Lines

The behavior of the Lines analyses is quite similar to the area shading analysis, except that linear objects are analyzed here. In addition to the color, the line width as well as the line’s dash style may be controlled by the underlying data.

A good example for a line analysis is if you have a road shapefile and want to evaluate it using a data column such as a road classification (motorway, country road, traffic-calmed roads etc.).

This type of analysis requires a layer that contains linear objects that can be identified by an ID. Using this ID, the data can be assigned to the linear object. As soon as shapefile with a linear features is added to a sheet, the analysis Lines is enabled for access.

Note: The analysis Lines is not available for LTG base maps.

Creating a New Analysis

• Start the analysis from the menu Analyses > Lines.

In the next step you have to select the data basis. You can use data from external tables that are linked to the features of the shapefile using an ID column. Shapefiles may also provide their own attribute data via the DBF file, which you may use for the analysis (e.g. classifcation or values).

• Select Table with the data to be evaluated in the analysis. If, for example, the data is integrated in the shapefile used, you can find it under Data from table > geography data.
• Set number in column to the column with the number for the line segments and connect it to the corresponding line level (e.g. streets - lines).

Setting the Properties of Lines

Properties refers to all settings for calculating and displaying the analysis. You can select certain columns of the previously defined table to control certain aspects of the display (for example, the color). You also reach this settings dialog if you want to edit existing analyses.

The lines or arrows can be made dashing, color and line width dependent on different columns,

Note: The default setting for these three properties is that they are controlled by no column. Thus, changes in color, width, or dashing are applied to all relationship lines.

Control dashing, color and line width from different data columns

First select in the different sections Drawing, Color and Line width a Data column.

Settings for changing:

Let the properties of the lines control only from one column

If you want to control the properties of the lines in color, line width and dashing only from one and the same column, you must first link the analysis. The Color, Line Width and Dashing Link function can be found either in the Properties of the analysis (at the bottom of the Properties window) or in the context menu for analysis in the Contents control window. The structure of the properties window then changes.

Select column

In the area Display a Column can now be selected, which controls the features Drawing, Color and Line width simultaneously. These are combined in a class list.

• With a area-related analysis you can additionally determine aggregation of the data of the selected column. This specifies the rule how data are combined if several data are available for an area.

• The Format option is only available for area-specific analyses. Normally, the formatting of the selected data column is also used for the analysis result; this is always the case for site-specific analyses. For certain aggregation procedures (for example, number of values), however, this formatting cannot be used meaningfully. You can define a new formatting here, which is used in legends for this analysis, for example.

• Under Statistics you can display statistical information (e.g. number of data records, min., max.) for the selected column - click on the button in the field next to Statistics.

Number of classes and classification method

You may base the style of lines on a classification. In the middle area, enter Classes, the Count for classes, and the method of automatic Classification or set here to User defined to edit your own classes. In addition to Analysis range, you can also specify an interval within which the values are to be taken into account. Values outside the interval always fall into the residual class "unclassified".

Editing Classes

In the lower area you can define the details (class list) of the analysis. Here you can use various commands to edit Classes and various design features (dashing, color or width of the line).

• The design characteristics and class boundaries can be edited by double-clicking in the relevant cell.

• For more information on editing classes, symbols, colors, and size/width, see here.

Section Labeling

In the area Line labeling the lines can be labelled data-dependently. Only the columns of the data table used as the data basis for the analysis can be used for labeling. In addition, you may also enter a standard text for all lines in the User-Defined Labeling box.

How to insert labels is explained here.

Determine the details of the analysis

In Details you define other (non-data-dependent) properties of the analysis.

Create tooltips for analysis

When crossing the lines on the map, you can display user-defined information about them.This information is very useful to identify the symbols on the map.

Note: You can find out how to implement tooltips here.

The commands of the context menu

You can right-click on an analysis in the control window Contents or on a selected object in the map window to open its context menu (right-click). This offers some actions that can be performed on this object.