Overview: 3d Maps in MapInfo

• Two types:
  -- 3d Thematic "surfaces" or grids; and,
  -- 3d Prism or "extruded" maps.
• 3d Maps are grids.
• 3d is not just for topography.

Why use 3d?

For something completely different:
Nearly everyone's seen a "normal" 2D crime, health or market potential map. 3D maps get more attention because they're different.

Bivariate maps: 2 variables at once:
Analyzing correlations between, e.g., income distribution and crime incidence? or Volvo ownership and propensity to buy organic food? Map both variables together with the 3D window.

Step 1: Start with a grid map (1 variable).
a. Open point or region map.
b. Map > Create Thematic > Grid ...

Step 2: Add map layers to taste (opt)
These will be draped over your 3d layer.

Step 3: Create 3D window

Prefer the wireframe look?

Step 1: Start with a region map with two variables.
a. You don't need to make a grid map first. Just open region map with TotalPop and PopSqMile columns.
b. Map > Create Thematic > Variable 1 (Total Pop) ...

Step 2: Add map layers to taste (opt)
These will be draped over your 3d prism map.

Step 3: Create 3d prism map
a. Specify same map layer, but different column (PopSqMi).
b. Map > Create prism map...

My grid or prism map looks squished (North - South):
A grid map assumes the projection of its source map layer. If the source map is Lat-Lon it is shown in literal lat-lon coordinate space: ie., 1 deg of lat = 1 deg. of lon. This looks unusual since MapInfo, for non-grid maps, adjusts to compensate.

Recommendation: Re-project your source map to State Plane or similar non-L-L projection before making your 3d grid map or prism map.

If making a prism (extruded) 3d map, you do not need to re-project the map layer coordinates. Instead, just set the display project to State Plane or similar before creating the prism map window.

Is the 3d View linked to the underlying data?
We know this is true for standard thematic maps. What about 3D?
Yes, there is a link to the data table, although it is not updated in real-time, for performance reasons. [Right-Click] in the 3D window and use "Refresh Texture" to update it.

Memory issues?
3D stresses your graphics subsystem and can use lots of memory, especially with complex boundaries. TO debug this, try:
a. Test with reduced display resolution:
Use Start > Settings > Control Panel > Display > Settings ...
b. Test after turning off hardware acceleration in MapInfo Pro:
MapInfo > Options > Preferences > Map Window ...
Here is a tech note of turning it off (one long url):
http://testdrive.mapinfo.com/TECHSUPP/MIPROD.NSF/
5c41496d5951a49c852562b5004f3a44/
b1bf73c066d34688852568f7007ad39a?OpenDocument

Optimal graphics hardware?
MapInfo takes good advantage of the industry-standard OpenGL system, if your graphics chips support this. Check your hardware documentation.

How can I make a prism map with points instead of regions?
Create a region map from the point map by, for example, creating small buffer zones around each point.

Layout and printing issues?

• 3D window display and printed resolution may not be as crisp as vector map layers.
  Note:  Revision 7.5 of MapInfo Pro, released Sep '03, dramatically increases the resolution of the 3D window.
• Prism maps have no legends.
• 3D windows *can* be placed and sized in a Layout window.
• 3d windows *can* be saved as image files using File > Save Copy As...

Chapter 11: Using Thematic Mapping to Analyze your Data
MapInfo 7.0 User Guide.

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