TAB format is one of the formats of data supported by GIS MapInfo. File of TAB format contains data about MapInfo features. Unlike MIF format, which is also supported by MapInfo and is described in chapter 64 “Import of spatial data in MIF format”, the file of TAB format can contain description of a feature of image type. Raster graphics is stored in a separate file of one of raster graphic formats, and the TAB file contains firstly the name of the corresponding graphic file and secondly a list of control points determining georegistration of image feature to the map. For every control point its raster coordinates and coordinates on the map are specified. Thus, the data from TAB file and the corresponding raster graphic file permits creating an image feature of ObjectLand map with the specified georegistration to the map. Feature boundaries are not specified in TAB file, that is why in the course of import boundary of the feature being loaded is set at the borders of image from graphic file.
To import raster data from the file of TAB format it is required to do the following:
have a file of spatial data in TAB format. The name of such a file has TAB extension. The file should contain data of image type.
have a raster graphic file the name of which is specified in TAB file;
select image feature type in one of the map layers to which raster data from files will be imported;
perform the command Import+Images from MapInfo. After performing this command, the procedure of setting and executing import is started;
perform import setting and import data from files to a map.
If the system does not detect serious errors in import files, import of data from files to selected feature type of map layer will be performed in accordance with the specified settings. Information about errors found in the files will be put in the report file on import.
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