4 replies to this topic

[BCowper]

Hi All,

Longtime lurker here; finally getting round to becoming a member. I find the group very knowledgeable and friendly.

I am a GIS specialist working in the Environmental Management sector and use predominately Manifold 7.X to produce my maps. I also have ArcView 9.2 (learning), AutoCAD 2008 (Map, LDT, Raster Design) and Surfer 8.0.

How can I produce decent maps using GIS and not exporting to Illy or the like? Well I want to keep the direct link between my data and the map, this is mainly due to the nature of the maps I produce, where frequent data updates mean my maps are quite organic.

I will continue to take in the excellent advice given here and now hope to make meaningful contributions.

Cheers,

Brian

[Martin Gamache]

Welcome Brian,

Using Illustrator to make maps is not a magic wand that automatically makes them better.

Having nice map comes down to:

1. Spending the time and energy to make them nice
2. Have a good eye for setting type, and arranging map elements in a pleasing way which is a very subjective art.


Best way to benefit from this site is to post a sample of your work and open your mind to all the critiques that will pour in.

[rudy]

How can I produce decent maps using GIS and not exporting to Illy or the like? Well I want to keep the direct link between my data and the map, this is mainly due to the nature of the maps I produce, where frequent data updates mean my maps are quite organic.

I'd suggest working on your maps in ArcMap. It might take a while to produce the quality of map you might want but it is possible. If you have it ArcMap available, make use of it. It's probably the best solution.

[MapMedia]

Hello Brian, Welcome.

[BCowper]

How can I produce decent maps using GIS and not exporting to Illy or the like? Well I want to keep the direct link between my data and the map, this is mainly due to the nature of the maps I produce, where frequent data updates mean my maps are quite organic.

I'd suggest working on your maps in ArcMap. It might take a while to produce the quality of map you might want but it is possible. If you have it ArcMap available, make use of it. It's probably the best solution.

I am aware of ArcMap's strengths in cartography over Manifold, however I'm not willing to sacrifice linking of data (particularly using Spatial SQL linked queries as drawings) that Manifold can do and ArcMap cannot. There will be of course projects where ArcMap's abilities can be used, but most of my projects have data that needs to be handled with a spatial SQL query that would require a lot steps in ArcMap. This data, as I mentioned before, is updated frequently and my linked query drawings update automatically once the data has been amended.

My company is not willing to shell out $1,000s on SDE to get the same functionality already built-in to Manifold for under $600.

Cheers,

Brian