[LINK] Fab online maps of Victoria

[Robin Whittle]

To contrast with the gripes about websites, here is an example of one
which I think is really well done - except the URLs, which are too long
to reproduce here . . .

  http://www.dse.vic.gov.au	
  DSE Home > Forests > Information & Research > Maps & Facts

The right link for "Forest Explorer Online - Interactive Maps" leads to:

  http://nremap-sc.nre.vic.gov.au/MapShare.v2/imf.jsp?site=sfrimap


This software was developed by Spatial Vision in Melbourne:

  http://www.spatialvision.com.au/html/about_spatial_vision.htm

based on:

  http://www.esri.com/software/arcgis/arcims/index.html
  http://www.moximedia.com/imf.html

Its web interface seems to be simply HTML and Javascript.  It works fine
on Mozilla.

By clicking on part of the map, a new map will be generated centred on
that point, in greater detail over a smaller area.  (This depends on the
current state of Zoom In/Out.) There is an option for contours under the
"Base Layers" thingo on the right.  Click "Layers" in the toolbar to
restore this if it disappears due to some other function makes it go
away.  The size of this area can be diminished by dragging the border,
which enables the map to be larger.

There is a hand tool for dragging the map around to create a new centre
for the next map.  Some areas have satellite images, under the "Land
Information" options.

The Toolbox enables drawing on the map.  Distances can be measured.
Areas of arbitrary polygons can be measured.  The current state of the
map can be saved as a file to the user's computer, and uploaded to the
server at a later date to restore everything.  Saved "shapefiles" can be
uploaded to the server and integrated with the current map.

Best of all, the system can generate A4 and A3 colour PDFs to 216DPI!

While the map database doesn't contain every single track, the ability
to generate customised contour maps on a Sunday morning before going
walking on a Sunday afternoon is really great!

I just discovered that this map system works fine for Melbourne suburbs
- and includes contours!  I can't figure out how to find the elevation
of each contour.  However, there are other ways of estimating elevation.

This site creates maps showing property boundaries, via Melways
reference and street address:

   http://services.land.vic.gov.au/maps/interactive.jsp

There used to be a way of creating a PDF, but I can't find it now, so I
use (Windows) Cntrl-Print-Screen to capture the screen image.

This site:

  http://services.land.vic.gov.au/landchannel/content/surveymarkintroduction

can find nearby survey marks, based on a street address.  Only a subset
of survey marks have elevation, but a few of those in the area should
enable the elevation of the contours to be established.

Some other online maps, including one of marine areas with satellite
images of land, can be found from the http://www.dse.vic.gov.au main
page under Online Services: Interactive Maps.

BTW, some guides for walks in forests can be found at:

  http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/1process.cfm?subj=0&publication=5
  http://www.dse.vic.gov.au  DSE Home > Forests > Regional Information


 - Robin     http://www.firstpr.com.au