1 Topic by Monticola

  • Monticola
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  • Registered: 06-04-2012
  • Posts: 48

Topic: re-installing OS raster map background layers.

Continuing my re-installation of R6, Windows 7, and continuing problems..
I cannot get my re-installed OS raster maps visible as a background layer.
I have gone through the maps extraction and installation process, and the maps now appear as background layers in the R6 > Maps > Map layers list.  All are ticked.  But they don't appear in the enabled maps list (which only has the base map).
Since it's so long since I used this, don't know whether this is incorrect anyway.
But whatever I do with regard to map options - display of base map, or display of map background against an observation, results in an error:

Could not convert variant of type (Null) into type (Boolean).

I wondered if this was a similar problem to the one with the main database, in needing the OS maps database to be attached using MS Tools?

2 Reply by MikeWeideli

  • MikeWeideli
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  • From: Littlefield Consultancy
  • Registered: 05-07-2006
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Re: re-installing OS raster map background layers.

They shouldn't appear in the enabled Map List. It is worth checking that the map tiles cut in/ out are set correctly. Right click on the tile and select properties. I would expect the cut in to be 1:100,000,000 and the cut out to 1:1. This may display the maps, but I don't think the error message is anything to do with this. You shoould  find and secure the .gsf files for the map tiles (eg SX86.gsf). You can install directly from these without going back through the Map installation process. If you are starting from scratch it would then be worth doing a complete map reset. Do this by going to Map Options and selecting reset then All.  If you then install one of the background tiles using   Map/Background layer. Select one of the .gsf files and  give it the file name (eg SX86). It doesn't need the south east/south west cordinates, but set the cut in / cut out as above. The map should  show immediately when the base map is opened.  If this fails to work let me know and I can advise further. It is probably because of some permissions/registry problem.

Mike Weideli

MikeWeideli's Website

3 Reply by Monticola

  • Monticola
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Re: re-installing OS raster map background layers.

I did at the outset just check again, and couldn't even use Map->View map->BaseMap without it failing with the same error as before.
However, I have now altered the cut in and outs as suggested, and removed 2 of the maps which were (mysteriously) in the list twice.  They were not duplicated in actuality!
Having tried again, everything works. Marvellous! (though I do have the sense that it's fragile - touch something, and it goes wrong again)

Thanks very much for your help, Mike
Regards
Nigel

4 Reply by MikeWeideli

  • MikeWeideli
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  • From: Littlefield Consultancy
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Re: re-installing OS raster map background layers.

It is worth making sure you have the .gsf files secured. This makes it much easier to set up the maps if something goes wrong.  Generally, I would say the map tiles once installed do not cause any problems. The main issues with mapping is corruption of the polygon layers. Once this happens the whole layer is corrupt and everything in it is lost. To safeguard against this it is adviseable to take back up copy of the Recorder 6 Map Files folder. Also if importing a polygon create a new layer for it andd never import a new polygon into the default polygon layer. Most of the problems are caused by importing polgons which are not exactly in the form expected.  The map files folder which contains the .gsf files can be difficult to find in Windows 7 as it is by default in C:Recorder 6\ProgramData which is a hiden folder.   This can be changed via control panel using folder option in Appearance...

Mike Weideli

MikeWeideli's Website