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What’s New? Geographic Imager 6.1

Geographic Imager 6.1 is available now and in addition to full compatibility with Adobe Photoshop 2020, here are the other exciting new features to make working with spatial imagery in Photoshop even easier:

Vector Import from databases

Geographic Imager allows you to import a number of GIS vector formats directly on to your images in Photoshop. Whether performing a check to ensure accurate georeferencing, QA/QC or simply including supplemental data, this functionality allows you to improve the efficiency of your workflow. For a while, it was only possible to import vector data from your own files however we have added the capability to import from databases including PostGIS Spatial Database, and ESRI File and Personal Databases (.gdb and .mdb). Note that importing vector data from databases is only available in the full version of Geographic Imager.

Improved Mosaic Layer organization

When mosaicking documents in Photoshop with Geographic Imager’s Mosaic tools, you previously had the option to either group the layers from each document into folders or merge all layers into one single layer. In this new release, we’ve added a new option to merge source document layers which will flatten each source document into a single layer, but also keep each document separated in the destination, without the use of folders. This helps to keep the individual images separate while minimizing the number of layers and folders you need to deal with.

Improved mosaic layer

Geographic Imager 6.1 Improved mosaic layer

What’s New? MAPublisher 10.5

MAPublisher 10.5 was released today and it has lots of new and improved features to make it even easier to make beautiful maps in Adobe Illustrator. If you’re new to MAPublisher, you can get a rundown of the full feature set here, and even try it free for 14 days. If you already use MAPublisher, we would love for you to tell us, on our Facebook page about your favourite feature or even share a map you’ve made!

Adobe 2020 Compatibility

This version of MAPublisher is fully compatible with Adobe Illustrator 2020 so go ahead and upgrade! Are you excited? We are too, but mostly about the other new stuff that is also included in this version of MAPublisher.

Interval Markers

Want to add mileage markers or mark intervals along roads, trails or other paths? Do it automatically using this new feature! Options for interval markers are found in the Path Utilities tool.

  • Define the distance of the interval and the units
  • Select and style the shape of the interval marker
  • Choose the font type, size, and spacing within the marker shape
  • Choose where to start and how to increment the markers

 

Map without interval markers - MAPublisher

Interval Marker Dialog Box

Map with interval markers - MAPublisher

Favourite Fonts

Tired of scrolling through hundreds of irrelevant fonts to find the ones you like? Now you can select your favourite fonts to appear at the top of the font selection list in Illustrator, saving you time and the reactivation of your repetitive stress injury. Recently used fonts will also appear at the top of the list.

NOTE: Screenshot is for illustrative purposes only. We do not advocate for the use of the Comic Sans font by anyone, at any time, for any reason. Ever.)

Customizable MAPublisher Toolbar

MAPublisher has a lot of tools. That’s a good thing, right? But let’s say you’re in a minimalist mood, or just want to simplify your life by tidying up the clutter. Customize the MAPublisher toolbar by selecting which tool categories to display on the toolbar, and hiding the ones you don’t use often. Ahh, now that’s better.

Customize the MAPublisher toolbar

Display Coordinate System Information on Scale Bar

Often, maps include the name of the coordinate systems in which the map is displayed, for reference purposes. It’s easy enough to create a text box and add this information manually, but we’re all about avoiding manual work.

Click the Display coordinate system checkbox in the Scale Bar to include the MAP View coordinate system as part of the scale bar.

  • Customize the label so that it reads the way you want it to
  • Decide on the positioning of the text above, below or beside the scale bar
  • Choose to center or align the label as you see fit

Add coordinate systems automatically

Other Useful Enhancements

MAP Attributes

You can now copy ‘read-only’ attribute values from MAP Attributes. Presumably, if you need or want to use this capability, the description of it probably makes sense to you.   

Copy MAP Objects

In the past, you could not automatically link copied objects to layers in the destination document if it contained layers with the same name as the layer in which the copied object originated. Still with us? 

Now you can automatically link objects (MAP Themes and Selections) to layers even if the destination document contains layers with the same name as the source document layer which is tied to the copied object. Now, grab a cup of peppermint tea and look at that neat and tidy toolbar for a few minutes to refocus. 

MAP Symbols 

New Oil & Gas symbols have been added to the MAP Symbols Library, as requested by users in this industry. 

MAPublisher makes it easy to make maps in Adobe Illustrator without the manual work, and with the flexibility to style and design maps while retaining the geospatial integrity of the map data. It’s the bridge between the art and science of cartography.

GIS Vector Formats in Adobe Photoshop. They Are Finally Here!

It’s an exciting day for anyone who works with geospatial imagery, especially if your workflow involves editing images in Adobe Photoshop. We released a brand new version of Geographic Imager® – the plug-in for Photoshop that provides tools to make tasks like reprojecting, georeferencing, and terrain shading possible.

In addition to the new features like vector data import and Equal Earth projection support, we also improved many of the existing features that were already there (after all, Geographic Imager has improved the lives of cartographers for many years) and updated the interface so that it looks and feels just like the rest of the Adobe environment. Geographic Imager 6.0 is fully compatible with Adobe Photoshop 2019, and you can find the rest of the system requirements and compatibility requirements here.

Here’s a rundown of the new features you’ll find in Geographic Imager 6.0:

Vector Data Import

This long-awaited feature allows you to import a number of GIS vector formats directly on to your images. Whether performing a check to ensure accurate georeferencing, QA/QC or simply including supplemental data, these tools will improve the efficiency of your workflows. E.g. you can import your polygons from a shape file and convert them to pixel selections in one simple step!

Points and Text Import

Now you can provide geographic context to your images by importing geospatial text data and converting it to cartographic labels, or simply importing points of interest and overlaying them on top of your image in a few clicks. Datasets consisting of point or text features can be imported as Text Layers or by using the Count or Note tools in Photoshop. When using the Text tool, an attribute may be selected to generate the text and the imported text features are grouped together by layer.

 

Geographic Imager - Import Point and Text Data

When importing with the Note tool, you can control which attributes to include (or exclude) in the note itself. The name of the layer and the feature it belongs to are automatically added to the note.

When importing with the Note tool, you can control which attributes to include (or exclude) in the note itself. The name of the layer and the feature it belongs to are automatically added to the note.

When importing using the Count tool, no attributes are imported; however, the points are grouped together by layer for easy identification and management.

Similar to the import feature in MAPublisher (for Adobe Illustrator), the spatial and layer filters ensure that you only import what you need.

Geographic Imager Point and Text Spatial Filter

Line and Area Import

Polyline and polygon data can be imported as a single Photoshop path or each feature can be placed on its own path. The ‘Same path’ method is more beneficial when accessing individual features while the ‘Separate path’ method allows for more control over each feature. Here too, you can filter the data on import using spatial and layer filters, and you can choose attributes to use as path names.

Geographic Imager Lines and Areas Import

Geographic Imager Filtering Options

Geographic Imager Expression Builder

Set your preference before importing for how to handle lines and areas that extend beyond the extents of the canvas; either import only data that intersects the canvas, crop to the canvas, or import everything and allow the data to extend outside of the map area.

Geographic Imager Lines and Area Import

Venctor Area and Lines Import Geographic Imager

 

Support for the Equal Earth Projection

The Equal Earth projection is gaining popularity as it is intended to provide a visually pleasing alternative to the Gall-Peters projection, which shows landmasses at their true size relative to each other but drastically distorts their shape. With Geographic Imager 6.0 you can reproject virtually any map using Equal Earth (or hundreds of other supported coordinate systems). All of the geospatial information will be recalculated and preserved in the new projection. It’s that easy!

Equal Earth map

Look and Feel

We’ve updated the Geographic Imager tools and dialog boxes to more closely match the look of the Photoshop interface. When you change the appearance settings in Photoshop, the appearance of the Geographic Imager toolbars and dialog boxes will change to match. Nice, right?

Simplified Chinese Interface

Working with tools in multiple languages can be confusing. So, when the installed version of Photoshop is configured to use the Simplified Chinese language option, you will be prompted to install Geographic Imager in the Chinese language to maintain the continuity of the Geographic Imager experience. For now, Geographic Imager in Simplified Chinese is available for Windows only.

Try Geographic Imager 6.0 today and see how easy it can be – when you have the right tools – to work with spatial imagery in Photoshop!

New Release – Avenza Maps 3.7

Avenza Maps version 3.7 is now available for users on iOS and Android devices! We have added features for both our recreational and Pro subscription users and made some improvements based on user feedback. The newest version of Avenza Maps includes features that will facilitate location monitoring, improve the precision of your data collection and enhance your Avenza Maps experience!

Geofences

New in Avenza Maps 3.7, is Geofencing. These are virtual perimeters or boundaries that are set up around a geographic location. When you approach or leave one of the boundaries, the app triggers a notification on your device. You have the option to create geofences around features in any map including placemarks, tracks, lines, areas, layers, and even the map itself.

Avenza Maps Geofence Options

Geofences act as a location monitoring tool in order to keep track of your location without needing your phone in your hand at all times! With global geofence notification capability (a Pro feature), you can ensure that you never miss an alert because regardless of the map you have open, your global geofence will always be active.

Avenza Maps Geofences

Avenza Maps Geofence Notification

Plot GPS Average

Pro users can increase the integrity and precision of location data by using the new Plot GPS Average tool to plot placemarks. The tool works by sampling your location over a period of time then deriving the average of the location samples and plotting a placemark on the map.

Avenza Maps Pro - GPS Averaging

Avenza Maps Pro - GPS Averaging

Map Versions

Avenza Map Store Publishers can now release updates directly to their existing products! Now when an update to one of your previously downloaded maps is released by the publisher, you will be notified in the app and prompted to install the newest version. The notification will appear as a button under the current map that says Update Available. We recommend updating your maps but if you would prefer not to, you can decline the upgrade and the update option disappears.

Avenza Map Store - Map Versions

Avenza Map Store - Map Versions

Any map data linked to the previous version will transfer to the new version of the map. So, if for example, you have a trail map that you use to collect your tracks or plot placemarks, you won’t lose a thing!

There are some big changes and improvements in this version of the app and we’re very excited about it. Our goal is always to ensure that Avenza Maps users can navigate safely and efficiently and collect data even more precisely in the app!

Learn more about all of the new Avenza Maps features in the ‘On the Map’ blog on avenzamaps.com

 

MAPublisher 10.4 is available now!

We released an update today, to MAPublisher, our well-known cartography plug-in for Adobe Illustrator. This version features support for the Equal Earth projection, has a new look and feel that more closely matches Adobe Illustrator’s interface and includes new options for importing geospatial data into Illustrator.

Equal Earth Projection

Our partners, Blue Marble Geographics, have added the Equal Earth Projection to their GeoCalc library, the system that we use for data reprojection and coordinate transformations. This projection is now available in MAPublisher 10.4.
The Equal Earth projection was created by veteran cartographers Bojan Šavrič, Bernhard Jenny, and Tom Patterson. It was published in 2018, in the International Journal of Geographical Information Science. Equal Earth is inspired by the widely used Robinson projection and is intended to provide a visually pleasing alternative to the Gall-Peters projection which shows continents and countries at their true size relative to each other but drastically distorts their shapes.

An Equal Earth World Map

Equal Earth Map Projection

By Strebe – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=72769307

A Gall-Peters World Map

Gall-Peters Map Projection

By Strebe – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=16115242

Comparing Equal Earth and Robinson projections

 

Want an Equal Earth map to experiment with? You can download MAPublisher-enabled Adobe Illustrator files at equal-earth.com

Crop to Artboard

In MAPublisher 10.4, when a matching MAP View is found while using the Import or Copy MAP Objects From tools, you can now choose to crop the added data to an artboard’s extents. This same functionality is available when specifying the destination MAP View in Multiple Data Import. Furthermore, if you don’t want to add data to the existing MAP View, you now have the option to specify which artboard the incoming data will be added to.

Simple Import - crop to artboard - MAPublisher

Multi Data Import MAPublisher

New Look

We’ve changed the look of the MAPublisher tools and dialogs to match the colours, fonts, and styles of the Adobe Illustrator interface. So as you use the MAPublisher tools, it feels more like you are still using Illustrator – which of course, you are! The MAPublisher tool and dialog styles will also change to match any changes in the Illustrator interface preferences. Note that the interface changes only apply to Adobe Creative Cloud versions of Illustrator, not CS6.

MAPublisher New Look

MAPublisher 10.4 Release Notes

  • Support for Equal Earth projection
  • New options available to auto-crop data when importing or copying MAP objects
  • Enhanced user interface matching Adobe Illustrator interface preferences
  • Various user interface and usability enhancements

MAPublisher 10.3 Released

We’re excited to announce the release of MAPublisher 10.3 for Adobe Illustrator. We’ve listened to your feedback and worked closely with our users to build features to improve map design and productivity. Stay tuned for more blog posts and other resources that go deeper into some of the new features. For now, here’s an overview:

MAPublisher 10.3

This update contains new features and performance improvements as well as fixes for reported issues. Some highlights are summarized below, for the full release notes see below.

Compatible with Adobe Illustrator CC 2019. We’re committed to providing the best GIS and cartography tools for building great quality maps in Adobe Illustrator. Improvements to our user interface to support high-resolution monitors, and this release is fully compatible with the latest Adobe Illustrator CC 2019 on both Windows (32-bit and 64-bit) and Mac.

Create Elevation Profile charts. An often-requested feature from our users, elevation data for points along a selected path can now be collected and displayed as an elevation profile in a highly customizable chart. The data is downloaded in real-time from a server (internet connection is required), which can then be customized to your liking using the available settings. Frequently used settings can even be saved for future use.

View data distribution when batch generating rules in MAP Themes and MAP LabelPro. When selecting a data classification in MAP Themes or MAP LabelPro, you now have the ability to see how it affects the data distribution in an interactive histogram and chart. Histograms are a great way to visualize continuous data in intervals and useful for large sets of data points.

Improved attribute capabilities in ‘Join’ tools. We have added many attribute management improvements to MAPublisher Join tools (Join Areas, Join Points, and Join Lines). You can now better manage how attributes are handled during a Join process, including the ability to calculate new attributes. We also added additional operations to help you better sort and calculate statistics from attributes.

MAPublisher 10.3 Release Notes

  • Compatible with Adobe Illustrator CC 2019
  • Create Elevation Profile charts
  • View data distribution when batch generating rules in MAP Themes and MAP LabelPro
  • Improved attribute capabilities in ‘Join’ tools
  • User interface and usability enhancements

 

Avenza Releases MAPublisher 10.2 For Adobe Illustrator

Improved layer, attribute, and feature filtering and simplification capabilities

Toronto, ON, July 10, 2018 – Avenza Systems Inc., producers of the Avenza Maps® app for mobile devices and geospatial plug-ins for Adobe Creative Cloud, including Geographic Imager® for Adobe Photoshop®, is pleased to announce the release of MAPublisher® 10.2 for Adobe Illustrator.

This MAPublisher release improves on streamlining data import, specifically the ability to target specific layers, attributes, and features using filtering options and tools. In addition, requested features such as new format support and GeoJSON export are also included in this release.

“Over the past several quarters, we have reached out to numerous cartographers and GIS professionals to gain insight on map production workflows and best practices,” said Ted Florence, President of Avenza. “We’re learning a lot and excited to continuously work with the mapping community to support their efforts and projects to map this world using the MAPublisher tools they love.”

Enhancements and new features of MAPublisher 10.2

  • Filter layers and attributes with expressions on import
  • Simplify complex art on import
  • Import support for WFS 2.0 and AutoCAD 2018
  • Export support for GeoJSON and AutoCAD 2018
  • User interface and usability enhancements

 

More about MAPublisher for Adobe Illustrator

MAPublisher for Adobe Illustrator is powerful map production software for creating high-quality maps from GIS data. MAPublisher cartographic tools leverage the superior graphic design environment of Adobe Illustrator to manipulate features and produce print-ready, mobile, and online maps with accuracy and efficiency.

MAPublisher 10.2 is available free of charge to all MAPublisher users with currently active maintenance subscription and as an upgrade for non-maintenance users starting at US$599. New commercial licenses are available from US$1399. MAPublisher FME Auto and MAPublisher LabelPro are also available as add-ons starting at US$399 per license. Floating, volume and academic pricing are also available. Prices include one year of full maintenance. Visit www.avenza.com/mapublisher for more details.

More about Avenza Systems Inc.

Avenza Systems Inc. is an award-winning, privately held corporation that provides cartographers and GIS professionals with powerful software tools to make better maps. In addition to desktop software offerings for Mac and Windows users, Avenza offers product training, as well as the Avenza Maps app for selling, purchasing, distributing and using maps on iOS and Android mobile device in an iTune-like environment. Visit www.avenza.com for more details.

For further information contact Avenza Systems | 416-487-5116 | info@avenza.com | www.avenza.com

Avenza Releases MAPublisher 10.1 For Adobe Illustrator

Automatic MAP Theme legend updates and more new exciting features

Toronto, ON, March 5, 2018 – Avenza Systems Inc., producers of the Avenza Maps® app for mobile devices and geospatial plug-ins for Adobe Creative Cloud, including Geographic Imager® for Adobe Photoshop®, is pleased to announce the release of MAPublisher® 10.1 for Adobe Illustrator.

This MAPublisher release improves on MAP Themes by adding the ability to automatically update existing legends when a theme is modified. In addition, requested features such as a new page indexing feature and GPX export are now supported. “Listening to our users drives how we improve MAPublisher and these time-saving features will help them become more efficient,” said Ted Florence, President of Avenza. “We’re continuously focusing on understanding how our users map the world and it’s an exciting time to be a part of the process.”

Enhancements and new features of MAPublisher 10.1

  • MAP Theme Legends automatically update existing legends when modified
  • A new Text Utility tool to create lines from text on a path
  • A new Make Index feature to include page numbers when creating indexes
  • Export to GPS Exchange format (GPX) now supported
  • A new MAP Theme setting to scale charts by radius
  • A number of additional user interface and usability enhancements.

 

More about MAPublisher for Adobe Illustrator

MAPublisher for Adobe Illustrator is powerful map production software for creating high-quality maps from GIS data. MAPublisher cartographic tools leverage the superior graphic design environment of Adobe Illustrator to manipulate features and produce print-ready, mobile, and online maps with accuracy and efficiency.

MAPublisher 10.1 is available free of charge to all MAPublisher users with currently active maintenance subscription and as an upgrade for non-maintenance users starting at US$599. New commercial licenses are available from US$1399. MAPublisher FME Auto and MAPublisher LabelPro are also available as add-ons starting at US$399 per license. Floating, volume and academic pricing are also available. Prices include one year of full maintenance. Visit www.avenza.com/mapublisher for more details.

More about Avenza Systems Inc.

Avenza Systems Inc. is an award-winning, privately held corporation that provides cartographers and GIS professionals with powerful software tools to make better maps. In addition to desktop software offerings for Mac and Windows users, Avenza offers product training, as well as the Avenza Maps app for selling, purchasing, distributing and using maps on iOS and Android mobile device in an iTune-like environment. Visit www.avenza.com for more details.

For further information contact:
Avenza Systems | 416-487-5116 | info@avenza.com | www.avenza.com

Avenza Map Store Now Offers More Than 36,000 Maps by LAND INFO Worldwide Mapping

More than 10,000 maps for public consumers and 26,000 maps for intelligence community

Toronto, ON, January 10, 2018Avenza Systems Inc., producers of MAPublisher® cartographic software for Adobe® Illustrator® and Geographic Imager® geospatial tools for Adobe Photoshop®, announces the official release of more than 36,000 maps by LAND INFO Worldwide Mapping, LLC on the Avenza Map Store, exclusively for use in Avenza Maps®, its market-leading, award-winning mobile mapping app.

Avenza Systems and LAND INFO, a leading provider of global digital topographic map data, satellite imagery and value-added remote sensing solutions including advanced Object Based Image Analysis, have partnered to bring more than 10,000 maps to public consumers and 26,000 additional maps exclusively to Avenza Maps for GEOINT users. The GEOINT App Store, developed by the United States National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), makes the Avenza Maps app available to Department of Defense (DoD) and Intelligence Community (IC) personnel.

Avenza Systems President, Ted Florence, comments, “With this release of LAND INFO maps for our users, Avenza confirms its position as a global leader in supporting those who use offline maps for everything from outdoor recreation to tactical military operations.” Nick Hubing, President of LAND INFO, adds, “Our map datasets have traditionally only been available to professional GIS users. As the industry-leading app, Avenza Maps was by far the best path to make our content available to both consumers and professional users needing fast and easy access to mapping in mobile devices.”

Public consumers have access to maps from more than 25 countries, some with 50k, 100k, 200k, and 250k map scales. GEOINT users will have access to maps from more than 100 countries, some with map scales as detailed as 10k and 25k, including several city level maps.

LAND INFO maps are each priced at $3.99 USD and are now available on the Avenza Map Store. GEOINT users have unlimited access to the Avenza Maps Store and downloads without any cost to the user. Additional bundled map sets will be available shortly. The partnership with LAND INFO adds another high-level procurement resource to Avenza Maps. Inquire about additional available data for areas of interest not yet covered.

More about Avenza Maps and Avenza Systems Inc.

The Avenza Maps app is an all-inclusive mapping platform for mobile devices. Users can import and use maps offline in addition to getting maps from the Avenza Map Store. Map publishers can become Avenza Map Store vendors and make their maps available for purchase. Businesses and organizations can upgrade to an Avenza Maps Pro subscription which allows for commercial use, includes enhanced tools and features, and enhanced support. For more information, visit www.avenzamaps.com.

Avenza Systems Inc. is an award-winning, privately held corporation that provides cartographers and GIS professionals with powerful software tools to make better maps. In addition to software offerings for Mac and Windows desktop users and iOS and Android mobile users, Avenza offers value-added data sets, product training and consulting services. Visit www.avenza.com for more details.

For further information, contact:
416-487-5116
info@avenza.com
www.avenza.com

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Avenza Releases Geographic Imager 5.3 for Adobe Photoshop

Includes Adobe Photoshop CC 2018 support

Toronto, ON, January 4, 2018 – Avenza Systems Inc., producers of the Avenza Maps® app for mobile devices and geospatial plug-ins for Adobe Creative Cloud, including MAPublisher® for Adobe Illustrator®, is pleased to announce the release of Geographic Imager® 5.3 for Adobe Photoshop®. This latest update includes many new features including full compatibility with the latest Adobe Photoshop Creative Cloud 2018 release.

Geographic Imager 5.3 also introduces Adobe Photoshop resampling methods in several Geographic Imager tools that include a resampling option for improved image results. Input and display precision controls can now be easily customized to reveal much higher precision values.

“Geographic Imager and MAPublisher are now both fully compatible with Adobe CC 2018,” said Ted Florence, President of Avenza. “We love the feedback from our users about the ability to work with both products in an ideal map production environment,” he added.

Enhancements and new features of Geographic Imager 5.3

  • Fully compatible with Adobe Photoshop CC 2018 on both Windows and Mac
  • Fully compatible with macOS 10.13
  • Adobe Photoshop resampling methods now available for tools that include a resampling option
  • Input and display precision controls are now separately controlled in Preferences
  • Advanced export options for specifying BigTIFF or DEM TIFF block size

 

More about Geographic Imager for Adobe Photoshop

Geographic Imager for Adobe Photoshop leverages the superior image editing capabilities of the world’s premier raster-based image editing software and transforms it into a powerful geospatial production tool. Work with satellite imagery, aerial photos, and DEMs in GeoTIFF and other popular GIS image formats using Adobe Photoshop features such as transparencies, filters, and image adjustments while maintaining georeferencing and support for hundreds of coordinate systems and projections.

Geographic Imager 5.3 is immediately available and free of charge to all current Geographic Imager Maintenance Program members and starting at US$319 for non-maintenance upgrades. New fixed licenses start at US$699. Geographic Imager Basic licenses start at US$99. Academic, floating and volume license pricing is also available. Visit www.avenza.com/geographic-imager for more details.

More about Avenza Systems Inc.

Avenza Systems Inc. is an award-winning, privately held corporation that provides cartographers and GIS professionals with powerful software tools to make better maps. In addition to desktop software offerings for Mac and Windows users, Avenza offers product training, as well as the Avenza Maps app for selling, purchasing, distributing and using maps on iOS and Android mobile devices. Visit www.avenza.com for more details.

For further information contact:
416-487-5116
info@avenza.com
www.avenza.com

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