Proposed change to symbols.

[Stephen Lime]

I'd like to propose a couple of changes to the way symbols are handled. This is to make symbols easier to manage and to support some additional functionality proposed by a couple of other users. The initial change would be this:

Do away with separate marker, line and shade symbol files in favor of a single symbol file. Also, allow symbol definitions in the map file.

Syntax would be the same and access (i.e. symbols referenced in class objects) would be the same. These changes allow for a simpler MapScript symbol interface and additional opportunities for defining symbols on-the-fly. Begining in 3.3.011 you can already specify a GIF/PNG file (relative to the location of the map file) in a class object (i.e. SYMBOL "graphics/marker.gif") and a symbol is dynamically created. MapScript method $map->getSymbolByName("graphics/marker.gif"); will also work.

Any thoughts or can I code it?

Steve