A mask can be used to make a vignette of an area on a map. This is useful for drawing attention to a specific area of interest.
Create/open your map and position the area of interest in the map window
Set a non-boundary layer as the current top layer (in this example, Towns/Cities)
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Set this layer as the Focus Layer
Using the selection shape, draw a rectangle that fills the whole window
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Draw a second shape inside the rectangle – this will be the area you would like to be visible
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Click on Store, within the Selection Shape section on the Maps ribbon
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Store the shape in your chosen schema (Circles and Drivetimes in this example)
Give it a name (Key) and a description
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Clear selections with Clear Shapes, again in the Selection Shape section of the Maps ribbon
Open a browse on the schema you have saved the shape in
Tag the new shape (highlight and choose Tag Selected)
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Go back to the map and drag on the schema containing the shape
Unselect Show Tagged Only if it is selected
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In the Map Properties tab, drag the layer you have just added to the top of the list
To edit the background colour, select the layer you have added and scroll down the properties until you get to Fill, expand the selection and choose a background colour
