GIS Chapter 3

Annotation

labels created from map features and stored separately for detailed editing

Background

areas and objects that are low in the visual hierarchy

Branding

repeating colors, symbols, fonts, images, or other design elements across multiple publications to foster recognition

cartographic generalization

simplifying map features in order to construct clearer and less cluttered maps

Contrast

the difference in hue, saturation, or value between adjacent colors

divisions

the number of sections given to a scale bar

division units

the units in which a map scale bar is measured and drawn, such as miles or kilometers

division value

the length of one section of a scale bar as given in division units, such as 100 km

dynamic labels

labels determined from an attribute and automatically placed on a map each time features are drawn and redrawn

foreground

objects and area that appear higher in the visual hierarchy

graphic text

text placed on a map layout that is not associated with a feature attribute

graticule grid

marks of latitude and longitude placed on a map boundary

layout

the specification for a map page, including the map frames, legend title, scale bar, and so on; stored in a project

layout file

a file that contains all of the properties, settings, and data links needed to recreate a layout

map

(In ArcGIS) a collection of data layers, labels, and other elements assembled to portray a geographic area

map elements

objects placed on a map layout, such as titles, legends, scale bars, north arrows, images, and charts

map extent

the range of x-y values of the area being displayed in a map

map frame

a representation of a project map placed within a layout, linked to the properties of the layers in the original map but with an independent scale and extent

measurement grid

a data frame grid that provides measured x-y coordinate system values around the perimeter of the frame

neatline

a line used to enclose one or more map elements in a rectangle

negative space

blank areas in a graphic or map design composition

reference grid

a data frame grid that provides lettered and numbered squares on a map for use with an index of the features

reference scale

the scale at which text or symbols appear at their assigned size

rule of thirds

a guideline to place important parts of a graphic composition at the intersection of lines dividing the page in thirds

subdivisions

the number of units into which a single division of a scale bar is split, usually appearing on the left end

visual center

where the center of a graphic composition appears to be-about 5% above the geometric center

visual hierarchy

the order in which objects in a design are perceived