Once again the method of 'try it and see what happens ' has delivered another interesting revelation about the free downloads on offer from Geoscience Australia through their MapConnect webpage.
From the MapConnect home page entire sheets of the 250K maps of Australia can be downloaded in a variety of formats. The GeoPDF format allows entire mapsheet files of about 10MB size to be downloaded. These large files can be zoomed in to the finest detail. Even at 800% zoom every detail is clearly visible. The GeoPDF toolbar needs to be installed.
The path for downloading the GeoPDF map file is as follows. From the MapConnect home page> order mapsheet [tool]> select mapsheet> select format [=GeoPDF]>add to order> clear order> confirm licence>proposed use [= in house]. An email is sent from GA notifying download> download map> open> saved in folder GEODATA_TOPO250K_TILE_DATA.
The Canberra mapsheet file I5516_GeoPDF is an Adobe pdf file of 10.5MB.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Geoscience Australia MapConnect geoMap theme
Well folks, this map is a fine example of what is on offer for free from Geoscience Australia at the MapConnect home page. This example map has been created using the geoMap theme, which seems to offer high quality pdf maps for download which are fully featured extracts from the 250K database. Various other databases such as geological maps are on offer.
In a reasonably simple process the area of interest and extent of coverage for the geoMap can be defined. Page sizes range from A4 to A0, bigger the page, the wider the area of coverage. Then in a two step process the map is downloaded as a pdf file attached to email from GA. The map generated is of the highest quality, which is an exact replica of the printed 250K map. File sizes are big; this map which covers only part of the ACT is about 1.3MB; a map to cover the entire ACT requires A1 page size and the file size is 10MB.
Again, to get the map into the blog you need to upload to docstoc, get an embedding code and compose or edit the post in html!!!
As expected from pdf docs, the map as embedded in the blog can be zoomed and panned to great detail.
Unlike the maps created in the 250K theme, maps created in the geoMap theme cannot be marked up or have layers turned on or off, nor can they be given a title. They do have an index map inset to show the area of the map and a scale bar. The coordinates of the centre of the map [marked with a cross] are given.
The geoMap theme offers another tool to show maps in the blog; one which you need to use to develop its full potential. The output looks much more professional than the extracts from the NatMap DVD set that I have used previously.
geoMap_250K_A4_Canberra -
In a reasonably simple process the area of interest and extent of coverage for the geoMap can be defined. Page sizes range from A4 to A0, bigger the page, the wider the area of coverage. Then in a two step process the map is downloaded as a pdf file attached to email from GA. The map generated is of the highest quality, which is an exact replica of the printed 250K map. File sizes are big; this map which covers only part of the ACT is about 1.3MB; a map to cover the entire ACT requires A1 page size and the file size is 10MB.
Again, to get the map into the blog you need to upload to docstoc, get an embedding code and compose or edit the post in html!!!
As expected from pdf docs, the map as embedded in the blog can be zoomed and panned to great detail.
Unlike the maps created in the 250K theme, maps created in the geoMap theme cannot be marked up or have layers turned on or off, nor can they be given a title. They do have an index map inset to show the area of the map and a scale bar. The coordinates of the centre of the map [marked with a cross] are given.
The geoMap theme offers another tool to show maps in the blog; one which you need to use to develop its full potential. The output looks much more professional than the extracts from the NatMap DVD set that I have used previously.
geoMap_250K_A4_Canberra -
Friday, August 14, 2009
Walk 8: Cotter to Uriarra Settlement via Mt McDonald
Walk name:Cotter to Uriarra Settlement & return via Mt McDonald
Walk map: NSW topographic map 1:25000 Cotter Dam 8627-2N
Start place: Cotter Reserve
Start Grid ref:763893
Start GPS: UTM Zone 55H 676467E,6089279N
Start location: 18km W of Canberra
Locality map:
Walk 8_locality map -
Waypoints and route:Cross the Cotter River from the Reserve carpark downstream of the dam at the pedestrian footbridge. Follow the Stoney Creek Skyline Track north along the left bank of the river to the ruins of the trout farm [676613E, 6089548N 500m]. Follow the Skyline track northwards uphill to the gate on the Brindabella Road [677000E, 6090400N]. Follow Lookout Road SW to intersection with Mt McDonald Road [766899]. Head north to summit of Mt McDonald [765912 800m]. Trig point & ruined fire tower. Follow track gerally NW towards the Uriarra Settlement. Return via the Brindabella Road. Detour onto the Skyline track on E side of Brindabella Road. Admire view from seat at Grasstree Hill [677212E, 6089931N].Return to start.
Walk map: NSW topographic map 1:25000 Cotter Dam 8627-2N
Start place: Cotter Reserve
Start Grid ref:763893
Start GPS: UTM Zone 55H 676467E,6089279N
Start location: 18km W of Canberra
Locality map:
Walk 8_locality map -
Waypoints and route:Cross the Cotter River from the Reserve carpark downstream of the dam at the pedestrian footbridge. Follow the Stoney Creek Skyline Track north along the left bank of the river to the ruins of the trout farm [676613E, 6089548N 500m]. Follow the Skyline track northwards uphill to the gate on the Brindabella Road [677000E, 6090400N]. Follow Lookout Road SW to intersection with Mt McDonald Road [766899]. Head north to summit of Mt McDonald [765912 800m]. Trig point & ruined fire tower. Follow track gerally NW towards the Uriarra Settlement. Return via the Brindabella Road. Detour onto the Skyline track on E side of Brindabella Road. Admire view from seat at Grasstree Hill [677212E, 6089931N].Return to start.
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