Feature: Manipulations

Manipulations let you modify and clean snapshot data in the Infomap view without changing the original data. All manipulation functions affect only the manipulated snapshot version. The original snapshot version always continues to display exactly the data captured by the system.

Open the Manipulations menu

1. Toggle the manipulated snapshot version: In Infomap, use the right-hand toolbar in the map view (top-right) and select the pencil icon (tooltip: Toggle manipulated snapshot version). This switches the view from the original snapshot to the manipulated snapshot version.
2. Open the Manipulations panel: In Infomap, select the pencil icon in the left-hand toolbar to open Manipulations. The Manipulations panel appears on the left with Continuous manipulations and One-off manipulations.

Continuous manipulations

Continuous manipulations are applied to all following snapshots until an end date is reached. If no end date is set, the manipulation is applied indefinitely.

Available continuous manipulation types

• Interpolate
  Automatically fills recurring gaps in the manipulated snapshot version for all subsequent snapshots (until the end date, if set).
• Delete
  Continuously removes points in a defined selection from all subsequent manipulated snapshots. Use this for recurring objects or areas that repeatedly appear and should never be included.
• Delete and interpolate
  Continuously deletes an area and fills the resulting gap in the manipulated snapshot version for all following snapshots.
• Time-based deletion and interpolation
  Uses a time specification to control point age. The time specification defines how old points can be at most before they are deleted. Only points that are younger than this time specification are used for the manipulation.
• Polyline delete
  Removes points along a defined polyline in the manipulated snapshot version. Use this when you need to delete a narrow, linear area (instead of a broader selection).
• Cleaning
  Cleans the manipulated snapshot version by reducing unwanted noise/artifacts based on the cleaning settings you apply.

One-off manipulations

One-off manipulations apply only to the snapshot where they are created. They do not carry over to future snapshots.

Available one-off manipulation types

• Interpolate
  Fills a defined gap in the manipulated snapshot version for the current snapshot only.
• Delete
  Removes a defined area/selection from the manipulated snapshot version for the current snapshot only.
• Delete and interpolate
  Deletes a defined selection and fills the resulting gap in the manipulated snapshot version for the current snapshot only.
• Time-based manipulations
  The time specification defines how old the points can be at most before they are deleted. Only points that are younger than this time specification are used for the manipulation.
• Polyline delete
  Deletes points along a defined polyline for the current snapshot only.
• Cleaning
  Cleans noise/artifacts for the current snapshot only in the manipulated snapshot version.

Key concepts and recommendations

• Non-destructive workflow: Manipulations never modify the original snapshot version—only the manipulated version.
• Prefer one-off first: If you are unsure whether a change should persist, start with a one-off manipulation.
• Be explicit with time-based settings: Time-based manipulations depend on point age. Review your time specification before applying.