Nisos Aegina GR - An Athen's Island Getaway.

Nisos Aegina - Locator Map

Nisos Aegina - Landsat N-35-34_2000 (1:85,000)

Nisos Aegina - EVS Precision Map (1-85,000)

Nisos Aegina is located only 17.5 kilometers from Athens. The island serves as both a "bedroom" community for Athenians and as a summer getaway for city dwellers. Many of the homes located on this island are second homes of Athenians. Wikipedia has an in-depth article about the island.

Let's talk about the map. I have spent in excess of 6-hours on this map. The challenge was in determining the layers and finding a good color scheme that is pleasant to look at, yet imparts accurate and meaningful information. I used my entire suite of mapping software to complete this project - 1) Global Mapper to create vector layers and identify lat/lon grids. 2) MS Paint to draw the lat/lon grid lines and finally 3) ImageForge to complete the labels and their placement on the map. I realize most decent mapping packages come with these features all included. I am a creature of habit and like my end products. So if it isn't broken, why fix it!

Enjoy!

Vatican City - A Sovereign State and an Urban Island

Vatican City - DigitalGlobe Image Mosaic from Google Earth (1-580000)

My evening began innocently enough. A friend wanted to know something about an island in the Northern Mariana Islands. My first search involved Google Earth. After a few hours devoted to looking at islands scattered about the Pacific Ocean , I began to wander, you know "Google Earth wandering". Before long I was following the southern coast of France and Italy. And before I knew it, I was looking at Vatican City. Follow the preceding link and you can read an article about Vatican City. What I want to discuss is inspiration and hi-res imagery in Google Earth.

As I viewed Vatican City it appeared as a small island (44 hectares). The borders used in GE poorly track the city boundaries. I knew I could do better. First I needed to construct a DigitalGlobe image mosaic from which I could digitize a new border, a more accurate one. I could have drawn the polyline in GE, but what fun is that when you can spend a few hours constructing your very own image mosaic. I took a total of 30 screen shots at a scale of 1:250 from GE. Using ImageForge software I created a canvas 6000 x 4000 pixels to accommodate my finished mosaic. Using Irfanview software from which to select portions of images, I worked through 30 cut and pastes, ending up with the above image. My final image is 12.5 MBs and is 4980 x 3560 pixels in size. After georectifying, I zoomed about Vatican City to my heart's content. Maybe I'll try my own map of Vatican City later and maybe not.

It is just fun to construct one of these DigitalGlobe image mosaics using their hi-res imagery found in Google Earth. Take care and...

Enjoy!

Apataki Atoll FP - Another One Bites The Dust

Apataki Atoll FP - Landsat ETM+ S-06-15_2000 (1:225,000)

There are ten islands within the Palliser Islands. With the completion of Apataki Atoll, I have mapped nine of the ten. Still to do is Rangiroa Atoll, the largest in the Tuamotus and one of the largest in the world. It will have to wait for another day.

Apataki Atoll is 27-km wide by 36-km long and approximately 105-km in circumference. It has a population of 430, with the majority living in the village of Niutahi. The lagoon has at least two entrances permitting larger sailing vessels passage into and out of the lagoon. There is an airfield located adjacent to the village. The island does have accomodations for visitors.

With all that said, lets get to the real joy - the EVS precision map of the atoll!

Apataki Atoll FP - EVS Precision Map from Landsat S-06-15_2000 and DigitalGlobe (1:225,000)

Using two base image sources, Landsat ETM+ and DigitalGlobe, this project took approximately six hours to complete. The map consists of 192 island polygons. If Landsat shows a vegetation color signature, I map it as a portion of the vegetation layer. The other two layers consist of a shallow reef and a deep reef. Once the EVS precision mapping was completed, I finished my work using ImageForge, which allows me to add lat/lon, legend, north arrow and credits.

Apataki Atoll FP -Niutahi Village - Landsat ETM+ S-06-15_2000 (1:7,500)

This is an extreme closeup of Niutahi village. I do have an EVS precision map of this portion of the atoll, but I decided to work with a DigitalGlobe overlay to provide additional details to the village area.

Apataki Atoll FP - Niutahi Village - Georectifying DigitalGlobe Image using Global Mapper

Finding the atoll in Google Earth and determining that DigitalGlobe imagery exists for the atoll, I zoomed in and saved an image of the village proper. In order to georectify the image to create an overlay that would align with my Landsat base image, I had to import the DigitalGlobe image into my mapping software, Global Mapper. Using GM's georectifying tool, I determined that the triangulation method using seven GCPs would create the best alignment.

Apataki Atoll FP -Niutahi Village - Georectified DigitalGlobe Image from Google Earth (1:7,500)

Once georectified, the DigitalGlobe image aligned quite well over my base Landsat image. Using the triangulation georectifying method, which requires a minimum of 5+ GCPs, allowed for image distortion, which was necessary. This method allowed the DigitalGlobe image to be stretched and tugged into place.

Apataki Atoll FP -Niutahi Village - EVS Precision Map from DigitalGlobe Image from Google Earth (1:7,500)

I was able to map Niutahi village at 1:7,500 scale. I could have pushed to a finer scale, but for my purposes, this scale worked just fine. I did add a road layer (orange lines) and an airfield layer (grey polygon).

In the center of the lagoon the Landsat image has cloud issues. I was not able to map any of the central lagoon coral heads which I identify as shallow reef, otherwise this EVS precision island map is done.

Enjoy!

How To Digitize Shorelines Using ISS Imagery

My mapping target for the night, Takume Atoll. The Landsat image, S-07-15_2000, looks pretty good. Clouds obscure the northern motus. So how does this intrepid mapper solve this digitizing problem.

First, I checked out DigitalGlobe's imagery in Google Earth. The northern section of the atoll is covered with cloud-free hi-res imagery. Since I am looking to possibly explore commercial opportunities for my EVS precison island maps, DigitalGlobe imagery is a "no go".

I visited the Gateway to Astronaut Photography and poked around to see what imagery was available for this atoll. It turns out during the ISS006 mission, this atoll was photographed. I downloaded both photos and went about putting them together.

I pieced the two images together using Irfanview and ImageForge. I loaded the northern section first and placed the southern section on top of it. I had to do a small stretch to make the southern image fit onto the northern section.

I trimed the modified image and saved it. Now I have to tilt it at the proper angle to better georectify the image.

Using a measuring feature in Global Mapper, I was able to determine that the atoll is at a 42° angle. Now I needed to tilt the image 42°. Irfanview allowed me to tilt the image the requisite degrees.

I used Global Mapper's georectifying module to georeference the tilted image. I selected a rectification routine called Triangulation which requires 5 GCPs. 3 GCPs were selected in the northern section and 2 GCPs were selected in the southern section.

And there is the georectified Takume Atoll ISS image.

I used the ISS image to digitize the cloud covered northern motus. Once they were completed, I tricked the top image (ISS) to complete digitizing the balance of the atoll.

I used a translucency option and converted the ISS image to 70% translucency. This allows the underlying image, primarily their colors, to show through the top image. I used this setup to complete digitizing the remaining shorelines.

Here is the finished northern section of Takume Atoll. All of the cloud covered motus are mapped using ISS imagery. Pretty cool, huh?

Enjoy!

Thoughts - My Evolving Map Product

Marutea Atoll - EVS Precision Map (1:125,000)

In February 2006, my mapping craft was beginning. I could digitize a shoreline with the best of them, but my color selections were evolving. Not only my color selection, but the entire layout of a finished map was evolving. I enjoy using Marplot to finish my maps. I know there are more flexible mapping packages that will allow one to finish maps as functional and appealing products. I know, but Marplot is my package of choice for the time being. When I really have to "pretty" a map, I work in ImageForge. It is a freeware draw and design package. I tried Gimp, but I am quite comfortable working with ImageForge.

That said, in February 2006, I completed all of my map finish work using Marplot. At the time, I liked my efforts, but saw room for improvement. For the past two plus years, that is what I have attempted to do, improve all aspects of my mapping work. I now digitize shorelines from Landsat ETM+ mosaics at scales between 1:25,000 to 1:12,500. I know that is pushing the limits of Landsat ETM+ and 14.5 meter resolution, but the final map is of a greater accuracy when my initial digitizing is done at the aforementioned scales.

I have continually evolved my island mapping color scheme. Now I use bolder colors, fewer soft pastels and less brilliant greens. I expect my color scheme to continue changing. The aim is to give the viewer colors that contribute to a positive map reading experience and that share information meaningfully.

My map layout is changing. I see this aspect of my work being the most dynamic. Depending on the map's end use, the layout will either be quite simple (for posting) or more stylistic, more "pretty" if the subject is of great interest, the map for an end-user or I have time.

Marutea Atoll - EVS Precison Map (1:85,000)

This is the current Marutea Atoll EVS precison map product. I like it.

Enjoy!

How To Colorize a Black and White Landsat WRS Image

Tsu-Shima - Landsat from USGS WRS - Original Image (1:500,000)

I did my "load and explore" exercise, where I take a random Landsat ETM+ mosaic, load it and see what looks interesting. Fortunately, I traveled to a part of the world I studied while in college, Japan. Although I speak some Mandarin Chinese and very little Japanese, my emphasis within my Asian Studies major was Japan. The islands making up Tsu-Shima rest between Japan and Korea. Both Korea and Japan claim ownership, but it appears Japan has "squatters rights" to the islands. The islands have a long history of human occupation, but the current human footprint is relatively small - over 85% of all of the islands land area is in a natural state.

So, why not transform the black and white Landsat WRS image into a useful colorized image. I decided to give it a try.

Tsu-Shima - Landsat from USGS WRS - Creating a Single Color Sea Mask - First Pass (1:500,000)

Tsu-Shima - Landsat from USGS WRS - Sea Mask as a Single Color (1:500,000)

My first task was to isolate the land area making up Tsu-Shima islands. I did this using a feature within Global Mapper v9.0 that allows you to isolate certain colors and to make them transparent. One merely identifies a RGB (i.,e., 010,215,215) color and turns it off. The first image in the two above shows a first pass. It took seven passes to convert the sea mask into a single color. Each pass required that I save the modified raster image as a TIFF file. After a number of passes, I ended up with the second image. The cloud-like features in the lower portion of the image are clouds. They were dealt with later.

Tsu-Shima - Landsat N-52-30_2000 (1-500,000)

The Landsat ETM+ image taken from N-52-30, has way too much black and the shoreline is tough to clearly makeout. I am certain others could easily determine shorelines with a smart routine that identifies shoreline colors, but I don't have this level of expertise or the software. So, I forged ahead in my pedestrian manner. Taking the above Landsat ETM+ image, which is georectified, I overlaid my modified Tsu-Shima Landsat WRS image on top of it. Again, using a Global Mapper v9.0 feature, I made the top image (Landsat WRS) 60% transparent, allowing the green vegetation layer to appear to drape onto the top image.

Tsu-Shima - Landsat from USGS WRS - Land Mask Colored (1-500,000)

I saved the resulting image, moved it into ImageForge, my "poor man's Photoshop", and touched it up. I made the sea mask a single blue color and the urban areas were changed to a gold color. I saved the modified image. I loaded this final Tsu-Shima image into Global Mapper, where it was georectified. Tsu-Shima image is good to use between 1:500,000 to 1:62,500. Anything larger and the shorelines are a series of clunky pixel shapes.

Tsu-Shima - From Landsat WRS to Landsat Modified - Central Detail

From a black and white Landsat WRS to my Landsat modified image took 4-hours to complete. I have a series of georectified TIFF image of the islands. As with all of my previous projects, they are available at no charge. Just drop me a line and let me know what you need. I like the look of my Landsat modified image of Tsu-Shima. Don't you?

Enjoy!

Isla Blanquilla VE - ISS Island Image Transformed into EVS Precision Map

Isla Blanquilla - ISS015-E-7771 Image

A few days ago Earth Observatory carried this image of Isla Blanquilla and an interesting article about this small island located NE of Caracas Venezuela. Granted, if you are a US citizen, it is probably not your first choice to visit on a leisurely vacation due to the strained relations between our two countries, but the ISS image is pristine and details are mappable compared to the partially cloud-obscured Landsat ETM+ image. DigitalGlobe has never snapped a pic of this island either. So, I made do with the ISS image and created my map over a 4-hour period.

Isla Blanquilla - ISS015-E-7771 Georectified Image (1:62,500)

In order to use any non-georectified imagery, one must georectify it. I use Global Mapper to georectify. I loaded NGA PGS shorelines of this island (Region 14). These shorelines are very close to Landsat ETM+ shorelines. I selected 4 easily definable points on both my loaded shoreline line file and on my ISS image. It took about 10-minutes, with most of the time spent watching TV. Once the image was georectified, I began the task of digitizing the island shoreline, lower beach, upper beach, bare island, hi-low vegetation, airfield and the shallow reef surrounding the island.

Isla Blanquilla - EVS Marplot Map (1:62,500)

Once the digitizing was completed, I imported the completed layers into Marplot, where I still do much of my preliminary map construction. I am just used to working with it. I defined each layer and assigned it to pre-existing EVS layers. I did a quick layout of map titles, legend, scale and north arrow. Done!

At this point, I typically post. One day when I am given the opportunity and the time, I will "fancy" up my map using ImageForge prior to posting. Until that day arrives, this is as good as it gets.

Enjoy!

Ebon Atoll RM - One More Look At A Quality Map

Ebon Atoll - DigitalGlobe Image from Google Earth (1:80,000)

Ebon Atoll - EEVS Marplot Map (1:80,000)

Ebon Atoll - EEVS Map Clear Version (1:80,000)

Ebon Atoll - EEVS Map Final Version (1:80,000)

The final map in this series of images is what I would like to be able to consistently produce. It was compiled at 300 dpi size using ImageForge software. The problem I face is one we all share - great objectives, not enough time. A critical key to my map-making avocation is to either get funding so that I can make MY ISLAND MAPS all of the time or retire and make maps. The first option hasn't happened yet, but I always have hope. The second option is still a few years away. So, I just do what I am able to do and make as many maps as my busy life will allow. Enough about me and my "Oh, Woe is me!" situation.

These images were part of a project I completed in July 2007 while on vacation. The first post was Ebon Atoll RM - Preliminary Maps and the second was Ebon Atoll RM - Fancy Map. I took both the clear Marplot map and the Lat/Lon Marplot map, using ImageForge, I added the finer details that I desire for my completed map projects. The final product, fancied up in ImageForge, is a far superior presentation compared to the Marplot product.

Given time - all of my island mapping projects should be of this quality. Anybody have any extra time I can use?

Enjoy!

Ebon Atoll RM - Fancy Map and Now I'm On Vacation

Ebon Atoll - Marplot Map (1:80,000)

This is the finished Ebon Atoll map I promised a few days ago. Sorry for the delay, but I am on vacation. With the post of this, all of my loose ends are tied up. Now I'm on vacation. So long until the first of August and, rest assured, I will...

Enjoy!

Nikumaroro Atoll KR - Exquisite Map or What I've Learned in a Year.

Nikumaroro Atoll - Landsat Image S-01-00_2000 (1:31,250)

Nikumaroro Atoll - Marplot Map (1:31,250)

A year ago I thought this was a solid mapping effort. I had used both Landsat and the ESA Ikonos image (04-2001) as base images from which I constructed my map. My color choices were still not finalized, but the composition and layout were satisfactory. How things have changed in a year!

Nikumaroro Atoll - ESA Ikonos Image (04-2001)

Nikumaroro Atoll - Marplot Map (1:30,000)

With this new revision, I worked exclusively off of the ESA Ikonos image (04-2001). Using Global Mapper, I georectified the image and digitized all of the layers of information from it. I selected my layers and colors within Marplot where I assembled my "nearly" complete map. I viewed it in Irfanview. Satisfied with my preliminary efforts, I moved the map into ImageForge, a freeware drawing program, to add all of my fancy stuff - Legend, Title box, modified Lat/Lon grid, North Arrow. I previewed the map once more using Irfanview. Satisfied with the mapping effort, I uploaded the image into Flickr and posted it into Blogger. As a result of this time, effort and skill all of us ended up with this exquisite map of Nikumaroro Atoll.

View Nikumaroro Atoll on Google Maps

Enjoy!

Thoughts - EVS Islands Top 10 Posts

Nukuoro Atoll - Marplot Map (1:50,000)

10 - Nukuoro Atoll FM (160) - Nukuoro Atoll NASA image was posted to a popular Korean Web Portal. Lots of people came to visit because of that exposure.

Isla Alejandra Selkirk - DigitalGlobe Image (1:75,000)

10 - Isla Alejandro Selkirk CI (160) - This is always a popular destination for the stressed person looking to escape the harsh rigors of city life. It is the place poor Alexander Selkirk was abandoned. He survived and his story was retold, with numerous rewrites by the author and a name change, as Robinson Crusoe.

PGS Overlay

8 - Data: Improved WVS? Rival EVS? What's Going On? (190) - Over a year ago a reader suggested I look at the Prototype Global Shoreline (PGS). NIMA has made available a global shoreline derived from Landsat ETM+ imagery. When it works, it is great. When it doesn't, it leaves one wanting more. I have discussed PGS strengths and shortcomings in a number of previous posts (see Gaps and PGS to EVS) but this first one gets lots of views.

Nikumaroro Atoll - Marplot Map (1:25,000)

7 - Nikumaroro Atoll KR - Third Time is the Charm (201) - This island fascinates many folks throughout the world. It is one of the possible crash-landing sites of famed aviatrix, Amelia Earhart. I liked it before I learned of the Earhart connection. The map is one of my early best efforts. I love the reef details in the lagoon.

7 - Thoughts - "EVS" Means "Whatever" (201) - A rock group out of Australia coined the hip phrase "EVS" for "Whatever". They had their moment in the limelight and I had my moment of views checking out my "EVS". They wondered about the connection between my island maps and "Whatever". Whatever.

Niau Atoll - Marplot Map (1:50,000)

7 - Niau Atoll FP (201) - This is another post that got loads of views because of exposure on a portal site. The ESA image was featured on MSNBC. It peaked people's curiosity and my site became a primary destination for additional information.

4- Thoughts - To All of You Searching For "EVS, Australia" (300) - See 7 above.

Rapa Iti Island - Marplot Map (1:60,000)

3 - Rapa Island FP (378) - Another mysterious destination for the arm-chair traveller. As a boy, I read that there were 7 women to 1 man on this island. I really wanted to visit this island! Now that I know what I know, I think I'll pass. Too many complications with one woman in my life. Could you image the "honey-do's" from 7-women?

2 - Thoughts - What's Up With Niau Atoll FP? (548) - See 7 above.

Making a Map in Google Earth

1 - How to Make a Map using Google Earth's KML Format (Revised Version) (633) - People want to make maps. Thats why many folks visit my site. I'd like to think my island projects are a strong draw. They are, but they do not generate the same interest as learning how to make your own maps. Long time readers know that I work on the "cheap". The bulk of my suite of mapping software (Marplot, ImageForge, Irfanview)is free or low cost (Global Mapper -$200, Flickr - $20 per yr, Google Earth Plus - $20 per yr). My imagery is Landsat ETM+ mosaics and DigitalGlobe imagery found on Google Earth. I have spent the last four years working at my map-making craft. I'm getting better, but it is hard work with little payback. If you are serious about learning how to make accurate, attractive and inexpensive maps drop me a line and I'll share what I've learned. ANYONE can do what I do when it comes to making maps. But you must commit consistent time and energy to develop your talent.

And that's the top 10 posts. Interesting, huh?

Enjoy!

Dao Bach Long Vi VN - A Fancy Map!

Dao Bach Long Vi - Landsat Image N-48-20_2000 (1-17,500)

Dao Bach Long Vi - Marplot Map (1-17,500)

I haven't posted one of these in a long time. It is an Enhanced Vector Shoreline of a Vietnamese island. It seems that I posted this before, but I'll be darned if I can find it on my site. Oh, well.

Dao Bach Long Vi is a potential Marine Protected Area. For now, it is home to a lighthouse and a very small population of fishermen.

Dao Bach Long Vi - Marplot Map (1:17,500) - A Fancy Map

Yes siree, this is a fancy map. I took my original map, less lat/lon and scale box, and worked it over in my free paint program, ImageForge. I am still experimenting with fonts and text (credits and such), but the overall composition looks good. It took an extra two-hours to complete this project, but it is well worth it.

View Dao Bach Long Vi on Google Maps

Enjoy!