Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!samsung!munnari.oz.au!comp.vuw.ac.nz!actrix!keith
From: keith@actrix.gen.nz (Keith Stewart)
Newsgroups: comp.graphics
Subject: Re: WANTED: maps
Message-ID: <1991Mar30.232107.4651@actrix.gen.nz>
Date: 30 Mar 91 23:21:07 GMT
References: <91079.190330UH2@psuvm.psu.edu>
Organization: Actrix Networks
Lines: 87

<1991Mar22.155204.26170@tfic.bc.ca> <11225@scicom.AlphaCDC.COM>
Sender: 
Followup-To: 
Distribution: 
Organization: Actrix Information Exchange, Wellington, New Zealand
Keywords: 
Comment-To: rcw@scicom.AlphaCDC.COM
 
In article <11225@scicom.AlphaCDC.COM> rcw@scicom.AlphaCDC.COM (Robert
White) writes:
> In article <1991Mar22.155204.26170@tfic.bc.ca> clh@tacitus.UUCP (Chris
Hermansen) writes:
> >
> >Try your local USGS office; you can get 7.5" x 7.5" digital maps from
them
> >in an ASCII format called DLG-3 that's pretty easy to sort out.  It
even
> >contains some spatial relationship information (called topology in
the
> >industry), and attributes.
> 
> The coverage of these is spotty at best.  You can get an Index map
> showing the availability of the 1:24,000 scale from your local USGS
> office.
> 
> There is another USGS DLG-3 database, the 1:100,000 scale DLG files
which
> are complete with respect to nationwide coverage.  File sets include
> hydrography, roads, railroads, and and miscellaneous transportation 
> (airports, pipelines, transmission lines).
> 
> These files are still
> detailed enough for a lot of projects.  Caveat:  Both databases come
> from the USGS on 9 track tape only (6250 or 1600 bpi).  We got a
roomful 
> of tapes that we had to download.
> 
> >Also, ESRI in Redlands is working on the Digital Map of the World
Project
> >(don't know the originating agency) but it is supposed to be released
 
> >fairly soon on CD-ROM, I believe.
> 
> Not sure who is behind the effort either, but I hear the project is
going
> somewhat slower than expected.
> 
> >Chris Hermansen                         Timberline Forest Inventory
Consultants
> >Voice: 1 604 733 0731                   302 - 958 West 8th Avenue
> >FAX:   1 604 733 0634                   Vancouver B.C. CANADA
> >clh@tfic.bc.ca                          V5Z 1E5
> 
> Chris -
> What's available digitally for Canada or other countries, and how do
you
> get it?
> 
> 
> -- 
> Robert C. White, Jr.       |  Right lane of .signature closed, merge
left     |
> The WhiteStar Corporation 
|--------------------------------------------------|
> rcw@scicom.alphacdc.com    |  Never buy software versions <= 2.0 or >=
6.0    |
 
 
I use a Geological Information System 3-D display programme on my
Commodore Amiga. It is called VistaPro. They used data from the USGS and
convert it to their own format. They also have used data from MARS yes
the planet to make a landscape. I found a source of similar mapping data
from my local government Survey Department and now have landscapes and
animations of flybys through my own locality. So approach your local
GeologicaL SURVEY Department. if they do'nt have any for the locality
you wany they can usually derive it from 3-D photographs. Cost will
depend on local policy. I have to pay :-( although they gave me the
first 500k for free to see if it would work.
The scapes that come with VISTAPRO are at 30 metre grid i.e data is
available every 30 meters. Virtual Reality Laboratories, the publishers
of VISTAPRO mention in their newsletter that there are other DEM
(Digital Elevation Model) data resellers apart from USGS but they are
more expensive. One is the Spot Image Corporation who charge $US10,000
for the amount of coverage I can buy and use for $56. Spot data however
is provided at 10 meter points. and much of the world can be supplied.
Cheers
Keith