Process Summary:
1. Log onto eDesktop and create a folder on the s:drive for this week’s lab.
2. Navigate to R:\Cartography\Dot and copy and paste the two files for this week to the folder created.
3. Open Illustrator (from start menu) and then open the Floridadot.ai file.
4. Save the document before starting, Floridadot_AK.ai
5. Open up layers, Window>layers and keep the layers with the filters locked.
6. Open up the Excel file, GCT_PH1.xls. Determine column to use for the raw data (population or housing units) – selected. Since we are only working with a select number of counties, copy the sheet 0 in the same workbook and call this sheet 1.
7. Delete all the Counties not needed and only keep those that you will need including all columns for now, should we decide we want to change our mind. Save.
8. How many dots will I need?
a. Take the smallest number (use the min function in excel) = 10576 and that becomes the dot value and is equivalent to 1 dot.
b. Add a column next to the population column and call this the # dots. Using the minimum value determine the # of dots for each county ie. divide the population of each county by the minimum population to get the # of dots for each county.
c. Get the total number of dots for all counties (sum of all dots for the shown counties) = 664.12. This is good as the lab calls for at least 500 dots on the map.
9. Check that the Dots layer is highlighted. To draw your dots, use the Ellipse Tool (inside the rectangle tool) to draw a dot with a size < 1pt. I chose a 0.5 pt size.
10. Zoom in on your map and using the select tool (not direct select tool – harder to work with), move the dot to the correct county. Refer back to your excel file under the “# dots” column to see how many dots go in each county. For example Glades county has only 1 dot.
11. Begin to work on county by county, reference the printout of the map of Florida counties with highlighted counties that you will be working with (I highlighted the counties at the beginning to make it easier to focus my attention on just the needed counties per lab instructions).
12. Begin by checking the pag to see where the rivers, lakes, wetlands are to know where to avoid placing your dots. So from the look of the map, nothing should go inside the blue dotted areas = wetlands, on the thick blue lines = rivers, in the lavender/pink/purple areas = lakes or on the edges of the maps/counties as those are the county shorelines. Every other place on the map is okay to place a dot on. It also helps to keep these layers locked so you cannot paste dots on them. You want to keep the Labels layer blinded out for now and also lock it. Keep the Neatline locked too. If unsure at any point where to place dots, simply click the eye icon to see. NOTE: Majority of the population will be at the senter of the county away from the wetlands, etc.
13. So zoom into a county and complete that before moving to the next. I began from the bottom of the map heading north. I referred to my excel table to see the number of dots.
14. To save time, I made multiple copies of one dot within the county itself (Edit copy and paste or simply click on the dot while the eclipse tool is selected and each time the size menu comes up hit okay (as long as it maintains the same size = 0.5 pts) to accept and a new dot is created) until I had the given number for that county. I then grouped the dots (Object>Group) and moved them as one unit to the specific county. I then renamed the group name by the county name, and Locked it before moving to the next county (highlighting on excel as you go). Save periodically. NOTE: if you use the selection tool and want to go back to copying and pasting more dots, you have to first select the eclipse tool.
15. Also when moving to the next county, be sure to click on the dots layer so that you get out of the previous county layer, however having locked it helps so that the dots are not added to that layer. Be careful to read the map correct when attempting to add the dots. It may help to turn the labels layer on to allow you to now the counties by label then turn back off when stating to add the dots.
16. Create the legend using your tool bar and mainly the pencil tool, text tool, grouping (have to highlight the layers first then Object>Group), selection tool and eventually when done with all items in the legend, group all layers.
17. Create a Title, “South Florida Population by County” using the text tool. NOTE: if you notice you cannot type the title on the map, means that you have yet to create a layer. Be sure not to put the title in the wrong layer. Make the title, Myriad Pro, Bold, 12 pt font. Rename the Title layer and then lock it.
18. Include the author and source information. Myriad Pro, Regular, 8pt. Group so easy to move both, highlight both layers>Object>Group. NOTE: To adjust a layer or move it around you first have to unlock it. Save periodically.
19. Once done shrink to only one layer and lock. Do not turn labels on. Close the layers window. Save then Export Map as a Jpeg.
20. Save the Excel File and close.
21. Upload both Files on the blog and submit to drop box.
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