The pattern definition file (pattern_definition.xml) defines patterns that can be used as fills in area features. This includes:
• pattern symbol type,
• spacing between symbols,
• symbol colour, etc.
The symbols for patterns can be viewed using the Symbolization Browser.
This file is linked to the annotations file through the PatternDefinition fields. HPD reads the PatternDefinition field in the annotations file and matches this field to the PatternDefinition fields in the pattern file.
An example of the pattern definition file is shown below.
<?xml version=”1.0” encoding=”utf-8” ?> <PatternDefinitionFile Version=”1.0”> <!-- Example 1 is a pattern with one symbol --> <PatternDefinition Name=”Marsh” Description=”IC33 Marsh”> <SymbolDefinition Size=”5” Style=”REGULAR” SymbolId=”NFMSS1MS” Spacing=”10” Rotation=”0” Colour=”Black” /> </PatternDefinition>
<!-- Example 2 is a pattern with two symbols --> <PatternDefinition Name=”Wood” Description=”IC30 Wood, in general”> <SymbolDefinition Size=”5” Style=”STAGGERED” SymbolId=”NFWDU” Spacing=”11” Rotation=”0” Colour=”Black” /> <SymbolDefinition Size=”5” Style=”OFFSET_STAGGERED” SymbolId=”NFWDT” Spacing=”11” Rotation=”0” Colour=”Black” /> </PatternDefinition> </PatternDefinitionFile> |
The fields for the file are explained in the following table.
Tag | Attributes | Description |
|---|---|---|
<PatternDefinition/> | Container for pattern information | |
Name | Short description or keyword for annotations file | |
Description | Long description | |
<SymbolDefinition/> | Definition of the symbol to be generated (There may be one or more symbol definitions per pattern definition) | |
Acronym | Acronym that will be assigned to the point features | |
Size | Size of the symbol in mm at map scale (i.e. panel scale) | |
Style | Pattern definition style | |
REGULAR | Equivalent to placing a symbol in each square of a checker board. | |
STAGGERED | Equivalent to putting a symbol in each black square of a checker board. | |
OFFSET_STAGGERED | Equivalent to putting a symbol in each white square of a checker board. | |
SymbolId | The ID of the symbol be used for the pattern (will be assigned to the $SCODE attribute of the feature (12 characters). | |
Spacing | The additional spacing between symbol origins in mm at map scale (i.e. panel scale). | |
Rotation | Rotation of the symbol in degrees positive counter clockwise (will be assigned to the $angle attribute of the feature). | |
Colour | Colour token value to assign to the $coltk attribute. | |