Pitney Bowes MapInfo Vertical Mapper - Manual (Page 19)

Chapter 2: Understanding Grids
User Guide
17
Working with Grid Files
You should be familiar with the concept of map layers when you work with Vertical Mapper. Each
unique layer of information exists as a separate file that can be added as a layer in a Map window.
Various map layers covering the same geographical area can hold different types of
information.
Just as each layer can be visualized above or below another layer, layers can be compared using
spatial analysis functions.
MapInfo Professional works with layers of map data that are vector-based, that is, point, line and
polyline, or polygon information. Points can represent soil samples or retail store locations; lines and
polylines can represent roads; and polygons can represent trade areas, bodies of water, or
municipal boundaries.
Vertical Mapper adds another level of data representation to MapInfo Professional, specifically, grid-
based layers. Grid data is the best way to represent phenomena that vary continuously through
space. Elevation, field strength, soil chemistry and income are excellent examples of properties that
are distributed in constantly varying degrees through space and are best represented in grid form as
map layers.
Understanding Grids
Grids represent the basic structural component for contouring, modeling, and displaying spatial data
in Vertical Mapper. Grids can be considered the fourth spatial data type after regions, lines, and
points.
A grid can be used to effectively visualize the trends of geographic information across an area. Grids
give you the power to mathematically compare and query layers of information, create new derived
grids, or analyze grid layers for such unique properties as visual exposure, proximity, density, or
slope.