SAMM User Manual
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5
Charts and Background Images
SAMM's robust chart module enables you to load a wide variety of charts and geospatial data
files as background layers in the mosaic window. The Chart Display Options window interfaces
to the chart module, which is integrated with Global Mapper™ software.
This section describes the basic and advanced interface in the charts module, the differences
between raster and vector data formats, how to retrieve National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA) Electronic Navigational Charts® (ENCs) the elements of the basic Chart
Display Options window and the elements of the advanced Chart Display Options window. It
concludes with a tutorial on how to load charts to the advanced interface and a table of
commands for customizing the chart display.
5.1 Basic vs. Advanced Interface
The Chart Display Options dialog has a standard and advanced interface. In the basic interface,
charts are added by file to the project. This manual loading method is also available in the
advanced interface. The chart module saves manually loaded files to the project, not to the
application. In the advanced interface, users have the additional capability to add charts by
folder to the charts database, which are saved to the application. Files added by folder are then
available in any SAMM project. Both interfaces have the option of displaying the ArcGIS Web
Mapping Service World Imagery basemap underneath locally added files. An Internet
connection must be available for this option.
5.2 Raster vs. Vector File Types
Geospatial data are stored as two types: raster orand vector. Vector files have data stored in the
files as features, i.e. as points, lines, polygons, and/or text. These features resize in SAMM
when the mosaic window resolution is changed. Some common vector file types include NOAA
ENCs (S-57 format), National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency Digital Nautical Charts® (VPF
format), and ESRI shapefiles. Raster files, including NOAA Raster Navigational Charts® (BSB
format) and GeoTIFFs, are image files with data stored as a grid of pixels. The text and other
features are static, and grow with the zoom level.
While Global Mapper supports rendering many different types of files, SAMM has only been
thoroughly tested with standard navigational chart types, shapefiles, and GeoTIFFs.
5.3 Retrieve NOAA Electronic Navigational Charts
If you do not have any nautical charts, follow these brief instructions to retrieve NOAA ENCs for
your state. Web sites do change, so we cannot guarantee that these instructions are current.
Skip to section 5.4 if you already have charts.
1. Go to the NOAA Office of Coast Survey Chart Downloader Web site
(http://www.charts.noaa.gov/?Disclaimer=noaa%21nos%40ocs%23mcd&Submit=Proce
ed+to+Chart+Downloader).
2. Next to the second picture, click on the ENCs link.
3. Click on your state in the ENCs by State table.
4. Read the User’s Agreement. Click OK.
The charts automatically download to your browser’s default download folder.
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