Mindwalk1.

0
Space Syntax Software

Developed in Recife Pernambuco Brazil

Lucas Figueiredo, July 2005
http://www.mindwalk.com.br

Citations
Figueiredo, L., 2005, Mindwalk 1.0 Space Syntax Software, Laboratrio de Estudos
Avanados de Arquitetura LA2, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife.
Available at:
http://www.mindwalk.com.br/papers/Figueiredo_2005_Space_Syntax_Software_en.pdf
Copyright Lucas Figueiredo de Medeiros All rights reserved.

PRESENTATION
Thank you for the interest expressed in Mindwalk, a new application to perform
spatial analysis on buildings and cities over axial (Hillier and Hanson, 1984) and
continuity maps (Figueiredo, 2004, 2005; Figueiredo and Amorim, 2004, 2005). It
imports and exports maps as drawing exchange files (DXF) and simple coordinate
files (text files), being able to create continuity maps by aggregating axial lines
in a traditional axial map. Mindwalk supports all standard syntactic measures,
a version of the choice measure and new ones associated with the continuity
system. It was fully written in Java, a programming language designed to be
platform-independent by using virtual machines.
Most of Mindwalk was written in 2002 under code name xSpace (Axial Space),
software primarily designed to support our research on continuity lines. Since
then, the absence of a definitive tool for spatial analysis, particularly on a
PC platform, supported a growing search for our software. In 2004, xSpace
was adopted as a tool for teaching space syntax in class context at the Taubman
College of Architecture and Urban Planning - University of Michigan, USA, and at
University of Brasilia and Federal University of Pernambuco, both in Brazil. Such
experiences provided an important feedback and encouraged us to distribute our
software worldwide.
Mindwalk, version 1.0, is being distributed for academic and non-commercial
purposes (see the licence agreement for details). This version no longer still
under development and it is freely provided without any support or warranty of
any kind. It may not be fully functional and it may not be fully compatible with
other tools. Despite these limitations, Mindwalk is a versatile and easy to use
application and it is expected to be a useful tool for the space syntax
community. To get the latest information about Mindwalk, go to our site at
http://www.mindwalk.com.br.
Mindwalk is now being revised. It is an opportunity for you to ask any questions
or suggest any improvements or corrections in future versions. You can also help
our research on continuity lines by sending axial maps of cities. We are
interested in any kind of technical cooperation. Send an e-mail, there will be a
reply as soon as possible.
Enjoy!
Lucas Figueiredo
lucasfigueiredo@gmail.com
MSc in Urban Development
Acknowledgments
The production of this documentation was supported by Fundao de Amparo
Cincia e Tecnologia do Estado de Pernambuco FACEPE, and coordinated by
Professor Luiz Amorim, from the Laboratrio de Projetos do Departamento de
Arquitetura e Urbanismo da Universidade Federal de Pernambuco - UFPE.
We would like to thank Professors Luiz Amorim, Frederico de Holanda e
Guilherme Varela, who provided important feedback.
Mindwalk includes software developed by the JDOM Project http://www.jdom.org

Mindwalk 1.0 Space Syntax Software

SUMMARY
Presentation........................................................................................................... i
Summary .............................................................................................................. ii
Licence Agreement..................................................................................................iv
Getting Started ...................................................................................................... 1
1. Installing the Java ............................................................................................ 1
Installing over the Web ...................................................................................... 1
Manual download ............................................................................................. 1
Mac OS .......................................................................................................... 1
2. Running the software ........................................................................................ 1
Running from the command line ........................................................................... 1
Getting more memory........................................................................................ 1
3. Troubleshooting ............................................................................................... 2
Loading Maps ......................................................................................................... 2
1. Simple coordinate files ...................................................................................... 2
2. DXF Files........................................................................................................ 3
Layer organisation ............................................................................................ 3
3. Building the graph ............................................................................................ 3
Dealing with disconnect lines ............................................................................... 3
Unlinking two lines ........................................................................................... 4
4. Continuity maps............................................................................................... 4
5. Troubleshooting ............................................................................................... 4
Performing Spatial Analysis ........................................................................................ 5
1. Standard measures ........................................................................................... 5
Connectivity ................................................................................................... 5
Control.......................................................................................................... 5
Depth ........................................................................................................... 5
Global integration ............................................................................................ 5
Local integration.............................................................................................. 6
Radius-radius integration .................................................................................... 6
Fast choice..................................................................................................... 6
2. Advanced measures........................................................................................... 6
Intelligibility and synergy.................................................................................... 6
Length .......................................................................................................... 6
Sinuosity........................................................................................................ 6
Aggregation degree........................................................................................... 6
Reserved ....................................................................................................... 7
Exporting data ....................................................................................................... 7
1. The table window............................................................................................. 7

ii

Mindwalk 1.0 Space Syntax Software

Header.......................................................................................................... 7
Rows ............................................................................................................ 7
Clipboard options ............................................................................................. 7
Extra information field....................................................................................... 7
2. Supported formats ............................................................................................ 7
Legacy xSpace Files .......................................................................................... 7
Drawing Exchange Files ...................................................................................... 8
Text Files....................................................................................................... 8
Images .......................................................................................................... 8
Complete List of Functions ........................................................................................ 8
1. File Menu ....................................................................................................... 8
2. View Menu ..................................................................................................... 8
3. Measure Menu ................................................................................................. 9
4. Table Menu..................................................................................................... 9
5. Window Menu.................................................................................................10
6. Help Menu.....................................................................................................10
References...........................................................................................................10

iii

Mindwalk 1.0 Space Syntax Software

LICENCE AGREEMENT
SOFTWARE LICENCE AGREEMENT FOR ACADEMIC AND NON-COMMERCIAL USE
DEFINITIONS
(a) Software means Mindwalk, in binary form, any other machine-readable materials
(including, but not limited to, libraries, source files, header files and data files) and any
documentation provided to You under this Agreement.
(b) Author means the author and copyright owner of the Software: Lucas Figueiredo de
Medeiros.
(c) You (or Your) means an individual or legal entity exercising permissions granted by this
Agreement.
(d) Licence (or Agreement) means the terms and conditions defined by this document.
PLEASE READ THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT CAREFULLY. BY INSTALLING OR
USING THE SOFTWARE, YOU ACCEPT THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT. THE
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE AGREEMENT UPON YOU CAN USE THE SOFTWARE ARE AS
FOLLOW:
1. The Purpose of the Software. Your use of the Software will be exclusively for academic and noncommercial purposes. Under this Agreement, You also agree that services offered by individuals or
legal entities, including but not limited to teaching and consulting services, are commercial
purposes, even if any profit may be reverted for academic or non-commercial purposes.
2. Distribution. This licence is not transferable. You will not transfer, sell, rent, resell or distribute
the Software. You will not make copies of the Software except for Your personal and normal use or
for the purpose of backup. Each individual or legal entity must acquire the Software directly from
the Author.
3. Copyright. The Software is an intellectual property of the Author. You will not disassemble,
decompile or use any kind of reverse engineer on it. You will not adapt, modify or create derivative
works based on the Software or any part of it without prior written permission of the Author.
4. Disclaimer of Warranty. You acknowledge that the Software is experimental and is supplied to
You on "AS IS" basis, without any technical support or warranty of any kind, either express or
implied, including, without limitation, any warranties or conditions of TITLE, NON-INFRINGEMENT,
MERCHANTABILITY, or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. You are solely responsible for
determining the appropriateness of using the Software and assume any risks associated with Your
exercise of permissions under this Licence.
5. Limitation of Liability. In no event and under no legal theory, whether in tort (including
negligence), contract, or otherwise, shall the Author be liable to You for damages, including any
direct, indirect, special, incidental, or consequential damages of any character arising as a result of
this Licence or out of the use or inability to use the Software (including but not limited to damages
for loss of goodwill, loss of data, work stoppage, computer failure or malfunction, or any and all
other damages or losses), even if such Author has been advised of the possibility of such damages.
6. General Provisions. This Licence is governed by Brazilian Law and is subject to exclusive
jurisdiction of the Brazilian courts, without giving effect to principles of conflict of laws. The city of
Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil, is automatically elect as the court for any legal questions.
7. Duration. This licence is changeable by the Author at any time. This Licence is terminable by the
Author at any time OR on the first day of 2007, which will occur first.
END OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS
The Author,
LUCAS FIGUEIREDO DE MEDEIROS

iv

Mindwalk 1.0 Space Syntax Software

Part 1
GETTING STARTED

A Java Virtual Machine 1.4 or higher is only

available for Mac OS X or newer versions;
Mindwalk does not run on Classic Macs. I
have never tested this software on Mac, send a
screenshot to me!

1. Installing the Java

2. Running the software

Mindwalk was fully written in Java, a

programming language designed to be
platform-independent
by
using
virtual
machines. Before using Mindwalk, you must
install a Java Virtual Machine 1.4 or higher,
which is available for Windows, Solaris, Linux
and Mac operating systems1. A Java Virtual
Machine is usually part of a Java Runtime
Environment (JRE), which configures your
operating
system
for
running
Java
applications. All information you need to get
the latest in Java technology is available at
the site http://www.java.com.

After installing a Java Virtual Machine you are

able to run Mindwalk. If you are reading this
documentation, you have probably unzipped
the package Mindwalk_1.0.zip into a
directory of your choice. The software runs on
Windows or Mac environments usually by
double-clicking on the file Mindwalk_1.0.jar.
Note that this file is a Java Executable, which
is different from a normal executable.

Installing over the Web

Windows users can install a Java Runtime
Environment over the Web simply by clicking
on the Java Software Download icon (or a
similar button) at http://www.java.com.
Newer browsers ask for permission check if a
yellow bar appears on the top of the page. The
installation starts automatically if you enable
your browser to do it.
Manual download

Figure 1: Mindwalk running on Windows

environment

If you had some trouble by installing the Java

over the Web, you should download and install
a Java Runtime Environment manually. Solaris
and Linux users may also prefer this option. Go
to http://www.java.com and download
manually a Java Runtime Environment for your
operational system. This site also contains
detailed instructions for installing.

Running from the command line

Under Solaris and Linux (also Windows)
environments, you may use the following
command line to run the software:
java jar Mindwalk_1.0.jar

Mac OS

You should point to the correct directory/path

in which Mindwalk is located, such as:

Java is a core component of Mac OS X, which

already includes the full version 1.4.2
(http://www.apple.com/java). If Mindwalk is
not running on your Mac, you should try the
Mac OS software update to install or update
your Java. You may also find more information
at http://www.apple.com/java.

java jar
C:\Mindwalk_1.0\Mindwalk_1.0.jar
Getting more memory
If you are using Mindwalk to analyse large
maps (more than ten thousand lines), it is
recommended that you reserve a significant
amount of memory for Mindwalk. It can be
done through the following command line:

Both Macintosh and Mac are trademarks of

Apple Computer, Inc., Windows is a trademark
of Microsoft Corporation and JAVA and Solaris
are trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc.
1

Mindwalk 1.0 Space Syntax Software

Chapter 2
LOADING MAPS

java Xms64m -Xmx128m jar

Mindwalk_1.0.jar
The example above reserves an initial heap
size of 64Mb and a maximum heap size of
128Mb. You can type java X to see all nonstandard options of the Java Virtual Machine.
You must use this option if Mindwalk does not
open a large map without showing any
warnings.

Mindwalk 1.0 does not have drawing

capabilities, but it is able to import and export
axial and continuity maps as drawing exchange
files (DXF), a format compatible with most
CAD applications, and simple coordinate files
(text files). You can load a map choosing the
Open option of the File menu. Mindwalk
enables you to load several maps at the same
time.

Windows users can execute a command line

choosing the run option at the start menu,
from the command prompt (accessories) or
even creating a shortcut.

1. Simple coordinate files

3. Troubleshooting
Mindwalk is now able to load tabular data,
containing the coordinates of the axial lines.
Usually these text files contain tabular data
informing an id and the coordinates of the
axial lines, such as:

If Mindwalk is not running, you should try the

following tips:
(a) Check if you have really installed correctly
the Java Runtime Environment. You must
remember that Mindwalk needs a Java 1.4 or
higher and may not run on older versions. You
may find more help in the following page:

ID, X0, Y0, X1, Y1

...
After choosing a text file (*.txt, *.csv, *.asc) a
text import wizard will appear. You should
inform the column order and the character
used as a separator between the columns
(usually the tab character or the comma
character).

http://www.java.com/en/download/help
(b) Mindwalk includes software developed by
the JDOM Project (http://www.jdom.org/).
Check if the auxiliary package jdom.jar is
located
in
the
same
directory
of
Mindwalk_1.0.jar.
(c) Linux and Solaris users should check if
Mindwalk has permission to run or permission
to write to some files and directories (a
message will probably appear).
(d) This release was build with Java 1.4.2_08
and it was also tested on Java 1.5.0_03. New
updates
may
create
unexpected
incompatibilities. In this case, you must check
our site for more information.
(e) I have never tested Mindwalk on Mac
environments. You may encounter unexpected
errors.

Figure 2: Text Import Wizard

Note: due to an internal limitation, Mindwalk
currently ignores all given ids, replacing them
for new ids varying from 0 to n-1, according to
the line order.

Mindwalk 1.0 Space Syntax Software

2. DXF Files

3. Building the graph

There are at least four versions of drawing

exchange files, which were designed to store
complex drawings. Mindwalk 1.0 has a better
compatibility with the version AC1009 (R12).

After loading an axial or continuity map, you

must build the graph before performing the
analysis. Mindwalk calculates the intersections
between all axial and continuity lines,
modelling lines as nodes and intersections as
edges to build the graph. The software checks
the integrity of this graph, painting
disconnected lines or isolated line groups
magenta and lines with a single connection
blue (Figure 2). It helps you correct the map in
your drawing software. Finally, if you do not
put any line in a layer beginning with axial
or continuity (Table 1) a warning is
displayed The graph is empty: check the
layers.

As a general rule, Mindwalk probably loads any

DXF. On the other hand, there is no guarantee
that your drawing software loads a DXF saved
by Mindwalk.
Tip: make a backup of your original file before
working with Mindwalk.
Layer organisation
Mindwalk 1.0 supports a small set of standard
DXF entities and recognises layer names (Table
1). Continuity lines are drawn as polylines (a
sequence of concatenated lines) and are
correctly recognised as a single graph node by
the software. Other layers are identified as
background drawings and non-supported
entities are ignored or removed.

Note: the graph building procedure may take

several minutes. It depends on the map size
and on your computer.

Table 1: File Organisation

ENTITY

DESCRIPTION

Line

Standard 2D
Line (Axial
Line)

Polyline

Standard 2D
Polyline
(Continuity
Line)

Mindwalk 1.0
does not support
lightweight
polylines
(LWPolyline)

Circle

Standard 2D
Circle

Marks an invalid
intersection

Text

Single line
text

Mindwalk uses a
default font

LAYER

CONTENT

SAMPLES

Axial*

Axial or
continuity
lines

Axial1,
AxialCentre

Continuity* Axial or
continuity
lines
Unlink*

Circles
representing
unlinks

Other
layers

Background
drawings

NOTES

Figure 3: Axial map with disconnected lines in

magenta and lines with a single connection in
blue
Dealing with disconnect lines
Mindwalk shows a warning There are
disconnected lines in the graph if the map is
not fully connected. In this case, you have two
options:
(a) Simply ignore these lines if they are
unimportant. Contrary to its previous version
xSpace, Mindwalk will ignore disconnected
lines in the further analysis. Note that you can
hide such lines simply by unmarking
Disconnected Lines in the Layer option
from the View menu.

Continuity1,
ContinuityRoads
Unlink1,
UnlinkBridges

(b) Make corrections in your drawing software

if your drawing software is compatible with
the maps exported by Mindwalk.

Tip: You must put the axial or continuity lines

into a layer beginning with axial or
continuity.

Tip: Mindwalk puts the disconnected lines in a

layer called AXIAL_ERROR.

Mindwalk 1.0 Space Syntax Software

current parameters (Figure 4). After creating a
continuity map, you must rebuild the graph to
verify if the procedure has disconnected any
line.

Unlinking two lines

Finally, if you want to intentionally disconnect
two lines, a circle must be drawn with centre
over the intersection between the two lines
(Figure 3). Such circles must be put into the
same layer of the lines or into a layer
beginning with unlink (Table 1).

Figure 4: Unlinking lines

4. Continuity maps
Mindwalk 1.0 does not only work with axial
maps (Hillier and Hanson, 1984) but also with
continuity maps (Figueiredo, 2004; Figueiredo
and Amorim, 2004, 2005). In few words, a
continuity line ignores changes of direction up
to a limit to represent an urban path in its
maximum extension. This model seems to be
closer to the way we experience the urban
grid during long journeys since continuity
lines
are
easily
recognised
through
movement. Mindwalk simulates continuity
lines as polylines, calculating correctly the
intersections between both axial and
continuity lines.

Figure 5: Merging axial lines to create a

continuity map

In addition, Mindwalk implements the

aggregation procedure proposed by Figueiredo
and Amorim (2005) to create continuity maps
from standard axial maps automatically. This
procedure is based on the angle between the
linear continuation of an axial line and the
real continuation provided by another axial
line closer to one of its extremities, called
angle of continuity (Figueiredo and Amorim,
2005). It also uses an approximation margin to
ignore small distances between intersections
and avoid trivial rings (Hillier and Hanson,
1984, p. 102).

Note:

Tips:
(a) This procedure works normally on
continuity maps. You are able to continue
aggregating with wider angles;
(b) We call an aggregated axial map
continuity map. You should include the
angle by which you have created your map, for
example, Continuity Map, 35;
(c) The angle 35 works well for most types of
urban grids (Figueiredo and Amorim, 2005);
Your original map will be lost after the
aggregation procedure. Use the Save As
option from the File menu to save your
continuity map to a new file.

5. Troubleshooting
(a) It is strongly recommended you make a
backup of your original drawing before using
Mindwalk.
(b) Is the graph empty? Put your lines in a
layer beginning with Axial or Continuity.
Otherwise they will not be recognised as a part
of your graph.

After building the graph, you can create a

continuity map choosing the option Advanced,
Merge Lines option of the Measure menu.
Mindwalk enables you to define a maximum
angle of continuity, up to which axial lines are
aggregated, and an approximation margin, up
to which distances between intersections are
ignored. You also have a preview option that
shows which lines are aggregated by using the

(c) Use older DXF versions. If your drawing

software is able to export your axial or
continuity map as several DXF versions, choose
the older one.

Mindwalk 1.0 Space Syntax Software

(d) Avoid complex drawings. They may create
incompatibilities and make the software slow.
The better thing is to work only with your axial
or continuity map. If you really want to
preserve a background drawing, you may try
exploding such drawing in standard lines.
(e) Your axial map will be lost after creating a
continuity map. Continuity lines may also
increase
the
incompatibilities
between
Mindwalk and your drawing software. Save
your continuity maps to different files and
preserve your original axial map.

Figure 6: Progress bar

Connectivity

Note: Mindwalk supports only standard DXF

lines and polylines. There are some other
types of lines, such as Lightweight polylines,
that will be ignored by Mindwalk.

The connectivity of a line i is the number of

lines j that directly intersect it (also called
degree of a vertex in graph theory).

ci = 1

Part 3
PERFORMING SPATIAL ANALYSIS

i j

Control
This measure represents the degree to which a
line i controls the access from and to the
lines j directly connected to it.

Space syntax descriptions, and the measures

derived from them, have been proven to be
successful to study the social and cultural
roles of space (Hillier and Hanson, 1984),
particularly the impact of spatial configuration
on pedestrian and vehicular movement
patterns (Hillier et al, 1992; Hillier, 1996;
Figueiredo and Amorim, 2004). Indeed, many
designers of today take all the knowledge and
expertise of the space syntax community
(Hillier, 1999) to the drawing board as an
important tool for design decision-making.

ctrli =
i j

1
cj

Depth
Depth is the topological distance of a line i
from a given line j through the shortest path
between them. Each line in this path counts
one topological step as the following
manner:

1. Standard measures

(a) A line directly connected to the given line

has depth one from it.

Mindwalk implements all standard syntactic

measures used to analyse axial maps, which
are the same for continuity maps. Most of
them were taken from the graph theory and
later adapted for the space syntax context,
measuring abstract topological properties. In
addition, Mindwalk implements a version of
the choice measure and new ones related to
the continuity system (Figueiredo, 2005). After
building the graph, you can apply these
measures to your map choosing the options of
the Measure menu.

(b) Subsequently, each extra line present in

the shortest path increases the depth by one.

d i = d ij
Depth can be calculated from any line in the
system, depth from. But it normally refers
to the depth from the most integrated line in
the system, simply depth (see global
integration).
Global integration

Note: some of these measures have a high

computational cost and may take several
minutes to be calculated. Mindwalk shows a
progress bar indicating the progress of the
calculation, which can be cancelled at any
time (Figure 5).

Integration is a measure of eccentricity,

accessibility or centrality (which not means
geometrical centrality). It measures the
topological accessibility of a line from the
whole system. In other words, integrated lines
are easily accessible from all other ones while
segregated lines are poorly accessible.
5

Mindwalk 1.0 Space Syntax Software

Integration is calculated by the following
procedure:

Radius-radius integration
The radius-radius is equal to the mean depth
from the most integrated line in the system
and it is used as an intermediate radius
between the local and global.

(a) MDi is the mean depth of all lines j from a

line i for a system with k spaces.

MDi =

d
i j

ij

rr = MDi

k 1

Fast choice

(b) RAi is the relative asymmetry of a line and

varies from one to zero. Integrated lines are
closer to zero, and segregated lines are
closer to one.

RAi =

Choice is the number of times n that a line i is

used in the set of all shortest paths from all
lines to all other lines in the system. Since it
may be several shortest paths between the
same pair of lines, this procedure is laborious.
Mindwalk implements an approximation
(Figueiredo, 2005) that is calculated during
the global integration using a single shortest
path for each pair of lines. Dividing n by the
number of shortest paths k2, this measure is
expressed as the probability of a line being
present in this set of shortest paths.

2( MDi 1)
k 2

(c) RRAi is the real relative asymmetry, which

is RA normalised by the number of lines in the
system using a diamond-shape value
(Krger, 1989). This normalisation is made to
allow comparison between maps of different
sizes.

RRAi =

Dk =

RAi
Dk

fchoicei =

2[k (n 1) + 1]
(k 1)(k 2)

n = log 2 (

2. Advanced measures

k+2
)
3

Intelligibility and synergy

Intelligibility is the correlation between
connectivity and integration (normally global
integration). In a similar manner, synergy is
the correlation between global and local
integration.

(d) Finally, global integration is the inverse of

RRA, allowing positive correlations with other
variables.

Ii =

n
k2

1
RRAi

Note: Unfortunately, Mindwalk does not

calculate these measures directly because it
does not perform any kind of statistical
analysis. You should use another application,
such as Excel, to do it (see exporting data)

Local integration
The integration of a given line i can also be
calculated for a subset of k lines which have
depth from the given line less or equal to a
given radius r. Note that the values for k
and Dk may be different for each line in the
system.

Length
Simply the length of the line normalised
between zero and one.
Sinuosity

The radius three is widely used to measure this

local integration. However, different radii
can be chosen, allowing the study of the
accessibility at different scales in the system.
In this sense, the global integration is also
called integration radius n or integration
radius infinity.

This measure is the sum of all continuity

angles for a continuity line, measured in
radians, or zero for an axial line.
Aggregation degree
The aggregation degree is the number of
aggregated axial lines (segments of continuity
lines) divided by the number of segments in

Mindwalk 1.0 Space Syntax Software

the continuity map (axial lines and aggregated
axial lines), i.e. the percentage of axial lines
that were aggregated. The aggregation degree
is an interesting tool for classifying axial and
continuity maps (Figueiredo and Amorim,
2005).
Reserved
Mindwalk interprets the thickness property
of the lines in the DXF as a reserved
measure, enabling you to add an external
variable to your measure set. You can also set
this
reserved
measure
choosing
the
Advanced, Reserved option in the Measure
menu and, then, setting the values in the
table window (see table window). The
software will update the map display
automatically.

Part 4
EXPORTING DATA
1. The table window

Figure 7: The table window

You can see a table of all measures you have

calculated choosing the Show option in the
Table menu. Each row in this table
corresponds to a line in the map, having a
brighter version of its colour. The table
window (Figure 6) consists of four main
elements: (a) header, (b) rows, (c) clipboard
options and (d) extra information field.

Clipboard options
(c) The easiest way of exporting your data is
copying the table to the clipboard and, then,
pasting it in your favourite statistical
software. This procedure was tested under
Windows and Linux environments. There are
three options: Copy All, Copy Selected
and finally, if you press the SHIFT key and then
click into Copy All, you copy only lines that
have names.

Header
(a) Each column corresponds to a measure.
There are also two columns indicating the line
id and an optional name. Double-clicking into
a column-header you order the table by the
corresponding measure, first ascending and
then descending.

Extra information field

(d) When you double-click into a columnheader or into a row, some extra information
appears in the white field at the bottom of the
table window. For a column, it is show the
min, max and other associated values. For a
line, it is show detailed information of the line
and its intersections (order, angles, etc).

Rows
(b) Each row corresponds to a line in the map.
You can only edit the line name and the
reserved measure (see advanced measures).
You can see the line names by changing the
Graphics, Label option of the View menu
(see the complete list of functions). When you
click in a line you select it in the table and in
the map. Little squares in the map help you
find the selection. You can also select a set of
rows by clicking in a row, pressing the SHIFT
key and then clicking in another row.

2. Supported formats
Legacy xSpace Files
Mindwalk can save the maps after calculation
as legacy xSpace files (XSP). In truth, it is a
zipped file (ZIP) containing both the DXF and a
XML (Extended Markup Language) with all
graph information, including all measures you

Mindwalk 1.0 Space Syntax Software

Part 5
COMPLETE LIST OF FUNCTIONS

have calculated. After choosing the Save As

option of the File menu, type the file name
with the XSP extension in the File Dialog, for
example, map.xsp.

1. File Menu

Drawing Exchange Files

Open

Mindwalk is able to save maps as DXF using the

version R12 to avoid incompatibilities.

Loads a map. Mindwalk is able to open Drawing

Exchange Files (DXF), Legacy xSpace Files
(XSP) and text files (table of coordinates);

Note: Despite converting any DXF to the

version R12, there is no guarantee that a DXF
saved by Mindwalk is compatible with other
tools. In addition, the view position existent in
the file is discarded. Use the option zoom
extends or another similar to center the map
in your CAD software.

Close
Closes the current map;
Save
Saves the current map. Mindwalk is able to
save your map as DXF, Legacy xSpace Files
(XSP), which also saves all analysis, and text
files (table of coordinates);

Text Files
In addition to the copy to the clipboard
option, another way of exporting data is to
export the whole table to a text file (TXT).
You can do it choosing the Export option in
the Table menu, the Export, As Text or
Save As options of the File menu. This file
includes the coordinates of the axial and
continuity lines.

Save As
Saves the current map to a new file of any
supported format;
Export

Tip: A text export wizard will ask about the

character used as separator (usually comma or
tab). Example:

Exports the current map:

As Text saves the table of coordinates
and measures to a text file;

ID, X0, Y0, X1, Y2, NAME,...

As Image saves a screenshot of the

current window to a JPEG or PNG image;

Note: the continuity lines are split in several

rows with the same id in order to save the
coordinates of their segments. Use the option
of copying to the clipboard to avoid it.

Audit

Images

Exit

You can save a screenshot of the map window

choosing the option Export, As Image of the
File menu. You can choose between two
image formats, JPG or PNG (better quality).
Type the file name with the extension of your
preference, such as map.png, in the File
Dialog.

Exits from the program.

Removes duplicated lines and invalid points;

2. View Menu
Zoom Extends
Resizes the map to fit in the current window;
Zoom In
Increases maps size;
Zoom Out
Decreases maps size;
Layers
Shows or hides the following layers in the
current map:
8

Mindwalk 1.0 Space Syntax Software

Objects background drawings;

Standard

Graph axial and continuity lines (graph

nodes);

Other measures (see standard measures):

Global Integration calculates integration
radius n, fast choice and depth (it may take
several minutes). It can calculate any local
integration at the same time (see
configure);

Disconnected Lines;
Unlinks

circles
intersections;

marking

invalid

Texts single line texts;

Local Integration calculates a local

integration for a given radius. If you have
already calculated the global integration,
you can choose between some precalculated local radii (see configure), the
radius-radius integration or enter a new
one. Otherwise you will be asked for a
radius;

Graphics
Configures all graphics properties:
Background Colour chooses between
black and white;
Colour Scale chooses the current colour
scale to represent the measures. The
options are classic, greyscale, some
grey highlighting top values and threshold,
which highlights values greater than a base
value;

Depth from calculates the depth from a

given line. You will be asked for a line id;
Fast Choice displays the measure of fast
choice, which is calculated during the
global integration calculation;

Label chooses the current line label. The

options are none, id, name (see table
window to know how to set a line name),
and current measure;

Depth displays the depth from the most

integrated line;
Configure you can pre-configure a list of
comma-separated radii for calculating local
integration (see global integration);

Line Width sets the current line width

(graph layer);
Rendering sets the rendering quality:
draft (faster) or antialias (better);

Advanced
(see advanced measures):

Save saves the current configuration;

Default reloads Mindwalks
graphics configuration.

Length line lengths normalised between

zero and one;

default

Sinuosity (see advanced measures);

Language

Aggregation Degree pop ups a dialog

showing the aggregation degree;

Changes the current language, you may select

between English (UK) and Portuguese (Brazil).
You must restart Mindwalk to the changes to
take effect.

Merge Lines pop ups a dialog for creating

continuity maps according to a given
continuity angle and approximation margin,
or make a preview of the aggregation
process (see continuity maps);

3. Measure Menu

Reserved shows a custom measure

(thickness property) and open a new
editable column reserved in the table
(see advanced measures and table
window).

Build Graph
Builds the graph (it may take several minutes).
You must do it before performing the analysis
or the following menus still disabled;

4. Table Menu

Connectivity
(see standard measures);

Show

Control

Show the table window (see table window);

(see standard measures);

Hide
Hides the table window;
9

Mindwalk 1.0 Space Syntax Software

REFERENCES

Export
Exports all measures and coordinates to a text
file (see exporting data).

Figueiredo, L., 2004, Linhas de Continuidade

no
Sistema
Axial,
Unpublished
MSc
Dissertation,
Federal
University
of
Pernambuco, Recife.

5. Window Menu

Figueiredo, L., Amorim, L., 2004, Continuity

lines: aggregating axial lines to predict
vehicular movement patterns, in Proceedings
of the Third Great Asian Streets Symposium,
National University of Singapore, Singapore.

The window menu shows all maps you have

loaded. You can select a map selecting its
corresponding menu item.

6. Help Menu

Figueiredo, L., 2005, Mindwalk: a Java based

software for spatial analysis, unpublished
paper.

Licence
(see licence agreement);

Figueiredo, L., Amorim, L., 2005, Continuity

lines in the axial system, in Proceedings of
the
Fifth
Space
Syntax
International
Symposium, Delft University of Technology,
Delft.

About the Author

Some basic information about me;
About Mindwalk

Hillier, B.; Hanson, J., 1984, The social logic

of space, Cambridge University Press,
Cambridge.

Pop ups the splash screen;

Hillier, B. et al., 1992, Natural movement: or,

configuration and attraction in pedestrian
movement, European Conference on the
Representation and Management of Urban
Change, University of Cambridge.
Hillier, B., 1996, Cities as movement
economies, in Space is the machine: a
configurational theory of architecture,
Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
Hillier, B., 1999, The common language of
space: a way of looking at the social,
economic and environmental functioning of
cities on a common basis, Journal of
Environmental Science, 11(3), p 344-349.
Krger, M. On node and axial maps: distance
measures and related topics, European
Conference on the Representation and
Management of Urban Change, University of
Cambridge, 1989.

10