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1 GIS Manager

Since GRASS 6.0is a further new GUI concept. On the one hand module-depending pop-up menus, which open automatically when a module name without further parameters is entered in the GRASS Shell, are part of this concept. On the other hand GRASS has been supplemented by a new GIS manager. This manager contains a range of ordinary functions, which shall make the work with the mouse clearer and more comfortable (see Figure 15). Furthermore all functions from TclTkGRASS 4.0 are integrated into the new GIS Manager.

Figure: d.m - GIS Manager of GRASS 6.0FRIDA data

The GIS manager can be started with the command d.m&. It also offers some special graphical buttons besides the modules, which are clearly ordered like in the former TclTkGRASS 4.0 as pull-down menus. These refer to the sectors of visualization, attribute administration, digitization, and printing and are situated with the pull-down menus on the basis of simple symbols beneath the analysis bar.

Pull-down menus for the data analysis (GIS-Manager)

Approximately 200 of the 400 modules that are available in GRASS GIS are integrated in the pull-down menus. This offers the possibility that the most frequently used modules can easily be used with the mouse. The menu's structure is the following:

File: contains modules for importing and exporting data and for setting the project.

GIS: makes settings for the projection, the work environment and the data management possible.

Display: contains modules for visualizing raster data, vector data and sites.

Raster: contains modules for analyzing raster data.

Vector: contains modules for analyzing vector data.

Image: contains modules for analyzing image data.

Grid3D: contains modules for analyzing voxel data (3D raster data).

Databases: contains modules for querying and managing databases.

Help: Help functions.

Graphical buttons for simple visualization (Display Manager)

The graphical buttons that are situated under the pull-down menus allow rapid and intuitive visualization, query and management of available data. The functions are the following:

Display selected layers (current region): is used in order to display all in the display manager chosen maps (see red box) in the current set 'region' and 'resolution'.

Display selected layers (default region): is used in order to display all chosen maps in the total extent 'default region' and the defined 'default resolution' (see g.region -d).

Display from saved region settings: is used in order to display maps in a previously defined extent and resolution (see g.region -help).

Erase to white: is used for deleting the content of the current monitor in order to call a new map. (see d.erase -help).

Zoom: allows to zoom in and/or out of map cutouts. Thus it is important to take the assignment of the mouse buttons in the command interpreter into consideration.

Return to previous zoom: zooms to the previously selected region.

Pan and recenter: is used in order to pan in the currently displayed map. Please pay attention to the notifications in the command interpreter.

Query map: allows to query for raster and vector maps. The results of the raster maps are shown in the command interpreter, the results of the vector maps are visualized in a pop-up window and can be modified according to the settings. The respective map must be chosen before.

Add group: is used in order to define a map group for visualization. This map group can be saved as a kind of 'project' wherever you like. It is recommended to save it in the directory of the current mapset.

Add raster: makes the call of a new raster map possible.

Add vector: makes the call of a new vector map possible.

Add paint label: is used in order to integrate images into the map, which are stored in the paint/labels folder (see v.label).

Create new command: makes possible to define commands or even command sequences which can be recalled with a mouse-click.

Digitize vector map: is used in order to change the geometries of vector maps loaded in d.m. Thus, the digitalizing module v.digit is started. The respective map must be chosen with the mouse before.

Cut selection: allows to delete maps or also commands from the GIS manager. These maps are still available in the location. For deleting maps from the databasis it is necessary to use the module g.remove.

Create new workspace file: makes possible to create a kind of project file, in which maps are saved including their color assignments, visualization sequence and so on.

Open an existing workspace file: is used in order to recall a project file, in which maps are saved including their color assignments, visualization sequence and so on.

Save workspace file: is used in order to save a created project file, in which maps are saved including their color assignments, visualization sequence and so on.

Print map: makes possible to save maps in different image formats. The current possible formats are Postscript, PDF and PNG. The map is saved in the current extent and resolution.