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Contour line interval

Started by maps4gps, August 20, 2009, 01:46:30 PM

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maps4gps

What I am now trying to figure out is how exact the contour interval can be.  Will changing it for each 7 1/2 quad which is different (see my Colorado test of concept mapset) be too confusing for the average user?  In my local area, I find having a 10' next to 40' somewhat  'disturbing/???', and I have seen 5' next to 40'.  What to do with a dual contour interval on the source topo quadrangle - where the highly sloping area has the 'base' CI and the flat areas on the same quad are described with a supplemental CI.  There are also many quads in metric.  Perhaps I am too concered, as the vast majority of users could not tell much about landform detailed lrom the contour lines anyway.

Indrid Cold

#1
Quote from: maps4gps on August 20, 2009, 01:46:30 PM
What I am now trying to figure out is how exact the contour interval can be.  Will changing it for each 7 1/2 quad which is different (see my Colorado test of concept mapset) be too confusing for the average user?  In my local area, I find having a 10' next to 40' somewhat  'disturbing/???', and I have seen 5' next to 40'.  What to do with a dual contour interval on the source topo quadrangle - where the highly sloping area has the 'base' CI and the flat areas on the same quad are described with a supplemental CI.  There are also many quads in metric.  Perhaps I am too concered, as the vast majority of users could not tell much about landform detailed lrom the contour lines anyway.
Having one next with one CI next to another CI that matches USGS TOPO's shouldn't be a problem if your goal is to match quad CI's. Adding supplemental contours to select areas takes a bit more work. You have to run the contours twice (at both CI's) and then mask out and crop data from both, and then combine the two sets to make a composite contour set. See Lez's post on cropping shapefiles for free tools to achieve this:
http://forums.gpsfiledepot.com/index.php/topic,366.msg2671.html#msg2671

maps4gps

#2
QuoteHaving one next with one CI next to another CI that matches USGS TOPO's shouldn't be a problem if your goal is to match quad CI's.
That is how my CO toc mapset is.  Question is does the 'average' user find it of value.

QuoteAdding supplemental contours to select areas takes a bit more work
Much more and most of it is interactive/hands on for each quad.

QuoteYou have to run the contours twice (at both CI's) and then mask out and crop data from both, and then combine the two sets to make a composite contour set.
That would be the procedure.

   Would the majority of users even care how close the map contours were to the original?
I remember one poster finding the 40' CI in AZ was too many lines for his purposes versus 4 or 5 posters prefered 20' where the source used 40'.

  The term '24K quality contours' has been used to describe some mapsets.  How is this defined?  
I would think it would be by using the contour line data in the USGS SDTS hyposography file.  Because of the density of the points describing the lines, this would be much large than any current mapset, perhaps even an order of magnitude.  The lines could be thinned, but is the result still '24k quality'?   What would be done in areas where this data is not available?
 
  Would the CI change to metric where the source used metric units?  For the best match/detail - yes.  I would find such a data set too confusing to use.  We accept it in printed maps because we have no choice.  A GPSr mapset is different.  Where is the best compromise?

Indrid Cold

#3
I would guess that the average user wouldn't download and go through the trouble of learning how to install that mapset. Mac users are out in the cold in any case, witch roughly comes in at about 10%. Just my opinion.

Have you received any feedback on that mapset? I think if it were me, I'd make a PC installer, and convert a Mac version and actively seek feedback.

I have some mapsets that have meter next to feet and it isn't a problem. MapSourse, RoadTrip and the user's GPS will convert one to the other, and the contour lines work well with the printed map. When you move to a different style quad, you can easily change the units in the GPS to match the printed quad to match up the number format.

There isn't a beet all, end all map that can be produced, and fit everyone's use. As far as 24k/25K sets being all the rage, they don't work well with limited memory, such as with a Venture HC or older 8MB units. That's the battle between coverage and detail.

maps4gps

QuoteI would guess that the average user wouldn't download and go through the trouble of learning how to install that mapset.
I asked OZ and he said go ahead and make state maps for the central and eastern states.  A day or so after I uploaded the first one, he added did the PC installer and graphic, then added the Mac version.  Then continued doing so as I uploaded the other states.  I asked him about OR and CA - he did not say no, but did not say yes either.  I then redid the AR topo as USGS replaced the NED data for the entire state, the WV overlay contour using the USGS 3m grid from LIDAR data, CO with contour interval matching the printed 7 1/2 quads, and a PA topo/plan - plan where an older NED production method was used and the resulting contours do not match those on the printed topos.  He did not do anything with the WV overlay, CO toc, or PA t/p mapsets and I never asked him to as they were somewhat one of a kind 'test of concept' mapsets.

QuoteJust my opinion.
Greatly appreciated. Thanks.

QuoteHave you received any feedback on that mapset? I think if it were me, I'd make a PC installer, and convert a Mac version and actively seek feedback.
One comment within a few days on the CO mapset asking if more detailed boundaries for Forest Service lands could be used which would show the private inholdings.  Nothing about the CI and nothing on the WV nor PA mapsets.  Specifically asked for comments in the CO & PA mapsets.  I expect the users do not read much of the info provided - with that in mind, I never uploaded the AK mapset because of issues with ocean/island polygons (no comments on that issue when asked on the forums).  I have asked for feedback on the forums on some issues, usually do not get any - but at times my level of concern is fairly deep for even mapauthors.

QuoteI have some mapsets that have meter next to feet and it isn't a problem.
I would not expect it to be for you, but for others, me included, it might be a minor issue.

Quoteyou can easily change the units in the GPS to match the printed quad to match up the number format.
I have never tired that.  In a current project, the land elevations are in feet and the ocean in meters in the name field.  When GlobalMapper makes the .mp files it converts the meter values to their value in feet. - would be nice if there was a way to make GM leave ones data alone.

QuoteThere isn't a beet all, end all map that can be produced, and fit everyone's use.
I agree.  Where in the spectrum of use/needs is the best balance point?  I and some posters find it hard to see hydro and contours when a land ownership/use polygon is used; for others it is critical; in my CO toc mapset I tried a compromise.

Quote... 24k/25K sets ... they don't work well with limited memory, such as with a Venture HC or older 8MB units.   That's the battle between coverage and detail.
I was refering more to the overcontouring (20 versus 40 or 80) than 24k itself.  I used a variable quad size in my state mapsetes to keep the average file/tile size to around 1.1Mb.  Also no special typ file.  Capabilities of older versus newest units, what to design for?  With software for many units now supporting 4Gb, but still a 2025 file limit, 2+-Mb might be a better choice for an average file size.  Oz once mentioned he prefers 8-10Mb files for his own use to somewhat balance all those 100+k files he also uses.  I am considering a type file with a dashed contour line to be used in areas where the NED data does match the printed contours.
Also a blue dashed line for intermittent streams.  I do not know what effect this will have on older units which do not support custom feature types, but how long should these enhancements be kept from newer units that do?

On some 'presentation methods', one person comments that s/he would like to see it a little different, but there have been thousands of downloads.  Did the others like it and not comment, did not like it and did not comment, or not even use it?  Should it be changed and risk x number of people then not liking it?  I am open to suggestions as GPSr mapauthoring has it own unique set of limitations and parameters compared to the standards used on printed topo maps.



Indrid Cold

#5
As far as mixing Metric and Stature on the same maptile, I don't think it's allowed, so there has to be a compromise. Here I would select feet for making the maptile, and under Units on the GPS, select Meters for Depth. This should display feet for elevation and meters for depth just like the printed map. I generally build out to a smaller target, whether the user has a GPSMAP60CSx or GPSMAP496, the intended use and target GPS dictates how the mapset is built.

For a public release, if people are downloading it and not commenting, then then they are most likely satisfied enough with the results to not bother with providing any feedback. I don't think that over contouring provides any value when using a printed map other that pre/post planning. In the field, my eyes generally fill in the contours better that the GPS. But then again, that's me, and I would say that I'm not the typical user by any means so my comments may be of no use.

maps4gps

Thanks.  There has been 226 downloads of CO, 264 of PA, and 94 of the WV detailed overlay contour mapsets.  OZ did not think the topo/plan would be very acceptable, so I never did MD/DC, VA or SC.  OZ and I never discussed the CO mapset as IndyJpr already had one available and I would only do some or all of the central and eastern states.  As home state, CO was done to test some concepts. 
That mapset has mostly land contours with very general bathymetry - the printed source contours were in feet and these were converted to metric for the digitized version ; bathy in meters was added from some other source.  Its been a long time since I looked at some of those options; CO is far from the ocean and large lakes.

I am not a typical user either, but if a tweek or small change makes it usefull to I lot more users, I will at least give it some consideration.

maps4gps

CO looks great.  Go ahead with PA & WV if you have the time.  I should learn how to create an installer. I thought OZ had a tutorial on how, but I do not see it - perhaps he just had some info in a post a year ago.

QuoteHow did you get the contour intervals for CO?
The old fashion way - one at a time. 
Last spring I found a commerical mapping site (name ???) which for each 100K listed the 24Ks; a click on a 24K would give data on date, CI, etc without having to dowload each quad.  About a month later that company was purchased by another company which kept part of the interface, but not the part to view the date, CI, etc.  An hour or two for three or four days with one hand clicking on quads and the other writing the info on a USGS CO index map was not too bad.  If all 8 in a row were the same, just wirte the data for one of the edge quads and run aa arrowed line across the other 7 quads.

maps4gps

Thanks.  I do not often look at that series of tutorials because I learned using GM a few months before OZ made those.
Where does the 'release_version_1.00' folder go, root c: or under some other folder?

maps4gps

#9
I'll give it a try when the 'normal' day starts.  I am somewhat reluctent to download and use new software as sometimes it causes problems and takes forever to completely remove, and you can easily get so much of it.   Thanks.

Seems I also need to read more closely.  How to make a setup is mentioned in that tutorial's description.

Indrid Cold

Quote from: maps4gps on August 23, 2009, 01:13:56 PM
CO looks great.  Go ahead with PA & WV if you have the time.  I should learn how to create an installer. I thought OZ had a tutorial on how, but I do not see it - perhaps he just had some info in a post a year ago.

QuoteHow did you get the contour intervals for CO?
The old fashion way - one at a time.  
Last spring I found a commerical mapping site (name ???) which for each 100K listed the 24Ks; a click on a 24K would give data on date, CI, etc without having to dowload each quad.  About a month later that company was purchased by another company which kept part of the interface, but not the part to view the date, CI, etc.  An hour or two for three or four days with one hand clicking on quads and the other writing the info on a USGS CO index map was not too bad.  If all 8 in a row were the same, just wirte the data for one of the edge quads and run aa arrowed line across the other 7 quads.
For some reason I didn't see any new posts on this thread in time to work on it over the weekend, will get to the other two ASAP. Too bad the site with the info changed hands and cut the links, it woould have been a time saver. I did it the `ol fashioned way for a 100K CA set, really dreading doing that on a 24K set ::)

I'll forward you the NSIS scripts I used so you'll have them for future use.

maps4gps

QuoteFor some reason I didn't see any new posts on this thread
I have also noticed that on a few posts the past 2 weeks.

If you need info on the 100Ks, I started a dBase file on those when USGS began publishing them.  Still a few unknowns, even after checking on the USGS MapStore website.


Indrid Cold

I have all the 100K CI's complete for CA QUADS, but it looks like I'm going to have to spend time on CalSil to get the 24K ones.

-Oz-

Dan Blomberg
Administrator - GPSFileDepot
GPS Units: Garmin Dakota 20, Garmin GPSMap 60csx, Nuvi 255W, Nuvi 250W, ForeRunner 110, Fenix 2, Tactix Bravo, Foretrex 401
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Carl.h

I use both the indyjpr and the mti map for Colorado.  On the mti map I see 10' contours around my house, but dont recall seeing anything besides 40' contours anywhere in the mountains where i'm using topo maps.  Around the .2 zoom both maps are usually identical.  Zoom to 1 mile and the contours are the same the only thing I notice is that blue lines indicating creeks near head waters are more detailed on the mti map, making it a little more appealing to look at.

ON my Garmin vista gps the most detailed contours i get is 200'.  I dont think i can change that.

Road info is very different on the two maps.  Mti shows a lot more forest roads, unfortunately most have been closed.  The roads on the indyjpr are mostly open.  When out hiking i prefer the mti map because the closed roads can be a good reference point.  When trying to figure out how to drive somewhere i use the indy map. 

I really like having the blm land on the mti map, its not accurate enough to rely on but gives me a clue there is blm land around.  Within national forest land I have found land ownership to be more accurate on the indy map.  So that gives me a problem when out hiking,  i want the more detailed roads info on the mti map and the more accurate land status on the indy map.  If i'm in the car with the laptop i find myself toggling between the two maps quite often. 

Hospitals are randomly placed across the mti map, no big deal unless you where actually looking for a hospital.  Some other landmarks are repeated several times in a general locality. 

All in all there both great maps. 

Carl