CUBIZEN: Global GIS, CityEngine & Creative Tech Masterclass

Until now, we have only covered methods for selecting and editing the attributes of registered objects directly using the mouse.

Today, we will learn how to check and edit elements included in a layer as a list. This is much more efficient when dealing with large datasets.

First, please download the sample file below. It is a shapefile (.shp) containing building data.

When you load the BD.shp file, you will see the building data as shown below:

[img 1 : Global Mapper screen showing loaded building shapefile data]

Until now, if you wanted to view the attributes of an object, you likely used the Digitizer Tool (pencil icon) or the Feature Info Tool.

[img 2 : Feature Information window showing specific building attributes]

In this way, you could check information for a selected object or click 'Edit' to modify it. However, if there are many objects to edit or if you need to select objects based on specific attributes collectively, the above method will inevitably take a long time.

Using the Layer Attribute Editor

The best way to see all objects in a selected layer at a glance and perform batch selection or editing is through the Layer Attribute Editor.

In the Control Center, select the BD.shp layer and click on the Layer Attribute Editor icon.

[img 3 : Selecting the Layer Attribute Editor from the Control Center]

The Attribute Editor window will then appear:

[img 4 : The Attribute Editor window displaying all feature rows and columns]

For convenience, I recommend docking (stitching) this window to the right side of the main screen.

[img 5 : Attribute Editor window docked to the right side of the Global Mapper interface]

Today, I will briefly introduce the menu options in the Editor window.

[img 6 : Numbered guide for the Attribute Editor toolbar buttons]

1. Search: Finds objects using conditional expressions (Query Builder).

   [img 7 : Search Vector Data window/Query Builder interface]

   
   
   
2. Edit: Edits the attributes of the object currently selected in the editor window.

   [img 8 : Modify Feature Info window for batch or individual editing]

3. Delete: Deletes the selected objects from the list.
4. Select All: Selects every object in the list.
5. Clear Selection: Deselects all currently selected items.
6. Save to CSV: Saves the selected objects as a .csv or .txt file. If nothing is selected, the entire list is exported.

   [img 9 : File export dialog for saving attributes as CSV]

   
   
   
7. Synchronize Feature Selection with Main Window: This is a toggle button. When active, selecting an item in the main map view highlights it in the list, and vice versa.
8. Only Show Features Selected in Digitizer: This can only be used when toggle #7 is active. It filters the list to show only the objects selected on the map.
9. Sort: Changes the sorting method for the list.
10. New Attribute: Adds a new attribute column to the layer.
11. Show/Hide Attribute: The editor window can have many columns. This allows you to hide unnecessary ones and keep only what you need.

    [img 10 : Show/Hide Attributes checklist window]

    
    
    
12. Calculate Attributes: Performs mathematical or logical operations on attributes.

    [img 11 : Attribute Calculation Setup window]

    
    
    
13. Join Attributes: Used to join attributes from an external file (like a CSV) to the current layer.

    [img 12 : Join Options window for merging external data]

    
    
    
14. Show All Features: Displays all objects in the current layer.
15. Update Feature Attribute Order: Saves the order after you have rearranged the attribute columns.

I've explained these briefly, but most functions are quite intuitive. Mastering this tool will significantly speed up your GIS data management workflow.

In the next session, we will cover specific ways to modify objects using this attribute editor window.

That's all for today!