地图学技术发展中的几点理论思考

文中分析总结了地图表达形式、价值能力、评价标准、设计者和使用者相互关系以及符号认知规律等的历史演变,提出在当今的全球网络时代,地图学理论工作者和地图系统研发者有责任重新定义地图的范畴并采用可用性作为地图的评价标准。就地图科学的发展趋势而言,作者以为3维仿真虚拟地理环境的普及给地图学提供了新的生长点,而正在兴起的3维非仿真虚拟地理环境将进一步保持和发扬传统地图的科学价值并使可视化技术走向可视化学。     

John Keates and Recreation Mapping: Personal Recollections

Abstract

John Keates is very well known for his numerous scholarly contributions to cartography as an academic discipline and science. However, throughout his career, he was also very actively involved in the design and production of maps. Mostly these were specialized thematic maps produced as the result of scientific research in the field sciences, especially in geology, glaciology and vegetation studies. However, during the 1970s he was much involved in the design and production of a considerable number of maps for recreation purposes, including maps for orienteering. Many of these maps were regarded at that time as being extremely innovative in terms of their cartographic design and layout. The article outlines the development of what became known as the 'Glasgow' style of map design John Keates' involvement with recreation maps in the 1970s.     

The Present State of Perceptual Research in Cartography

Abstract

This paper discusses the current state of perceptual research concerning cartographic symbols. Initial discussion treats the theories and reasons behind the present popularity of perceptual studies in cartography. It is followed by a summary of the printed materials on this topic appearing in several prominent English language cartographic publications. A person who is newly entering the area of perceptual research in cartography may use this paper as a quick source for obtaining background in the area and thereby save valuable time from sifting through individual sources for information regarding what has already been done. Additional convenience is provided for the reader by the grouping of references according to the subject matter which they concern.     

Assessing the Effectiveness of Dynamic Symbols in Cartographic Communication

Abstract

The age of the Internet poses new challenges to cartography. While cartographic animation has become a practical alternative, it is mostly used to depict both spatio-temporal and non-temporal changes. The paper concentrates on the use of dynamic symbols on a static base map. A visual test was carried out to obtain some perspectives about the cartographic communication of blinking point and line symbols. The results confirmed that dynamic symbols tended to attract the attention of the users in general and even in situations when the foreground–background contrasts were poor. Their effectiveness was more pronounced with symbols of a larger size but tended to diminish with an increasing number of blinking symbols. It was also observed that users were able to perceive differences in the frequency of flickering, particularly when the variation was large. The line animation method (marquee and grow-out) did not yield a substantial difference in visual responses in the case of blinking line symbols.     

制图学是一门工具科学——对地图应用问题的设想

地图的特性在于运用系统化的符号抽象概括地表现事物或现象的空间位置。以测量为基础的精确定位的地形图为军事和其它经济建设起过重要的作用，而且制图工作成为隶属于政府的一种专业。在当代专题地图的迅速发展时期里，使传统的制图人员不可能包揽各种各样的专题制图工作，因为他们不可能同时是许多不同科学领域里的专家，为此，必须把地图的理论与方法普及，使在研究和管理工作中经常需用相应专题地图的广大工作人员掌握制图技术。从这一观点出发，在现代，我们是否可以把制图学看作是一门工具科学。     

交互式地图绘制与SVG格式文档的生成

针对当前地图网络传输和地图网络制图的发展态势,开展了地图符号系统数据结构方面的研究,描述了绘图系统的类层次结构,建立了简单的交互式地图绘制系统;探讨了地图符号的串行化和反串行化问题,并针对SVG的特性及语法,研究了SVG格式地图文档的生成。     

Animated Maps of Aggregate Data: Conceptual and Practical Problems

Predictions of the 1960s about the computer's potential to change cartography are finally being fulfilled. Dynamic maps for vehicle navigation, interactive cartographic/statistical tools, and map animation are being investigated actively. As these new environments for mapping become available, we must reevaluate past questions about transformations from reality to data and data to map. In this paper, we consider these transformation questions in the context of statistical map animation. The issues discussed were raised in producing a “map movie” depicting the spread of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) over time. Jenks' data model concept is used as the basis for a typology of data models representing phenomena typically depicted by enumeration unit data. The typology is then used to evaluate symbolization decisions for AIDS incidence maps. Implications for symbol selection imposed by dynamic rather than static maps are considered, as are technical issues involved in producing the animation on a microcomputer platform. A hybrid symbolization method that we have termed the “chorodot” is suggested as a way to meet the constraints on symbolization imposed by animation and to represent the appropriate data model for AIDS incidence.     

Deconstructing Galbraith: A Geostatistical Analysis of Cartographic Intent

Abstract

This study uses cartometric techniques to reveal cartographic design considerations operative in Frank H. Galbraith’s 1897 railway mail service training maps. Galbraith’s maps make extensive use of humorous cartouches intended to serve as mnemonic devices for learning railway mail service routes. Poisson and quadrat point pattern analyses are performed on all eight maps in the series to determine whether the mimetic symbols are clustered along the railway mail routes or dispersed throughout the mapped spaces to achieve better graphic balance. Evidence overwhelmingly indicates that the placement of the mnemonic symbols was primarily driven by design considerations. The study therefore proves that it is possible to use cartometric techniques to deconstruct the map document to determine the cartographic design principles operative during the map's construction.     

Primitive-based Construction Theory for Diagrams in Thematic Maps

Abstract

To enhance the variety of map symbols and to develop new symbol types, a fundamental understanding of the map symbol construction process is mandatory. Current construction theories focus on diagrams without taking georeferencing or interactivity into account. This paper presents a new methodology for the creation of two-dimensional geometric symbols and diagrams for the application in thematic maps. In this context, 49 diagrams found in cartographic literature were analysed and classified regarding their construction properties. As a result of this research, diagrams can be defined using cartographic primitives which are arranged according to six arrangement principles. Since the variation of the primitive's size according to the data values follows a certain geometric direction, each diagram can be explicitly defined based on the three construction properties 'primitive', 'arrangement principle' and 'data direction'.     

地图符号的认知语义分析与动态生成

面向位置服务背景下地图符号按需和动态表达的需求,提出了一种基于认知语义分析的地图符号结构化描述模型,以及建立在此基础上的地图符号动态生成方法。结构化描述模型立足"现实—认知—符号"的认知语义原理,以地图符号语素为基本单元、以语义结构为描述框架,侧重描写符号图形和语义之间的关联映射机制。动态生成方法的核心是一种规则控制语素组合构造符号的上下文无关文法模型,通过对图形语素、形态结构语素以及符号生成规则系统进行建模,重构了地图符号动态生成的文法编译器。以个性化导航路径符号为例,通过面向不同情境和语义结构的符号动态生成试验,验证了本文方法的可行性。本文研究将有助于进一步理解地图符号的认知和结构原理,并促进相关行业和应用领域地图符号化的按需和动态表达的水平。     

Remapping Fictional Worlds: A Comparative Reconstruction of Fictional Maps

ABSTRACT

This article presents a quantitative analysis of fictional maps and their relation to historic maps from different periods. Fictional maps are maps of imaginary territories. This type of map is now common in fiction, but they arose relatively late, in the second half of the nineteenth century, and are considered an independent branch of cartography today. They stand out through the way they are published because they are component parts of books and not independent cartographic works, and therefore their creators are not cartographers but rather the authors of these books. Fictional maps are mostly subordinate to the story, but they serve to give a sense of historical authenticity and draw the reader into the story. Without networks of coordinates and with labels such as ‘the end of the world’, they are spatially indeterminate, but they establish a connection between the fictional landscape and its identity. This study deals with 89 fictional maps from recent children’s and young adult literature. First we present a historical overview of these works and fictional maps, and then a cartographic analysis of fictional maps. We examined seventy-seven books with fictional maps and evaluated the maps according to five groups of standard cartographic elements: natural elements, built elements, toponyms, mathematical elements, and explanatory elements. We discuss the differences between cartographic representation of fictional maps and historic maps, and build a cartographic model based on the frequency of cartographic elements to put fictional maps into historic and geographical contexts.     

Effectiveness of Dynamic Point Symbols in Quantitative Mapping

The main focus of this paper is the effectiveness of dynamic point symbols in the presentation of quantitative data. Such symbols are of particular use in the design of animated maps and computer games. The authors examine three existing techniques of using dynamic point symbols to present quantitative data: blinking, pulsation, and rotation. The aim of the study is to compare their effectiveness with that of classical cartographic animation techniques. The results of the study show that in animated map design, dynamic point symbols might be used to present not only qualitative but also quantitative data with comparable effectiveness. The results may serve as the basis for designing dynamic point symbols to be as effective as the classical techniques used in animated cartography.     

Towards Ubiquitous Cartography

Computer-generated maps have become commonplace over the past decade. Most internet search engines, for example, have the ability to generate maps in response to spatial queries and routes between specified origins and destinations. Advances in mobile computing technologies provide access to these mapping capabilities from virtually any location on the Earth's surface. Maps and map-making have become ubiquitous, and this phenomenon requires cartographers to rethink basic concepts about map design and map use. In this special issue we present five research projects that are focused on the emerging field of ubiquitous cartography. These projects were selected, in part, because they are representative of key research challenges that face the cartographic research community. In this introductory paper, key terms are defined and research challenges outlined. By way of this collected set of papers, ubiquitous cartography is presented as a new and important arena for cartographic research.     

点状、线状和面状地图符号数学定义的研究

根据集合论和拓扑学的有关理论，导出了点状地图符号、线状地图符号和面状地图符号的数字定义。阐述了图形和背景的相互依存关系以及它们在传输地理信息中的整体功能。     

Effective Graphic Features for Multivariate Symbol Mapping

Abstract

Various patterns of cartographic multivariate symbols (MSs) have been developed to work efficiently with objective symbol mapping. One such MS pattern is composed of a graph that uses spatial data to represent statistical data. A preliminary study revealed major problems with users’ perceptions and understanding of the symbol. These problems present obstacles to the presentation objectives. We are therefore interested in studying the human factors that contribute to the visual perception of graph symbols. We predict that the graph symbols currently in use are too complex for viewers to fully understand what they are intended to represent. This research aims to study the mechanisms and behaviours of human visual perception that are necessary to understand cartography MSs and to determine a more effective prototype symbol that presents and conveys information to viewers more efficiently. The prototype design is based on a basic cartographic symbol and includes the characteristics and properties of the original patterns of graph symbols via a study of their pros and cons. Graphic structures and properties were modified to create a more effective symbol.     

Reasserting Design Relevance in Cartography: Some Examples

Abstract

While concepts and theories about design underpin the work of the professional cartographer, it is unrealistic for most map-makers to be cognisant of the plethora of techniques available to support excellence in design. In the second part of our paper to reassert the relevance of design in cartography, we present the results of a survey of cartographic experts drawn from the academic and professional world. The survey asked participants to present their top ten most expertly designed maps from throughout history. Here, we share the most frequently cited maps that emerged from that survey and describe why they exhibit design excellence. By showing map-makers a range of high-quality cartographic work, we aim to provide exemplars that demonstrate how design affects a map and expertly marries form with function. The techniques on display are well executed and create products that are both well suited to their purpose and have an aesthetic quality that invites people to take notice. They are all, in their own ways, beautiful examples of the art of design in cartography. We have deliberately avoided a ‘top ten’ approach and, instead, offer three examples in a range of map categories. The examples are neither definitive, nor exhaustive and should act as a starting point to explore design in cartography from those who have managed to set the bar high.     

News Items

The process of reading a topographic map requires users to recognize and learn the cartographic symbols of the key (or legend) while interpreting the territory as depicted on the map at a given level of abstraction (the form and nature of features, their saliency and relationships). We present the results of an empirical user study that aims to identify and assess the main graphical characteristics that are used by map users to recognize the design principles which constitute the topographic mapping style adopted by IGN (Institut National de l'Information Géographique et Forestière), France. Our results suggest that 91% of the participants were able to recognize an IGN-France topographic map amongst other topographic map products. We also determine which graphical characteristics play a role in the recognition of this cartographic style, either by visual memory or by visual perception, and identify the representation of relief, including contour lines and shaded relief, as one of the major graphical characteristics of the topographic mapping style of IGN-France. Moreover, the participants of our study considered the representation of touristic POI (points of interest), toponymy, typography, the main roads network, the individual buildings and the forests, to be essential for stylistic recognition.     

Cartographic Consequences of a Planned Economy—50 Years of Soviet Cartography

For half a century all cartography in the Soviet Union has been under centralized control. It was recognized early that mapmaking was an activity of prime importance. All phases of the activity—from cartographic education and the preparation of topographic and thematic maps to the development of regional atlases and school maps—have been managed by and for the benefit of the state in accordance with its economic and social objectives. This has had a significant effect on the development of cartography, the degree of its standardization, and the relative emphasis placed on its various aspects.