Spectral Schemes: Controversial Color Use on Maps

Cartographers have long discouraged the use of spectral, or rainbow, color schemes on thematic maps of quantitative geographic data, though such color use is common in GIS and scientific visualization. Recent research, however, has shown that spectral schemes are preferred and are interpreted accurately when used as multi-hue renditions of diverging schemes. Both spectral and diverging schemes can emphasize a critical point within a data range with light colors and emphasize both high and low extremes of the data with dark colors. Although spectral schemes include multiple saturated hues, they can be designed to accommodate map reading by people with red-green impaired color vision by skipping over the yellow-greens in the spectral sequence. Cartographers should encourage use of spectral color schemes for depicting diverging quantitative data, rather than insisting that these schemes should not be used.     

IndoorTubes A Novel Design for Indoor Maps

Efforts within cartography on indoor maps have previously not received a lot of attention. Work that has been carried out on indoor maps often focus on map design very similar to an architectural style (Klippel et al. 2006; Ciavarella and Paternò 2004). In some cases the design has been of a more novel character where approaches with augmented and virtual realities have been carried out (Radoczky 2007; Müller et al. 2006). Common to these approaches is the depiction of one floor per map. As well, the primary user task is often solely personal navigation. In this article I present an innovative approach to indoor maps. The design is directly inspired by underground tube maps first developed by Harry Beck (Garland 1994) and today a common design for public transport maps. The main advantages of the map design are its simplicity and the possibility of including all floors in one map view. This allows the map user to easier comprehend the structure of the building without using several maps, as commonly needed with today's indoor map designs. I present several different map styles each intended to satisfy different user groups and tasks depending on the user's familiarity with the environment. In addition the article motivate for new application areas suitable for indoor maps, especially large hospitals. I hypothesize that the design proposed in this article leans very well to displaying real-time dynamic geospatial information, such as patients, staff, equipment and room availability within hospitals. Due to the early phase of the work presented here I outline the needed further work and possibilities of technological platforms as well as evaluations necessary in order for the design to gain acceptance and success.     

ColorBrewer in Print: A Catalog of Color Schemes for Maps

ColorBrewer is a tool that assists mapmakers in choosing and creating color schemes. It is available online at <www.ColorBrewer.org>. The color schemes range from 3 to 12 classes and are organized into three basic categories: sequential, diverging, and qualitative. Each of these scheme types has general perceptual characteristics which are described using Munsell hue, value, and chroma specifications. Each scheme has been proofed from color-separated negatives and adjusted to offer CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) specifications that produce a readable map when they are used in process-printed publications. This paper offers a printed catalog of all of the ColorBrewer schemes to allow mapmakers to evaluate the appearance of each scheme before they commit to using them in print publications. Since process-color proofing is expensive, this catalog will reduce mapmakers' costs and allow them to be more confident that their maps will make the transition from the desktop computing environment to publication without compromising the intended message through poor color specification.     

The Search for Boundaries on Maps: Color Processing and Map Pattern Effects

This paper presents a model which combines three of the parameters of the "Swiss manner" of relief representation with the Yoeli method of analytical hill-shading.

The model consists of various computational and graphic procedures that are intended to imitate by computer the complex hand-shading process. The first two procedures adjust the light source vertically and horizontally to the local relief forms. The adjustments avoid the disappearance of edges in unfavorable positions and exaggeration of others, and they utilize digitized data of the network of ridges and ravines. A third algorithm deals with "atmospheric perspective," the phenomenon of diminished value contrast in low lands and enhanced contrast in upper areas. This procedure also allows a general change in tonal value as a function of altitude. Other procedures deal with multicolor relief shading techniques, small-scale generalization, and selected reproduction problems.

Graphic output has been performed on a modified printer (IBM 1443) and a CRT raster recorder.     

GIS数据在专题地图可视化表达中的应用

以GIS数据与地图表达的关系为线索,结合林业规划制图过程,分析了GIS数据与地图表达的冲突,提出通过数据选择系统、分析与制图一体化策略及地图表现层次分类系统的构建来实现GIS数据与地图表达的融合,提高专题地图制图质量。     

基于地理信息数据库编制专题图过程中常见问题初探

基于地理信息数据库编制专题图已逐渐成为编制各种专题图、地形图的主要方式,本文针对编制过程中的常见问题,分析了问题产生的原因,并提出了相应的解决办法,在总结经验的基础上,为读者进行相关工作提供了建议。     

A New Construction Method for Circle Cartograms

An area cartogram is a transformed map on which areas of regions are proportional to statistical data values; it is considered to be a powerful tool for the visual representation of statistical data. A circle cartogram is a type of area cartograms, on which regions are represented by circles. Its first construction algorithm is proposed by Dorling in 1996, based on the following requirements to construct visually elegant cartograms: 1) maintain the similarity of configurations between circles and regions, 2) express the contiguity of regions on cartograms if possible, and 3) avoid overlap of circles. The algorithm is widely used for its easiness to use and its ability to express a spatial distribution of data; however, the relative positions of circles on cartograms sometimes greatly differ from the geographical maps, since the algorithm does not consider the first requirements explicitly. In this paper, it is first pointed out that the construction problem of circle cartograms resembles that of distance cartograms, and the only difference is the existence of third requirement. Then a new construction method for circle cartograms is proposed based on the distance cartogram construction method; the proposed method is formulated as non-linear minimization with inequality constraint conditions. Finally its applicability is confirmed using dataset, including the comparison with the result of previous algorithm.     

Stylistic Diversity in European State 1 : 50 000 Topographic Maps

Abstract

To what extent do European state topographic maps exhibit unique styles of cartography? This paper describes an investigation to classify and analyse stylistic diversity in the official 1 : 50 000 topographical mapping of 20 European countries. The method involves the construction of a typology of cartographic style, based upon the classification of distinct graphical legend symbols into mutually exclusive thematic categories. In order to identify stylistic similarities between national symbologies, hierarchical cluster analysis was performed to compare the relative proportions of symbols within each category. This was complemented by a qualitative analysis of various aspects of cartographic design: colour, 'white' space, visual hierarchy, and lettering. The results indicate a high degree of stylistic diversity throughout Europe, with the symbologies of Great Britain and Ireland demonstrating the strongest example of a supranational style. The typology of cartographic symbologies is shown to be an effective method for determining stylistic association among maps of differing geographical (and potentially historical) origins and it is suggested that the cartographic language paradigm should be revisited as a means for understanding why national differences persist in state cartography. A version of this paper was presented at the Twenty-third International Cartographic Conference in Moscow.     

《四川省“十二五”规划纲要》专题地图的设计与编制

本文详细介绍了《四川省“十二五”规划纲要》中专题地图的设计与编制方法,包括地理底图的编制,专题内容的表现形式设计,色彩和符号的设计。     

Legend Layouts for Thematic Maps: A Case Study Integrating Usability Metrics with the Thinking Aloud Method

Abstract

The legend is a critical tool in reading and interpreting a thematic map. The goal of the study reported here is to understand how the legend works as a map is read. The methodology combined usability performance metrics with the thinking aloud method. Subjects were asked to perform two sets of tasks using two thematic maps with different legend layouts. While latency and accuracy of answers for the first set of tasks did not differ significantly between users of the different layouts, users clearly preferred legends that were simple or familiar. The thinking aloud protocols from the second part of the study revealed different patterns of legend comprehension for each legend design. In addition, the study identified four problem-solving strategies that were adopted by the subjects. Finally, some principles for designing legends were developed from the results of the study.     

An Automated Method of Scale Selection and Sheet Configuration for Multiple Sheet Census Maps with Insets

In order to create a useful map, the cartographer must select a scale at which the map reader can distinguish features shown on the map and read their labels. However, the choice of scale for a paper map is also constrained by the size of the map sheet and by the cost of working with a large number of sheets. When the feature density pattern allows, space can be conserved by making the map at more than one scale: a small scale suitable for most of the map, while dense features are shown on inset maps at larger scales. Creating inset maps requires the cartographer to make a series of complex, interrelated decisions regarding the most effective overall sheet configuration, which is dependent upon the scale chosen for the main map and how the inset maps are created. The Census Automated Map Production System (CAMPS) applies cartographic logic and density analysis to make these decisions in a fully automated mapping environment.     

Introducing the Sighted to Maps for the Blind: A Report on the I.G.U. Tactual Map Exhibit

Tactual maps can be useful aids for blind mobility. Sighted visitors to an exhibit on maps for the blind at the August 1972 International Geographical Congress had an opportunity to try out tactual mobility maps for themselves. Blindfolded participants attempted to guide themselves through a maze with the help of such a map. Over half of those observed had some difficulty in finding their way. Evaluation of their performances suggests that unfamiliarity with methods for reading and using tactual maps was a major problem. The maze and tactual map exhibit also emphasized that tactual maps differ from visual maps in content, design, and reproduction. Special requirements in all these areas will have to be met before tactual mapping can fulfill its promise as a mobility tool for the blind.     

Water Supply Maps for the Western Front (Belgium and Northern France) Developed by British,German and American Military Geologists during World War I: Pioneering Studies in Hydrogeology from Trench Warfare

Abstract

Innovations for the British Army during World War I included use of a military geologist to compile 'water supply' maps and to guide well drilling. Between June 1915 and November 1918, W. B. R. King served as a staff lieutenant at General Headquarters of the British Expeditionary Force deployed on the Western Front. He pioneered British development of water supply maps for parts of Belgium and northern France, in several different styles and at scales of 1 : 100 000, 1 : 250 000 and 1 : 40 000. These assisted planning for advances into enemy-occupied territory or the development of water supply infrastructure within the region held ultimately by five British armies: in total about 1,500,000 men with some 500,000 horses and mules, each man/animal requiring on average 10 gallons (45 L) per day of potable water. The maps guided emplacement of over 470 military boreholes to supply drinking water to British forces, especially in provinces underlain by Cretaceous Chalk: Picardy and Artois. German forces also made use of military geologists at the Front, but in much greater number: up to about 300 in total. Water supply tasks were given high priority, and German water supply maps were finally standardized like other medium scale German geotechnical maps at 1 : 25 000. Six geologists were deployed with the American Expeditionary Force late in the war, and for their sector of the Front compiled at least two water supply maps at 1 : 80 000, and 11 at 1 : 50 000 that were supported by explanatory reports. Wartime imperatives thus generated expertise in hydrogeology that became available for civilian use post-war, and laid the foundation for further military development during World War II.     

面向对象数据库理论在专题地图数据库中的应用

本文介绍应用面向对象的思想对专题地图数据厍中专题数据、几何数据、拓朴数据进行有效管理的设想。     

美丽绘于笔下 幸福感在心中——浅析“美丽江城 幸福武汉”系列专题地图的设计及特点

地图是城市面貌最直观的反映,通过它不仅能够微观表示城市规划、建设、发展、变化,而且能够反映历史、人文、风土、人情。本文以"美丽江城幸福武汉"为主题,充分挖掘地理信息资源,按照系列化的设计思路,从不同的角度设计专题,将武汉全方位呈现在读者面前。     

Exploration of Information Theoretic Arguments for the Limited Amount of Information in a Map

From the application of information theory capacity limits of maps are derived and some cartographic rules are formulated—based on theoretical models and perception studies. The perception study shows that for a relief map with coloured height intervals the channel capacity, as defined in information theory, is reached at seven～eight height classes. Generally, the length of a visual variable may be characterized by the channel capacity of the map. This theoretical study shows how increased attention should be paid to perceptual separation as the number of categories increases. The requirement becomes more and more crucial as the number of categories exceeds five. The principle of group visibility is formulated and demonstrated. Group visibility considers the visibility of groups of map features and may be utilized in a visual search for geographical patterns. The quantitative measures presented offers computational methods to control group visibility for example in an interactive visualization system.     

地图在鄂州市水产资源决策中的应用

根据地图信息论,利用地图全面准确掌握湖北省鄂州市的水资源,并利用地图数据进行分析、决策,在此基础上,预测2005年的发展。     

在3D光栅地图中对高度的符号化表示

分析了三维图传输特点,以直观性、一览性、精确性为目标,尝试在用3D光栅图传输三维度地理空间数据的过程中,采用符号化方法,有效、准确地传输第三维度数据。     

专题图符号扫描输出中的图案方法

本文基于用图案来组成图形符号的基本思想,引入图案拓扑等价的观点,较系统地对专题地图中点、线、面三类符号的绘制作了一些探讨。     

基于AutoCAD的正射影像图自动化配准方法及实现

根据我国大多数城市正射影像图按标准图幅贮存的特点,建立了影像图中像素坐标和实际地理坐标的对应关系,在详细分析AutoCAD平台中影像图配准方法和影像配准文件结构及内容的基础上,采用VB 6.0,通过程序代码的编写,实现了该平台中正射影像图的自动化、批量化配准,大大提高了影像配准和入库效率。