3 replies to this topic

[Alfredoba]

I work in illustration and design. However, I've been doing maps too, especially for tourist publications.

I'm not a cartographer, but I would like to learn a few things that could help me improve my work. So I have a few questions I hope you could answer:

In order to make shaded reliefs I can use SRTM data for instance. I know how to use this in Photoshop and then Illustrator, but the thing is that I'm really lost when I have to face different projections. I mean, let's say I get a DEM of Canada. Well, when I want to use that for a particular Projection then, it doesn't fit the contour. So the question is how can I adapt the DEM image to different projections?

I ignore if there's a software to do this.

Also, I've seen in tutorials that they use gradient maps in Illustrator in order to render the different colors according to height in the relief, however, I know that's not very accurate.

Could you offer some advice so that I can create a more accurate work? As I work for different publishing companies and my work goes out printed, I would like to know what software or resources I should use besides Illustrator/Photoshop.

Best,
Alfredo.

[Hans van der Maarel]

Could you offer some advice so that I can create a more accurate work? As I work for different publishing companies and my work goes out printed, I would like to know what software or resources I should use besides Illustrator/Photoshop.

Since you're working in Illustrator and Photoshop, you could consider getting MAPublisher (for Illustrator) and Geographic Imager (for Photoshop), both developed by Avenza. They're plug-ins that extend both Illustrator and Photoshop to work with geographic data, keeping track of scale and projection. The learning curve is still fairly steep if you have no background in cartography or GIS, but at least you're working in a familiar environment.

Note: I am a reseller for Avenza, so I might be biased.

[David Medeiros]

Hans suggestion for MAPublisher is a good one for map work in Illustrator. For making shaded relief from DEMs, setting hypsometric tints (colors by elevation) and re-projecting to match your map area, Natural Scene Designer Pro works very well. It's affordable and relatively easy to learn.

[Alfredoba]

Thanks for the information, Hans and David. I'll take into account what you've said.

Regards,
Alfredo.