MAPPERS  CORNER: 

For users of OCAD  (This web location originally hosted Saltbush Orienteers which can now be found at www.sa.orienteering.asn.au/clubs/saltbush/ )

Collated by Ken Thompson Updated 21 Sep 2009  

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CONTENTS:

This page is dedicated to those orienteers who spend hours in the bush and in front of computers making maps for orienteering. It contains ideas and useful links If you would like to contribute please feel free to  me. 

MAPPING LINKS & INFORMATION:

• IOF MAPPING COMMISSION [http://lazarus.elte.hu/mc/]  A most interesting site which contains, among other things:-

> links to the ISOM 2000 mapping standards. This includes both viewable and downloadable versions. Just click on the ISOM 2000 button once you connect to the website. View the latest updates re Mountain Bike Orienteering maps and Park Mapping.

>an instructors kit which covers very comprehensively all aspects of mapping.

• OCAD Web Site [http://www.ocad.com]     This site contains lots of useful information and other links.
• OZIEXPLORER [http://www.oziexplorer.com]  This software works well with a GPS as an aid to mapping with OCAD. A registered version is needed to be able to use it with a GPS. A CE Version is also available which will work with a Palm Computer. Using this an active version of the map could be used adding waypoints as you go and seeing your location at all times A full version would still be needed to set up the map on a normal computer. A summary of the steps involved in using a GPS and Oziexplorer in association with a normal computer are as follows:

1. Produce a bmp or gif version of your draft map in OCAD. (file..export..gif or bmp Both formats are available in OCAD 9 only bmp in OCAD 7) 
2. Use the above to produce a new map file in Ozieexplorer.
3.  Your map then needs to be calibrated with at least 6 known points reasonably spread across the map.(up to 9 can be entered).Given a perfect map theoretically only two points are needed. The addition of more points allows for rotation and skewing of the mapped image.  The exact latitude and longitude of these locations needs to be copied from your GPS using the calibrate function within Oziexplorer. New Hint: Once you have copied two points save the result and then load the rest of your waypoints. Then use the check calibration function in the file menu. This way you can add any additional points you want to use for calibration directly from the waypoint list. (Look out for the small button for doing this!)
4. Waypoints you then collect in the field can be uploaded from your GPS, saved as a file and then loaded directly into the Ozieexplorer map file you have produced.
5.  Within Ozieexplorer choose save map to image file. This produces a bitmap file which can then be loaded as a template within OCAD.

I have found this process very satisfactory using a Garmin Etrex GPS. This unit is economical, rugged and compact. Accuracy to within 4m is possible in ideal conditions and up to 500 waypoints can be stored. A wide range of makes and models are available on the market. It is obviously important that the model you use has the capacity to upload and download data. 

• GPS TRACK 2008  This software works in a similar way to OziExplorer. and was written by Richard Scauri in France. Do not be put off by the language problem. Once installed you can choose between English and French although some of the help screens still appear in French. A trial version can be used for 30 days.  Although not as sophisticated as OziExplorer it is simpler to use. Unfortunately it only allows for three calibration points which may not be sufficient for some maps. These points can be entered directly from the waypoint list downloaded from your GPS. One advantage of this programme is that if the waypoints are close to each other on the map the tags do not obliterate each other which is a problem with OziExplorer when you use the image as a template in OCAD.
• MAPPING HOMEPAGE FOR ORIENTEERING AUSTRALIA This site is hosted by Orienteering Australia ( formally Orienteering Federation of Australia) and contains basic resource information on making orienteering maps. Of particular interest  are the following:

> Australian Policy re mapping rocks

> Downloadable ISOM 2000 symbol set which includes recommended Australian variations for normal maps. Also a Colour Table is available to obtain digitally printed colours close to the recommended PMS colours. 

> Starter files for B&W Park maps and colour school maps.

• LAND AND MAPS [ http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/mapland/index.html ] This site is hosted by the Dept of Environment and Heritage in South Australia. It includes useful information about mapping resources.