For a while last Christmas I spent a while searching the internet for free software that could provide a platform for the production of Orienteering maps. The search proved fruitful when I discovered Inkscape.
Inkscape is a FREE, cross-platform Open Source vector graphics editor distributed under a free software licence designed to provide capabilities similar to Adobe Illustrator. Inkscape is under active development, with new features being added regularly by a thriving user and developer community using open, community-oriented development. More information on Inkscape can be found at http://www.inkscape.org/.
The current stable version of Inkscape can be downloaded from SourceForge.net at: http://sourceforge.net/projects/inkscape/.
The official Inkscape manual is available on line at: http://tavmjong.free.fr/INKSCAPE/MANUAL/html/.
Inkscape has been designed to accept extensions written in a number of programming languages and includes interpreters for Ruby, Perl and the most commonly used language for writing Inkscape extensions, Python. I have now written a set of Python extensions, the O-scape extensions that, together with the innate capabilities of Inkscape, enable the full symbol set of ISOM:2000, ISSOM:2007 and the new (but slightly schizophrenic) ISMTBOM:2010 to be created. The O-scape extensions are now available on SourceForge.net at: https://sourceforge.net/projects/o-scape/files/.
Being FREE, Inkscape and the O-scape extensions will hopefully enable individuals and small clubs to create maps where they were previously unable to afford the software required. Also, this could provide the mapping tool to enable orienteering to spread into more areas and countries.
This is the first release of the O-scape extensions and is, as such, untested in the real world. Therefore, I would appreciate feedback of any comments that you may have and that may improve the operation and performance of the extensions. There are currently a few gaps in the capability of Inkscape and the O-scape extensions to provide a native capability from mapping to course setting and final event course map creation, which include the current lack of a capability to generate pictorial control description tables. This may be included in a future revision of the O-scape extensions, when I have determined how this may be accomplished successfully, but for now a PNG file can be produced that for use with Condes or Purple Pen.
Simple instructions are currently provided to get people started using Inkscape and the O-scape extensions and one of my next set of tasks is to write a comprehensive manual.
p.s. I would like to hear about the first events to be held on maps created using Inkscape and the O-scape extensions.
FREE mapping capability
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Re: FREE mapping capability
This looks really good, I'll certainly have a play round when I get my Mac back from repair today.
What format of vector files can I import? i.e. is it Digimap friendly?
What format of vector files can I import? i.e. is it Digimap friendly?
- MTB-O-MAPS
- string
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Re: FREE mapping capability
Inkscape can open a range of Vector formats. Below are some of the formats that the program can open; I've tried to remove the obvious raster formats, but may have left one or two.
.svg (SVG)
.svgz (SVG Compressed)
.ai (Adobe Illustrator) Opens version 9.0 and later files (based on PDF)
.ai.svg (Adobe Illustrator SVG)
.cdr, .ccx, .cdt, .cmx (CoralDraw)
.cgm (Computer Graphics Metafile)
.dxf (AutoCAD)
.eps (Encapsulated PostScript)
.pbm, .pgm, .pnm, .ppm (PNM, Portable Anymap)
.pdf (Adobe Portable Document Format)
.ps (PostScript)
.xaml (Microsoft Application eXtensible Markup Language).
.svg (SVG)
.svgz (SVG Compressed)
.ai (Adobe Illustrator) Opens version 9.0 and later files (based on PDF)
.ai.svg (Adobe Illustrator SVG)
.cdr, .ccx, .cdt, .cmx (CoralDraw)
.cgm (Computer Graphics Metafile)
.dxf (AutoCAD)
.eps (Encapsulated PostScript)
.pbm, .pgm, .pnm, .ppm (PNM, Portable Anymap)
.pdf (Adobe Portable Document Format)
.ps (PostScript)
.xaml (Microsoft Application eXtensible Markup Language).
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Wayward-O - light green
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Re: FREE mapping capability
Just checked the Digimap website. From my reading, the standard formats for the data are PNG, PDF and EPS, all of which are supported.
WRT Apple Mac, I understand that the requirements are Mac OS X 10.5 or later and Apple's X11 windowing environment. I believe that there have been a few problems with Inkscape on Snow Leopard, but these may have been resolved.
WRT Apple Mac, I understand that the requirements are Mac OS X 10.5 or later and Apple's X11 windowing environment. I believe that there have been a few problems with Inkscape on Snow Leopard, but these may have been resolved.
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Wayward-O - light green
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Re: FREE mapping capability
Wayward-O wrote:I believe that there have been a few problems with Inkscape on
Snow Leopard, but these may have been resolved.
![Question :?:](./images/smilies/icon_question.gif)
![Question :?:](./images/smilies/icon_question.gif)
And lo, the rear postillion has been struck by lightning!
Old by name but young at heart
- Oldman
- diehard
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Re: FREE mapping capability
Thanks, DXF is probably what I'll be using.
It seems to be working fine for me with OS 10.5 and X11, but I've only spent a few minutes playing around drawing random lines.
How do I insert the O-scape extensions into Inkscape?
Thanks for your help!
It seems to be working fine for me with OS 10.5 and X11, but I've only spent a few minutes playing around drawing random lines.
How do I insert the O-scape extensions into Inkscape?
Thanks for your help!
- MTB-O-MAPS
- string
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Thu Apr 22, 2010 6:53 pm
Re: FREE mapping capability
Download the O-scape extensions and unpack them from the ZIP file. Copy the following files as described below (paths are for Windows; other operating systems may vary but should be reasonably similar):
O-colours.gpl Copy this colour palette file to the following location below the Inkscape installation directory: ...\Inkscape\share\palettes.
patterns.svg Replace the existing pattern file with the O-scape version by copying pattern.svg to the following location below the Inkscape installation directory: ...\Inkscape\share\patterns. You may want to make a copy of the existing patterns.svg before doing this.
All .inx and .py files These are the main extensions that generate the standard IOF Orienteering symbols. Copy these files to the following location below the Inkscape installation directory: ...\Inkscape\share\extensions.
Inkscape initially loads with a default palette across the bottom of the window. It is possible to change the palette displayed by clicking on the left-facing triangle to the right of the palette and selecting a new palette from the menu. To set the O-scape palette as the default palette, select the Orienteering_Colours palette from the menu.
Selecting an item and clicking on a palette colour will change the fill colour of the item. Clicking the palette colour using the alternate mouse button (right button for right-handed users) will bring up a small menu enabling either the fill colour or line colour to be set to the selected colour.
The fill pattern of an object can be set to any of the pre-defined patterns, which should cover all the required fill patterns (with the exception of all the proposed versions of ISMTBOM:2010 symbol 839). To set a fill pattern, select an item and open the Fill and Stroke dialog box by any available method (see Inkscape online manual). On the Fill page of the dialog, click the right-most of the four boxes with the diamond pattern. Open the fill pattern menu and select the required fill pattern.
The extensions are accessed via the Extensions menu on the top menu bar. Selecting Orienteering from this menu will bring up sub-menus containing the O-scape extensions.
There are two different types of extension; those that generate a symbol and those that modify a user-selected path.
Routines that generate symbols are those for point symbols such as course symbols, control description symbols and point-feature symbols. These extensions do not require the user to have selected a line or shape before being initiated and will place the required symbol at the centre of the current view ready to be moved and rotated as necessary.
The remainder of the extensions require the user to select a path (which can be created using the line and shape tools) that is used as a skeleton for the creation of line symbols such as fences, walls, cliffs, etc. First select the line(s) that are to be transformed and then initiate the required extension. Many of the extensions have user-selectable options to modify the way that the symbol is created, including the side for tag symbols (cliffs, fences, etc). Tagged symbols have options for stretching / shrinking the intervals between tags to the nearest integer value. The dialog boxes for these extensions include a check box at the bottom called Live preview; checking this box before making changes enables the way that the symbol is to be displayed to be previewed and altered before implementation by clicking Apply.
O-colours.gpl Copy this colour palette file to the following location below the Inkscape installation directory: ...\Inkscape\share\palettes.
patterns.svg Replace the existing pattern file with the O-scape version by copying pattern.svg to the following location below the Inkscape installation directory: ...\Inkscape\share\patterns. You may want to make a copy of the existing patterns.svg before doing this.
All .inx and .py files These are the main extensions that generate the standard IOF Orienteering symbols. Copy these files to the following location below the Inkscape installation directory: ...\Inkscape\share\extensions.
Inkscape initially loads with a default palette across the bottom of the window. It is possible to change the palette displayed by clicking on the left-facing triangle to the right of the palette and selecting a new palette from the menu. To set the O-scape palette as the default palette, select the Orienteering_Colours palette from the menu.
Selecting an item and clicking on a palette colour will change the fill colour of the item. Clicking the palette colour using the alternate mouse button (right button for right-handed users) will bring up a small menu enabling either the fill colour or line colour to be set to the selected colour.
The fill pattern of an object can be set to any of the pre-defined patterns, which should cover all the required fill patterns (with the exception of all the proposed versions of ISMTBOM:2010 symbol 839). To set a fill pattern, select an item and open the Fill and Stroke dialog box by any available method (see Inkscape online manual). On the Fill page of the dialog, click the right-most of the four boxes with the diamond pattern. Open the fill pattern menu and select the required fill pattern.
The extensions are accessed via the Extensions menu on the top menu bar. Selecting Orienteering from this menu will bring up sub-menus containing the O-scape extensions.
There are two different types of extension; those that generate a symbol and those that modify a user-selected path.
Routines that generate symbols are those for point symbols such as course symbols, control description symbols and point-feature symbols. These extensions do not require the user to have selected a line or shape before being initiated and will place the required symbol at the centre of the current view ready to be moved and rotated as necessary.
The remainder of the extensions require the user to select a path (which can be created using the line and shape tools) that is used as a skeleton for the creation of line symbols such as fences, walls, cliffs, etc. First select the line(s) that are to be transformed and then initiate the required extension. Many of the extensions have user-selectable options to modify the way that the symbol is created, including the side for tag symbols (cliffs, fences, etc). Tagged symbols have options for stretching / shrinking the intervals between tags to the nearest integer value. The dialog boxes for these extensions include a check box at the bottom called Live preview; checking this box before making changes enables the way that the symbol is to be displayed to be previewed and altered before implementation by clicking Apply.
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Wayward-O - light green
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Re: FREE mapping capability
Hi - I'm shortly to attempt to make my first O map - the Inkscape/O-Scape combination looks good, but can I insert a background image to Inkscape (like a vertical aerial photo) to use as a template and then remove after the map is drawn? (Similar to OCAD).
Also, would you say that the Inkscape method of drawing a map is better than the free OCAD6? Just wondered... as the vector drawing methods on Inkscape look like they require a bit of mastering...!
Also, would you say that the Inkscape method of drawing a map is better than the free OCAD6? Just wondered... as the vector drawing methods on Inkscape look like they require a bit of mastering...!
- mikee74
- string
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Re: FREE mapping capability
If you are used to working in a windows environment then OCAD is very good - and its also the general standard. Nowadays, if asked to plan, I certainly would not thank the mapper who used another product (even trying to get used to OCAD10 after OCAD9 was a pain).
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Red Adder - brown
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Re: FREE mapping capability
mikee74 wrote:... but can I insert a background image to Inkscape (like a vertical aerial photo) to use as a template and then remove after the map is drawn? (Similar to OCAD)
Backgrounds can easily be imported. Create a layer to hold the background at the bottom of the layer stack. Use File -- Import to import the image file into Inkscape. You will need to sise and rotate for current magnetic declination, but this will be no different from OCAD. You can have multiple layers with imported data from different sources all accessible.
mikee74 wrote: Also, would you say that the Inkscape method of drawing a map is better than the free OCAD6? Just wondered... as the vector drawing methods on Inkscape look like they require a bit of mastering...!
I have the free OCAD 6.1 loaded, and its limited to 500 objects, which doesn't really allow much of a map to be drawn. Also, I just can't get into the node editing methods.
Red Adder wrote:If you are used to working in a windows environment then OCAD is very good - and its also the general standard. Nowadays, if asked to plan, I certainly would not thank the mapper who used another product (even trying to get used to OCAD10 after OCAD9 was a pain).
This assumes that you've got the 430 Euros to spare for a licence (or 344 Euros during this August)! It was not my intention to pitch against OCAD, but to provide a capabiltiy for those who cannot afford it (small clubs, etc), want to 'have a go' without the initial outlay or for projects that include sharing, such as scool maps, POCs, etc. If anyone feels that its of a standard for larger projects then this is a bonus (although the software is well capable).
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Wayward-O - light green
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Re: FREE mapping capability
You can get a fully working version of OCAD6 from http://www.ocad.com/en/downloads.htm - and its not limited to 500 objects - I've just been tweaking a map with 1,900 without problems.
I'd also dispute that the cost of OCAD is high for a small club. I belong to one of the smallest in England and we have invested in the product and its upgrades for more than 15 years. We don't have a top notch draughtsman but we have been able to churn out between 4 and 8 maps per year that so people coming to our events get a legible, up-to-date map at every event, and we haven't spent a penny on professional mappers. To me this makes OCAD a relatively minor cost.
A neighbouring club secured a grant to produce some small area and schools maps which included the cost of a couple of OCAD licenses - so again money need not be a problem..
I'd also dispute that the cost of OCAD is high for a small club. I belong to one of the smallest in England and we have invested in the product and its upgrades for more than 15 years. We don't have a top notch draughtsman but we have been able to churn out between 4 and 8 maps per year that so people coming to our events get a legible, up-to-date map at every event, and we haven't spent a penny on professional mappers. To me this makes OCAD a relatively minor cost.
A neighbouring club secured a grant to produce some small area and schools maps which included the cost of a couple of OCAD licenses - so again money need not be a problem..
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Red Adder - brown
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