Aims of this course

Who is the course designed for?

This course is designed for anyone who wishes to make better use of MapInfo Professional whatever their working environment. Whether you are completely new, self taught or have some experience with MapInfo Professional this course will give you clear guidance to the key questions that you need to answer to benefit from using the software.

What can you learn from this course?

Through many examples, advice, tips, methods and exercises you will learn how to avoid some of the common pitfalls and make best use of MapInfo Professional in a language which is clear and available to everyone.

Pre-requisites

The pre-requisites necessary to make best use of MapInfo Professional are as follows:-

• A good understanding of the Windows interface and Internet Explorer ( file handling, directory creation).
  
• Ability to work with spreadsheet tables such as in Excel, for example.
  

Understanding databases such as Access for example would be advantageous. The familiarity with any software using layers and vector design such as AutoCAD or the use any form of GIS would also be helpful.

If you have experienced both GIS and CAD software you will probably find that most of what I have to say regarding similarities and differences familiar. A basic similarity between the two software facilities is that they both use a layer function to display the graphic element of the drawing (CAD) and map (GIS). Perhaps that is the most common similarity whilst most of the differences lie in the purpose each software type aims to fulfil.

Computer aided design systems as their name implies provide a means of designing objects. For the architect it will be some form of building design, for the electrical engineer it may involve a complex wiring diagram, for a civil engineer it could be a highway, tunnel or bridge project and for a mechanical engineer it could be some form of engine or pump design.