Module 9 - Map Symbolization

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1. Describe a map symbol
2. Discuss basic map symbolization issues
3. List several questions it is helpful to ask to assist in symbolizing your data.
4. List the visual variables that help guide basic map symbolization decisions
5. Compare and contrast the visual variables of shape and size
6. Define color hue and describe the type data it might and might not be used to symbolize appropriately
7. Define color value and describe the type data it might and might not be used to symbolize appropriately
8. Describe how color intensity is best used to symbolize data
9. Desribe some considerations when using texture to symbolize data
10. Define bivariate symbolization
11. Describe the different ways aggregate data can be mapped

TERMS TO KNOW

• map symbolization
• symbol
• symbol by convention
• symbol by resemblence
• points
• lines
• areas
• qualitative
• quantitative
• individual
• aggregate
• visual variables
• shape
• size
• color hue
• color value
• color intensity
• texture
• bivariate
• choropleth
• graduated symbol
• dotmap
• surface map
• cartogram

READING ASSIGNMENT

Chapter 9 of your text - MakingMaps: A Visual Guide to Map Design for GIS

The author's outline for this chapter from the class he teaches using this book - Thanks for sharing Dr. Krygier!

Topographic Map Symbols

ACTIVE LEARNING EXERCISE

Mapping and Modeling Groundwater Chemistry - by importing Excel spreadsheets into ArcGIS 9.2

STUDY QUESTIONS

1. What is a map symbol?
2. Provide an example of a symbol by resemblance.
3. Provide an example of a symbol by convention.
4. What types of visual variables are appropriate for qualitative data?
5. What types of visual variables are appropriate for quantitative data?
6. Provide an example of a map/layer that would be appropriately symbolized using the visual variable of shape.
7. Provide an example of a map/layer that would be appropriately symbolized using the visual variable of size.
8. Provide an example of a map/layer that would be appropriately symbolized using the visual variable of color hue.
9. Provide an example of a map/layer that would be appropriately symbolized using the visual variable of color value.
10. Describe a choropleth map.
11. How do dot maps symbolize data?
12. What types of data are best represented using graduated symbol maps?
13. What are bivariate maps?
14. What is a cartogram?
15. Describe surface maps. Make sure to mention some design issues.

Module 8 - Map Generalization and Classification

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1. Describe how maps generalize a very complex world into something easier to understand.
2. Define data classification
3. Compare and contrast qualitative and quantitative classification
4. Discuss the different types of quantitative classification
5. Utilize ArcWeb Services to generate a web-based map

TERMS TO KNOW

• generalization
• classification
• simplification
• smoothing
• selection
• displacement
• quantitative
• qualitative
• quantile scheme
• equal-interval scheme
• natural-breaks scheme
• unique scheme
• ArcWeb Services
• ArcGIS Online

READING ASSIGNMENT

Chapter 8 of your text - MakingMaps: A Visual Guide to Map Design for GIS

The author's outline for this chapter from the class he teaches using this book - Thanks for sharing Dr. Krygier!

Ways to map quantitative data - ESRI ArcGIS 9.2 WebHelp

ACTIVE LEARNING EXERCISE

First, read about the new ArcGIS online here

Second, listen to the Instructor Series Overview of ArcGIS online podcast

Third, read about ArcWeb Services

Finally, do the tutorial from this issue of ArcUser Online - 3 Steps in One Hours - ArcWeb Services JavaScript API Tutorial - I'm still trying to determine the best way for you to show me that you have completed this work so for now just do it...

STUDY QUESTIONS

1. Sometimes, fewer data are often better. Give an example of this.
2. What is the point of map generalization and data classification?
3. List and describe the types of map generalization techniques.
4. Why do we classify data?
5. What is the difference between qualitative classification and quantitative classification? Give an example of each.
6. When determining the number of classes to put your data into, what are some things to consider about whether to use relatively few classes or more classes?
7. What is an advantage and disadvantage to using the quantile scheme for classifying your data?
8. When is an equal-interval classification a good choice?
9. When is an unique scheme a good choice for data classification?

Module 7 - Intellectual and Visual Hierarchies

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1. Define intellectual hierarchy
2. Design intellectual hierarchy that supports the map's intent
3. Define visual hierarchy
4. Establish visual hierarchy that reflects the intellectual hierarchy
5. Distinguish between poor visual hierarchy and good visual hierarchy
6. Explain the figure-ground perceptual effect
7. List several ways to enhance visual hierarchies on maps

TERMS TO KNOW

• intellectual hierarchy
• visual hierarchy
• figure-ground
• design guide
• visual difference
• detail
• edges
• closure
• layering
• texture
• shape & size

READING ASSIGNMENT

Chapter 7 of your text - MakingMaps: A Visual Guide to Map Design for GIS

The author's outline for this chapter from the class he teaches using this book - Thanks for sharing Dr. Krygier!

Figure - Ground in Map Design - Wikipedia

ACTIVE LEARNING EXERCISE

Posted last week...
http://gis251.blogspot.com/2007/03/cartographic-representation-in.html

STUDY QUESTIONS

1. How would a map help us to better understand Luke Helder's two-week spree of bombings?
2. How could map scale cause us not to understand Luke Helder's bombing spree?
3. What is intellectual hierarchy?
4. How does the importance of features related to intellectual hierarchy?
5. What is visual hierarchy?
6. What is the figure-ground perceptual effect and list several ways to enhance it on maps.

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!

Introduction to Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Photoshop is a powerful graphic design tool. It can be used to enhance your cartographic productions beyond the level of normal Geographic Information Systems. This is a beginner tutorial and should give you an idea of how Photoshop works.

A few things to keep in mind:

• Photoshop is a graphic editing/design software


• Photoshop is raster-based


• Photoshop works with 'layers' - much like a GIS


• The Photoshop file extension is .psd but it can be saved to other image formats like .jpg and .bmp


• Photoshop does not work with georeferenced images - meaning if you are working with geographic data you must manually overlay the images

If you don't have the Adobe Photoshop or have not ordered the evaluation version, you are behind and need to contact me. See this post from last month (last paragraph in the post) on ordering the student version of the software.

Beginner's Guide to Adobe Photoshop - step one probably won't work with your version - don't sweat it.

Map Design Survey

The following is a link the North American Cartographic Information Society's map design survey. Please take the time to at least do the survey - part 1. You can also do part 2 - provide an example of a well designed map (in your eyes) and part 3 - comments.

This will give you a better understanding of what people think may be important for increasing ones ability to design good maps. Participating in these kinds of surveys also helps to further our profession... and it is related to this class!

http://www.shadedrelief.com/map_design/

Thanks!

Pete

Module 6 - Map Layout - Lecture