Automation

Requirements

Automation is only compatible with MAP Views, MAP Stylesheets, Grids & Graticules, MAP LabelPro and Export to geospatial PDF. A document must be active before Automation can be used.

Automation can be used in conjunction with the MAPublisher FME Auto add-on.

Using Automated Settings

Automation combines several MAPublisher tools and features to automate some of the common map and output related workflows. Automation is run when data is imported into the document. For example, you can automate the creation of a map through a combination of settings for MAP Views, MAP Stylesheets, Grids & Graticules, MAP LabelPro and Export to PDF. All or a combination of some of the automation settings can be used.

 Adobe Illustrator documents saved with Automation settings on Windows are not compatible with Mac. Likewise, documents saved with Automation settings on Mac are not compatible with Windows.

Click the Automation button on the MAPublisher toolbar or from the Adobe Illustrator menu Object > MAPublisher > Automation. In the Automation Settings dialog box, options for five features are available: MAP Views, MAP Stylesheets, Grids & Graticules, MAP LabelPro and Export to PDF. On data import, automation is only run on settings that are enabled in each tab and is applied in the tab order from left to right.

MAP Views

Enable the MAP Views option to include the If there is a matching MAP View setting in automation.

This setting affects data when it is imported. When the coordinate system of data being imported matches a coordinate system of an existing MAP View in the document, several actions can be performed:

• Prompt the user: prompt the user to add to the existing MAP View (and resize) or create a new one.
• Create new MAP View: no prompt, create a new MAP View every time.
• Add data to first matching MAP View, do not resize: add imported data to the first matching MAP View, but do not resize it to match the map scale.
• Add data to first matching MAP View, resize to fit: add imported data to the first matching MAP View, resize it to match the map scale.

MAP Stylesheets

Enable the Apply applicable MAP Stylesheets option to include it in automation. This option applies any MAP Themes Stylesheets that can apply to the imported data.

Grids & Graticules

Enable the Create MAP Grid option to include it in automation.

Under the Extents for grid bounds section, choose the Use MAP View extents option to create a grid-based on the geographic extent of the MAP View or choose the Use extents of this layer option and enter a layer name in the text box. The layer name needs to match exactly (case-sensitive), although the suffix can be ignored if that option is enabled (default).

Under the Grid configuration files section, choose the All configuration files in this folder option to use all configuration files stored in a specified folder. The files in the folder are applied in alphabetical order. Choose the Only these configuration files option when there is a need to use only certain grid configuration files. Click the Add button to add configuration files to the list and use the Up and Down arrow buttons to reorder them. Configurations are applied from top to bottom in the list. Click the Remove button to remove files from the list.

Labeling

Enable the Apply Labeling option to include it in automation. Use this option to set up automated labeling for imported data.

To add layers, click the Add Layers button. Added layers are listed with <Empty name>. Enter the name of the source layer with features to label into the Source layer box (this name will replace <Empty name> in the list). Enter the name of the target MAP Text layer into the Target layer box. Enter the name of the attribute to be used for labels into the Attribute box. Choose a style from the Style drop-down box. Styles are sourced from the Styles panel.

Export to PDF

Enable the Export to geospatial PDF option to include it in automation. Specify or browse to a folder in the Save as text box. If required, specify or browse for an export PDF settings file. Also, see more about geospatial PDF export settings.