Re: Simple mapmaking software?

rolypolyman@xxxxxxxxx wrote:
> I have a set of 10 waypoints for a small 20-acre property.
>
> Which mapping program could allow me to do a very basic plot of
> these waypoints, in a basic projection with a =correct= aspect
> ratio and with a properly calibrated scale bar?
>
> I'd like to use it as a skeleton for doing a more detailed map
> in PaintShop or Illustrator. Any ideas on this?

Many of the GPS mapping utility programs can do it. However, if you
want to embellish the plot with your own legend, labels, icons,
shading, colors, etc., then a general image editor is very useful.

I do quite a lot of this with Paint Shop Pro. It reads the DXF
format that MapSource exports. For this small area, choose the UTM
grid when exporting a file containing your waypoints--and track logs
if you want them--plus at least two waypoints at known positions for
calibration, for example at UTM kilometer grid points or at road
intersections.

You can plot your data on a blank map or overlay it on a base map
scanned or downloaded. An aerial photo from USAPhotoMaps might be
just the ticket for a small property. Measure on the map the height
or width in pixels to plot your data, and enter that when reading
the DXF file. You do not have to hit it exactly, as Paint Shop Pro
can resize and rotate this vector data without loss of quality to
fit your calibration waypoints to their proper places.

If you do not own PSP, Corel has a free 30-day trial of the full,
unrestricted product for download at their web site. An older
version 7 is often available on eBay for a few dollars. For this
type of work, it is just as good as the current version 9.
--
Fred Hiltz, fhiltz at yahoo dot com

.

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