Map Options
TopoDepot, SkyTopo, and TopoDepotOnDVD allow you to customize the map that you receive.
You can select many options, including the file format, contour interval, coordinate
system, datum, units and others.
Tile quadrangles together into a single map (recommended for contiguous quads only)
Select this option to tile several quads together into a single seamless map. Select
this option if all of your selected quads are contiguous with each other. Otherwise,
your final map will have undesirable gaps in it. However, all of your selected quads
will be in the correct position for the coordinate system you choose.
Draw Border with Lat-Long Tic marks
Select this option to draw a border around the map. If you have chosen tiling, the
border will be drawn around the maximum extent of the tiled map. Tic marks are added
and labeled every 2.5 minutes around the border.
Add Accuracy and Source Annotation to Bottom of Map
Select this option to add notations about the origin and accuracy of the data to
the bottom of the map.
Label Road Names
The program will add road names to every road that has this information. This
option does not do anything for ArcView SHP files, since ArcView will automatically
label the roads for you.
Map Title
If you elect to tile your quads, you can give your map a title. If you do not give
your map a title, the title of the map will default to the name of the first quad.
If you do not tile your quads, they will be delivered to you as individual files,
and the title on each will be the name of the quad.
Contour Interval
Select the vertical distance between adjacent contour lines. This is typically 5,
10, 20, or 40 feet. We recommend that you use the same contour interval as the printed
7.5 minute USGS topographic maps. TopoDepot generates Index contours every fifth
contour. These index contours are placed on a separate layer than the rest of the
contours. The index contours are also labeled with the elevation.
24K XYZ Delimiter
The XYZ Ascii files are simple text files containing a long list of X, Y and Z values.
These can often be imported into surface analysis programs. The delimiter is the
character that is placed between the three values. We also support Eagle Point,
NEZ, AutoDesk Uploadable (AUF) and Y, X, Z formats.
Output File Format
Choose the output format you need from the list
 |
AutoCad DWG - For AutoCAD and other programs
that read AutoCAD binary files. You have your choice of R14, R2000/2002, R2004/5/6,
R2007 |
|
|
AutoCAD DXF - This ASCII CAD interchange
format can be used in many CAD, drawing, and GIS programs. Choice of R2000/2002
and R2004/5/6, R2007 |
|
|
Microstation DGN - For use within Microstation.
Both 2D and 3D files may be generated. |
|
|
ArcView SHP - This binary format for ESRI's
ArcView®
|
Projection
Select the projection most suitable for your application. Note that Latitude-Longitude
will produce a square map and distances will be in decimal degrees. This is not
suitable for most applications. Instead, choose the appropriate State Plane system
or UTM system. For background information on projections, see an article written
by the
USGS on
this subject. Use our
State Plane Map to figure
out what State Plane system to use.
Datum
Select the datum most suitable for your application. GPS readings are usually in
NAD83, while most older maps and quad sheets use NAD27. The difference between
the two datums ranges from 0 to 100 feet or so across the US.
Units
Select either feet or meters for horizontal and vertical units. Currently, vertical
and horizontal units must be the same, either feet or meters.
Double
Lined Roads
For a better looking map, you may wish to "Double Line" the roads. This process
replaces the road centerline with two lines offset a certain distance from the centerline.
Intersections are cleaned up for better results.
Double Line Offset
The offset from the centerline for each side of the road. For example, if you choose
30 feet offset, then the road width will be 60 feet. At this time, only a single
offset may be chosen, all road types will have the same offset.
