ABSTRACT
Track:  Cartography and Map Production

Tools for Creating Shaded Relief and Highlighting Paper Text

Jeff Nighbert


Mapmakers have portrayed relief on maps for more than 5,000 years. Shaded relief has long been an essential part of the mapping process and is one of the most effective ways to communicate the "lay of the land." From the earliest beginnings, when landforms were conveyed by mere pictures, to modern times, in which satellites transmit up-to-the-minute images for presentations on the evening news, the underlying intent of mapping has remained much the same. Mapmakers seek to record and communicate geographic information in an accurate, realistic manner. A good map makes it easy for the reader to visualize the geography of an area. The indication of terrain features within a map context makes understanding the geography easier. In the world of computers and geographic information systems, creation of map products is not as direct a process as it once was. In the past, relief maps were created by cartographers using artistic implements such as pen and pad, watercolors, etching tools, or air brush and ink to directly apply map information to the page. Today's mapmakers must create cartographic products by manipulating digital data with computer programs, which in turn command mechanical devices to paint the screen or paper. Fortunately, there is an abundance of programs and digital data available for this process. This presentation will cover the process of creating "painted relief" using ArcInfo software and the RGB color model in a number of different mapping situations. The discussion will begin with very simple relief portrayal, such as a monotone presentation of the results of the hill shade command, and then proceed to the very complex presentations of multitheme painted relief utilizing the full power of the ARC GRID system. Other discussion examples will include highlighting study areas, corridors, "nuzzling" lakes, and other geographic objects. All discussion topics will include example graphics and AMLs that will be available to the public.

 

Jeff Nighbert
Bureau of Land Management
1515 SW 5th
Portland, OR 97201
USA

Telephone: 503-952-6399
Fax:
E-mail: jnighber@or.blm.gov

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