GRASS Basics - Desktop GIS: Mapping the Planet with Open Source Tools - page 308

Figure C.9: Thematic map of population by country

such as font sizes for the legend and so forth, but the defaults are fine
for generating the map (fire up GRASS and look if you want to see what
they are). The thematic map can be drawn using the same method as
for the regular vector map. As you can see in Figure C.9 , the countries
are rendered by population, with the most populous in red. The legend
is displayed separately from the map window in GRASS and shows the
colors and class intervals.

You've probably noticed that the GRASS GUI uses a different paradigm
than the other OSGIS applications we surveyed in Appendix A , on
page 269 . As such, it takes some getting used to. If you are going to
use GRASS, take some time to familiarize yourself with the interface.
In fact, let's do some of that right now.

C.4 Getting to Know the GUI

One of the barriers to using GRASS is psychological. Many people dis-
miss it as being too difficult, arcane, or archaic. That's unfortunate
because GRASS has a lot to offer. That's not to say there isn't a learn-
ing curve with GRASS. Just like any powerful application, it takes time
to learn and master. That said, let's take a look at the map interface