Maps Made Smarter by 3-D TopoQuads
3-D TopoQuads offers freedom from USGS quadrangular maps that fail to cover exact areas. Introduced by DeLorme, 3-D TopoQuads has the volumes of information you need in an easy-to-use and affordable software program that takes up less space than paper maps. The program provides USGS maps of entire states, enabling students and instructors to view any region in the state in either 2-D or 3-D. TopoQuads can also print out customized maps.
Key features of 3-D TopoQuads include: 3-D modeling of terrain; land cover displaying forests, swamplands and deserts; draw tools allowing area and distance measurement and the addition of symbols, lines, polygons and MapNotes; and GPS and handheld computer compatibility pinpointing accurate locations in the field.
Each CD-ROM features 17 different levels of map detail at a scale of 1:24,000, as well as 80 detail levels of data from DeLorme's topographic and street-level mapping database. Every map level can viewed in 3-D, highlighting the topography of an area from several different vantage points. The functions of the program enable users to search for area names, geographic features and their respective information, such as elevation, distances, acreage and vegetation types. For instructors utilizing GIS software, 3-D TopoQuads could really enhance their databases. DeLorme, Yarmouth, ME, (207) 846-7000, www.delorme.com.
This article originally appeared in the 11/01/1999 issue of THE Journal.