Map Viewer 8
MapViewer is an affordable mapping and spatial analysis tool that allows you to easily produce publication-quality thematic maps. Precisely display your data distribution with the most intuitive functions and features. Your data is unique and you need the best mapping software for the job!
MapViewer is an affordable and mapping and spatial analysis tool that allows you to easily produce publication-quality thematic maps. No data set is too complex to make an eye-catching plot. MapViewer helps you discover data trends and patterns in your data to help you make the right decision every time!
Create one of more than 16 unique and fully-customizable map types. Color your boundaries based on a data variable with the hatch map and territory map types. Create unique bar charts, pie charts, or line/scatter plots in each boundary with the bar map, pie map, and multi-graph map types. Grid your data and create gradient maps, contour maps, and vector maps from the grid. Re-size your map areas based on a data value with the three cartogram map types (contiguous, non-contiguous, and dorling) and the prism map type. Use the density map, symbol map, flow map, and line graph map types to display points, line graphs, or arrows on your map based on your data value. Add base maps and pin maps to your plot to display boundaries and point locations on your thematic maps.
Base Maps
MapViewer can import maps in many different formats to display geographic information. Base maps display boundary objects that do not have thematic data associated with them. They are created from any number of vector or image file formats, such as SHP, DXF, GeoTIFF, and PDF.
Pin Maps
Pin maps show points at specific XY locations on a map. The locations can represent sample locations, well locations, or original data point locations, and they can be defined by a latitude/longitude coordinate pair, a U.S. city and state pair, or a 5-digit U.S. ZIP code. Alternatively, you can create a custom location file to use for locating your points .
Hatch Maps
Display your data in an easy-to-interpret way that is visually stunning! Hatch maps (also known as choropleth maps) use colors and fill patterns to represent data ranges or classes of data for each area on a map. This map type is useful for displaying many types of data sets, like population, crime rates, rainfall, and more.
Contour Maps
Contour maps are created by interpolating on a uniform grid between discrete data measurements and then displaying lines of constant values. Display contour maps over any contour range and contour interval, or specify only the contour levels you want to display on the map. With MapViewer you can add color fill between contours to produce dazzling displays of your maps, or produce gray scale fills for dramatic black and white printouts.
Symbol Maps
Display your thematic data as a proportional-sized symbol in each boundary. Symbol maps place a symbol in relation to the centroid of a boundary object (area, curve, or point). The symbols are scaled and/or colored in proportion to one or two sets of data values represented for each object.
Density Maps
Density maps (or dot density maps) use symbols to represent data values for areas on a map. On a density map, each symbol represents a quantity, so the number of symbols drawn in an area is in relation to the data value associated with that area. For example, if an area has a data value of 3000 and each symbol represents 30, there will be 100 symbols in that area on the map.
Territory Maps
Easily create territory maps in MapViewer to group your boundaries into broader categories. Territory maps allow areas, curves, or points to be grouped into territories by defining a grid, numeric class, or text class, or by hand selecting the areas for territories. All objects within a territory are displayed with the same color. Statistics about each data variable for each territory are displayed in the Property Manager.
Vector Maps
Instantly create vector maps in MapViewer to show direction and magnitude of data at points on a map. The two components of the vector map, direction and magnitude, are automatically generated from a grid by computing the gradient of the represented surface.
Line Graph Maps
See the overall distribution of your data and visualize how each data value compares to the data set as a while with the line graph map! Line graph maps sort the data values from least to most and plot that as a line graph relative to the centroid of each boundary. Then fill is applied from the minimum value up to the specific data value of that boundary, so you can see at-a-glance how your data values relate to each other.
Gradient Maps
Gradient maps are created by interpolating on a uniform grid between discrete data measurements and then displaying a continuous range of colors. Display gradient maps over any contour range and contour interval. With MapViewer you can specify a predefined or custom color map to produce beautiful maps.
Bar Maps
Compare multiple variables for each boundary with a bar map. Bar maps are a way to compare the values of several data variables both with respect to their relatives in a single boundary and with respect to other values for the same variable in other boundaries. Add a customizable legend to show what each color represents and what values the heights of bars of each color display. Display the bar charts in three dimensions to make your plot spring to life!
Flow Maps
Flow maps show data based on line thickness. Flow map lines can be drawn from one boundary object to another, or you can associate a data file with curves on a base map to create a flow map. These maps are a great way to show the movement and quantity of goods or people from one place to another.
Prism Maps
Prism maps draw each boundary object as a raised prism, where the height of the prism is relative to the associated data value. Prisms can also be assigned fill colors to represent data ranges or classes of data for each area on a map so they look like a 3D hatch map. Use this flexible map type to display two variables on a single map!
Pie Maps
Compare multiple variables that are part of a whole for each boundary with a pie map. Pie maps are a way to represent the proportion of several data values with respect to the whole. Additionally, the size of the pie chart can be varied so that total can be compared as well. Customize the pie charts by adding a third dimension, to make your plot pop right out of the page!
Cartogram Maps
Cartogram maps are arguably the most artistic and visually-pleasing of the thematic maps offered by MapViewer. All three cartogram types in MapViewer are area cartograms, so the area of each boundary is scaled according to a data value. The cartogram types offered by MapViewer are: contiguous cartogram, non-contiguous cartogram, and dorling cartogram.
Multi-Graph Maps
Have numerous x,y coordinates you want to plot in graphs on your map? Utilize the fully-customizable new multi-graph map to display a unique line/scatter plot at each boundary object. The graphs are located with respect to the object centroids.
Map Layers
Adding multiple map layers to your map gives you a way to combine different types of data in one map. For example, you can overlay a pin map on a hatch map, overlay a base map of highways on a contour map, or plot different scales of administrative boundaries (such as county and state boundaries) on a gradient map.
Customize Your Map
Make your map look its best by customizing it to fit your needs! MapViewer offers numerous plot features to enhance the look of your map. Use MapViewer’s defaults, or customize your map by including scale bars, legends, graticules, map collars, and insets, editing colors, lines, and fill styles, showing only portions of a map, and adjusting the scale.
Managers
The object manager makes the editing of any map or object simple. It displays all the map layers and objects in the plot document in an easy-to-use hierarchical list. The map layers and objects can be selected, arranged, removed, and renamed in the object manager.
Map Projections
Choose from an endless list of coordinate systems for your plot to display. Specify the source coordinate system for each of the boundary files as you import them, and choose to display the plot in any other coordinate system! MapViewer performs on-the-fly projections, so once your plot...
Automation
Create your own scripts to automate repetitive tasks! Don’t spend time doing the same process over and over again – write a simple script to simplify your life!
Boundary and Data Files
Boundary files are ‘vector’ type files that save line, symbol, and area information. Some of these file types are GSB, GSI, DXF, SHP, BNA, BLN, MIF, and E00. These files can create a base map by using the File | Import command or by using the Map | Create Map | Base command. Once a base map has been created from a boundary file, a thematic map can be created using those boundary objects.
Worksheet
MapViewer lets you manipulate your data in many ways to achieve the exact output you want. MapViewer includes a full-featured worksheet for creating, opening, editing, and saving data files. Data files can be up to one billion rows and columns, subject to available memory. You can cut, copy, and paste data within the MapViewer worksheet or between applications.
Additional Features
MapViewer is packed full of additional features designed to help you communicate effectively and professionally.
Supported File Formats
MapViewer 8 supports many popular import and export formats.
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
 |
| 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
 |
| 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
 |
| 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
 |
| 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
 |
| 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.
 |
| 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!
 |
| 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 Hatch Map Classes
It’s finally here! Create the same visually-dynamic hatch 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
 |
| Never reformat your data again! With the ability to create hatch 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
 |
| 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.
 |
| 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
 |
| 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.
 |
| 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!
 |
| 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: |
|
|
New Coordinate Systems, Datums, and Projections
| New Coordinate Systems: | New Datums: |
|
New Projections:
|
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!
 |
| Exercise more control over your text than ever in the new Text Editor, and display text in any language with Unicode support. |
- Windows XP SP2, Vista, 7, 8 (excluding RT), or higher
- 32-bit and 64-bit supported
- 1024 X 768 or higher monitor resolution with 16-bit (or higher) color depth
- At least 500 MB free hard disk space
- At least 512 MB RAM minimum, 1GB RAM recommended