Hello All, A while ago, I had asked for some help on distributing large sized maps (36x48in) as either high resolution rasters or as Acrobat PDF files. The intent was to distribute MapInfo generated maps from the layout window as a ready-to-print image or for importing to a desktop publishing software. Some replies are summarized below, but first I discuss my own findings and welcome anyones comments:
The crux of the problem lies in using transparent raster imagery. Specifically we use USGS Digital Raster Graphics (DRG's) as topographic overlays for our geologic maps (filled colored polygons). This is done by cleaning up the DRG in Photoshop and then setting white to transparent in MapInfo. I can print a hard copy no problem, but am not able to make a PDF file using Acrobat 5 (our preferred distribution route) and the Save...Window As... continues to only work for small page-sized maps not large maps. (seems this might work in MI 7.0 where you can set resolution???). I have tried many different methods of getting the PDF or postscript route to work, but with nothing that will work. In fact, I can generate a PDF via distiller for a page sized MI layout, but the print file balloons to 1gb and the PDF file takes about 30minutes to display (it generates the transparent raster into small little bands that take forever to draw). Same results using postscript with all the setting tried. (EPS, binary, compressed images, PS level 3 etc.). I have tried generating a PDF or PS file using Win98, NT4 and XP from MI 6.0 and 6.5, from Acrobat 4.0 and 5.0 and the most recent postscipt driver. While some work and others flat out crash, the PS file is huge and when distilled to PDF it generates a very ssslllooowww map.....all this for a simple page-sized (8.5x11in) test map!!!! Below are the replies I originally received from my inquiry with my comments added: >From Mark Neuhaus ([EMAIL PROTECTED]): > I've had some success printing transparent rasters from mapinfo 6.0 > and if it is useful to you, you're welcome tor try it. > > We use DRGs of usgs quads for the base maps for our geology maps. In > paintshop pro, we remove the green tint altogether, and then turn all > other colors to black by editting the color pallete. Then we reduce > the color depth to a 1 bit (2 color) image. > > In mapinfo, we then turn the white to a teanparent mode in > table>raster>adjust image styles. We place the colored filled > polygons on the bottom, then the transparent base map, and then all > type, symbols and other overprinting layers on top. We print to file > using a 750 postscript driver. > > This still provides solid black base maps. So here's the trick: I > run the file through a small filter program I wrote that corrects > mapinfo/hp/microsoft/adobe's improperly written transparent routine. > And we have our full color geology maps with a screened base and solid > color fills. > > If you need a coloredbase map, this won't work. Or with aerial > photos. But it allows us to duplicate our old hand made geology maps > where we used separates of the topo sheets for base maps. > > I wrote up a quick and dirty explanation that Jacque Paris has on his > web page at: > > http://www.paris-pc-gis.com/externes/extern/Marks_papers.htm > > Mark > I haven't been able to get a postscipt file to generate for my large maps. I can get a page sized ps file to generate but it ballons for over 1gb depending on the amount of DRG in the map. We'd also like to be able to work with our colored version of the DRG but don't want to be too greedy at this point.... >From Karl Kliparchuk ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) > Is it possible to let your end users use Proviewer, MapInfo's free > viewer of MapInfo formatted data? Another idea would be to use a > postscript printer driver to write a postscript file. You could then > render that file in some other pacakge maybe. I hope this info helps. ProViewer might be an option, but I'd like something more universal. Also PDF files can be imported to other Adobe applications.... in theory... >From Ryan Morgan ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) > Try putting this file in the following folder: > > C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 5.0\Distillr\Settings > > You'll need Acrobat Distiller 5.0 to do this properly. > > Set the DPI to 600 or less (probably 300 if you have less than 1 GB > RAM) and select the file under the 'Adobe PDF Settings' tab in > 'Conversion Settings' > > Took us about a month of playing around to come up with the solution, > works every time. > > Good Luck, > > Ryan Morgan > Aerials Express Wish it worked for me. If you'd like to try the options file, contact myself or Ryan and we can pass it on. Thanks to all who replied, Carl ____________________________________ Carl Schaefer [EMAIL PROTECTED] Northern Associates, Inc. Fairbanks, Alaska --------------------------------------------------------------------- List hosting provided by Directions Magazine | www.directionsmag.com | To unsubscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] For additional commands, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Message number: 4151
