Easy Trace Group

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FAQ

Easy Trace under Windows XP works only in demo-mode.

Go to hasp-key troubleshoting page

Why was the installation under Windows 2000 interrupted without any error message?

We have noticed the only situation when Microsoft InstallShield behaves in that way - when there are spaces in the name of the Windows temporary folder. So, you may act as following to solve the problem:
1. Create a folder without spaces in the path, C:\TEMP for example.
2. Click: My Computer - Properties \ Advanced tab \ Environment variables button
3. In the "System variables" pane, enter the value of the TEMP and TMP variables equal to one specified before (e.g. C:\TEMP).

Easy Trace installation should be successful now after you have closed all the windows (including ones of the Explorer).

Why was the installation interrupted with the message " An error occurred during the move data process: 132"?

Too large disk partition may be one of the reasons. Try to install the program on a smaller one.

How can I use ET at processing of maps on the scale 1:200 000, 1: 500 000 or smaller?

Easy Trace v 7.0 Pro already gives the opportunity of such small-scale map processing. As the program does not work with geographic coordinates directly, you should choose conventional units (pixels) at project creating, vectorize the map "as it is", and make geo-positioning in your target GIS.

In prior versions the SHIFT key could be successfully used for the qualitative snapping of the object to the nearest point (to a vertex of another object, etc.). Now the program generates a new vertex at snapping. Please explain what should I do to snap the object to the specified point.

Beginning with v.6.5, the functions of the SHIFT/CTRL keys as well as the principle of arc-node model creation were changed. Now snapping is considered from two points of view:

  • what is being generated (node/vertex);
  • where it is being generated (at existent / new vertex).

Both at manual or automatic input/editing of vector objects, WHAT IS BEING GENERATED is specified in the TopologySettings dialog box (the Project menu). If no rules are specified in the Extended tracer rules dialog box, then in the manual mode you may use the SHIFT key to form a common vertex or the CTRL key to form a node.

To snap an object to an existing vertex, click this vertex directly (vertex size is specified in the View tab of the Project parameters dialog box). Otherwise a new vertex/node will be generated.

What should I do if the current Easy Trace version does not support the format of my rasters (e.g. Hitachi Raster Format - HRF)?

You may transform rasters you have into the formats which Easy Trace supports using third-party utilities. HandmadeSoft Image Alchemy v.1.11 (http://www.handmadesw.com/) -- 4.1M/4.6M for PC (demo) is one of this kind. Demo-version has restrictions on the maximal raster size.

What does the message mean: "Resources required for current command execution exceed abilities of demo-mode!"? What should I do in this case to continue normal work with the program?

This situation may arise because of several reasons.

  1. Absence of the hardware key. Check whether the hardware key is plugged in your computer.
  2. Termination of the Free Upgrade period. Your hardware key must operate with all the releases during a one-year term since the purchase day. If this term has expired but you need a new version, contact us for paid Upgrade.
  3. Loss of memory or physical fault of the hardware key. If the foregoing requirements are kept, then, most likely, the reason is program's failure in identifying the hardware key. To solve this problem contact the developers.

How to process maps in projections different from the "Plan" one?

Unfortunately, the current Easy Trace version can not support geographical projections directly, i.e. coordinates can not be input in latitude and longitude degrees. Nevertheless, you may vectorize maps, but that requires additional efforts. Following is the algorithm of such material processing.

  1. Source map scanning. There are no restrictions here. You may scan paperware directly under Easy Trace, or using any other external software. At this stage you should obtain at least rasters covering one topographical sheet. But several will be better.
  2. Preparation for text information snapping. First of all we would like to note, that suggested method of operation with geographical projections is directly connected with GIS, you prepare data for. I.e., obtained vector information, linked using this method, will be "accurately linked" only while export into your GIS. Well, specify the projection and map scale you deal with, load GIS and start geo-grid creation. You need to specify points in nodes of this grid. Besides, it is desirable to perform this operation regularly. For example, from left to right and top-down. It is advisable to make a table of correspondence of point numbers (at input succession) to their coordinate. Then save the specified file and import it into the preliminary prepared Easy Trace project. This Easy Trace project should have conventional units as units of measurement and 1:1 scale. While import, you should necessarily switch on the "Expand vector area if necessary" option. If everything was done correctly, the similarity of your geo-grid previously created in GIS appears in Easy Trace window. Save the Easy Trace project and export it into CSV format. The export should result in text file with the CSV extension. Change its extension for DAT and jump to the following stage.
  3. Raster data adding. Open the Easy Trace project with the imported geo-grid. Start adding raster by arbitrary set of reference points. When the raster will be displayed, you will be prompted to input real reference points (grid nodes) coordinates and show their screen position. But you can't input coordinates in degrees. Don't worry. Press the "load" button and specify there the preliminary created text file with points (former CSV). If everything is correct, the table with points coordinates will be filled and the point number will be equal to points number in the grid. You will have to specify nodal points on map and add raster. Not to be mistaken, specify points regularly, in the same way as during grid creating in GIS. If the point is specified correctly, the error indicated in table will be within reasonable limits (from 0 to 10 c.u.).

The suggested method may seem to be difficult. However, it is not so. You will be able to get used to it quickly and, may be, simplify it.

The source image colors are distorted when I merge two index rasters. For example, black pixels sometimes become light blue, even white. Source files are PCX, 256 or 16 colors.

Your problem is that you try to merge index rasters (256 colors) of different palettes. I.e., index 1 in one raster is black, and in another - red. There are several ways to solve this problem:
1) Scan in the truecolor mode, e.g. 65535 colors (16 bit). Only two times more information, but you will have no obstacles.
2) Convert your raster into the truecolor mode before merging, and then backwards. The Rainbow module can perform this operation.
3) Use the same palette to scan all the fragments. The question is that the scanner in any case receives truecolor information and then creates palette for it. You may scan a part of a map, and then use its palette. You may also select the system palette.
4) Scan the map in parts. Add the rasters to the project and then execute the raster merging utility. It results in palette averaging.
We should recommend the second variant. Truecolor rasters contain maximum information. If you have them you may be sure, that you won't scan them for the second time.

Why Rainbow and Starter hardware keys are "not transparent"? If both keys are plugged in, either Trace or Rainbow do not operate depending on location.

Indeed, the Rainbow and Starter keys are mutually "not transparent". If you need the Rainbow component for joint operation with Starter Kit, you should update your key. In this case you'll save some money, as the price of such a package is cheaper than buying of two separate keys. We actually have not provided the ability to buy these two products as independent packages be used on the same computer.

While Easy Trace v 7.0 Pro installation under NT or Windows 2000 some problems occur. Under Win98 the installation runs without any difficulties. Error text is error.zip. What is the matter?

Such a mistake may occur if you have launched the installer twice by mistake or started installation during an Easy Trace session. Another possible reason - an attempt to ovewrite an old version by the new one. You should UNINSTALL the previous version CORRECTLY beforehand.

Sometimes it is necessary to see a color raster while vectorization to know the tracer’s location on the map. How can I switch between rasters quickly?

There are the following ways to change raster substrate:
a) You may see color substrate and black-and-white layers simultaneously. You should switch on the <Service>\<Parameters>\<Transparent black-and-white rasters> option;
b) You may use "hot keys" Alt+1, 2… etc. to switch on/off raster layers quickly;
c) Beginning with the 6.5 version, pressing the right mouse button and holding down the Ctrl key simultaneously display context menu for raster layer processing. You may select raster layers in it to be switched on/off.

Processing the tablets of a manufacturing firm, I have to deal with a great number of communication lines. Can you advise me the quickest way to vectorize such lines?

First of all, technological communications are usually represented as broken or direct lines. That is why you should use the linearizing tracer for semiautomatic vectorization. Specify the strategy with the following parameters: permissible line gap is 40-50px, continuation search cone is 10-15 degrees, ignore segments up to 20-30px, depth of search for continuation is 35-40px. These parameter values allow the tracer to run through alphabetic characters on the lines without any delay on them and not to consider them as possible continuations at a fork. And the search cone small value will make the tracer to look only forward and not to turn to the neighboring lines.

Secondly, use the definition of user line types (<Project>\<Line Types>) for the convenience of visual control. You may also import line description from AutoCAD (LIN format), or define them directly in Easy Trace, replacing the existing prototypes for required values.

How can I vectorize a great number of similar objects (houses, constructions, etc.) with Easy Trace?

It is convenient to use blocks in projects with a great number of recurrent point or linear objects. The set of blocks may be inherited from a prototype, when creating a prototype-based project, or obtained at import of DXF-file heading. If you want to create some blocks directly in Easy Trace, act as following:
- digitize the object that will be later used as a block;
- select this object with the group editor;
- from the group editor submenu select the "Include the selected primitives into block" command;
- in the "Parameters for block definition" dialog box that appears specify the new block name and the layer this object will be attributed to. The block name should be unique in the project. That is why there is a list of existing blocks in this dialog box that prevents you from reuse of existing block names.
Before vector data export into the target GIS, you may explode blocks into primitives, the initial object consisted of. For that you should select the "Explode blocks" command from the Utilities menu and in the dialog box that appears, specify the required parameters.

Can the description of the Easy Trace (jet) file be obtained?

Unfortunately, *.Jet is our internal binary format and we are not planning to public its description in the near future because of our desire to reserve the right for its change.

How can I send the vectorized raster (layers obtained after vectorization) into "MapInfo" GIS correctly?

For export into MapInfo it is enough to use the "Export" command. You should attentively think over export options, as if you have not selected layers for export you wouldn't receive any file. MapInfo data structure requires each layer to be exported into separate file. You will find the "project layers to exported file correspondence" table on the "MIF Options" tab of the "Export" dialog box.

What should I do if I need to vectorize adjacent sheets in one project without merging them?

You may process separate map sheets (without merging them) in the following way:
1. Create base project (project-prototype), and create in it all the necessary layers, conventional signs as well as specify all other settings required for your project.
2. Then for every new raster (or map sheet) create a prototype-based project, changing only coordinates and the raster being vectorized.
3. When all the map sheets are vectorized separately, they may be merged as vector data. To do it, import all your vector data in turn into the same project, and then use the "Line Ends Joining" command and join line ends along the specified boundaries.

After source map scanning in Easy Trace the tracing tools are unavailable. One can use only raster editing tools.

You are quite right - after raster scanning only raster editing tools are available. That happens because Easy Trace supports two types of documents: raster and vector ones. After scanning or loading of a raster, the program operates with a raster document. For further vectorization you need to create a vector document. For this purpose you should use the "File/New Project" command. And then you should add raster information to this project with the help of the "Project/ Add Raster" command.

Please, explain in details, what does the "Coordinate transformation" option mean while export in MapInfo format.

You should register in MapInfo the raster your Easy Trace project is based on. While this raster-based project export select the "Coordinate transformation" option and specify the world TAB file of the foregoing raster. The exported data will have the same projection as the raster registered in MapInfo.

Problems occur with hardware key under Windows NT 4.0. What should I do?

In the new HASP driver the problems occuring under Windows NT 4.0 are eliminated. Due to continuous updating of Windows NT, the old protective key driver may operate incorrectly after installation of SP 4 and SP 5. The new HASP driver has been tested to work under Windows NT up to SP 5. For detailed information see www.hasp.com

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