--- Start of Idrisi List message Here is a summary of useful responses to my following query: What is the best format for saving map compostions so that they produce (print) quality maps? (Or does format matter at all?) Searching list archives did not help much. I tried using map format on my Epson 440 printer but I am not happy with the output. 1. From: Larry Lass <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>: Idrisi produces poor quality prints in all modes. I save the current view of the composition to a raster layer as a new Idrisi image, and export it as a high quality tiff (300 dpi). Use Power Point or another graphic package to print the map. There are a number of Idrisi functions that need upgraded and this is close to the top of my list. ---------------------------------------- 2. From: Keping Chen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> You may be interested in producing a postscript file first and then converting it into a vector-based map format, see http://www.square1.nl/ /////// One of the common ways to export an output composite (or Microsoft Word document) is by generating PS or EPS files. First you have to install a PostScript Printer Driver, such as the AdobePS 4.2. You can download such drivers from http://www.adobe.com/, or http://www.hp.com/, or http://www.apple.com, ... When installing, you have to specify the output as FILE, not a real printer. Each time you want to export something, selecting the driver you installed (like selecting a physical printer as you usually do), the output will be saved as an output file, with a file extension of *.prn or others. The output file will be a PS or EPS file, depending on the option you selected with the driver. If you want to read the PS or EPS file, you can use some programs such as GSview, ghostview, GV. For more information on GSview for Windows, refer to http://www.cs.wisc.edu/~ghost/ If you want to convert PS/EPS file to PDF file, see http://www.adobe.com/ The PS/EPS file can be easily inserted into some Word Processors, such as MS WROD. The real image may be not visible, but it is printable if using POSTSCRIPT printers. The output PS/EPS file is not impossible to convert for further editing. One of the commercial solutions is using "The Graphics Connection" program (http://www.square1.nl). -------------------------------- 3. From: Piz <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I've found a very good help in using a program written for cartographic design. The name is OCAD and you can find a demo version at www.ocad.com. OCAD is mainly oriented to vector data, but it can also print a raster template (a lot of time required, but it works). First you must prepare, with OCAD, the symbols you will use for your map; and you can design ANY kind of symbol for roads, buldings, interest points, areas,..... Then you must export by IDRISI the vector data in DXF format, each type at a time; e.g., export roads of type 1, import them in OCAD and assign them the OCAD symbol you designed; export roads of type 2, import in OCAD..... and so on. Unfortunately with the DXF export routine all the attributes are changed to zero, this is why you must do a lot of steps. Export the IDRISI .rst file as a .bmp file, then you can adjust by OCAD the orientation of the .bmp according to the coordinate grid. Take the time (half an hour) to read the OCAD help. Thanks to all those who responded. Vivek Vivek K.Varma Department of Forestry Institute of Land and Food Resources University of Melbourne, Vic. 3010 Australia Phone: +(61) 3 8344 5238 (Work); +(61) 3 9383 3417 (Home) FAX: +(61) 3 9349 4172 Web site: http://www.GeoCities.com/RainForest/Vines/5953/index.htm --- End of Idrisi List message IDRISI-L is an unmoderated list. As a service to list users, please post a summary of useful responses to your questions. To post a message to IDRISI-L, send it to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe to the list, send an email from the address to be subscribed to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with "subscribe" (without quotes) as the first line of the message body. To unsubscribe, do the same, only with "unsubscribe" as the first line of the message body.
