My Account     Contact Us     Cart
 

Yearly Archives: 2024

What’s New in MAPublisher 11.5?

Resources

We are excited to announce the release of MAPublisher version 11.5, the latest update to our MAPublisher extension for Adobe Illustrator. 

MAPublisher v11.5 introduces several compatibility upgrades, support for importing vector basemaps from custom tile sources, new functionality for using the Join Table feature with existing MAP Layers, a new Split Line path utility, and other performance improvements and bug fixes.

Here’s what you can expect with the latest MAPublisher v11.5 release:

Compatibility upgrades

We’ve been hard at work this fall, and we’re delighted to share that MAPublisher 11.5 is fully compatible with Adobe Illustrator 2025 (version 29), which was released this October. MAPublisher 11.5 also supports the newly launched macOS Sequoia (version 15) and FME Form 2024 (version 2024.1).

Import Vector Basemaps from custom tile sources

We’ve heard your requests and are thrilled to announce that MAPublisher now supports importing Vector Basemaps from PBF file-based custom tile sources like Mapbox, Esri, and OpenStreetMap! You can access this feature under the “Service” option within the Import Vector Basemaps dialog box. You can add your service by clicking the green plus/+ button next to the drop-down list. This will open up a new window called “Edit Tile Service” where you can give your service a name, provide its URL, set a preferred style if desired, and select whether or not you wish to import unstyled art.

You might also notice that the Configure Vector Basemaps option has moved from the Vector Basemaps button on the MAP Toolbar to its own dedicated button, “MAP Basemap Styling,” located under Thematic Tools.

Visit our Vector Basemaps support page for​​ more detailed information on importing vector basemaps from custom tile sources, including URL formatting!

Join Table now supports tables from existing MAP Layers

The Join Table tool—available from the MAP Attributes panel—has also been enhanced with new functionality in MAPublisher 11.5. The “Source type” option now lets you select either an external file or the new “MAP Layer” option, enabling you to join tables directly from an existing MAP Layer. This layer can be sourced from within your active document or any other currently open document in Illustrator.

Split Line action added to Path Utilities

Split Line is a new option added to the Action menu of the Path Utilities tool. This action splits a selection of lines into two separate segments at a specified length. This length can be measured from either end of the line and can be set as either relative (i.e. as a percentage of the total line length) or absolute (i.e. at a specified distance in selected units).

The Split Line action is an ideal solution for tapering only the endpoints of lines, such as at river mouths. This circumvents the limitation of Illustrator’s native Stroke properties, which automatically taper paths evenly from start to end. With this utility, you also have the option to store the output in a New Layer, allowing for easy selection and batch styling of all end segments.

Other performance improvements

Lastly, you can expect to see improved performance in the following areas:

Improved order of operations on import

In MAPublisher 11.5, we have fixed an issue where data was being simplified before any spatial filtering was applied. Now, the spatial filter is applied first, and art is only simplified if the remaining data exceeds Illustrator’s limit of 32,000 points per path.

Attribute table and projection performance improvements

You should also look for smoother and quicker software performance when working with files containing a large number of features and attributes. These enhancements can be seen in multiple areas, including coordinate system reprojection, applying stylesheets, deleting art, moving art between layers, and splitting layers!

MAPublisher 11.5 is Available Now!

If you would like to learn more about the new MAPublisher v11.5 features or have any questions, please check out our Support Centre.

MAPublisher v11.5 is immediately available today, free of charge to all current MAPublisher users with active maintenance subscriptions and as an upgrade for non-maintenance users. Download here.

Avenza Releases MAPublisher 11.5 for Adobe Illustrator

News

Toronto, ON, November 5, 2024 – Avenza Systems Inc., producer of the Avenza Maps® app for mobile devices and geospatial extensions for Adobe Creative Cloud®, including Geographic Imager® for Adobe Photoshop®, is pleased to announce the release of MAPublisher® version 11.5 for Adobe Illustrator®. This version introduces several compatibility updates, importing Vector Basemaps from custom tile sources, the ability to use the Join Table feature with existing MAP Layers, a new Split Line path utility, and several performance enhancements and bug fixes.

MAPublisher cartography software seamlessly integrates more than seventy GIS mapping tools into Adobe Illustrator to help users create beautiful maps from geospatial data. Import industry-standard GIS data formats and make crisp, clean maps with all attributes and georeferencing intact using the Adobe Illustrator design environment.

New features of MAPublisher v11.5 for Adobe Illustrator include:

  • Adobe Creative Cloud 2025 compatibility: MAPublisher now supports Adobe Illustrator 2025 (version 29.0) on both Mac and Windows
  • macOS Sequoia compatibility: MAPublisher also officially supports the new macOS Sequoia (version 15) update
  • FME Form 2024 compatibility: MAPublisher now supports the recent FME 2024.1 update when using the FME Auto add-on
  • Importing Vector Basemaps from custom tile sources: Vector Basemap data can now be imported from custom tile sources such as Mapbox, Esri and OpenStreetMap. Data can be imported unstyled and later configured with the brand new “MAP Basemap Styling” panel, which can be found under the Thematic Tools section of the MAPublisher Toolbar.
  • Join Table from existing MAP Layer: Users can now use the Join Table feature in the MAP Attributes panel to join tables from existing MAP Layers using the “Source Type” drop-down list. These layers may be contained within the active document or any other currently open document.
  • Split Line action added to Path Utilities menu: The Split Line utility splits a selection of lines into two separate segments at a certain specified length, which can be either relative (i.e. as a percentage of the total line length) or absolute (i.e. at a specified distance in selected units).
  • Performance enhancements: MAPublisher v11.5 has improved performance when working with files containing a large number of features and attributes. Users can expect improved performance in multiple areas including coordinate system reprojection, applying stylesheets, deleting art, moving art between layers, and splitting layers.
  • Additional performance improvements and bug fixes

Users require a valid Adobe Creative Cloud subscription and a compatible operating system to utilize the improvements and enhancements offered in MAPublisher v11.5. For questions and information on how compatibility requirements may affect your organization, please contact our Support Centre.

MAPublisher v11.5 is immediately available free of charge to all current MAPublisher users with active maintenance and as an upgrade for non-maintenance users starting at US$739. New licenses are available from US$1,699. MAPublisher FME Auto and MAPublisher LabelPro are also available as add-ons starting at US$569. Academic, floating, and volume licenses are also available. Prices include one year of full maintenance. Visit www.avenza.com/mapublisher for more details.

More about Avenza Systems Inc.

Avenza Systems Inc. is an award-winning, privately held corporation that provides cartographers and GIS professionals with powerful software tools to make better maps. Avenza also offers the mobile Avenza Maps app to sell, purchase, distribute, and use maps on iOS and Android devices. For further information contact:  416-487-5116 – info@avenza.com – www.avenza.com

###

PDF Press Release

UC Spotlight: SUP with Avenza Maps

Resources

With over 20 years of GIS experience, Marikka Williams is well-versed in spatial data and the mapping technologies used to visualize it. Last summer, she applied these skills while exploring Canoe Lake in Algonquin Provincial Park on a stand up paddle board (SUP), using the Avenza Maps app to track her offline adventure. Later, she imported her data into MAPublisher to create a custom memory map of her excursion. She shared her process at this year’s Avenza User Conference.

In her presentation, Marikka walked us through each step of her map-making process. She began by collecting points of interest during her journey, adding placemarks along her route using the Avenza Maps app. Afterward, she exported the data as a KML file, then imported it into MAPublisher for further enhancement. Marikka showcased various MAPublisher tools, such as the MAP View Editor, Stylesheet Themes, and the MAPublisher LabelPro add-on, which she used to bring her map to life. She further enriched her work with Geographic Imager, using recent Landsat imagery to add depth and accuracy to her map, verifying her vector data against real-world details. At the end of her presentation, Marikka shared her final cartographic product with us!

Check out the full video of Marikka’s presentation at Avenza UC 2024!

About Avenza UC

The Avenza User Conference is an opportunity to discover exciting new developments with Avenza’s GIS and cartographic solutions and to connect with peers and Avenza team members. Avenza users and staffers from around the globe meet virtually each May to learn what’s new with Avenza Maps, MAPublisher, Geographic Imager, and the Avenza Map Store, and see how they are being used to map our world.

The Avenza User Conference is an free annual event that grows each year with incredible speakers and participants. Get inspired by mapping and industry professionals by joining us for #AvenzaUC2025. Find more information here about next year’s conference taking place on May 8th, 2025.

Map Spotlight: Tuscan Archipelago by Enrico Casolari

Resources

For the September Map Spotlight, we are showcasing an honourable mention of the 2021 Avenza Map Contest by Enrico Casolari. This is one of seven maps created for Arcipelago Toscano National Park in Italy, with this map in particular focusing on Giglio Island. It illustrates forest roads and trekking paths that span the island, as well as topographic information to visualize its impressive terrain. Enrico used natural tones to create an eye-catching cartographic piece that serves as both a functional reference aid and a visually engaging artwork.

Select the images below to see a detailed look at Enrico’s map

Making the Map

Enrico employed both Geographic Imager and MAPublisher to create this map. He used Geographic Imager in Adobe Photoshop to create the shaded relief images for the land portion of the map. The Terrain Shader tool is a simple but effect method to create a shaded relief using a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) file. The Mosaic and GeoCrop tools were used to ensure the DEM only included the necessary area required for the map. The shaded relief image could then be imported into MAPublisher and used for the final map design.

Next, Enrico imported his vector data on top of the shaded relief image into MAPublisher. He used MAP Stylesheet Themes to visualize the vector data as desired, including roads, trails, and sea depth. The Label Features tool was used to automatically place labels at important locations on the map, with the option to modify them manually once placed. This tool serves as a great substitute for the LabelPro add-on if intensive labeling is not required.

Enrico then used the Create Knockouts tool to ensure that more important labels and features were not obscured or intersecting with contour lines. Finally, he used the North Arrow tool to easily add the finishing touches to his map, importing a custom symbol to use for his north arrow.

Learn more and enter the 2024 Avenza Map Contest here, and check out our other Map Spotlight blogs here!

Creating Colour Blind-Friendly Maps with MAPublisher

Resources

Colour plays a fundamental role in cartography, helping convey both quantitative and qualitative information, differentiating features, and guiding users through visual hierarchies. However, for individuals with colour blindness, interpreting maps can be challenging if they are not designed with accessibility in mind. By understanding how colour blindness interacts with cartography, we are able to leverage the tools available in MAPublisher and Adobe Illustrator to create more inclusive, colour blind-friendly maps.

Understanding Colour Blindness

Colour blindness, or colour vision deficiency, affects an estimated 8% of men and 0.5% of women globally. Most colour blind people are affected by congenital red-green colour blindness, which means they have decreased colour discrimination ability on the red-green axis. There are two main types of red-green colour blindness:

  • Protanopia: a lack of red cones, affecting the ability to perceive red light
  • Deuteranopia: a lack of green cones, affecting the ability to perceive green light

These types of colour blindness vary in severity, but both affect the user’s ability to distinguish between red and green hues. Fortunately, Adobe Illustrator offers soft colour proofing features that simulate these conditions, helping us design maps that work for everyone.

Using Colour Proofing in Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Illustrator’s “Proof setup” feature, also known as colour proofing, is a valuable tool for designing colour blind-friendly maps. This feature allows you to simulate how your maps will appear in different viewing conditions, including for people who are affected by red-green colour blindness. Proof setup has options for previewing your artwork in protanopia and deuteranopia modes. 

Enabling colour proofing in Illustrator is very simple:

  • Open your map file in Adobe Illustrator.
  • Navigate to View > Proof Setup > Color Blindness.
    • Here you can select between protanopia-type and deuteranopia-type proofing.
  • Toggle the “Proof Colors” option below “Proof Setup” to switch the simulation on and off as required.

Simulating what colour vision-deficient users see enables you to adjust your maps to ensure they are understandable and effective for all users. These adjustments may take the form of simply changing the colour of particular objects or using other indicators such as labels or varying patterns, textures, and line types to differentiate between features.

Designing Accessible Maps

When designing maps for accessibility, consider these three colour attributes: 

  • Hue, often used interchangeably with colour, refers to the actual colour wavelengths one perceives (problematic for colour blind individuals).
  • Value refers to how dark or light a colour is, with a lower value being closer to black and a higher value being closer to white.
  • Saturation refers to the intensity or purity of a colour, with a higher saturation being very intense and a lower saturation being duller, or closer to grey.

Since hue can be challenging for those with colour blindness, we can leverage value and saturation to help provide better differentiation. Here are a few colour-related tips to consider when creating a map for users with red-green colour blindness:

  • Use orange-red instead of pure red, as it’s easier to identify.
  • Opt for bluish-green over yellowish-green.
  • Keep in mind that grey may be confused with pale or emerald gree, and lighter shades of pink.
  • Avoid using the following combinations to differentiate features wherever possible:
    • red and green
    • yellow and bright green
    • light blue and pink
    • dark blue and violet

The image above makes it easy to envision why it is not advised to use red and green as differentiating colours on a map. However, if we take the darkest red and green of each side and use some of our tips above to adjust them, we can already see an improvement:

Even with the slight adjustments of adding orange to the red and blue to the green, a greater difference can be observed. These can be enhanced even more by changing the value or saturation of the colours as well.

ColorBrewer, created by Cynthia Brewer, is a great resource for selecting colour swatches pre-designed for colour blind users. Here, you can toggle the option to view only colour blind-safe palettes. All of the ColorBrewer swatches are available in MAPublisher through the Swatches panel by selecting Open Swatch Library > MAP Swatches > ColorBrewer.

The image above shows the 9-colour Red Blue ColorBrewer swatch, which is just one of its several options for symbolizing your data in a colour blind-friendly way.

Differentiation Beyond Colour

When colour isn’t enough, here are some other methods you can try to make a map more accessible:

  • Patterns and textures: Utilize different patterns or hatching to distinguish features, even when they are the same colour.
  • Labels and annotations: Clear, legible labels or annotations can ensure that users do not solely rely on colour to understand map features.
  • Alternative formats: Offer grayscale or high-contrast versions of your map where possible.

Practical Example

On the above map, the greens, browns, and yellows representing different land use types might be difficult for someone with red-green colour blindness to discern. We can adjust some of the greens to be more bluish to make them more differentiable from each other and the brown background of the map. I can also use different patterns to tell them apart if necessary. For example, adding a grainy pattern and making the pale yellow colour used here to depict sand a little more orangey helped it stand out more on the map when proofing for colour blindness.

With just a few small changes, the map becomes much easier to read and more accessible to people with colour blindness.

Colour blindness presents unique challenges in cartography. Since our maps often convey essential (and sometimes even vital) information, we must ensure they are clear and accessible to anyone who relies on them. By practicing mindful design and using tools like Proof Setup, these challenges can easily be mitigated to create a map that everyone can understand.

Check out Adobe’s help article on colour proofing for accessibility in Illustrator for more help.

UC Spotlight: Creating the Blue Earth Bathymetry Dataset

Resources

Tom Patterson continues to provide the Cartography community with valuable knowledge and data! This year at the Avenza User Conference 2024, Tom presented to us how he created the Blue Earth Bathymetry raster dataset with the help of Geographic Imager and Adobe Photoshop.

Blue Earth Bathymetry is an edited version of GEBCO (General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans), a public domain dataset that combines ocean bottom and land elevation data of the entire world. Since GEBCO was derived from a mix of data sources, it contains noisy artifacts. Tom created Blue Earth as a cleaner alternative for making small-scale maps of the seafloor. Tom utilized an unorthodox editing procedure which is unique to Adobe Photoshop and Geographic Imager to remove artifacts and create smoother looking bathymetry. Blue Earth Bathymetry is available for free as a GeoTIFF DEM at 60-arc second resolution (21,600 x 10,800 pixels), as opposed to the original resolution of GEBCO which is 15-arc seconds. This dataset is great for small-scale mapping!

Watch the video of Tom’s full presentation at the Avenza UC 2024 and visit the Shaded Relief website to download and learn more about the Blue Earth Bathymetry dataset!

About Avenza UC

The Avenza User Conference is an opportunity to discover exciting new developments with Avenza’s GIS and cartographic solutions and to connect with peers and Avenza team members. Avenza users and staffers from around the globe meet virtually each May to learn what’s new with Avenza Maps, MAPublisher, Geographic Imager, and the Avenza Map Store, and see how they are being used to map our world.

The Avenza User Conference is an free annual event that grows each year with incredible speakers and participants. Get inspired by mapping and industry professionals by joining us for #AvenzaUC2025. Find more information here about next year’s conference taking place on May 8th, 2025.

Map Industry Summit Toronto: August 22, 2024

Resources

On August 22, 2024, Avenza Systems was the primary sponsor at Map Industry Summit: Toronto. This event brought together leading experts, professionals, and public and private sector stakeholders to discuss the latest advancements, challenges, and opportunities in Canada’s unique map industry.

The all-day summit combined educational presentations and networking sessions to build knowledge and foster collaboration among attendees and IMIA member companies.

Thank you to everyone who attended this fantastic event!

More info here

What’s New in MAPublisher 11.4?

Resources

We are thrilled to announce the release of MAPublisher version 11.4, the newest version of our MAPublisher extension for Adobe Illustrator. 

MAPublisher v11.4 introduces a newly reworked Create Knockouts tool, importing Vector Basemaps within a selected area, WMS 1.3.0 import support, a new Rotate Characters text utility, a preference to convert RGB black to 100K black in CMYK documents, setting a leader line offset with the MAP Tagger tool, and several performance updates and bug fixes.

Here’s what you can expect with the latest MAPublisher v11.4 release:

The Create Knockouts tool has a new design!

We are excited to introduce you to the new version of the Create Knockouts tool. Create Knockouts is a tool that allows you mask off parts of features that may be covered by things such as text or points. The aim of this tool is to increase the readability of your map, especially in areas where features may overlap or look cluttered.

Without knockouts
With knockouts

The previous version of the Create Knockouts tool only consisted of a single dialog box. This had the limitation of allowing knockouts to be created around only a single layer at a time, meaning that multiple iterations of the tool had to be run to create knockouts for several different layers. This also meant that correcting mistakes or modifying existing knockouts required the tool to be run again, which could be frustrating or time consuming.

The new version of the Create Knockouts tool features an improved tool architecture which introduces knockout settings stored as jobs and rules. Jobs and rules allow knockouts to be created simultaneously for multiple layers.

A job defines which layers are being masked and consists of one or more rules that will be used to form the knockouts.

A rule defines the overall appearance of the knockouts and which layers the knockouts will be formed around.

One very useful thing about jobs and rules is that they are also transferable to your other map documents through the use of the Copy MAP Objects From tool.

The introduction of jobs and rules to the Create Knockouts tool makes it much easier for you to create multiple batches of knockouts at once while also being able to save their settings. This is very convenient if you come back later and wish to make modifications to your knockouts as your map evolves through its creation.

To learn more about how the new edition of the Create Knockouts tool works, check out its support page or watch the video below:

Import Vector Basemaps within a selected area

The Vector Basemaps tool is also receiving a small but significant update in MAPublisher v11.4: you can now import basemap data to your document only in a specific area! This option is available in the Import Vector Basemaps dialog box by way of selecting the “Only import data within the selected area” checkbox when you are selecting data for an existing MAP View. However, for this checkbox to be selectable it does require the following conditions to be met:

  • The selected area must be a single shape or compound path
  • The selected area must be closed
  • The selected area must not overlap itself
  • The selected area must be located within the current MAP View

This new option for the Vector Basemaps tool is perfect for the quick creation of interestingly shaped inset maps!

Import data from WMS 1.3.0

Many of our users have requested the ability to be able to import data from Web Map Service (WMS) version 1.3.0 and we are happy to announce that this is now possible in MAPublisher v11.4! Simply follow the usual steps to add a web map service and select 1.3.0 from the Version drop-down menu. We have also added an “Autodetect Version” option in this menu which can detect the WMS version used by the URL provided.

Rotate Characters action added to Text Utilities

Rotate Characters is a new option that has been added to the Action menu of the Text Utilities tool. This action only applies to point text, not text-on-a-path. It introduces the option to select whether your characters are oriented to follow the direction of the path, or point upwards. It also gives users the option to set a vertical orientation threshold angle, which determines which text elements will be rotated vertically, and/or set a slant angle, which will rotate characters within a text element.

The Rotate Characters text utility action is a great way to increase readability of the text objects of a map and is especially useful for languages that require properly rotated characters to be more understandable, such as Chinese. Below is a basic illustration of the new feature.

Convert RGB black to 100K black upon import in CMYK mode

In CMYK documents, RGB black features are often converted to rich black (i.e. 4-colour black) instead of 100K black, which can cause an issue known as “ghosting” when printing features that require fine detail such as small text and lines. Ghosting is when tiny variations in the printing plate produce blurry remnants of the 4 colours around the edges, as seen below.

To help printed map-makers easily avoid ghosting, a new option has been added to MAPublisher Preferences in the Import Map Data section to “Convert RGB Black to 100K Black” for CMYK documents. This option will be enabled by default.

Specify a leader line offset when using MAP Tagger

When using the MAP Tagger tool, the option to specify an offset between the leader line and the feature has been added in the “Leader Line Settings” tab under the Rules section. Select the “Offset from feature” checkbox and set an offset distance. This can be used to ensure that the created leader line does not obscure the feature you are labeling.

MAPublisher 11.4 is Available Now!

If you would like to learn more about the new MAPublisher v11.4 features or have any questions, please check out our Support Centre.

MAPublisher v11.4 is immediately available today, free of charge to all current MAPublisher users with active maintenance subscriptions and as an upgrade for non-maintenance users.

Avenza Releases MAPublisher 11.4 for Adobe Illustrator

News

Toronto, ON, July 30, 2024 – Avenza Systems Inc., producers of the Avenza Maps® app for mobile devices and geospatial extensions for Adobe Creative Cloud®, including Geographic Imager® for Adobe Photoshop®, is pleased to announce the release of MAPublisher® version 11.4 for Adobe Illustrator®. This version introduces a newly reworked Create Knockouts tool, importing Vector Basemaps within a selected area, WMS 1.3.0 import support, a new Rotate Characters text utility, a preference to convert RGB black to 100K black in CMYK documents, setting a leader line offset with the MAP Tagger tool, and several performance updates and bug fixes.

MAPublisher cartography software seamlessly integrates more than seventy GIS mapping tools into Adobe Illustrator to help you create beautiful maps from geospatial data. Import industry-standard GIS data formats and make crisp, clean maps with all attributes and georeferencing intact using the Adobe Illustrator design environment.

New features of MAPublisher v11.4 for Adobe Illustrator include:

  • Reworked Create Knockouts tool: Create Knockouts tool features an improved architecture which introduces knockout settings saved as jobs and rules, which allow users to create knockouts for multiple layers simultaneously and easily transfer settings between documents
  • Importing Vector Basemaps within a selected area: Vector Basemap data can now be imported to a document in a selected area as long as it is a closed shape, does not overlap itself, and is within the current MAP View
  • WMS 1.3.0 import capabilities: MAPublisher now supports the import of data from Web Map Service (WMS) version 1.3.0, with an option to autodetect the WMS version added 
  • Rotate Character action added to Text Utilities menu: Rotate Characters allows users to specify character rotation settings for point text located within their map document
  • Convert RGB Black to 100K Black preference: MAPublisher Preferences menu now features the option to convert RGB black to 100K black (rather than rich, or 4-colour black) for CMYK documents to prevent a printing issue known as “ghosting”; this option is enabled by default
  • Offset from Feature option for leader lines in MAP Tagger tool: MAP Tagger tool now features a new option in the Leader Lines Settings tab under the Rules section to set an “Offset from feature” distance to prevent leader lines from obscuring map features when labeling them
  • Additional performance improvements and bug fixes

Users require a valid Adobe Creative Cloud subscription and a compatible operating system to utilize the improvements and enhancements offered in MAPublisher v11.4. For questions and information on how compatibility requirements may affect your organization, please contact our Support Centre.

MAPublisher 11.4 is immediately available free of charge to all current MAPublisher users with active maintenance and as an upgrade for non-maintenance users starting at US$739. New licenses are available from US$1,699. MAPublisher FME Auto and MAPublisher LabelPro are also available as add-ons starting at US$569. Academic, floating, and volume licenses are also available. Prices include one year of full maintenance. Visit www.avenza.com/mapublisher for more details.

More about Avenza Systems Inc.

Avenza Systems Inc. is an award-winning, privately held corporation that provides cartographers and GIS professionals with powerful software tools to make better maps. Avenza also offers the mobile Avenza Maps app to sell, purchase, distribute, and use maps on iOS and Android devices. For further information contact:  416-487-5116 – info@avenza.com – www.avenza.com

###

PDF Press Release

Map Spotlight: Russell Fjord Wilderness by Aaron Taveras

Resources

For our monthly Map Spotlight of July, we are displaying another superb honourable mention of the 2021 Avenza Map Contest: Russell Fjord Wilderness by Aaron Taveras of Cartografix. This outdoor recreation map was created to help visitors navigate the Russell Fjord Wilderness area and find the few trails that exist around the Yakutat region of Alaska. The map consists of two pages which illustrate the beautiful glaciers and rocky moraines, both of which make the area a popular destination for backcountry travel. Aaron combined essential topographic detail with recreational points of interest which resulted in a visually stunning yet useful cartographic product.

A fun fact: this map was selected to be used in the main software graphics for MAPublisher 11. It is available for purchase as a bundle digitally on the Avenza Maps Store.

Select the images below to see a detailed look at Aaron’s map

Making the Map

Aaron used both Geographic Imager and MAPublisher in the creation of this map. Geographic Imager was used in Adobe Photoshop to build the shaded relief images for the background of the map. The Terrain Shader makes it quick and easy to create a shaded relief by simply inputting a Digital Elevation Model (DEM). After this, the shaded relief image could be imported into MAPublisher and used as the background for the map.

Aaron imported his vector data and his shaded relief image into MAPublisher. MAP Stylesheet Themes were used to stylize the vector data such as the glaciers, land cover and water features. The Create Halo tool was used to create the thick and slightly transparent borders of the various parks and preserves in the region.

One of the standout features of Aaron’s map is the contour lines illustrating the terrain of the Russell Fjord Wilderness. The lines can be smoothed out using the Simplify Art tool to make them more visually appealing. The MAP Contour Tagger tool could then be used to manually create elevation labels for the contour lines, which allowed Aaron to select their exact placement in a visually appealing and uncrowded manner. Another important aspect of contour lines is that the text labels are readable, since they are usually obscured by the contour line itself. The Create Knockouts tool is perfect for ensuring that any text or features obscured by other features can be visible. Create Knockouts was used to create a gap in the contour lines where the contour labels (and other labels such as glacier names) exist.

The Grids & Graticules tool was essential in Aaron’s addition of such features to the map, with a UTM grid of 3000 meters being visible across the entirety of the map. Finally, Aaron used the Scale Bar and North Arrow features to easily ensure his finishing touches were placed correctly. Check out his north arrow that shows both true north and magnetic north and the difference between the two!

Learn more and enter the 2024 Avenza Map Contest here, and check out our other Map Spotlight blogs here!

News Archive