Hey Ulf, On Apr 9, 2009, at 8:35 AM, Ulf Mehlig wrote:
> I'm currently experimenting with PolygonPatternSymbolizer to render > maps > with different types of vegetation. I would like to use, e.g., tree > symbols to represent a certain type of forest. However, there are two > things I don't like about the results: > > First, the regular distribution of symbol tiles is aesthetically not > really pleasing; I'd rather like to get a +- random distribution of > the > symbols. I agree that this would be a desirable thing. Ideally however placement could be constrained by min and max spacing parameters or even density of placement logic. With the latter approach the PatterSymbolizer could double as a tool to represent landscape types or to generate thematic maps of different data density per polygon. > Second, symbols get partially clipped at area borders. > Yes, the PolygonPatternSymbolizer is not as developed as other symbolizers. For example, the 'avoid_edges' feature of the TextSymbolizer sounds like what you are after: http://trac.mapnik.org/browser/trunk/src/text_symbolizer.cpp > The first problem could probably be solved to some degree by using > hand-made, big seamless tiles (but effect depends on size of area); Yes, randomly generating data before hand and then symbolizing with the PointSymbolizer might be a good route to get some initial proof-of- concept images. > for > the second issue I don't see any solution. See above code for a start. > Is there anything you can > suggest to get a good-looking representation of, say, forest areas > with > tree symbols? Could it be possible to achieve some kind of random > distribution of symbols in future mapnik releases? Patches gladly accepted! :) > I could imagine that > performance would suffer with this ... > Well performance for just that symbolizer, right? > Thanks for your help! Ulf > > -- > Ulf Mehlig <[email protected]> > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Cheers, Dane _______________________________________________ Mapnik-users mailing list [email protected] https://lists.berlios.de/mailman/listinfo/mapnik-users
