Smoothing Map Images during Export - MapInfo_Pro - 2023

You can anti-alias a table during the export process to give you more control over your map images. This is particularly important when you are saving maps created in MapInfo Pro for use in other Windows-based applications, in particular in slide presentations or for web pages.

Anti-aliasing allows you to smooth images in all types of windows such as Map windows, layouts, and legends.

There are three smoothing options you can use to customize your raster image:

1. Smooth using a Filter value: You can set a flag that selects one of six filters that allow you to choose the direction the filter is applied to the image from.
2. Smooth using a Mask value: You can select a value that indicates the size of the area you want to smooth. For example, to create a 3x3 pixel mask value, you would enter a 3 in this field. This would limit the amount of change in the color of the pixels. Typically mask sizes would be 2-3 pixels when exporting at screen resolution. If you are exporting at a higher resolution, a larger mask might be appropriate.
3. Smooth using a Threshold value: You can select a threshold value to indicate which pixels to smooth. Each pixel in an image has a value based on its color. The smaller the pixel value, the darker the color. Select this option to smooth all of the pixels above the threshold you enter in this field. When you set this value to 0, MapInfo Pro will smooth all of the pixels.

You must either set a global preference for these anti-aliasing options or set them locally during the export process (using the Advanced button).

To set the anti-aliasing preference for exporting images:

1. On the PRO tab, in the Options group, click Output Settings to open the Output Preferences dialog box.
2. Click the Exporting tab to display the anti-aliasing options.
3. To use anti-aliasing automatically, select the Use Anti-aliasing check box and select from these options:

   Smooth using a Filter value

   Choose a filter for the smoothing you want to use. Select from these filters:

   - Vertically and Horizontally (Smooths the image vertically and horizontally)

   - All Directions (1) (Smooths the image in all directions)

   - All Directions (2) (Smooths the image in all directions using a different algorithm)

   - Diagonally (Smooths the image diagonally)

   - Horizontally (Smooths the image horizontally)

   - Vertically (Smooths the image vertically)

   Smooth using a Mask value

   Choose the pixel size of the mask you want MapInfo Pro to use in this field. For example, to create a 3x3 pixel mask value, you would enter a 3 in this field. This would limit the amount of change in the color of the pixels to the three pixels around the basic pixel.

   Smooth using a Threshold value

   Select a threshold value to indicate which pixels to smooth. Colors are 0 for black and 255 for white (in an 8 bit image). Entering a low number changes the look of your map by smoothing the darker colors and the lighter colors. Choosing a higher number changes the way the lighter colors display.

To set the anti-aliasing options locally during export:

1. When you have completed your work on a window, on the HOME tab, in the File group, click Save to open the Save Window to File dialog box.
2. Type the name and indicate the path of the file you are saving in this dialog box. Click Save to continue. The Save Window As dialog box opens.

   If you are exporting an EMF or WMF image, the Use Anti-Aliasing check box is disabled.

3. Select the Use Anti-aliasing check box and do one of the following:
   • Click Save to use the anti-aliasing options you selected in the Output Preferences dialog box
   • Click Advanced and choose new anti-aliasing options for this particular map. Click OK to return to the Save Window As dialog box. Click Save to save these settings and the file.
     Note: If you do not select the Use Anti-aliasing check box, the anti-aliasing options in the Advanced Exporting Options dialog box are disabled.

     The next few figures should give you an idea of the types of results you can expect using the different options.

     

     Anti-Aliasing with Filter Vertical and Horizontal, Mask 2, Threshold 100

     

     Anti-Aliasing with Filter Vertical and Horizontal, Mask 5, Threshold 100