Chapter Four Cartography (SEng 3141)

CHAPTER FOUR

4. DIGITAL CARTOGRAPHY

4.1 Basic Definitions and History of Digital Cartography

Digital mapping (also called digital or computer cartography) is the process by which a
collection of spatial data is compiled and formatted into a virtual image on a computer. The
primary function of this technology is to produce maps that give accurate representations of a
particular area, detailing major road arteries and other points of interest. The technology also
allows the calculation of distances from one place to another.

Although digital mapping can be found in a variety of computer applications the main use of
these maps is with the Global Positioning System, or GPS satellite network, used in standard
automotive navigation systems.

We can track the history of digital mapping by studying the evolution of cartography. Every
region in the world had its way to cart maps and represent them as geographical data in the 17th,
18th, and 19th centuries. However, cartography experienced a shift between the 1970s and 80s,
when GIS became a reality. GIS systems came with digital screens for displaying geographical
information, replacing the traditional paper cartography.

GPS came into existence during the Sputnik era. The US Department of Defense later advanced
GPS technology to facilitate its military operations. Many people credit Eniro for introducing the
world to the first digital map in 2003 and satellite images which came later in 2006. This digital
map covered only three cities but expanded to 33 in 2008.

Open street maps later originated in the UK through a government-powered ordinance survey
that created multiple datasets. However, Yahoo became the first company to share geospatial
data publicly in 2009. Google released its updated satellite imagery for use in mobile phones in
2007.

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4.1.1 Conventional Mapping Vs. Digital Mapping

From the definition of what is digital mapping, you can tell that it has many advantages over
analog mapping at a glance. The digital version encompasses an electronic mapping system that
combines graphic elements generated and processed naturally into digital cartographic
data. Digital maps are better than paper maps due to these reasons.

1. Digital Maps Can Cover Any Area

You can create a digital map of any area, making it ideal for exploring unknown locations.
Whether it’s a convention center, church, or mall, you can navigate the location with ease, thanks
to the underlying GPS technology.

2. Greater Accuracy

No paper map can give you greater accuracy than digital maps. Moreover, digital maps are up to
date with emerging streets and landmarks. Alternatively, you can update your digital map
remotely without incurring expensive costs.

3. Intuitive and Interactive

Digital maps are easy to interact with for a better experience. For instance, the map responds
instantly to selected click prompts. Even better, modern versions can respond to voice
commands.

4. Digital Maps Are Scalable

A paper map comes in one size. You can’t expand it to see your surroundings. On other hand,
users can zoom in and out of a digital map to get better clarity of what they are looking for. You
can even zoom into streets and road arteries.

5. Less Storage Space

A digital map occupies less space than a conventional version, making it easy to carry and
accessible from anywhere.

6. Customize Information to Display

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You can customize digital map data in a layered architecture, which is nigh impossible in analog
maps. Moreover, you can turn the data on and off whenever you need to minimize visibility
distraction.

4.1.2 How to Make a Digital Map

There are two main ways of creating a digital map. You can use a free digital mapping tool or
premium alternatives for indoor mapping. Either way, the process of creating your first digital
map is more or less the same. Follow this process if you’re using free software:

 Take photos and videos of your location

 Convert them into PDF files and feed the system
 Customize any categories
 Import any new locations using spreadsheets
 Customize how you want the map to display 3D buildings in your location and enjoy
your digital cartography

4.1.3 The Benefits of Digital Mapping

Digital mapping is critical in modern business operations. Its benefits cut across bands, shoppers,
and even the wider community. Here are some of them.

A. Business Benefits

Interactive maps are playing a vital role when it comes to passive advertising. All navigation
tools for digital maps include vital business information, such as contact details, operational
hours, and customer reviews. All these can stimulate sales when prospective buyers discover
details about your business for the first time. You can also use digital cartography to conduct
market research and identify viable locations before launching a product.

B. Consumer Benefits

Including your business in digital maps can help consumers locate it quickly. This saves their
travel time by showing directions and giving real-time insights into traffic congestion.
Consumers will likely prefer your business every time they need to make a purchase.

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C. Benefits to the Society

A recent report by Alpha Beta indicates that the digital mapping services industry employs about
8 million people globally. Also, society members enjoy easier transportation by using digital
maps to navigate alternative travel routes. Moreover, geospatial technology can alert people in
case of disastrous emergencies, such as floods.

4.1.4 Digital Mapping is the New Old

Digital mapping helps businesses and consumers navigate what we could only access through
paper cartography a few decades ago. Technology is always evolving and digital maps will
feature more interactive tools in the future. Moreover, nearly every business now features in the
local digital map of its locality. With this technology, you can also customize a digital map of
your facility to enhance safety and easy movement.

4.2 Hardware and software requirements in digital cartography

Just as we use a word processor to write documents and deal with words on a computer, we can
use a GIS application to deal with spatial information on a computer. GIS stands for
‘Geographical Information System’.

A GIS consists of:

Digital Data –– the geographical information that you will view and analyze using
computer hardware and software.
Computer Hardware –– computers used for storing data, displaying graphics and
processing data.
Computer Software –– computer programs that run on the computer hardware and allow
you to work with digital data. A software program that forms part of the GIS is called a
GIS Application.

With a GIS application you can open digital maps on your computer, create new spatial
information to add to a map, create printed maps customized to your needs and perform spatial
analysis.

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4.3 Desktop Mapping

A desktop mapping system uses the map metaphor to organize data and user interaction. The
focus of such systems is the creation of maps: the map is the database. Most desktop mapping
systems have more limited data management, spatial analysis, and customization capabilities.
Desktop mapping systems operate on desktop computers.

An evolutionary stage in the development of GIS, desktop mapping systems like Atlas*GIS
combined some of the capabilities of CAD systems with rudimentary linkages between location
data and attribute data. A desktop mapping system user could produce a map in which property
parcels are automatically colored according to various categories of property values, for
example. Furthermore, if property value categories were redefined, the map’s appearance could
be updated automatically. Some desktop mapping systems even supported simple queries that
allow users to retrieve records from a single attribute file. Most real-world decisions require
more sophisticated queries involving multiple data files.

4.3.1 Mapping Qualitative data

A data is qualitative when its value is a nominal one with qualitative differences: components do
not allow establishing range relations between them.

Qualitative data have to be shown such a manner that do not suggest rank either
quantity. Two possibilities: use geometric symbols or differential color in order
to differentiate the different elements of the map. An example for qualitative data would be if the
municipalities are divided by land use.

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Figure 4.1: Map with qualitative data

4.3.2 Mapping quantitative data

Data to be used in thematic maps can have different shapes. They can be fundamentally
distinguished by different characteristics, which can be either of quantitative or qualitative
nature. They should be arranged metrically by their value and by their category.
Quantitative data with absolute values means concrete quantity; the sum of the different values
can be calculated and has a real sense. For example, population, GDP, CO2 emissions are
absolute quantitative data if we consider the number of inhabitants, number of euros or tons of
gas emissions. Population numbers of different municipalities are an example for quantitative
data.

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Figure 4.2: Map with quantitative data

4.3.3 Processing thematic geographic data

Thematic maps pull in attributes or statistics about a location and represent that data in a way
that enables a greater understanding of the relationships between locations and the discovery of
spatial patterns in the data that we are exploring.

There are a number of visualization techniques and thematic map types that have different
applications depending on the type of data that you are exploring and the type of spatial analysis
that you are looking to do. The methodology and the type of map that you want to create may be
different for example if you are exploring global shipping data or voter propensity or
environmental disaster impact.

Let’s take a look at five thematic map visualization (Choropleth map, Dot maps,
Proportional symbol maps, Isarithmic maps and Dasymetric map) techniques that are
particularly useful to decision makers, analysts, storytellers, and others who are looking to draw
insights from their data tell a powerful story or gain a greater understanding of the world around
us.

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4.3.4 Techniques of designing thematic maps

There are several different methods to map spatial-thematic information. Depending on the
characteristics of the data a more local, linear or areal representation is suitable. The thematic
maps Subdivides by structure types. Examples of cartographic structures are point distributions,
area classes, isolines, networks and others.

Most designers would agree that all design takes place in sequential steps, ordered in a way that
eventually yields the planned result. Identifying these steps or stages in design is helpful in
learning how design takes place.

The map design process, like any act of designing, includes six essential stages: problem
identification, preliminary ideas, design refinement, analysis, decision, and implementation.

Figure 4.3: The Design Process

Evaluation and modification (also called feedback) in the design process is continuous. Each
design teaches us something about future problems and processes. Evaluation is a critical
element that helps designers become efficient and recognize that each design process may be
unique, and that not every design problem will utilize the design stages in exactly the same
manner.

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Mental imaging in the process assists the designer in anticipating solutions and problem areas.
Mental imaging also involves visualization, especially in cartographic design.

4.3.5 Displaying map

A. Displaying maps in data view and layout view

Arc Map provides two ways to view a map: data view and layout view. Each view allows you to
view and interact with the map, but in different ways. Data view provides a geographic window
for exploring, displaying, and querying the data on your map. You work in real-world
coordinates and measurements in data view.

In layout view, you work with the map layout elements, such as titles, north arrows, and scale
bars, along with the data frame, all of which are arranged on a page. In layout view, you work
primarily in page space (typically, inches or centimeters) except when you are interacting with a
data frame in your layout.

B. Switching between data view and layout view

Use the buttons at the bottom left of the Arc Map window to switch between data view and
layout view. You can also use this menu to refresh your map display and to pause drawing.

Figure 4.4a: Switch b/n data view and refresh

An alternative way to switch your display is to choose Data View or Layout View from the View
menu in Arc Map.

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Figure 4.4b: Switch b/n data view and layout

4.3.5.1Edition

Once the map design is complete and the cartographer is preparing to send the graphic to the
printer, an initial edit of the map components must be made. Printing can be costly and the
discovery of errors in the graphic once printed will either be retained and distributed to users or
must be reprinted, increasing the cost substantially. The initial edit phase begins on-screen. All
aspects of the map must be evaluated as if you are looking at the map for the first time. Overall
layout of the map components should be the first item to be evaluated. Line weights, symbols,
colors, and font and type size should be reviewed. This is the crucial time for checking the
placement and spelling of all map text. This editing step should be accomplished carefully.

4.3.5.2 Compilation

Map completion is the act of visiting all points of interest, vistas, way points and completing all
renowned hearts and hero challenges within a given zone. After a zone has been completed, a
blue bonus chest will appear that the player can then open and receive a reward. In addition, the
player will receive a mail pertaining to the accomplishment except for city maps.

You can complete most maps without uncovering all of its areas (those are tracked by the
regional Explorer achievements); for example, you do not need to find most jumping puzzles,
since these are in secluded areas without any map objectives to discover. If you complete the
zone while in an instance, such as a home instance, the accomplishment will display the next
time your character re-enters the area. The bonus chest can be reserved to be opened at a later
time.

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The legends at the top left corner of the map show the remaining points for world completion
and completion of the current map. Moving the mouse pointer over each entry in the legend will
make any revealed point or scout pointing to not yet revealed renowned hearts flash on the map,
making them much easier to find. For maps with repeatable renowned hearts, a single completion
of the heart is sufficient to count for map completion

4.3.5.3Reproduction and publication

Map Reproduction

The printing of a map or the electronic duplication of a map in a digital format. Presently,
cartographers have a number of reproduction technologies from which to choose, including
offset printing (lithography), plotters, large-format printers, desktop printers and electronic
media.

Map publication

Publication of maps can be created using telemetry data owned by the Customer/Organization or
data attached to a particular Project with a more complex ownership structure. Because of this
the map creation and managing functionality is accessible in two distinct places in Anitra.

 in the Customer/Organization profile

 in the Project/Group profile

Depending on the context the Customer or Project admins respectively can manage (create, edit,
and remove) particular organization or project maps. In both locations, the list of existing
published maps is shown with the following properties and options available.

Create:- new map using the "Add map" button

Modify: - existing map using the "EDIT" button.

Note that:

Editing of the map definition, later on, does not affect the actual URL/HTML of it. Any changes
that apply to the existing map definition are reflected into all the online instances right away.

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 Remove: - existing map using the "DELETE" button.

Note that:

Once removed any previously published map references will stop working! Make sure you
maintain control over where your links were previously used.

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