Assembling Map Elements

| ACG Home | Instructor Home | Class Home | list of tutorials |

To create the map of where we live/work/study/play, we will use a vector graphics program. These programs differ from raster graphics programs (such as Photoshop, which we used for the scanned portrait) because:

The main benefit of using a vector program for our map is that viewers will be able to zoom in smoothly from a planetary view to a street level view. For a diagrammatic picture like a map, vector files are also generally smaller in size.

Of the three widely used vector programs (Illustrator, FreeHand, Corel Draw), we will use Macromedia FreeHand because its files can be compressed and embedded in web pages through the Shockwave technology.

In this initial step we will assemble a base map from existing vector clip art. Our main concern will be proper organization of the document and use of the selection and transformation tools. In a second step we will use some of the drawing tools to create our own elements to add to the map.


Combine Elements in a Layered Document

  1. Launch the FreeHand application (it's in the Drawing folder on each station's hard drive.
  2. Find the world map or globe picture you like best and open it.
  3. Use the File-->Save As command to rename the picture you chose as your own map document.
  4. A new FreeHand document will automatically contain three layers, named 'Foreground', 'Guides', and 'Background'. Rename the Foreground layer to indicate that it contains a picture of the entire world.
  5. Lock the layers that you are not going to use at the moment. Locking is one of the main advantages of using layers, since it prevents accidental damage to existing parts of the picture.
  6. Now proceed to bring in the additional pictures for more detailed maps. Each one will be on a separate layer, renamed as indicated below:

Modify the Pictures so they Match in Shape and Size

  1. Your goal is to superimpose the maps so that as viewers zoom in they see an increasingly detailed picture of your part of the world.
  2. Before working on a layer, unlock it by opening its padlock icon. Remember to lock the layer again when done with it.
  3. Use the Arrow tool to:
  4. Drag with the Rotate tool (3rd from the bottom on the left side of the toolbox) to re-orient the selection.
  5. Use the Knife tool (4th from the bottom on the left side of the toolbox) to cut off portions of the selection.


Additional Info:


Copyright by Sandro Corsi.Last modified 16 APR 97.