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Abstract
CPS Cartographic Enhancements
Track: Cartography and Map Production
Author(s): Andreas Oxenstierna
Cartographic Production System (CPS) is a mature commercial application to produce high-quality maps based on ArcInfo Workstation. The main concept of CPS is database-driven cartography, often using data sets requiring integrated topology. The latest version of CPS, CPS 3.0, includes several major enhancements. Some cartographic enhancements are described in this article. Cartography often requires the creation and correct placement of much text. The database-driven approach used by CPS has always facilitated the creation and placement of text. CPS 3.0 provides an interface to Maplex, a very sophisticated text creation and placement software package. The new interface supports the usage of Maplex to create text and to connect the text to the source database objects, and includes operator support for necessary final cartographic editing. Advanced cartographic editing has three main requirements: Functionality, full WYSIWYG, and performance. Functionality will be improved by a completely new editing interface with full support for Windows interface functions such as context-sensitive editing and help system. WYSIWYG and performance are difficult to combine in a feasible way. CPS has therefore introduced the concept of TurboWYSIWYG. A georeferenced image is created at the operator's request at a desired resolution, capturing the content of the active map. The image is true WYSIWYG (i.e., describes exactly how the printed map will appear including the correct projection, neatlines, subscripting, and other advanced cartographic effects). The image is used as a backdrop during editing and can be re-created whenever needed by the operator. To produce informative and aesthetically pleasing maps, there is a strong need to support transparent object-based masking in maps. A typical example is that blue text should mask blue waterlines but not the blue water area. Traditionally, transparent masking has required either expensive raster-based software or time-consuming editing of the database. Both approaches have several disadvantages. CPS PrePress has been developed to overcome these advantages and supports advanced transparent masking inside a true database-driven cartography environment.
Andreas Oxenstierna
T-Kartor Sweden AB
Box 5097
Kristianstad, 29105
Sweden
Phone: Int +4644206804
E-mail: ao@t-kartor.se