Draw from PLY File

Use the Draw from PLY File option (POLYDRAW GX) to display polygons from a polygon file on the map.

The option is available in the following menus:

  • Database Tools > Window Data > Draw from PLY File

  • Map Tools > Draw from PLY File

  • Geochem Analysis > Classify by Region > Draw Mask Outline

Draw from PLY File dialog options

Polygon file name (.ply)

Specify the polygon file name.

Script Parameter: POLYDRAW.FILE

Map view

Select the map view where polygons will be drawn.

Default: Data

Script Parameter: POLYDRAW.VIEW

Clip to view

Choose whether polygons should be clipped to the current view.

Default: Yes

Script Parameter: POLYDRAW.NOCLIP (0 – Yes; 1 – No)

Draw as polylines

Draw only polylines without closing polygons.

Default: No

Script Parameter: POLYDRAW.POLYLINE(1 – Yes; 0 – No)

Draw multiple polygons as single item

Treat multiple polygons as one item.

Default: Yes

Script Parameter: POLYDRAW.POLYMULTI (0 – Yes; 1 – No)

Line thickness (mm)

Specify polygon outline thickness in millimeters.

Default: 0.15

Script Parameter: POLYDRAW.LINETHICK

Line colour

Select the outline colour.

Default: Black

Script Parameter: POLYDRAW.LINECOLO

Fill colour (ignored for polylines)

Select the fill colour.

Script Parameter: POLYDRAW.FILLCOLO

Default: None

Application Notes

Polygon Mask Files

  • Polygon files are ASCII text files with the default .ply extension.

  • Each file contains a list of X,Y coordinates defining one or more polygons.

  • Files can include any number of polygons, each with any number of vertices.

  • The first and last points of each polygon are assumed to be connected.

File Structure Guidelines:

  • Each polygon begins with a line starting with poly # (with p or P in column 1).

  • Comment lines begin with / in column 1.

Creating Polygons Interactively

You can also create clip polygon files interactively using the digitising tools available in the Map Tools menu.

Examples
Single polygon file:
/#CoordinateSystem=
/#Datum=
/#Projection=
/#Units=
/#LocalDatum=
poly 1
1376027.6061 6178025.9399 
1382846.3129 6178025.9399 
1382846.3129 6182748.8182 
1376027.6061 6182748.8182 
1376027.6061 6178025.9399 
Three-polygon file:

(Note the exclusive keyword after poly 3, indicating holes in polygon sets or exclusive regions)

/#---------------------------
poly 1
1375594.6724 6181961.6718 
1378706.3838 6181961.6718 
1378706.3838 6184716.6842 
1375594.6724 6184716.6842 
1375594.6724 6181961.6718 
poly 2
1375757.0225 6178629.4188 
1379896.9516 6178629.4188 
1379896.9516 6181174.5254 
1375757.0225 6181174.5254 
1375757.0225 6178629.4188 
poly 3
exclusive
1380546.3523 6175926.8828 
1384550.9896 6175926.8828 
1384550.9896 6179022.992 
1380546.3523 6179022.992 
1380546.3523 6175926.8828 

See Also: