Vol X, No. 1 - Winter 2002
Contents |
In Focus |
Mapmaking |
Geonews |
Profile |
Planning |
Employee
While Mapping Specialists is not a map publisher per se we do offer a limited line of products. As mentioned in the Summer 2001 issue of the Mapping Specialist, we have created a street-level base of Dane County, Wisconsin. From this base we create two wall maps and a 96-page street atlas. All of the products are manufactured using our internal printing/plotting equipment and shipped directly from our office. In addition to the Dane County products we also have created a series of relief maps for the state of Wisconsin based on the United States Geological Survey 7.5 minute topo quads.
Like the Dane County products, we were continually receiving inquiries about the availability of the USGS Topo Quads. So, instead of referring callers to other businesses we decided to create and carry the entire set of quads for our state. This was no easy task since there are 1100 quads covering Wisconsin. The task was made easier through the availability of scanned quad images from the USGS. While this made the acquisition of the quads easier, it only gave us the same maps available from other suppliers and didn't give us the final product we wanted.
The product line we ultimately created and now carry has the standard 7.5 minute data merged with a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) giving the quad a 3-D look. Having used the quads in the past for various reasons, we knew that the hardest part about using them was interpreting the elevation information. The incorporation of the relief file with the traditional quad permits easy recognition of changes in elevation. We are very pleased with the end result and have received very positive feedback from those who have purchased the maps. We fulfill orders by plotting the quads on demand with our internal printers and shipping them to the purchaser.
In addition to printing the quads individually, we developed a technique using existing graphic and GIS programs that allows us to digitally merge adjoining quads. The program allows us to create seamless images of adjoining maps allowing the purchaser to obtain the desired area as one image. This has been very well received especially with our corporate clients and state agencies that are doing presentations or studies covering large areas. Theoretically all of the quads could be merged together, but due to computer and plotting constraints, we limit the number to be merged to six adjoining quads. It is quite an impressive piece -- roughly 50" x 68" -- when six quads are merged, their corresponding DEM's added, plotted, laminated, and hung for presentation.
Our commitment to providing new and innovative maps and mapping techniques to our clients continues. We are currently working on some new "techniques" for data presentation that many of you will find interesting. So, please watch for articles in the future informing you of these new developments. In the meantime, don't hesitate to let us know if there is anyway that we can be of assistance.
- Dave Knipfer
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