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See also the question-based tutorials on the documents page.
1 Q: I tried to install MM on my home computer which runs win95. It displays the error message saying there is a missing DLL function WININET.DLL:InternetGetConnectedState. Does this mean MM will not run on win95?
A: Some early installations of win95 have this problem. You need to update two files in c:\windows\system, wininet.dll and shlwapi.dll. These can be downloaded here. Before installing, you should save the earlier copies in a separate directory in case there is any compatibility problem with the new files (so far no compatibility problems have been reported).
2 Q: Why does it take a long time to load a large file into the live layer?
A: By default, when a file is loaded into the live layer, Map Maker generates a "live database". This database contains one entry for each polygon, line, or symbol in the live layer. This process can slow things down considerably if your live layer consists of thousands of lines. Provided that you do not need data entries for each object in the live layer, go to "Edit – Live data" and de-select "Initialise live data". If, for example, you simply want to edit the geometry of the layer and you do not need any live data, de-select "Use live data" to speed up loading the file.
3 Q: Why does it take so long to redraw vector layers?
A: Speed versus presentation.
Map Maker has a range of features for advanced presentation and editing. While these can be very useful, they reduce the speed of redrawing vector layers. On a simple map the loss of speed may be negligible. In complex maps the effects can be significant. This is particularly true in the case of layers containing one or more complex polygons with holes. These might be features such as lakes with many islands or road networks that are represented as a single polygon. The following measures can be taken to when working with such layers to maximise the speed of the program:4 Q: Why isn't Map Maker reading my Microsoft Access data?
A: In order for Map Access to communicate with Microsoft Access your computer must have Microsoft's ADO and ADOX 2.5 (or above) installed. The Microsoft Jet Engine 4.0 must also be installed. (All these are installed by default in Windows 2000). If you are in doubt download and run this utility (65Kb). If ADO, ADOX, or the "Jet Engine" are absent they can be downloaded from Microsoft.
5 Q: When I try and import some DXF files I get an empty file. Why?
A: There are two possible reasons. First, the DXF data may consist of objects that Map Maker does not recognize, notably "mesh" objects and 3D faces. Second, the header of DXF files contains a bounding box. Quite often this is wrong and defines an area outside of the actual data. Map Maker will only read data within the specified bounding box. However, if you import the file (rather than simply use File-Open) you will find a tick box which offers the option to ignore the DXF bounding box. If this box is ticked Map Maker will import all of the data in and out of the specified bounding box.
6 Q: Can I use data that I produced in Map Maker Pro 2.4 in Map Maker Gratis and Map Maker Pro 3?
A: In most cases, yes. DRA files are compatible, though embedded style sets are no longer used. Symbol set files (*.mms) must be converted to a newer, more versatile format and MAP files must be converted to the more flexible project file format (*.geo). Map Maker Pro 3 comes with a utility program (MMlegacy.exe) to help with any necessary conversions.
7 Q: When I create a polygon, how can I make the dialogue box go straight to the styles selection so that I can choose the land-use type?
A: Go to "Edit – Live layer options – New object options" and choose the styles page as the start page for the dialogue box.
8 Q: When I print a map containing polygons with hatched fills, the hatch lines are very close together so that the colour is almost solid. How can I print clearer hatched fills?
A: With some printer drivers, the spacing of standard Windows hatched fills depends on the printer resolution. If this is the case with your printer, use the custom hatch fills which allow you to specify the hatch spacing (requires Pro).
9 Q: How can points inherit attributes from surrounding polygons?
A: Load the layer containing the polygons, with its attached database if necessary. Load the points into the live layer then click on Edit - Live data - Live layer inherit data from layers. Use the dialogue box to choose the attributes you want inherited. Click OK.
10 Q: When creating a page template why can I not create a scale bar?
A: A single sheet may have more than one map on it, including location maps etc. The maps are likely to have different scales and each map must have its own scale bar. Scale bars must be contained within a map or you may choose to include an automatic scale bars in a map frame.
11 Q: When editing a page template the pan tool moves the whole page but I want to move the geo file in the map frame?
A: This situation can be avoided. Make sure that no file is selected for the map frame in the template of the project file. The only map that should be displayed in the template is a location map (the extent of which is defined in the furniture dialogue). When you come to print, choose the template to be used for the current project file. The position of the map within the frame is determined by the scale chosen and the centre coordinates of the current view.
12 Q: The "project legend" furniture box does not let me choose a legend but uses the current project legend. How do I chose another legend?
A: Legends can come in a variety of forms. In Map Maker 3, unlike earlier versions, all legends other than the "project legend" should be prepared as Enhanced Metafiles (EMF) and then placed on the map in an EMF furniture box. See page 97 of the manual for details of creating a data filter for a layer. The "filter" dialogue box allows you to save a legend as an EMF file. For data chart legends, see page 123. See page 199 for how to create a custom legend.
13 Q: I want export DRA files to MIF format for use in MapInfo. How should I enter the coordinate system?
A: The header of a MIF file can contain many options, particularly in the line which defines the coordinate system. For full details see the MapInfo document: http://www.MapInfo.com/community/free/library/interchange_file.pdf