Working With Other Types Of Spatial Data; Spatial Data Providers; Vision* Theme Data - Autodesk 15606-011408-9320 - MAPGUIDE R6.3 CPU MODEL-UPG 4/5 MIN 2 CPUS INITL User Manual

Working with Other Types of Spatial Data

In addition to Autodesk MapGuide SDF files, you can use other types of
spatial data formats with Autodesk MapGuide. There are two methods for
using the data: you can either convert the data to SDF format using the SDF
Loader or SDF Component Toolkit, or you can leave it in its native format
and use a Spatial Data Provider data extension.

Spatial Data Providers

Autodesk MapGuide uses an intelligent technology called Spatial Data
Providers, or SDP. An SDP is an OLE DB data source that can also serve spatial
data. When Autodesk MapGuide connects to spatial data using SDPs, perfor-
mance is maximized. To specify the spatial data source for a map layer in
Autodesk MapGuide Author, you first specify the SDP to use to serve the data
from the file, and then you specify the file.
Autodesk MapGuide Server now accesses SDF data through an SDP data
extension. Additionally, there are data extensions available for VISION*
theme data and Oracle8i Spatial as well as planned data extensions for
AutoCAD Map DWG and ArcView SHP. If you are an experienced COM devel-
oper with knowledge of OLE DB, you can also create your own SDP. To deter-
mine whether there is an SDP available for your data, or to create your own
SDP, contact your nearest Autodesk Developer Network Manager.

VISION* Theme Data

When Autodesk MapGuide uses VISION* theme features in a layer, it must
perform several steps to transform the data so that it can be displayed
correctly in the map. Most data appears exactly as it does in VISION*, but
there are some important points you need to know.
Using MapTips and URL Links
You can display the name of a map feature in Autodesk MapGuide by pausing
the mouse over the feature. The name then displays in a small yellow rect-
angle called a maptip. Also, if a map feature has a URL associated with it, the
pointer changes from an arrow to a hand when the mouse passes over that
feature, allowing the user to double-click and open the web page specified by
that URL.
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