040] How to Customize Point Styles, 3D Symbols, and Quiver Plots in Global Mapper

Point Styles and Quiver Plot Visualization

Configure custom point symbols, apply 3D models, and visualize direction and magnitude data using Quiver Plots.

In this session, we explore the Point Styles in Global Mapper. Beyond simple markers, you will learn how to assign 3D models for terrain visualization and how to use attributes to generate direction vectors (Quiver Plots) for wind or water flow analysis.

We're going to cover Point Styles. I believe you’ve already become familiar with the basic flow of applying styles through our previous sessions on Area and Line features, so let’s go through this quickly.

Let's Start.

Creating Point Features and Applying Custom Styles

Global Mapper Digitizer Tool - Right Click Menu - Create Point/Text Feature
img 1 : Global Mapper Digitizer Tool - Right Click Menu - Create Point/Text Feature

Select the Digitizer Tool, right-click on the screen, and select Create Point/Text Features -> POINT/TEXT - Create New Point/Text Feature. Then, click on the map to place a point.

The Modify Feature Info window will appear. You should be used to this by now, right?

Modify Feature Info Window - Create New Type for Point
img 2 : Modify Feature Info Window - Create New Type for Point

You can select a desired style from the Feature Type dropdown list or define a new style by selecting Create New Type....

Let's select Create New Type....

Point Type Information Setup - Type Name and Symbol Selection
img 3 : Point Type Information Setup - Type Name and Symbol Selection
3D Model Selection List in Point Type Setup
img 3-2 : 3D Model Selection List in Point Type Setup

Using 3D Models for Point Visualization

Assigning 3D Models to Point Features

It's very simple. Just enter the name of the new style you want to designate and select the desired symbol from Symbol.

3D Model: When viewing the main screen in 3D, this option converts the point into a 3D model. You can choose one from the list above.

Show 3D View Icon on Global Mapper Toolbar
img 4 : Show 3D View Icon on Global Mapper Toolbar

Try looking at the main screen using Show 3D View (Ctrl+3). You might get the feeling that the design sense of the engineers at this company is truly beyond imagination.

As shown above, you can simply register and use point styles. However, Points have a slightly different property compared to Areas or Lines: Rotation.

Feature Style - Point Rotation Settings
img 4-2 : Feature Style - Point Rotation Settings

Point Rotation Settings and Symbol Orientation

If a specific direction is needed, you can rotate the symbol by entering an angle in Rotation....

While I wonder if many people actually use this, you can also apply both direction and magnitude to a point. For this to work, the point must have two attributes related to direction and size.

Adding Direction and Magnitude Attributes to Point
img 5 : Adding Direction and Magnitude Attributes to Point

Linking Direction and Magnitude Attributes

I selected a point and created attributes named direction and magnitude. Direction represents the angle, and magnitude represents the size. After doing this, click OK.

Then, right-click on the point layer in the Control Center and select Options....

Layer Control Center - Right Click Layer Options
img 5-2 : Layer Control Center - Right Click Layer Options
Vector Options Window - Point Styles Tab
img 6 : Vector Options Window - Point Styles Tab

When the Vector Options window appears, select Define Symbol under Use Quiver Plot (Direction Vector) Symbols. In the Quiver Plot window, choose your desired arrow, and link the attributes corresponding to Direction and Magnitude.

Control Center and Map Showing Point with Applied Direction and Length
img 7 : Control Center and Map Showing Point with Applied Direction and Length

Quiver Plot: Direction and Magnitude Visualization

Now, the point has direction and length applied! This is often used to visualize wind direction and speed at specific locations or to express water flow direction and velocity on a terrain.

Feel free to try out the remaining options yourself. It's not difficult.

That's it for today!

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