How to... Install a new map within DMAP

The information on this page is for users of DMAP who wish to obtain additional Boundary (.BDY) files for setting up File Groups for new map areas.

Outline Procedure

Decide whether you need a map based on metric (grid reference) or latitude/longitude co-ordinates.
Acquire a BDY file for your map area by one of the methods given under the headings Grid Reference BDY files or Latitude+Longitude BDY files below.
If you acquire a Latitude+Longitude file by downloading it from the Internet, remember to also download the conversion program DAT2BDY so that you can convert the file to BDY format for DMAP.
Copy the BDY file (and PAR file if supplied) into your C:\DMAPW folder (directory).
Set up a new File Group which incorporates the new BDY file. Refer to the DMAP Help topic Setting up a new File Group for information about how to do this.
Complete the installation of the new map by setting the Map Parameters as described in the DMAP Help topic Setting up a new File Group.

Latitude+Longitude BDY files:

Several options exist, including the ability to download maps free of charge from the Internet:

Download a latitude/longitude boundary file via the Internet. Several world-coverage datasets are available for making extractions from, and some of these have lakes, rivers and international boundaries as well as coastlines. A small library of ready-to-use BDY files is also available. Click here for further details about downloading.
Obtain a lat+long BDY file from Alan Morton, extracted from a world dataset at an appropriate resolution for the size of area required. You will need to state your exact requirements in terms of the latitude and longitude extremeties of the area which you require. These BDY files are usually supplied containing the following features: Coastlines & Lakes, Rivers & Canals, and International Boundaries. The files are, however, annotated and can be edited to remove unwanted features. Click here for an order form.
On-screen digitizing of a scanned map using the DMAP Digitizer software.
Obtain a latitude/longitude file from another source, e.g. as an AutoCAD Interchange (DXF), ARC/INFO export (E00), or MapInfo Interchange (MIF) file, and get it converted to BDY format. You will need to communicate with Alan Morton about this, probably also supplying a sample file for conversion.
For site mapping, it is possible to employ a specialist company to digitize site features in the field using GPS technology. For more information about this within the UK, contact Mosaic Mapping.

Grid Reference BDY files:

Several options exist:

Obtain an existing BDY file. A small library of BDY files exists for some areas, mostly vice-counties, within the British Isles. Contact Alan Morton, clearly stating the area(s) which you require. A limited number of files can be downloaded from this Web site - click here for further details about downloading.
On-screen digitizing of a scanned map using the DMAP Digitizer software.
Conversion of a latitude/longitude boundary file to a grid reference boundary file using a utility program (LL2TM) available for download from this Web site. This is currently possible for the British Isles, Ireland, Sweden, Finland, Italy and for any area which lies within a single UTM Grid Zone.
Electronic digitization using a graphics (digitizing) tablet and the utility program GRUTIL supplied in the DMAP package. Refer to the documentation file GRUTIL.DOC for information about supported digitizers and how to set them up.
Electronic digitization service offered by Alan Morton. You will need to state your exact requirements and supply a map which will fit on a graphics tablet which is 18 inches x 12 inches, and which shows some accurate reference points for calibration.
Obtain a grid reference file from another source, e.g. as an AutoCAD Interchange (DXF), ARC/INFO export (E00), or MapInfo Interchange (MIF) file, and get it converted to BDY format. You will need to communicate with Alan Morton about this, probably also supplying a sample file for conversion.
For site mapping, it is possible to employ a specialist company to digitize site features in the field using GPS technology. For more information about this within the UK, contact Mosaic Mapping.

If you have any comments, suggestions or queries about these procedures, Contact Alan Morton