4 replies to this topic

[Cecile]

I need to convert several hand-drawn line drawings (maps) into digital images. To do this, my plan is to get good scans of the hand-drawn maps, set the scan as a locked layer, and then "trace" it using the drawing tools on the software. This will give me a new, clean, digital image to use for publication. I just need to be able to layer images, draw shapes, straight lines, and freehand lines, rotate parts of the image, and adjust line widths.
snohomish landscaping

[David Medeiros]

I need to convert several hand-drawn line drawings (maps) into digital images. To do this, my plan is to get good scans of the hand-drawn maps, set the scan as a locked layer, and then "trace" it using the drawing tools on the software. This will give me a new, clean, digital image to use for publication. I just need to be able to layer images, draw shapes, straight lines, and freehand lines, rotate parts of the image, and adjust line widths.
snohomish landscaping

What you are describing is what most here would call "digitizing" and is how a lot of maps or map layers are created. I use Illustrator, some of the others use Freehand. Not much too it really.

[l.jegou]

Inkscape is a free and open-source alternative to the commercial vector-drawing softwares. I present it to my students, and i use it when i can't use Illustrator.

[Jimbo]

We seem to have a lot of topics related this subject. I wonder if an administrator should pin this kind of topic.

[SouthernCross]

Is this just for cartographic and graphical purposes or does it need to go into a GIS system? If its for former, then what every one else suggested is your best bet. If the latter, then you could use the ArcScan extension of ArcGIS (assuming that is the GIS package you use).