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MapPlot and MapTransformation (mp) Resources

mpAreaGroupCount specifies the total number of area groups, including the "default" group, the three fixed (or geophysical) groups, and the dynamic (or political) groups (a minimum of six). The minimum, as well as the default, value of mpAreaGroupCount is 10. The maximum value is 255. Attempts to set mpAreaGroupCount to values outside this range result in a warning and a restoration of the default value.

When using the RANGS database this resource is ignored.

Default: 10

mpAreaMaskingOn (MapPlot)

This boolean resource is the master switch for enabling the area masking facility. If True, MapPlot enables area masking, causing areas named in the mpMaskAreaSpecifiers array to remain unfilled, consequently allowing previously drawn plot elements to be visible within the areas' outlines. If False, no masking is performed, regardless of the contents of mpMaskAreaSpecifiers. For convenience, setting mpMaskAreaSpecifiers causes mpAreaMaskingOn to be set True, if it is not explicitly set otherwise in the same call.

When using the RANGS database this resource is ignored.

Default: False

mpAreaNames (MapPlot)

mpAreaNames is a string array resource you can use to retrieve the names of all areas in a MapPlot database. You need to know these names, including specific details of their spelling, in order to use the specifier resources (mpFillAreaSpecifiers, mpOutlineSpecifiers, or mpMaskAreaSpecifiers). There is a unique name for each distinct area. However, the form of the names differs depending on the database in use.

You can also set this resource to rename the area names, perhaps to better represent the conventions of another locale. You must set the complete list of names at the same time. Keep in mind that the order of areas is fixed: a particular element of the array always refers to the same area in the database you are using regardless of the name you give it.

When using the Ncarg4_0 database:: All names that are compounds of several words use the hyphen character ('-') to separate the individual words. In several cases where the names would otherwise not be unique, an underscore character ('_') followed by a digit is appended to the end of the name. If you use a SetValues call to rename the areas, it is your responsibility to ensure that you do not duplicate the names of any areas. Only one of a group of identically named areas will remain accessible. See the Ncarg4_0 database table for the list of area names.
When using the Ncarg4_1 database:: Each geographic entity in the Ncarg4_1 database is defined in a hierarchical manner as a descendent of one of the two top level elements "Land" and "Water". Therefore each entity has a "fully-qualified" name that starts with the term "Land" or "Water". Colons separate entities that have different levels (see mpAreaTypes) and periods separate child entities that are conceptually at the same level. For example, the island of Tasmania has the fully qualified name "Land : Australia : Australia . Tasmania", where the first "Australia" is the continent and the second is the country of which Tasmania is a part. However, mpAreaNames does not return the fully-qualified name of the resource. Instead it returns only enough of the name, starting from the right, to ensure that it is unique. In this case it would be simply the string "Tasmania". If another entity named "Tasmania" existed in the dataset, it would return "Australia . Tasmania".
The Ncarg4_1 version of the database provides several different datasets, that while similar in their overall content, provide different types and levels of geographic detail. See mpDataSetName for a list of the datasets available with this database, along with links to tables of detailing their contents.
When using the RANGS database:: This resource is not used and is set to NULL.

Default: <dynamic>

mpAreaTypes (MapPlot)

This read-only integer array resource contains the integer value of the type of each area in a MapPlot database. Each element gives the type of the area named by the corresponding element of the mpAreaNames array. The meaning and value of these types vary depending on the value of mpDataBaseVersion.

When using the Ncarg4_0 database:

Areas are classified into eight types. These types are as follows:

(0) mpOcean
(1) mpContinent
(2) mpLargeIsland
(3) mpSmallIsland
(4) mpInlandWater
(5) mpNational
(6) mpUSStateLand
(7) mpUSStateWater

See the Ncarg4_0 database table to find the area type associated with a particular area name.

When using the Ncarg4_1 database:

Areas are classified into four or five four types. These types represent the four or five levels of the hierarchical classification scheme currently represented in the database. More types may be added if and when areas at other levels of the hierarchy are added to the database. The current types are as follows:

(1) land or water
(2) continental boundary
(3) national boundary
(4) state or provincial boundary
(5) county boundary or climate division

Three datasets are available for this database version. Earth..1 contains only the first 4 levels, while Earth..2 and Earth..3 contain 5 levels. Use mpDataSetName to select among the possible datasets.

When using the RANGS database:

This resource is not used and is set to NULL.

Default: <dynamic>

mpBottomAngleF (MapTransformation)

When mpLimitMode has the value Angles, this resource specifies the positive angle in degrees down from the center to the edge of the projection, or, if using a satellite projection, the displacement angle down from the satellite line of sight to the projection center. Note that direction of the line over which the angle is measured remains parallel to the left edge of the viewport, regardless of the rotation angle applied to the projection. mpBottomAngleF has a maximum allowable value that varies depending on the projection.

Default: 80.0

mpBottomMapPosF (MapTransformation)

This read-only resource contains the coordinate of the bottom edge of the projected area in NDC space.

Default: 0.0

mpBottomNDCF (MapTransformation)

When mpLimitMode has the value NDC, this resource specifies the bottom edge of the limiting rectangle in Normalized Device Coordinates. If mpBottomNDCF is set to a value greater than mpRightNDCF, a warning is issued and the values are exchanged. Since the relationship between the map projection area and NDC coordinates changes whenever the map limits are changed, as well as when the viewport area is moved or resized, MapTransformation resets the value of mpBottomNDCF to the NDC value of the bottom edge of the projected area at the end of any update to the transformation.

Default: <dynamic>

mpBottomNPCF (MapTransformation)

When mpLimitMode has the value NPC, this resource specifies the bottom edge of the limiting rectangle in Normalized Projection Coordinates. mpBottomNPCF is constrained to values in the range 0.0 through 1.0. If mpBottomNPCF is set to a value greater than mpTopNPCF, a warning is issued and the values are exchanged. The value of mpBottomNPCF is updated whenever the map limits are set using any of the map limit modes.

Default: 0.0

mpBottomPointLatF (MapTransformation)

When mpLimitMode has the value Points, this resource specifies the latitude, in degrees, of a point along the bottom edge of the limiting rectangle.

Default: 0.0

mpBottomPointLonF (MapTransformation)

When mpLimitMode has the value Points, this resource specifies the longitude, in degrees, of a point along the bottom edge of the limiting rectangle.

Default: 0.0

mpBottomWindowF (MapTransformation)

When mpLimitMode has the value Window, this resource specifies the value, in window coordinates, of the bottom edge of the projection.

Default: 0.0

mpCenterLatF (MapTransformation)

This resource defines the latitude of the center of the map projection coordinate system. It applies for all values of the mpProjection resource except for LambertConformal. Its value must lie between -90.0 and +90.0, where -90.0 represents the South Pole and +90.0 represents the North Pole.

V4.1 Status Note 2

Default: 0.0

mpCenterLonF (MapTransformation)

This resource defines the longitude of the center of the map projection coordinate system. It applies for all values of the mpProjection resource except for LambertConformal. Its value must lie between -180.0 and +180.0, where both extremes represent the longitude of the International Dateline.

V4.1 Status Note 2

Default: 0.0

mpCenterRotF (MapTransformation)

Unless the origin lies at one of the poles, this resource defines the angle that the map projection coordinate system is rotated counterclockwise from a vector directed north with origin at the projection center. If the projection center is at the North Pole, the vector points in the direction of mpCenterLonF+180.0. If the center is the South Pole, the vector points in the direction of mpCenterLonF. mpCenterRotF applies for all values of the mpProjection resource except for LambertConformal.

Default: 0.0

mpDataBaseVersion (MapPlot)

This resource of type NhlTMapDataBaseVersion determines which database version MapPlot should use. Currently there are three choices:

Ncarg4_0 (alias: LowRes)

Use the original database as supplied with MapPlot in version 4.0. This database is out of date with respect to political boundaries and has much lower resolution than the Ncarg4_1 database. Nevertheless, for global scale plots that involve only geophysical boundaries, this database is the recommended one to use. Because there are so many fewer points, MapPlot can render the data much faster, particularly when fill is involved. This database contains 583 named geographical entities.

Ncarg4_1 (alias: MediumRes)

Use one of the map datasets developed for the Ncarg4_1 version of the MapPlot database. These datasets contain between 1085 and 4225 geographical entities arranged in an extensible hierarchical fashion. The database is organized in such a way that new subdivisions of existing areas can easily be added. The resolution is much higher than the original database, and the political boundaries are more up-to-date. Use of this database is recommended when plotting limited areas of the earth's surface, any time up-to-date political boundaries are required, or when certain subdivisions of the United States, Canada, or Mexico are desired. Select the dataset using the resource mpDataSetName. The datasets available are:

RANGS_GSHHS (aliases: HighRes, RANGS)

Use the multi-resolution coastline database RANGS (Regionally Accessible Nested Global Shorelines), developed by Rainer Feistel from Wessel and Smith's GSHHS (Global Self-consistent Hierarchical High-resolution Shoreline) database. This database is not supplied with the NCAR Graphics software suite, but may be freely downloaded from Feistel's site. For this database to be accessible to NCAR Graphics routines, the files that comprise it must be installed in a directory named "rangs" that is a subdirectory of the directory where the other NCAR Graphics map database files reside (typically $NCARG_ROOT/lib/ncarg/database). Alternatively, you may set the environment variable NCARG_RANGS to point to the directory location of the RANGS database files. The RANGS database is capable of much higher resolution than the other databases, but it should not be used for maximal area projections of the whole globe since there are some problems in rendering it at this scale. This database currently consists of coastline data only and has no named areas associated with it.

Plesae click here for more information on how to download and install the RANGS/GSHHS database.

You may freely switch between the databases after creating a mapplot. However, note that because the databases differ considerably in their area naming schemes, you will be likely to encounter warning messages if you have set any of the specifier resources (mpFillAreaSpecifiers, mpOutlineSpecifiers, mpMaskAreaSpecifiers, or mpMaskOutlineSpecifiers).

Default: Ncarg4_0

mpDataResolution (MapPlot)

resource of type NhlTMapDataResolution specifies the resolution used to render the map. There are 6 choices:

UnspecifiedResolution (Alias: Unspecified): MapPlot decides what resolution to use based on the range of the map limits currently in effect. Large scale maps will be drawn with high resolution and smaller scale maps with lower resolution.
FinestResolution (Alias: Finest): Draw the map using the finest resolution possible.
FineResolution (Alias: Fine): Draw the map using fine resolution.
MediumResolution (Alias: Medium): Draw the map using medium resolution.
CoarseResolution (Alias: Coarse): Draw the map using coarse resolution.
CoarsestResolution (Alias: Coarsest): Draw the map using the coarsest resolution possible.

These designations for resolution are only relative to the other resolutions that can be rendered using the RANGS database.

This resource is ignored when using the Ncarg4_0 or Ncarg4_1 databases.

Default: UnspecifiedResolution

mpDataSetName (MapPlot)

When mpDataBaseVersion is set to Ncarg_4_1 this string type resource specifies the name of the dataset used to populate the database. Currently there are three possible standard datasets from which to choose:

Earth..1: This dataset was created in 1998 and contains geophysical and political boundaries including the states of the United States.
Earth..2: This dataset was created in 1999 and is similar to "Earth..1" except that it contains the country Eritrea, and several countries resulting from the breakup of the USSR that were not included in "Earth..1". It also contains the provinces of Canada, the states of Mexico, and all the counties in the United States.
Earth..3: This dataset was created in 2000 and is like "Earth..2" except that the US counties are replaced with climate divisions within each state.

The name of the dataset (e.g. "Earth..1") is actually the basename for a set of files comprising the dataset. Other datasets, such as paleolithic continental boundaries, conforming to the Ncarg4_1 database scheme have been created, but they are not currently part of the standard NCAR Graphics distribution. If you have a dataset that conforms to the scheme, but is not located in the directory where map data is expected to be found (typically $NCARG_ROOT/lib/ncarg/database), you may specify a complete pathname (including the dataset basename) as the value of this resource.

As with changing the value of mpDataBaseVersion You may freely switch between datasets after creating a mapplot. However, you may encounter warning messages if you have set any of the specifier resources (mpFillAreaSpecifiers, mpOutlineSpecifiers, mpMaskAreaSpecifiers, or mpMaskOutlineSpecifiers) with names that appear in one dataset and not the other.

This resource is ignored when using the Ncarg4_0 or RANGS databases.

Default: Earth..2

mpDefaultFillColor (MapPlot)

This resource sets the HLU index of the color used to fill all areas within the map projection that, given that mpFillOn is True, are neither filled nor masked. mpDefaultFillColor is constrained to values greater than Transparent (-1). This resource provides an alternate method of setting the value of the first element of mpFillColors. If both resources are set in the same call, the value of mpDefaultFillColor takes precedence.

Default: 16

mpDefaultFillPattern (MapPlot)

This resource sets the HLU index of the fill pattern used to fill all areas within the map projection that, given that mpFillOn is True, are neither filled nor masked. If mpDefaultFillPattern has the value HollowFill (-1), there will be no fill of the ocean area, regardless of the setting of mpDefaultFillColor. This resource provides an alternate method of setting the value of the first element of mpFillPatterns. If both resources are set in the same call, the value of mpDefaultFillPattern takes precedence.

When using the RANGS database this resource is ignored.

Default: SolidFill

mpDefaultFillScaleF (MapPlot)

The mpDefaultFillScaleF resource controls the scaling of the pattern used to fill all areas within the map projection that, given that mpFillOn is True, are neither filled nor masked. It has no effect for solid fill (SolidFill, fill index 0). Values greater than 1.0 make the pattern spacing bigger than the default spacing, resulting in a fill that appears less dense. Values less than 1.0 have the opposite effect. Values less than or equal to 0.0 are invalid, generate a warning message, and are reset to the default value, 1.0. This resource provides an alternate method of setting the value of the first element of mpFillScales. If both resources are set in the same call, the value of mpDefaultFillScaleF takes precedence.

When using the RANGS database this resource is ignored.

Default: 1.0

mpDynamicAreaGroups (MapPlot)

MapPlot maintains two arrays that assign area group numbers to each area in a MapPlot database. MapPlot uses the area's group numbers to determine its fill attributes, assuming mpFillOn is True and you do not explicitly specify fill attributes for the area. The mpDynamicAreaGroups resource allows you to access and, if desired, set the elements of the dynamic area group array. The elements of this array have the same order as the mpAreaNames array. By default, within the dynamic group arrray MapPlot assigns each area a group number such that adjoining politically distinct land areas are guaranteed to belong to a different group. For this reason the mpDynamicAreaGroups array is sometimes known as the political groups array, since a map whose fill attributes are based on these area groups shows national and perhaps state and even county boundaries as well as physical features. Anytime mpFillBoundarySets is set in such a way that national or U.S. state areas must be distinguished, and the fill attributes are not set explicitly, MapPlot uses the group numbers in the mpDynamicAreaGroups array as indexes into the fill attribute array resources whose associated Mono flag resource is set False. A more thorough description of the situations that result in MapPlot indexing the fill attribute array resources based on the contents of the mpDynamicAreaGroups array is found in the discussion of area fill in the MapPlot object description.

You may reassign the group numbers in the mpDynamicAreaGroups array in any manner you please. At minimum and by default there are 10 area groups, but by setting the resource mpAreaGroupCount you can increase the number of area groups to any number up to a maximum of 255.

When using the Ncarg4_0 database:: See the Ncarg4_0 database table to find the dynamic area group associated with a particular area name.
When using the Ncarg4_1 database:: There are three datasets available with this database, and the area names available differ depending on the dataset selected. See mpDataSetName for links to tables containing the dynamic area group associated with the area names contained in the available datasets.
When using the RANGS database:: This resource is not used and is set to NULL.

Default: <dynamic>

mpEllipticalBoundary (MapTransformation)

When the boolean resource mpEllipticalBoundary is set True, the map projection area is limited to an ellipse inscribed within the normal rectangular perimeter of the viewport.

Default: False

mpFillAreaSpecifiers (MapPlot)

specify explicitly the names of areas MapPlot is to fill. Your purpose may be to include an area that would not otherwise be drawn (such as an interior national boundary when mpFillBoundarySets has the value Geophysical) or it may be simply that you want to control the area's fill attributes explicitly using the associated specified fill attribute arrays. The named areas are added to the basic set of fill areas specified using the resource mpFillBoundarySets.

You may explicitly specify the fill attributes of areas named in the mpFillAreaSpecifiers array using any or all of the three associated attribute array resources, mpSpecifiedFillColors, mpSpecifiedFillPatterns, and mpSpecifiedFillScales. The elements of each of these arrays correspond one-for-one with the elements of the mpFillAreaSpecifiers array. Attributes set using these arrays override all other resources involving fill attributes, including the fill attribute Mono flags. Each of these arrays accept a pre-defined special value allowing you to specify individual elements as "unset."

If you also using area masking, note that there is an order of precedence for fill and masking. Explicitly named areas take precedence over area groupings, and small areas take precedence over enclosing larger areas. Otherwise masking takes precedence over filling.

Note that the names from different MapPlot databases and datasets are not necessarily compatible. Therefore, if mpFillAreaSpecifiers is non-NULL when you set mpDataBaseVersion and/or mpDataSetName to a different value, you are likely to encounter warning messages unless you also set mpFillAreaSpecifiers using names compatible with the new database. You can retrieve a list of compatible names by getting the value of mpAreaNames. Case is not significant for mpFillAreaSpecifiers string values.

When using the Ncarg4_0 database:: Within the list you may include groups of areas defined by a number of pre-defined string constants. In addition, a substring matching facility allows you to specify groups of areas that share a common substring. When a fill attribute for a specified fill area is not explicitly set, MapPlot uses its normal method of setting fill attributes based on area group assignments. The group number is chosen from the mpFixedAreaGroups array or from the mpDynamicAreaGroups array depending on the setting of the resource mpSpecifiedFillPriority. You can override the general priority for an individual area by prepending an exclamation point ('!') to the area's name.
When using the Ncarg4_1 database:: The NullArea string constant is also defined. There is no substring matching facility. When a fill attribute for a specified fill area is not explicitly set, MapPlot uses its normal method of setting fill attributes based on area group assignments. The group number is chosen from the mpFixedAreaGroups array if the area's type is 1 (mpGeophysical) or if its type is 2 (mpContinental) and its parent is Water. Otherwise, the group number is chosen from the mpDynamicAreaGroups array. The use of the exclamation point ('!') prefix and the mpSpecifiedFillPriority resource is not supported.
Available in version 4.2.0.a034 or later.
In addition to individual area names, you can specify subdivisions of certain areas (states, provinces, and counties) using pre-defined group names appended to the area name following a colon (':') character.
When using the RANGS database:: This resource is ignored.

Default: NULL

mpFillBoundarySets (MapPlot)

You set this resource of type NhlTMapBoundarySets to specify the basic boundary set used for fill areas. Given the basic boundaries, you can then add other areas by specifying area names outlines in the mpFillAreaSpecifiers string array resource. You can also desiginate areas to be masked (left unfilled) by specifying area names in the mpMaskAreaSpecifiers string array resource.

NoBoundaries: MapPlot will draw area fill only for areas specified by name in mpFillAreaSpecifiers and not specified in mpMaskAreaSpecifiers.
Geophysical: MapPlot will draw area fill for geophysical features: land, oceans, and inland water bodies. You may specify by name other areas to be filled in the mpFillAreaSpecifiers resource.
National: MapPlot will individually fill all national boundary areas. Geophysical features are implicitly included. You may specify by name other areas to be filled in the mpFillAreaSpecifiers resource.
USStates: MapPlot will fill regions comprising the states of the United States. When using the Ncarg4_0 database, Alaska and Hawaii are not included, although a few areas outside the U.S. proper, including the Bahamas and a few lakes extending into Canadian territory, are drawn. When using the Ncarg4_1 database, Alaska and Hawaii are drawn, but no non-U.S. territory is included. You may add geophysical and/or national areas by name using the mpFillAreaSpecifiers resource.
GeophysicalAndUSStates: MapPlot will draw area fill for all global geophysical features as well as for the states of the United States. Other national boundaries do not appear unless you specify them by name using the mpFillAreaSpecifiers resource.
AllBoundaries: MapPlot draws area fill for all the boundaries for the database/dataset currently in use. When using the Ncarg4_0 database this includes geophysical and national boundaries as well as all U.S. states and inland water. When using the Ncarg4_1 database, depending on the dataset, this may include Canadian provinces, Mexican and US States, and counties or climate divisions of US states.

When the Ncarg4_1 database is in use, specifying an area name whose mpAreaTypes is 1 or 2 (mpGeophysical or mpContinental) has the effect of suppressing type 3 or higher fill areas within its borders even if the setting of mpFillBoundarySets would otherwise imply that they be drawn . For instance, setting mpFillAreaSpecifiers to the value "Africa" would have the effect of suppressing national boundaries within the African continent.

When using the RANGS database this resource is ignored.

Default: Geophysical

mpFillColor (MapPlot)

When mpMonoFillColor is set True, this resource of type NhlTColorIndex sets a uniform fill color for all MapPlot areas, except for those whose fill color is set explicitly using the mpSpecifiedFillColors array resource.

Default: Foreground

mpFillColors (MapPlot)

If mpMonoFillColor is False, each element of the array specifies the HLU color index used to fill the MapPlot areas belonging a particular area group. The first element of the array specifies the default color for regions within the map projection area that contain neither a filled nor a masked area. The second, third, and fourth elements specify colors for the fixed (geophysical) area groups: the Ocean group, the Land group, and the InlandWater group. For convenience, there are named alias resources for these first four elements of the array: mpDefaultFillColor, mpOceanFillColor, mpLandFillColor, and mpInlandWaterFillColor. If you set any of the alias resources at the same time as the mpFillColors array resource is set, the named alias resource value overrides. The remaining elements (by default, the fifth through the tenth elements) specify colors for the dynamic groups. If mpAreaGroupCount is increased from its minimum (and default) value of 10, more elements become available for additional dynamic group colors.

Default: By default the first 10 elements are assigned the following sequence of HLU color indexes: 16, 10, 8, 10, 26, 22, 11, 23, 13, 19. This choice of colors is intended to look reasonable with the "default" color map.

mpFillDotSizeF (MapPlot)

This resource sets a uniform dot size, in NDC units, for the stipple dot fill pattern. The default value of 0.0 causes the dots to be drawn as before, using a workstation dependent minimum dot size. A caveat is that individual dots are not clipped around the edges of fill areas; this becomes more noticeable as the dot size increases.

Default: 0.0

mpFillDrawOrder (MapPlot)

This resource of type NhlTDrawOrder determines when MapPlot area fill is drawn relative to other elements of the plot. There are three choices:

PreDraw: Draw area fill before the standard draw phase; the fill underlies all other MapPlot elements drawn during the predraw phase and anything drawn during the draw and postdraw phases.
Draw: Draw area fill during the standard draw; the fill overlays anything drawn during the predraw phase but underlies any other MapPlot elements drawn during the draw phase and anything drawn during the postdraw phase.
PostDraw: Draw area fill after the standard draw; the fill overlays anything drawn during the predraw and draw phases but underlies any other MapPlot elements drawn during the postdraw phase.

Default: Draw

mpFillOn (MapPlot)

This boolean resource is the master switch for drawing of MapPlot area fill. If True, the MapPlot enables drawing of map area fill. Otherwise, no map fill will appear, regardless of the setting of any other area-fill-related resources.

Default: False (True for some gsn_csm_xxxx routines)

mpFillPatternBackground (MapPlot)

mpFillPatternBackground specifies the HLU index of the color used for the background in areas filled with any HLU fill pattern besides SolidFill. If this resource has the value Transparent (-1), no color will be appear behind the fill pattern. The effect will be that the pattern appears transparently on top of anything already drawn.

Default: Background

mpFillPattern (MapPlot)

When mpMonoFillPattern is set True, this resource of type NhlTFillIndex sets a uniform fill pattern for all MapPlot areas, except for those whose fill pattern is set explicitly using the mpSpecifiedFillPatterns array resource.

When using the RANGS database this resource is ignored.

Default: SolidFill

mpFillPatterns (MapPlot)

If mpMonoFillPattern is False, each element of the array specifies the HLU fill pattern index used to fill the MapPlot areas belonging a particular area group. The first element of the array specifies the default pattern for regions within the map projection area that contain neither a filled nor a masked area. The second, third, and fourth elements specify patterns for the fixed (geophysical) area groups: the Ocean group, the Land group, and the InlandWater group. For convenience, there are named alias resources for these first four elements of the array: mpDefaultFillPattern, mpOceanFillPattern, mpLandFillPattern, and mpInlandWaterFillPattern. If you set any of the alias resources at the same time as the mpFillPatterns array resource is set, the named alias resource value overrides. The remaining elements (by default, the fifth through the tenth elements) specify patterns for the dynamic groups. If mpAreaGroupCount is increased from its minimum (and default) value of 10, more elements become available for additional dynamic area group patterns.

When using the RANGS database this resource is ignored.

Default: MapPlot assigns patterns sequentially, beginning with HLU fill pattern index 1 for the first element of mpFillPatterns.

mpFillScaleF (MapPlot)

When mpMonoFillPattern is set True, this floating point resource sets a uniform fill pattern scale factor for all MapPlot areas, except for those whose fill scale factor is set explicitly using the mpSpecifiedFillScales array resource.

When using the RANGS database this resource is ignored.

Default: 1.0

mpFillScales (MapPlot)

If mpMonoFillPattern is False, each element of the array specifies the scale factor applied to the fill pattern used to fill MapPlot areas belonging a particular area group. The first element of the array specifies the default fill pattern scale factor for regions within the map projection area that contain neither a filled nor a masked area. The second, third, and fourth elements specify scale factors for the fixed (geophysical) area groups: the Ocean group, the Land group, and the InlandWater group. For convenience, there are named alias resources for these first four elements of the array: mpDefaultFillScaleF, mpOceanFillScaleF, mpLandFillScaleF, and mpInlandWaterFillScaleF. If you set any of the alias resources at the same time as the mpFillScales array resource is set, the named alias resource value overrides. The remaining elements (by default, the fifth through the tenth elements) specify patterns for the dynamic groups. If mpAreaGroupCount is increased from its minimum (and default) value of 10, more elements become available for additional dynamic area group fill scale values.

When using the RANGS database this resource is ignored.

Default: 1.0 for all elements

mpFixedAreaGroups (MapPlot)

If fill is turned on and you set mpFillBoundarySets to the value Geophysical and do not explicitly specify any areas using the mpFillAreaSpecifiers resource, MapPlot will use the mpFixedAreaGroups group numbers to determine fill attributes for all areas of the map. For each of the three fill attribute types that has its Mono flag resource set False, the area's group number is used as an index into the fill attribute array resource. This yields, for mpFillColors, an HLU color index, for mpFillPatterns, an HLU fill pattern index, and for mpFillScales, a fill pattern scaling factor. A more complete description of the situations that result in MapPlot indexing the fill attribute array resources based on the contents of the mpFixedAreaGroups array is found in the discussion of area fill in the MapPlot object description.

Note that you can set the fill attributes of the area groups assigned by the mpFixedAreaGroups array using a set of convenience resources that act as named aliases for the Ocean, Land, and InlandWater elements of mpFillColors, mpFillPatterns, and mpFillScales. These resources are as follows: mpOceanFillColor, mpOceanFillPattern, mpOceanFillScaleF, mpLandFillColor, mpLandFillPattern, mpLandFillScaleF, mpInlandWaterFillColor, mpInlandWaterFillPattern, and mpInlandWaterFillScaleF.

When using the Ncarg4_0 database:: See the Ncarg4_0 database table to find the fixed area group associated with a particular area name.
When using the Ncarg4_1 database:: There are three datasets available with this database, and the area names available differ depending on the dataset selected. See mpDataSetName for links to tables containing the fixed area group associated with the area names contained in the available datasets.
When using the RANGS database:: This resource is not used and is set to NULL.

Default: <dynamic>

mpGeophysicalLineColor (MapPlot)

This resource sets the HLU index of a color used to render interior national boundary outlines. This resource applies to the outlines of all continents and islands, except that when one or more U.S. states are drawn, the portion of North America whose outline is contiguous with the U.S. border is rendered using mpUSStateLineColor.

Default: Foreground

mpGeophysicalLineDashPattern (MapPlot)

This resource sets the HLU index of a dash pattern used to render interior national boundary outlines. This resource applies to the outlines of all continents and islands, except that when one or more U.S. states are drawn, the portion of North America whose outline is contiguous with the U.S. border is rendered using mpUSStateLineDashPattern.

When using the RANGS database this resource is ignored.

Default: SolidLine

mpGeophysicalLineDashSegLenF (MapPlot)

This resource specifies the length of each segment of the dash patterns used to draw geophysical boundary outlines. It is the length in NDC before the dash pattern repeats itself. This resource automatically scales with changes in the size of the viewport of the MapPlot object. This resource applies to the outlines of all continents and islands, except that when one or more U.S. states are drawn, the portion of North America whose outline is contiguous with the U.S. border is rendered using mpUSStateLineDashSegLenF. MapPlot sets the default value of mpNationalLineDashSegLenF dynamically based on the ratio of the actual plot viewport width to a reference viewport width of 0.6 and a reference dash segment length of 0.15.

When using the RANGS database this resource is ignored.

Default: 0.15 (for a viewport width of 0.6)

mpGeophysicalLineThicknessF (MapPlot)

Sets the thickness of the lines used to draw geophysical boundary outlines. The value acts as a multiplier of a (device-dependent) unit thickness. This resource applies to the outlines of all continents and islands, except that when one or more U.S. states are drawn, the portion of North America whose outline is contiguous with the U.S. border is rendered using mpUSStateLineThicknessF.

Default: 1.0

mpGreatCircleLinesOn (MapTransformation)

This resource selects between two methods for defining the transformation of lines or edges between defined points of the data space graphics primitive functions, NhlDataPolygon and NhlDataPolyline. If mpGreatCircleLinesOn is False, the space between the defined points is treated as if the latitude/longitude coordinate system were cartesian. This method of performing the transformation results in all straight lines between the defined points when mpProjection is set to CylindricalEquidistant. Another characteristic of this method is that, for any projection, a line between two points at the same latitude is coincident with the line of latitude itself.

If mpGreatCircleLinesOn is set True, lines between defined points follow a great circle route, the shortest distance on the surface of the globe between the two points. In this case, lines appear curved on a cylindrical equidistant projection, except for the special cases of lines between points of equal longitude or of lines drawn near the equator. For any projection, lines between points of equal latitude diverge farther and farther from the line of latitude as the distance from the equator increases.

Default: False

mpGridAndLimbDrawOrder (MapPlot)

This resource of type NhlTDrawOrder determines when MapPlot draws the grid lines representing latitude and longitude relative to other elements of the plot. When a limb line representing the edge of the visible surface of the projection is required, MapPlot always renders it at the same time as the grid lines. There are three choices:

PreDraw: Draw grid lines before the standard draw phase; the grid lines overlay MapPlot fill drawn during the predraw phase but underlie other predraw phase MapPlot elements and anything drawn during the draw and postdraw phases.
Draw: Draw grid lines during the standard draw; the grid lines overlay anything drawn during the predraw phase and MapPlot fill drawn during the draw phase but underlie other draw phase MapPlot elements and anything drawn during the postdraw phase.
PostDraw: Draw grid lines after the standard draw; the grid lines overlay anything drawn during the predraw and draw phases and MapPlot fill drawn during the postdraw phase but underlie other postdraw phase MapPlot elements.

Default: PostDraw

mpGridAndLimbOn (MapPlot)

This boolean resource determines whether the MapPlot object draws grid lines representing latitude and longitude as well as (when appropriate) a limb line around the edge of the visible surface of the map projection.

Default: True

mpGridLatSpacingF (MapPlot)

This resource specifies the spacing, in degrees, between MapPlot grid lines representing latitude. Use this resource if you want to set the latitude spacing independently of the longitude spacing. Note that setting mpGridSpacingF at the same time or subsequently overrides the value of this resource.

Default: 15.0

mpGridLineColor (MapPlot)

This resource sets the HLU index of a color used to draw the grid representing latitudes and longitudes.

Default: Foreground

mpGridLineDashPattern (MapPlot)

This resource sets the HLU index of a dash pattern used to draw the grid representing latitudes and longitudes.

Default: SolidLine

mpGridLineDashSegLenF (MapPlot)

This resource specifies the length of each segment of the dash patterns used to draw the grid representing latitudes and longitudes. It is the length in NDC before the dash pattern repeats itself. This resource automatically scales with changes in the size of the viewport of the MapPlot object. MapPlot sets the default value of mpGridLineDashSegLenF dynamically based on the ratio of the actual plot viewport width to a reference viewport width of 0.6 and a reference dash segment length of 0.15.

Default: 0.15 (for a viewport width of 0.6)

mpGridLineThicknessF (MapPlot)

This resource determines the thickness of the lines used to draw the grid representing latitudes and longitudes. The value acts as a multiplier of a (device-dependent) unit thickness.

Default: 1.0

mpGridLonSpacingF (MapPlot)

This resource specifies the spacing, in degrees, between MapPlot grid lines representing longitude. Use this resource if you want to set the longitude spacing independently of the latitude spacing. Note that setting mpGridSpacingF at the same time or subsequently overrides the value of this resource.

Default: 15.0

mpGridMaskMode (MapPlot)

This resource of type NhlTMapGridMaskMode specifies how the MapPlot object should mask the grid representing latitudes and longitudes. There are seven choices:

MaskNone: MapPlot does not mask the grid. Grid lines appear over the entire visible map projection area.
MaskOcean: MapPlot masks the grid over areas of the map occupied by any part of the global ocean.
MaskNotOcean: MapPlot masks the grid over areas of the map that are not part of the global ocean, including bodies of water within the interior of continents.
MaskLand: MapPlot masks the grid over areas of the map that represent land. Bodies of water within the interior of continents remain unmasked.
MaskNotLand: MapPlot masks the grid over all areas of the map that do not represent land, including bodies of water within the interior of continents.
MaskFillArea: MapPlot masks the grid over filled or masked areas in the map. The grid is drawn only over 'background' areas within the map projection, that is, those areas of the MapPlot that would be filled (assuming fill is enabled) using the color specified by mpDefaultFillColor.
MaskMaskArea: MapPlot masks the grid only over areas named in the mpMaskAreaSpecifiers array.

When using the RANGS database this resource is ignored.

Default: MaskNone

mpGridMaxLatF (MapPlot)

This resource specifies the maximum absolute value of the latitude at which a latitude grid line may appear. For instance, if you set mpGridMaxLatF to 70.0, no latitude lines will appear between 70 degrees and 90 degrees or between -70 degrees and -90 degrees. If the latitude spacing were set to 20.0, then, in this case, the highest and lowest latitude lines would be at 60 degrees and -60 degrees.

Default: 90.0

mpGridPolarLonSpacingF (MapPlot)

This resource has an effect only when the map projection is such that the North and South poles project to single points. In this case, it controls the way longitude lines are continued in the area between the pole and the latitude line nearest the pole. Basically it allows you to set an alternate spacing for longitude lines near the poles, generally for the purpose of avoiding overcrowding. For instance, if mpGridPolarLonSpacingF is set to its default value of 90.0 and the longitudinal spacing is set to 15.0, then only the longitude lines that are multiples of 90.0 continue to the poles. Note that if the longitudinal spacing were set to 20.0, lines would continue only at multiples of 180.0, since there would be no longitude lines to continue at 90.0 and 270.0.

Default: 15.0

mpGridSpacingF (MapPlot)

This resource specifies the spacing, in degrees, between MapPlot grid lines representing latitude and longitude. Use this resource if you want the spacing to be equal in latitude and longitude. Setting this resource overrides any values set for the resources mpGridLatSpacingF and mpGridLonSpacingF and causes them both to be set to the value given mpGridSpacingF.

Default: 15.0

mpInlandWaterFillColor (MapPlot)

This resource sets the HLU index of the color used to fill areas representing bodies of water except for the oceans. mpInlandWaterFillColor is constrained to values greater than -1 (Transparent). This resource provides an alternate method of setting the value of the fourth element of mpFillColors. If both resources are set in the same call, the value of mpInlandWaterFillColor takes precedence.

Default: 10

mpInlandWaterFillPattern (MapPlot)

This resource sets the HLU index of the fill pattern used to fill areas representing bodies of water except for the oceans. If mpInlandWaterFillPattern has the value HollowFill (-1), there will be no fill of the inland water area, regardless of the setting of mpInlandWaterFillColor. This resource provides an alternate method of setting the value of the fourth element of mpFillPatterns. If both resources are set in the same call, the value of mpInlandWaterFillPattern takes precedence.

When using the RANGS database this resource is ignored.

Default: SolidFill

mpInlandWaterFillScaleF (MapPlot)

The mpInlandWaterFillScaleF resource controls the scaling of the pattern used to fill areas representing bodies of water except for the oceans. It has no effect for solid fill (SolidFill, fill pattern index 0). Values greater than 1.0 make the pattern spacing bigger than the default spacing, resulting in a fill that appears less dense. Values less than 1.0 have the opposite effect. Values less than or equal to 0.0 are invalid, generate a warning message, and are reset to the default value, 1.0. This resource provides an alternate method of setting the value of the fourth element of mpFillScales. If both resources are set in the same call, the value of mpInlandWaterFillScaleF takes precedence.

When using the RANGS database this resource is ignored.

Default: 1.0

mpLabelDrawOrder (MapPlot)

This resource of type NhlTDrawOrder determines when MapPlot labels are drawn relative to other elements of the plot. There are three choices:

PreDraw: Draw labels before the standard draw phase; the labels overlay all other MapPlot elements drawn during the predraw phase but underlie anything drawn during the draw and postdraw phases.
Draw: Draw labels during the standard draw; the labels overlay anything drawn during the predraw phase and any other MapPlot elements drawn during the draw phase but underlie anything drawn during the postdraw phase.
PostDraw: Draw labels after the standard draw; the labels overlay anything drawn during the predraw and draw phases and all other MapPlot elements drawn during the postdraw phase.

Default: PostDraw

mpLabelFontColor (MapPlot)

This resource specifies the hlu color index used to draw the characters used for MapPlot labels.

Default: True

mpLabelFontHeightF (MapPlot)

This resource controls the height in NDC of characters used in the MapPlot labels. The MapPlot text height scales with changes to the viewport width, unless you explicitly set mpLabelFontHeightF during the same call.

Default: <dynamic> -- 0.008 for a viewport width of 0.6

mpLabelsOn (MapPlot)

This boolean resource determines whether the MapPlot object draws labels identifying the equator ("EQ"), Greenwich Meridian ("GM"), International Dateline ("ID"), North Pole ("NP"), and South Pole ("SP").

Default: False

mpLambertMeridianF (MapTransformation)

When mpProjection is set to the value LambertConformal, this resource specifies the central meridian (line of longitude in degrees) of the projection. This resource has nearly the same meaning that mpCenterLonF has for the other projections.

V4.1 Status Note 2

Default: 0.0

mpLambertParallel1F (MapTransformation)

When mpProjection is set to the value LambertConformal, this resource specifies one of the two standard parallels (lines of latitude in degrees) used to define the conic projection. A simpler conic projection is defined when mpLambertParallel1F and mpLambertParallel2F are equal. Normally, mpLambertParallel1F and mpLambertParallel2F should not be more than 90.0 degrees apart.

V4.1 Status Note 2

Default: .001

mpLambertParallel2F (MapTransformation)

V4.1 Status Note 2

Default: 89.999

mpLandFillColor (MapPlot)

This resource sets the HLU index of the color used to fill areas of land not given a special group color. mpLandFillColor is constrained to values greater than -1 (Transparent). This resource provides an alternate method of setting the value of the third element of mpFillColors. If both resources are set in the same call, the value of mpLandFillColor takes precedence.

Default: 8

mpLandFillPattern (MapPlot)

This resource sets the HLU index of the fill pattern used to fill areas of land not given a special group color. If mpLandFillPattern has the value HollowFill (-1), there will be no fill of the land area, regardless of the setting of mpInlandWaterFillColor. This resource provides an alternate method of setting the value of the third element of mpFillPatterns. If both resources are set in the same call, the value of mpLandFillPattern takes precedence.

When using the RANGS database this resource is ignored.

Default: SolidFill

mpLandFillScaleF (MapPlot)

The mpLandFillScaleF resource controls the scaling of the pattern used to fill areas of land not given a special group color. It has no effect for solid fill (SolidFill, fill pattern index 0). Values greater than 1.0 make the pattern spacing bigger than the default spacing, resulting in a fill that appears less dense. Values less than 1.0 have the opposite effect. Values less than or equal to 0.0 are invalid, generate a warning message, and are reset to the default value, 1.0. This resource provides an alternate method of setting the value of the third element of mpFillScales. If both resources are set in the same call, the value of mpLandFillScaleF takes precedence.

When using the RANGS database this resource is ignored.

Default: 1.0

mpLeftAngleF (MapTransformation)

When mpLimitMode has the value Angles, this resource specifies the positive angle in degrees left from the center to the edge of the projection, or, if using a satellite projection, the displacement angle left from the satellite line of sight to the projection center. Note that direction of the line over which the angle is measured remains parallel to the top of the viewport, regardless of the rotation angle applied to the projection. mpLeftAngleF has a maximum allowable value that varies depending on the projection.

Default: 80.0

mpLeftCornerLatF (MapTransformation)

When mpLimitMode has the value Corners, this resource specifies the latitude, in degrees, of the left corner point.

Default: 0.0

mpLeftCornerLonF (MapTransformation)

When mpLimitMode has the value Corners, this resource specifies the longitude, in degrees, of the left corner point.

Default: 0.0

mpLeftMapPosF (MapTransformation)

This read-only resource contains the coordinate of the left edge of the projected area in NDC space.

Default: 0.0

mpLeftNDCF (MapTransformation)

When mpLimitMode has the value NDC, this resource specifies the left edge of the limiting rectangle in Normalized Device Coordinates. If mpLeftNDCF is set to a value greater than mpRightNDCF, a warning is issued and the values are exchanged. Since the relationship between the map projection area and NDC coordinates changes whenever the map limits are changed, as well as when the viewport area is moved or resized, MapTransformation resets the value of mpLeftNDCF to the NDC value of the left edge of the projected area at the end of any update to the transformation.

Default: <dynamic>

mpLeftNPCF (MapTransformation)

When mpLimitMode has the value NPC, this resource specifies the left edge of the limiting rectangle in Normalized Projection Coordinates. mpLeftNPCF is constrained to values in the range 0.0 through 1.0. If mpLeftNPCF is set to a value greater than mpRightNPCF, a warning is issued and the values are exchanged. The value of mpLeftNPCF is updated whenever the map limits are set using any of the map limit modes.

Default: 0.0

mpLeftPointLatF (MapTransformation)

When mpLimitMode has the value Points, this resource specifies the latitude, in degrees, of a point along the left edge of the limiting rectangle.

Default: 0.0

mpLeftPointLonF (MapTransformation)

When mpLimitMode has the value Points, this resource specifies the longitude, in degrees, of a point along the left edge of the limiting rectangle.

Default: 0.0

mpLeftWindowF (MapTransformation)

When mpLimitMode has the value Window, this resource specifies the value, in window coordinates, of the left edge of the projection.

Default: 0.0

mpLimbLineColor (MapPlot)

This resource sets the HLU index of the color used for the limb line drawn at the edge of visibility in certain map projections.

Default: Foreground

mpLimbLineDashPattern (MapPlot)

This resource sets the HLU index of a dash pattern used for the limb line drawn at the edge of visibility in certain map projections.

Default: SolidLine

mpLimbLineDashSegLenF (MapPlot)

This resource specifies the length of each segment of the dash patterns used for the limb line drawn at the edge of visibility in certain map projections. It is the length in NDC before the dash pattern repeats itself. This resource automatically scales with changes in the size of the viewport of the MapPlot object. MapPlot sets the default value of mpLimbLineDashSegLenF dynamically based on the ratio of the actual plot viewport width to a reference viewport width of 0.6 and a reference dash segment length of 0.15.

Default: 0.15 (for a viewport width of 0.6)

mpLimbLineThicknessF (MapPlot)

This resource determines the thickness of the limb line drawn at the edge of visibility in certain map projections. The value acts as a multiplier of a (device-dependent) unit thickness.

Default: 1.0

mpLimitMode (MapTransformation)

This resource of type NhlTMapLimitMode specifies how MapTransformation determines the extent of the projected globe that is mapped into the viewport area. It has eight possible settings:

MaximalArea

The maximum viewable area of the globe allowed by the projection is mapped into the viewport area.

LatLon

MapTransformation maps into the viewport the maximum viewable portion of the area given the projection, the projection center, and bounded by latitudes mpMinLatF and mpMaxLatF and longitudes mpMinLonF and mpMaxLonF. If you set boundaries such that the resulting area has zero extent, MapTransformation issues a warning and resets mpLimitMode to the value NhlMAXIMALAREA. If you set mpMinLatF to a value greater than mpMaxLatF or mpMinLonF to a value greater than mpMaxLatF, MapTransformation issues a warning and exchanges the values.

Angles

For most projections, the area mapped into the viewport is based on the positive angular distance from the center of the projection, in each of the four directions determined by the resources mpRightAngleF, mpLeftAngleF,mpBottomAngleF, and mpTopAngleF. For the satellite projection, the angles represent angular deviation from the line of sight from the satellite to the projection center. Angular limits are not supported if mpProjection has the value NhlLAMBERTCONFORMAL or NhlROTATEDMERCATOR. Note that left, right, bottom, and top are oriented with respect to the viewplane; therefore, if mpCenterRotF has a non-zero value, the angles represent varying combinations of latitudinal and longitudinal components.

Depending on the projection, the maximum allowable value for each of the angle resources varies, as follows:

Angle projection limits:

Orthographic: mpLeftAngleF and mpRightAngleF: 90.0
mpBottomAngleFand mpTopAngleF: 90.0
Stereographic: mpLeftAngleF and mpRightAngleF: 180.0
mpBottomAngleFand mpTopAngleF: 180.0
LambertEqualArea: mpLeftAngleF and mpRightAngleF: 180.0
mpBottomAngleFand mpTopAngleF: 180.0
Gnomonic: mpLeftAngleF and mpRightAngleF: 85.0
mpBottomAngleFand mpTopAngleF: 85.0
AzimuthalEquidistant: mpLeftAngleF and mpRightAngleF: 180.0
mpBottomAngleFand mpTopAngleF: 180.0
Satellite: mpLeftAngleF and mpRightAngleF: 90.0
mpBottomAngleFand mpTopAngleF: 90.0
Mollweide: mpLeftAngleF and mpRightAngleF: 180.0
mpBottomAngleFand mpTopAngleF: 180.0
Mercator: mpLeftAngleF and mpRightAngleF: 180.0
mpBottomAngleFand mpTopAngleF: 85.0
CylindricalEquidistant: mpLeftAngleF and mpRightAngleF: 180.0
mpBottomAngleFand mpTopAngleF: 90.0
LambertConformal: not supported
Robinson: mpLeftAngleF and mpRightAngleF: 180.0
mpBottomAngleFand mpTopAngleF: 90.0
CylindricalEqualArea: mpLeftAngleF and mpRightAngleF: 180.0
mpBottomAngleFand mpTopAngleF: 90.0
RotatedMercator: not supported

If you attempt to set one of the angle resources to a value outside the range, MapTransformation issues a warning and coerces the value to the limiting value. If you set angles in such a way that the resulting map extent has zero area, MapTransformation issues a warning and resets mpLimitMode to NhlMAXIMALAREA.

V4.1 Status Note 3

NPC

NPC limits the area based on "Normalized Projection Coordinates," which map the maximal area of the projection into a rectangle bounded by 0.0 and 1.0 horizontally and vertically. Use the resources mpLeftNPCF, mpRightNPCF, mpBottomNPCF, and mpTopNPCF to set normalized projection coordinate limits. If you set NPC boundaries such that the resulting area has zero extent, MapTransformation issues a warning and resets mpLimitMode to the value NhlMAXIMALAREA. If you set mpLeftNPCF to a value greater than mpRightNPCF or mpBottomNPCF to a value greater than mpTopNPCF, MapTransformation issues a warning and exchanges the values. MapTransformation keeps the NPC resources updated to their current value no matter which method is used to set the map limits.

NDC

NDC limits the area based on the current location of the projected map in Normalized Device Coordinates. Use the resources mpLeftNDCF, mpRightNDCF, mpBottomNDCF, and mpTopNDCF to set normalized device coordinate limits. If you set NDC boundaries such that the resulting area has zero extent, MapTransformation issues a warning and resets mpLimitMode to the value NhlMAXIMALAREA. If you set mpLeftNDCF to a value greater than mpRightNDCF or mpBottomNDCF to a value greater than mpTopNDCF, MapTransformation issues a warning and exchanges the values. Note that setting these resources usually causes the mapping between the projection space and NDC space to change. Changes to the location of the size or shape of the viewport into which the map is projected also modify the mapping into NDC space. Therefore, at the completion of each SetValues call, MapTransformation internally sets the value of each mp...NDCF resource to the new location of the original projected coordinate: that is, to one of the boundaries of the projected area.

Corners

MapTransformation maps into the viewport a rectangular area with one corner at the point mpLeftCornerLatF and mpLeftCornerLonF, and the opposite corner at the point mpRightCornerLatF and mpRightCornerLonF. The value of mpLeftCornerLonF should be less than mpRightCornerLonF. If either point is outside the maximal area given the projection and projection center, a warning is returned and the limit mode defaults to MaximalArea.

Points

MapTransformation maps into the viewport an area defined by a viewspace rectangle containing the four points defined by mpLeftPointLatF, mpLeftPointLonF, mpRightPointLatF, mpRightPointLonF, mpBottomPointLatF, mpBottomPointLonF, mpTopPointLatF, and mpTopPointLonF. If any point is outside the maximal area given the projection and projection center, a warning is returned and the limit mode defaults to MaximalArea mode.

Window

MapTransformation maps into the viewport an area bounded by the window coordinates specified by the resources mpLeftWindowF, mpRightWindowF, mpBottomWindowF, and mpTopWindowF. The window coordinates are in an intermediate rectangular coordinate system into which the map coordinates are mapped prior to the mapping into NDC coordinates. Its extents vary depending on the value of mpProjection. If you set mpLeftWindowF to a value greater than mpRightWindowF, or mpBottomWindowF to a value greater than mpTopWindowF, MapTransformation issues a warning and exchanges the values. MapTransformation keeps the Window resources updated to their current value no matter which method is used to set the map limits.

Default: MaximalArea

mpMaskAreaSpecifiers (MapPlot)

Specify the names of areas MapPlot is to mask. These areas are subtracted from the fill area set specified using the resource mpFillBoundarySets and mpFillAreaSpecifiers. There is an order of precedence for fill and masking. Explicitly named areas take precedence over area groupings, and small areas take precedence over enclosing larger areas. Otherwise masking takes precedence over filling.

Note that the names from different MapPlot databases are not necessarily compatible. Therefore, if mpMaskAreaSpecifiers is non-NULL when you set mpDataBaseVersion and/or mpDataSetName to a different value, you are likely to encounter warning messages unless you also set mpMaskAreaSpecifiers using names compatible with the new database. You can retrieve a list of compatible names by getting the value of mpAreaNames. Case is not significant for mpMaskAreaSpecifiers string values.

When using the Ncarg4_0 database:: In addition to the individual area names, you may include certain pre-defined groups of areas using a number of pre-defined string constants. Moreover, there is a substring matching facility that allows you to specify groups of areas sharing a common substring.
When using the Ncarg4_1 database:: The NullArea string constant is defined. Due to the hierarchical nature of this database many area groupings occur as named entities in their own right. For instance, you can mask filling of the small islands of the Pacific Ocean by including the string "Pacific Islands" as an element of mpMaskAreaSpecifiers. There is no substring matching facility.
Available in version 4.2.0.a034 or later.
In addition to individual area names, you can specify subdivisions of certain areas (states, provinces, and counties) using pre-defined group names appended to the area name following a colon (':') character.
When using the RANGS database:: This resource is ignored.

Default: NULL

mpMaskOutlineSpecifiers (MapPlot)

Available in version 4.2.0.a034 or later.

Specify the names of outlines MapPlot is to mask, if the boolean resource mpOutlineMaskingOn is set to True. These outlines are subtracted from the outline set specified using the resource mpOutlineBoundarySets and mpOutlineSpecifiers. Note that commonly the outline of an area shares its border with a number of other areas. Masking the outline of an area causes all these common borders not to be drawn. There is an order of precedence for outline drawing masking. Explicitly named outlines take precedence over outline groupings, and small outlines take precedence over enclosing larger outlines. Otherwise masking takes precedence over filling.

Note that the names from different MapPlot databases and/or datasets are not necessarily compatible. Therefore, if mpMaskOutlineSpecifiers is non-NULL when you set mpDataBaseVersion and/or mpDataSetName to a different value, you are likely to encounter warning messages unless you also set mpMaskOutlineSpecifiers using names compatible with the new database. You can retrieve a list of compatible names for the current database/dataset by getting the value of mpAreaNames. Case is not significant for mpMaskOutlineSpecifiers string values.

When using the Ncarg4_0 database:

In addition to the individual area names, you may include certain pre-defined groups of areas using a number of pre-defined string constants. Moreover, there is a substring matching facility that allows you to specify groups of areas sharing a common substring.

When using the Ncarg4_1 database:

The NullArea string constant is defined. Due to the hierarchical nature of this database, many area groupings occur as named entities in their own right. For instance, you can mask the outlines of the small islands of the Pacific Ocean by including the string "Pacific Islands" as an element of mpMaskOutlineSpecifiers. There is no substring matching facility.

In addition to individual area names, you can specify subdivisions of certain areas (states, provinces, and counties) using pre-defined group names appended to the area name following a colon (':') character.

There are some subtleties involved in outline masking when using the Ncarg4_1 database that do not occur with area masking. Areas with higher types override lower typed areas. For instance, if you want to mask interior water bodies to simplify the appearance of a map, you might specify "Water" as an element of mpMaskOutlineSpecifiers. However, this would cause all ocean coast lines to disappear because "Ocean" is a member of the "Water" hierarchy. You can overcome this problem by adding "Ocean" to the mpOutlineSpecifier array resource. Since "Ocean" is a type 2 entity it overrides the masking of "Water", one of the two type 1 entities. Also If you add national, state, or county outlines to a map in which the inland water bodies have been masked, you will find that some water bodies still appear. That is because they form part of the the boundary between entities that have been specified.

When using the RANGS database:

This resource is ignored.

Default: NULL

mpMaxLatF (MapTransformation)

When mpLimitMode has the value LatLon, this resource specifies the maximum latitude bounding the area to be mapped to the viewport. It should not be greater than 90.0.

Default: 90.0

mpMaxLonF (MapTransformation)

When mpLimitMode has the value LatLon, this resource specifies the maximum longitude bounding the area to be mapped to the viewport. It may be set to any value in the range -540.0 to 540.0 such that mpMaxLonF minus mpMinLonF is greater than 0.0 and less than or equal to 360.0.

Default: 180.0

mpMinLatF (MapTransformation)

When mpLimitMode has the value LatLon, this resource specifies the minimum latitude bounding the area to be mapped to the viewport. It should not be less than -90.0.

Default: -90.0

mpMinLonF (MapTransformation)

When mpLimitMode has the value LatLon, this resource specifies the minimum longitude bounding the area to be mapped to the viewport. It may be set to any value in the range -540.0 to 540.0 such that mpMaxLonF minus mpMinLonF is greater than 0.0 and less than or equal to 360.0.

Default: -180.0

mpMonoFillColor (MapPlot)

When set True, all MapPlot fill areas (other than those whose color is set explicitly using the mpSpecifiedFillColors array resource) are set to a single color, as specified by the value of the scalar resource mpFillColor. When False, the elements of the array resource mpFillColors control the fill color indexes for MapPlot areas based on the area group numbers assigned to each area.

Default: False

mpMonoFillPattern (