How To: Create a map template

Problem/Symptom:
I wish to create a template for my maps, because I don't like the common base map. Is there a way to create my own map templates?

Environment:
This resolution applies specifically to Oasis Montaj and Target v7.0, but you can create map templates in v6.4.* and v6.3.*.

Resolution:
There is a Technical Note called InteractiveMapTemplateTechNote.pdf that is located in C:\Program Files\Geosoft\Oasis montaj or Target\hlp that is a detailed account of how to create map templates, and will be of use when creating such templates. This technical note is also available from our website - http://www.geosoft.com/resources/technotes/index.asp

The resolution below is a brief outline.

1) Go to Map Tools > Map Template > New Blank Map Template.

2) Choose the sheet size, save as a *.geosoft_maptemplate file (for now, save it in your Geosoft project directory).

3) On the template, your context menus are available via a right-click:

4) First, draw your base view (Add New Base Group).

5) Choose the base group to draw, and interactively draw it on the map.

6) Right-click and Add New Base Group to add the scale bar, text, etc. You can always add information to a map after it has been created from a map template, so you do not need to worry if everything is not on the map template.

7) Right-click > Add New Data View. Drag your mouse over the area you wish to have.

8) Before you create the map, you need to define the properties of the data view. Right-click on the Data View and choose Properties.

9) Here, in the View Properties tab, define from XY or Lat/Long, and scan a GDB or Grid to get the coordinates.

10) You can also add other data views, or grids (Add New Data Group).

11) Once you have edited the map template to your liking, save it via Map Tools > Map Template > Save Changes.

12) You can right-click on the template and choose to create a new map from this template, or you can add it to your template library.

13) To add the template to your library, close the template in Oasis/Target. Take the map template from your project directory and place it in C:\Program Files\Geosoft\Oasis Montaj or Target\user\maptemplate. (Note - if you do not have a \user\maptemplate folder, simply create a folder called "maptemplate" in that user directory.)

14) Once your template is in that library, to create a map using that template, choose Map Tools > New Map > New Map from Template Library.