CARTOGRAPHY AND VISUALIZATION II

Lesson 10

By Mwaura Joshua | @openmapsCo on Twitter

Lesson 10: Map production

Map Production | Flow diagram

  • 1. Data compilation
  • 2. Map design in GIS
  • 3. Design enhancements with graphics software
  • 4. Output
    • a. Offset printing
    • b. Inkjet/Laserjet printers or plotters
    • c. Computer screen or projector

Map Production | Data Compilation

  • Involves gathering and collecting any spatial and/or attribute data needed in creating your map
  • In some cases;
    • data will be available is suitable format
      • by a government agency, non-profit organization or private firm
    • data exists in an analog rather than digital format
      • use a digitizing tablet or a scanner
    • either non existence or unsuitable data
      • e.g. a civil engineering firm will most likely need more precise elevation data for planning road grades than what they can extract from a 30 meter resolution DEM
    • create your own data

Map Production | Map Design & Enhancements

  • GIS software packages with the cartographic tools, makes it possible to create all of the components needed for offset printing within the GIS software
    • Some examples of GIS software packages you might use for map production include:ArcGIS, MapInfo, IDRISI, Intergraph Geomedia, & Autodesk
  • Map projections refers to transforming spatial coordinates on a three-dimensional sphere to a two-dimensional plane
  • Cartographers use graphic design software for more sophisticated functionality and more precise control over graphic elements

Map Production | Map Design & Enhancements

  • Graphic design software falls into three major categories:
    1. Illustration software: is vector based (i.e. the file contains objects such as points, lines and polygons that you can manipulated)
      • e.g. Adobe Illustrator, Macromedia Freehand, and CorelDRAW
    2. Image-editing software: is raster based (i.e. it is pixel-based rather than object based)
      • e.g. Adobe Photoshop, Corel Painter, or Paintshop Pro
    3. Page-layout software: combines both the vector and raster graphics handling capabilities of illustration and image-editing software packages
      • E.g. QuarkXPress, Corel Ventura, and Adobe InDesign

Map production | Final output

  • The equipment you will need for this step will depend upon the final production media used for publication
  • Here, we will consider two classes of media:
    • Electronic
      • computer screen, television screen, computer projector or some type of hand-held electronic device (e.g. PDA, cell phone, etc.)
      • the design challenges you will face will be specific to the particular electronic display device
    • Print
      • maps printed on inkjet printers, laser printers or plotters (i.e.personal printers), and maps that are professionally printed on offset printing presses
      • Read more on different printers

Cartographic design process | Pre-press operations

  • 1. Preparation of digital positive image
    • a. Creation of negative image with imagesetter
  • 2. Digital Proofing
    • b. Creation and review of color proof
  • 3. Direct to Plate
    • c. Platemaking
  • 4. Printing on offset printer

-- End of Lesson 10 --

Cartography & Visualization II

That’s it!

Queries about this Lesson, please send them to: jmwaura.uni@gmail.com

***References***

  • Mapping, Society, and Technology, Steven Manson
  • Web Cartography, Map Design for Interactive and Mobile Devices, Ian Muehlenhaus
  • Web Cartography, Menno-Jan Kraak and Allan Brown, ITC
  • Cartography, Thematic Map Design, Borden D. Dent
  • GIS Cartography, A Guide to Effective Map Design, Gretchen N. Peterson
  • Thematic Cartography and Geovisualization, Terry A. Slocum et.al
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