Converting Objects into Region Objects - MapInfo_Pro - 2023

When you convert a circle or ellipse into a region, the region contains 101 nodes. When you convert an arc into a region, the number of nodes depends on the starting and ending angle of the arc. If the arc spans 180 degrees (for example, the starting angle is zero and the ending angle is 180), a region based on the arc will contain 52 nodes; if the arc spans 90 degrees, a region based on the arc will contain 27 nodes; etc.

If you perform extensive map editing, you may need to convert polylines to regions. If you cut or copy a group of selected nodes, MapInfo Pro treats the set of nodes as a polyline object, and places the polyline on the clipboard. If you then paste the object, MapInfo Pro places the polyline on your map. At this point, you may want to perform Convert to Regions, depending on whether you want the finished object to be a region.

Convert to Regions also allows you to perform node-editing operations (for example, adding and moving nodes) on objects that ordinarily do not allow node editing. For example, MapInfo Pro does not allow you to add nodes to rectangle objects; however, if you convert a rectangle object to a region, you can then add nodes to the region.

To convert objects into region objects:

1. Make the Map window active.
2. Choose the layer containing the objects and make it editable.
3. Select one or more objects from the editable layer.
4. On the SPATIAL tab, in the Create group, click Regions, and Convert to Regions.

   MapInfo Pro converts each of the selected objects into a region object. MapInfo Pro does not combine all selected objects into one region. To combine objects, use the Combine commands (on the SPATIAL tab, in the Edit group, click Combine, and Combine Selected Objects.

   MapInfo Pro automatically assigns the current region style to each of the region objects. To specify a region style, choose Region Style on the STYLE tab. You may need to turn on Apply Styles.

   Line, polyline, arc, ellipse, rectangle, and rounded rectangle objects may all be converted to regions. The Convert to Regions command does not affect point objects, text objects and region objects.

Creating Regions from Polygonal Areas Enclosed by Polylines

Convert any regions to polylines, and then perform the normal enclose operation.

If the polyline totally passes through the region and forms two or more separate enclosed areas, then the Enclose operation will effectively split the region at the polyline.

To create regions from polygonal areas enclosed by polylines:

1. Select polylines in an active Map window with an editable layer.
2. On the SPATIAL tab, in the Create group, click Regions, and Enclose (Polylines to Regions) to open the Create Region Objects From Enclosed Areas dialog box.
3. Click OK.

Specifying the Color and Pattern of Closed Objects

The Region Style command on the STYLE tab applies to closed objects such as ellipses, rectangles, rounded rectangles, and polygons. To change the color and pattern of these objects, they must be editable.

To change the color(s) and pattern of an existing object:

1. In the Layers or Explorer windows, make the layer editable.
2. Choose an object or multiple objects.
3. On the STYLE tab, click Region Style to open the Region Style dialog box.
4. Choose a pattern and color(s) in the Region Style dialog box.
5. Choose OK. The object's color, pattern and default style change according to your selections.

To change the attributes of text and point objects, use the Text Style and Symbol Style commands.