as selection, alignment, and layer order adjustment to organize the page.
  6. Save a layout template.
  7. Export the final map layout.

This sequence applies to most thematic map and final map layout production scenarios and can effectively reduce rework.