Creating maps

[Benedict Davies]

I'm using Vectorworks 2008 on a Mac and am looking to create a number of maps of European countries.

Would it be best to use a pen tablet to copy pre-existing versions of the maps into VWX, which can then be modified and annotated? If so, can anyone recommend a reasonably priced (c. ?200) and compatible tablet?

Cheers,

Ben

[Jonathan Pickup]

if it was me, i would look on the Internet for some shape files of european countries, to get the outlines.

[Benedict Davies]

Thanks Jonathan,

Forgive my ignorance, but what type of shape file do I need to download for it to be usable within VWX. Once loaded, will it be possible to modify the lines of the map itself as well as add annotations?

Cheers,

Ben

[Jonathan Pickup]

http://www.vdstech.com/map_data.htm

then File > import >Import shape file...

[Eric Gilbey, PLA]

The topic of GIS integration is very exciting within Vectorworks. I have just created a video that will be used soon on our website to further demonstrate this, but essentially if you can find a local/regional source for GIS files, you can import the shapefiles and they will maintain the data associated with them when created by the original GIS program. You can modify the lines as if you had drawn them, much like importing DXF/DWG files and give them fills and opacity changes and linetype changes, etc. You can even convert them to 3D objects and take the process to the 3rd dimension, if that is what you would like to do. Once the video is up, I will post again and let you know where to find it.

[Benedict Davies]

Thanks for the link Jonathan.

Eric - I would certainly be interested to see your video once it's up and running.

Ben