Types of representation style tables

Default RST

A default RST is controlled by Focus and is applied to vector layers in the absence of any other RST.

Direct RST

A direct RST is also called embedded representation, because the style is contained in the layer itself. You create a direct RST when you change the appearance of the shapes directly in the view pane using tools in the Display toolbar. Direct RSTs are only available for vector layers in PCIDSK (.pix) files.

When you change the appearance of shapes in the view pane, Focus creates an RST using the ShapeIDs as the keys. The direct RST is embedded in the .pix file.

Indirect RST

An indirect RST is a separate file (.rst) that contains representation information. You can link an indirect RST to one or more layers. You can also convert an indirect RST into a direct RST by embedding it in the layer through the Vector Layer Properties window.

You can build an indirect RST as system-linked or user-linked.

System-linked RST

A system-linked RST is based on an attribute in a layer. To generate the RST, select an attribute from the layer to become the key; Focus creates styles for each key based on the style that you design. Focus automatically links the system-linked RST through the key.

User-linked RST

Often called a master RST, a user-linked RST is built independently from a layer. To build the RST, you define the keys and manually create styles associated to the keys. Once you build the RST, you link the layers to the RST. The keys in the RST can match an existing attribute in the layer or you can add the keys in a field in the layer.