BaseOps User's Guide, Chapter 6: Working with the Map Pane

The map pane, located in the upper-right corner of the BaseOps main window, displays a graphical representation of the object currently selected in the list pane. The map is not simply a static image. You can interact with it, zooming and panning to display regions of interest, determining the coordinates of locations, measuring the distance between points, and editing object properties.

Displaying Coordinates on the Status Bar

To determine the geographic coordinates of a location on a map, point to that location with the mouse. The coordinates are displayed on the status bar, and are automatically updated as the mouse is moved.

You can change the coordinate system used to display the location: see Setting the Case Coordinate System.

Mouse Tools

BaseOps provides a number of tools for working with maps. For example, the Measurement tool allows you to measure the distance between two points on a map.

To use a tool, you must first activate it by pressing its button on the toolbar. When the mouse cursor is over a map, the cursor changes shape to indicate which tool is active.

The tools are described in detail in this chapter.

The Select and Edit Mouse Tool

Use the Select and Edit tool to edit properties of the selected object.

Activate the tool by pressing its button on the toolbar. The actions you can perform with the tool depend on the selected object type.

If a flight track is selected, you can:

drag the end of a curved segment to change the curve angle.
drag the middle of a curved segment to change the curve radius.
drag the end of a straight segment to change its length. In addition, if the straight segment is preceded by a curved segment, the curve angle can also be changed.
drag the segments table to another corner of the map.
double-click on either a segment or the segments table to edit its properties.
delete either a segment or the segments table by selecting it on the map and then pressing Ctrl + Delete.

If a flight profile is selected, you can:

drag a profile point to another location on the flight track.
drag a point label to another position on the map.
drag the segments table to another corner of the map.
double-click on a profile point, a point label, or the segments table to edit its properties.
delete a profile point, a point label, or the segments table by selecting it on the map and then pressing Ctrl + Delete.

If a runway is selected, you can:

drag the ends of the runway to new locations.
drag the runway center to move the entire runway without changing its length or heading.

For most other types of object (navigational aids, points of interest, etc.), you can drag the object to another location on the map. To move an avoidance area, grab the center of the area.

Caution:

When BaseOps draws a map, it attempts to position all tables and labels so that they appear pleasing to the eye. The method that it uses is not perfect, so BaseOps gives you the ability to manually position these items. However, it is recommended that you use restraint, as manually positioning an item prevents BaseOps from adapting the map in response to future changes, such as adding additional profile points or printing the map on paper of a new size or orientation.

The Add Mouse Tool

Use the Add mouse tool to specify locations on the map that should be added to a BaseOps case.

Activate the tool by pressing its button on the toolbar. The actions you can perform with the tool depend on the selected object type.

Some types of objects (for example, static pads) are defined by a single location. To add a new instance of one of these point-type objects, select the type of object using the object type selector dropdown list, activate the Add mouse tool, then click on the map. See Editing Point Objects for a list of the point object types. You can also add avoidance areas; click on the location of the avoidance area's center.

Some types of objects are defined by a list of locations. Use the Add mouse tool to add new points to such objects. You can add points to the following types of objects:

Flight Profiles (click on the flight track to add a new profile point)

Tip:

You may sometimes find yourself switching back and forth between using the Select and Edit and the Add mouse tools. As a convenience in such situations, hold down the Ctrl key to make the Add mouse tool temporarily act like the Select and Edit mouse tool, and vice versa.

Zooming and Panning

Zooming refers to increasing or decreasing the magnification level at which a map is displayed. Panning refers to moving a map horizontally or vertically, so that previously hidden portions of the map become visible.

The Zoom Mouse Tool

Activate the Zoom mouse tool by pressing its button on the toolbar. When the Zoom tool is active, you can:

zoom in by clicking on a map with the left mouse button.
zoom out by clicking on a map with the right mouse button.

The Pan Mouse Tool

Activate the Pan mouse tool by pressing its button on the toolbar. When the Pan tool is active, you can pan the map the clicking with the left mouse button. The point that you click upon is shifted to the center of the map.

Clicking near the center of the map will cause the map to pan a small amount. Clicking near the edge will cause the map to pan a larger amount.

Dragging a Rectangular Area of Interest

When either the Zoom or Pan tool is active, you can drag a rectangular area using the left mouse button. The map is zoomed and panned so that this area fills the map pane.

Using the Mouse Wheel

If your mouse has a wheel button, you can use it to zoom and pan the map.

Roll the wheel forward to zoom in. Roll the wheel backward to zoom out.

Pan by pressing and holding the wheel button. A small marker appears at the point where you press the button. While holding the button down, move the mouse cursor away from the marker. The map pans in the direction that you move the mouse. The farther the mouse is from the marker, the faster the map pans. Release the mouse button to stop panning.

Alternatively, click and release the wheel button. BaseOps enters panning mode. Move the mouse to pan the map. Exit panning mode by clicking the wheel button a second time.

Tip:

You can zoom and pan using the mouse wheel regardless of which mouse tool is active. This provides you with a convenient way to zoom and pan while using the other mouse tools.

Keyboard Shortcuts

The following keyboard shortcuts allow you to pan and zoom a map regardless of which mouse tool is active. If the map does not respond to keyboard commands, give it the keyboard focus by clicking on it with the mouse, pressing Alt + M, or repeatedly pressing Tab.

Key		Action
↑		Pan up
`Ctrl +` ↑		Pan up faster
↓		Pan down
`Ctrl +` ↓		Pan down faster
←		Pan left
`Ctrl +` ←		Pan left faster
→		Pan right
`Ctrl +` →		Pan right faster
`+`		Zoom in
`-`		Zoom out

The Home View

When an object's map is first displayed, the area of the map that is initially visible is known as the home view. By default, the home view is set so that the map shows the "interesting" features of the object.

The home view is important when printing a map: the map will be zoomed and panned so that the home view fills the printable area of the paper.

If, after scrolling and zooming, you wish to return to the home view, press the Home View button on the toolbar.

You can manually set the home view of an object's map, overriding the default. To do so, press the Set Home View button on the toolbar. The selected object's home view will be set to the portion of the map currently visible on the screen.

If you have manually set an object's home view, and wish to revert to having the home view automatically calculated, press the Automatically Calculate Home View button on the toolbar.

Tip:

If you are setting a map's home view prior to printing the map, you should adjust the shape of the map pane so that it is approximately the same shape as the paper upon which you will print the map. See Working with Panes for information on changing the shape of the map pane.

The Measurement Mouse Tool

Use the Measurement tool to measure the distance and heading between two points on a map. Activate the tool by pressing its button on the toolbar. To measure the distance between two points, press and hold the left mouse button over the first point, then move the mouse to the second point. The status bar displays the coordinates of the two points, the distance between them, and the directional heading (both true and magnetic) from the first point to the second.

You can change the coordinate system used to display the location of the two points: see Setting the Case Coordinate System.

You can change the units used to display the distance between the two points: see Setting the Case's Physical Units.

The heading is the direction of the second point as seen from the first point, measured in degrees east of (either true or magnetic) north.