[OSGeo-Discuss] Open Source Geospatial Atlas

[Simon Cropper]

On 31/07/12 00:53, John Callahan wrote:
> I concur with David here.  We publish numerous maps and always use
> Illustrator (or other design tools) in the workflow process.  We are an
> Arc shop for the map publication work (although I have been able to get
> QGIS involved in a few places) and have submitted maps to the ESRI Map
> Books.  We just wouldn't publish a map without fine-tuning it in some
> other design software, regardless of the GIS used.
>
> I guess it depends on whether you are showcasing a list of technical
> features fosGIS software can do, or a cartographically based map
> product.  As long as the software used is clearly listed, I don't think
> it's realistic to restrict to only the GIS software when producing an atlas.
>
> - John
>
>
>
>
>
> On Mon, Jul 30, 2012 at 10:28 AM, David William Bitner
> <bitner at gyttja.org <mailto:bitner at gyttja.org>> wrote:
>
>
>
>         I think it important however that people *do not* use Inkscape,
>         unless of course it is being put up as an fosGIS package. Using
>         Inkscape has come about due to the inherent deficiencies in map
>         production in various packages.
>
>         Any maps produced for such a book need to be produced solely
>         using the package they are meant to be showcasing. Otherwise the
>         resulting map is not representative of what can be produced
>         using a particular GIS package but rather the artistic skill of
>         the cartographer!
>
>     Simon,
>
>     I strongly disagree here. One of the best things about Open Source
>     tools is that they often follow the Unix Philosophy of being able to
>     have very task specific tools. Cartography is most certainly a very
>     different task than data analysis and I think that tools like
>     InkScape are a very important part of the "toolbox". While I do
>     agree that we need to do a better job integrating better
>     cartographic tools into individual pieces of fosGIS packages, it is
>     equally important to me that we create the linkages to make it
>     easier to use complementary tools like InkScape as well.
>
>     David
>
>     _______________________________________________
>     Discuss mailing list
>     Discuss at lists.osgeo.org <mailto:Discuss at lists.osgeo.org>
>     http://lists.osgeo.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Discuss mailing list
> Discuss at lists.osgeo.org
> http://lists.osgeo.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss
>

Hi Guys,

I agree totally with everything that has been said. I don't have a 
problem with using multiple applications to conduct my GIS work. I do 
all the time.

I suppose the issue is what the purpose of the Atlas will be. To promote 
fosGIS or promote Open Source. I was under the impression it was the 
former and so I suggested not using Inkscape. I presumed, the Atlas 
would illustrate what most mere mortals could do with fosGIS rather than 
show what some creative genius can achieve.

If however the task is to create beautiful maps using whatever open 
source package comes to hand then by all means incorporate Inkscape 
manipulated images -- it seems to be the preferred tool for manipulating 
maps generated by a whole raft of fosGIS packages.

-- 
Cheers Simon

    Simon Cropper - Open Content Creator

    Free and Open Source Software Workflow Guides
    ------------------------------------------------------------
    Introduction               http://www.fossworkflowguides.com
    GIS Packages           http://www.fossworkflowguides.com/gis
    bash / Python    http://www.fossworkflowguides.com/scripting