Shading

Shading options are used to specify how to shade each area of the map. If an area on the map has a value (for the selected data field) then it will be shaded. This value is then used to determine the colour in which to shade the area. The value is matched to a specific segment which has a unique colour. The segments are shown in the legend.

Data set

The dataset on which this map is based

Data field

The field within the dataset which is used to shade the map

Segments

The number of different segments that a map area could be shaded - this is the number that will appear in the legend.

Minimum Segment Value

The lowest value for the first/lowest segment. This can either be zero, the lowest value in the data or you can specify a value. If you specify a value that is higher than the lowest value in the data then an extra segment is created called 'Under X'. Where X is the value that you specified. This segment contains any values that are lower than your specified minumum.

Segment Size

You can enter your own segment size or have it calculated for you.

Maximum Segment Value

This is only visible if Segment Size = 'Calculate Automatically'. You can choose from the following options:

Highest in all the data

Determine the maximum value for the data field within the entire data set and use that as the maximum segment value.

Highest value (for the clipped area)

Use the maximum value found in the data set for the area that is selected (and clipped) and use that as the maximum segment value. Warning! - As you change the selected area, the segment ranges will change, which prevents comparison between them.

Enter a value

You can enter a value here. This is useful for showing round numbers for the segments. If the value entered is less than the highest in the data then an extra segment 'Over Y' is added - where Y is the highest value in the data.

100%

Use 100 as the maximum as the values plotted are percentages

Colours

The colour of each segment/category will be automatically assigned from a range of colours that fall between the 'Low' colour and the 'High' colour. If a middle 'Mid' colour is selected, then the segments will be coloured as a gradient from the minimum colour to the middle colour, and then from the middle colour to the maximum colour.

To change a colour simply click on the colour swatch - then select a value from the colour dialog.

Using a middle colour can give a better contrast and makes it easier to see which side of the centre the values fall. For example, green to yellow to magenta looks like this: