Module 7 - Active Learning Exercise

Cartographic Representation in Photoshop

Adobe Photoshop can be used to enhance cartographic design of geographic information from a GIS. GIS is especially efficient at processing and analyzing geographic data however can sometimes lack the cartographic tools necessary for professional graphic output. Photoshop has greater 'control' over graphic design parameters such as transparencies, color adjustments (hue, saturation and value), color balance, brightness/contrast, shadowing, bevel and embossing and more. The two used in tandem allow for a powerful mapping and design environment.

General Process

Create a map with all layers of interest in ArcMap (or many other GISystems that can export to images). From that map, maintaining a constant scale) export individual layers to image files. These can be JPG's, BMP's or anything else that Photoshop will read. I have experimented with JPG and BMP but can not tell much difference. Load the images into Photoshop and utilize the graphic design and color enhancement capabilities of Photoshop to design map.

For this exercise, we will be using the following layers:

• Digital Elevation Model
• Hillshade Relief
• Streams (?)
• Roads
• Municipalities
• National Forest
• National Parks

==> You can get the data for this exercise HERE or you can use your own data. Try to use similar layers if you use your own. <==

Load and symbolize data in ArcMap then export map layers to individual image files

1. Open the included map document from the data above or create your own map document in ArcMap
2. Load the data layers and symbolize them as you see fit. A couple of suggestions. The DEM should be symbolized with an 'elevation' color ramp and should not be made transparent. Do not symbolize any layers as transparent. This will be done in Photoshop.
4. Above is an example of the map in ArcMap. Note that none of the layers are transparent. We will turn off all the layers and turn on one at a time exporting that layer to a BMP to use in Photoshop. It is CRITICAL that we do not change the scale or position (no zooming or panning) of the data within ArcMap in between exporting the layers to BMP's. Photoshop does not have a method to 'register' (or georeference) the images we will export so that they 'overlay' properly. We will achieve this by maintaining a constant scale and not panning in ArcMap throughout this entire process. I set a fixed scale and a bookmark within the data frame to keep the layers in the same position for exporting. I set the scale at 1:325,000 because it seems to fit nicely on my screen.
5. Export your layers from ArcMap to Bitmaps - one bitmap for each layer
   1. Turn off all but one layer
   2. File ==> Export Map
   3. Turn that layer off and turn on the next layer, again File ==> Export Map
      
   4. Do this for all the layers in your map document
   5. When you finish, you should have a BMP for each layer in your map document.

Load images into Photoshop

1. Open Adobe Photoshop
2. Open the CountyBoundary bitmap (mine is called cnty_bnd.bmp) - The first file you open comes in as the 'background layer' and is locked by default. We need to change this.
3. Double click the background layer in the layers dialog box on the right.
4. Rename the layer 'County Boundary' and click OK - This will 'unlock' the layer as well.
5. Use the Magic Wand tool to select the white area outside the county boundary and press delete.
6. Repeat to the white area inside the county boundary.
7. Your image should show a 'checkered' pattern in the background indicating there is no color there.
8. Save your Photoshop file (.psd) and save it often.

9. 

Now, Place the other images on top of this one in the Photoshop file

1. File ==> Place - Choose the BMP of municipalities (mine is called municipalities.bmp) - press enter when it comes in.

Notice the background of this image covers the entire county boundary. You must rasterize this image, then select the unnecessary part and delete.

1. Right-click the municipalities layer ==> Rasterize Layer
2. Use the Magic Wand to select the areas (white areas) that ARE NOT municipalities and press delete
   • Make sure notice the small donut holes in the middle of some of the municipalities that are also white - you need to zoom in, select them and delete. You will also need to do this with the National Forest and any other layers that have small areas inside
3. Your map should look similar to the one below at this stage
4. 
5. Next Place (file ==> place)the DEM, rasterize the layer and delete the outer white portions of the layer. It is currently layered on top of the other layers.
6. Drag the DEM to the bottom so the other layers are displayed on top of it.
7. Next, Place the Hillshade.bmp and put it below the DEM. Also, rasterize this layer and delete the outer white background.
8. Continue Placing the layers until they are all part of you Adobe Photoshop file.
9. Save your document to a photoshop (.psd) file.
10. Order the layers so they make sense - your file should look something like the one below with the same layers ordered the same.
11. 

Your layers may differ slightly from the above but it should generally be similar. NOTE: I did not include streams, the parkway, or the Appalachian Trail. Feel free to include these if you like. Practice turning layers on and off to see how similar it is to GIS now that you have them all lined up.

Manipulate layers in Photoshop

Now that we have all the layers loaded into Photoshop, we'll work with the transparencies, shadowing, bevelling and more. For each layer, go to the Blending Options. To get to the Blending Options, right-click each layer in the layers window and and go to Blending Options. Use the guide below as a reference for where to start with manipulating the characteristics of each layer. Feel free to explore and go beyond what is suggested below.

1. For the DEM - make it transparent - ==> General Blending ==> Opacity ==> 75% (you should experiment and make it as transparent as you see fit). This will enable you to see the Hillshade through the DEM giving a 3D effect.
2. For the Municpalities - try the Inner Shadow (try a couple others, i like the inner shadow)
3. For the Roads - Bevel and Emboss. and Drop Shadow
4. For the SmokyMtnNP - transparent and Inner Glow
5. For the NationalForest - transparent and Drop Shadow

That's it for now folks. SAVE YOUR ADOBE PHOTOSHOP FILE because next we'll be adding text to the map!