Using XML for Legends and Map Surround DIGITAL MAPPING TECHNIQUES 2005 By Vic Dohar Natural Resources Canada

What is XML?  Stands for Extensible Mark-up Language  Standard mark-up language similar to HTML  HTML designed to display data  XML designed to describe data/information  Text based. Simple to read/understand  XML does not do anything. It is a document with a defined structure to store/share data with applications

What Constitutes an XML File?  An XML file contains tags, optional tag attributes, and a value or data between tags  You must define your own tags, they are not predefined  The syntax is simple yet strict. Some rules are:  All XML documents must contain a declaration and one unique root element  All elements must have matching start and end tag  Tags are case sensitive  All elements must be properly nested  Tag attribute values must always be quoted

Well Formed XML  An XML file is said to be “well formed” when none of the syntax rules are broken Using XML for Legends and Map Surround Vic Dohar Natural Resources Canada

How do You Create XML Files?  Edit XML files with XML editors. Some are simple, some are loaded with rich functionality  Peter’s XML Editor (simple and free)  XMLSpy by Altova (rich, $$$ license)   Most cases you write scripts that create XML files by referencing the XML Document Object Model (DOM)

XML Schemas  Schemas define the structure/elements, legal building blocks of an XML document  Defines elements, attributes  Child elements  Number and order of elements  Data types for elements  Schemas are saved as XSD documents  XML files are validated against XSD  Write XSD in XML or use application

Sample XSD

XML Sources  W3 Schools  Microsoft Development Network (MSDN)

Publication Process and Integration  Electronic publication processing system database to manage and track publications (reports, bulletins, maps) through the various production stages  Paperless trail utilizing on-line forms  Steps and checks along the way including editorial reviews, quality control, plotting  Extract information (metadata) from Oracle database to XML for map surround info

Sample XML File From Database Smith L english no A-series map 2059 Sandilands surficial geology Manitoba

Surround Information  VBA application in ArcMap reads XML file and plots title block and recommended citation accordingly  Reduces errors and omissions  Provides consistent rendering of data adhering based on design specifications  Design specifications stored in an additional XML file

Sample Title Block

Design Specs XML File HaCenter VaBaseline Arial Regular

Geological Legends

Geological Legends Using XML  Proposed procedure with ArcMap  Content of legend in Word, paragraphs formatted according to predefined styles  Export Word to XML, validating to Legend Content XSD  In ArcMap, execute VBA script to read XML file and draw legend, utilizing two additional XML files:  XML file for design specifications  XML file for legend layout and placement

Demo  Edit legend document in Word  Convert Word document to XML  Draw legend in ArcMap

Future  Complete it!  Extend legend to include symbols used on map  It will be made available to download for free on our website click on Toolbox, click on ArcGIS Migration

Demo: Notes  Format paragraphs  Content is important  Formatting appearance is only a visual aid in Word  Word document can be pre-processed by editorial staff for accuracy

Demo: Legend in Word

Demo: Convert XML

Demo: View XML File

Demo: ArcMap

Demo: Not Just For Legends