Category: Of Interest

Environment Digimap: Prices for 2014 -15 released

ecls/ / Digimap News, Of Interest

Environment RoamJisc Collections have announced the pricing structure for the Environment Digimap service for the 2014-15 academic year. Environment Digimap will be the cheapest of the Digimap collections with prices ranging from £190 to £500 depending on the Jisc band of your higher education institution. There will be no charge for the service at all for further education institutions. Details of the pricing can be found in the Jisc collections catalogue entry:

Jisc Collections: Environment Digimap

Environment Digimap users have already logged in nearly 7000 times to produce over 90,000 screen maps and download over 3500 tiles of data to use in their research. The service currently supplies the three Land Cover datasets from 1990, 2000, and 2007 from the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology.

While the service provides access to a very import dataset for environmental research, we hope to continue to develop the service in line with the demands of its users. In response to feedback in the current Environment Digimap Survey we will be introducing a map information tool.  We have also already added Northern Irish data due to requests from users and hope to make the detailed 2007 Land Cover data vector data available to those who subscribe to both the Environment and Ordnance Survey Digimap collections.

If you have any questions or feedback about the service then please let us know:

Email: edina@ed.ac.ukSurvey

Tel: 0131 650 3302

Survey: https://www.survey.ed.ac.uk/environment2014

For information on subscribing or renewing your access to Environment Digimap then please go to the relevant page in the Jisc Collections Catalogue:

Jisc Collections: Environment Digimap

 

Digimap adds street names to search results

ecls/ / Digimap News, New Features, Of Interest

Until now, Digimap has always used the 1:50 000 Scale Gazetteer to provide search results when using the interface.

Searching for a street name in Digimap Roam

We have now added street names to the search results in Roam, so you can get more detailed results for your search locations. The locations of the streets come from the OS Locator™ gazetteer which we have been working to include since Ordnance Survey made it an OS OpenData™ product. When using the search interface you can now put in a street name and search for it, though we would recommend adding the name of the place the street is located in too, particularly if it is a relatively common street name. The best results in urban areas are still achieved by using postcodes as these can often resolve to a particular part of the street.  However in rural areas where postcodes can be very large, street names can give you the best results.

The search takes all the terms you enter and adds weights to each one; if you enter a full postcode it will just use this to pinpoint your location. If you are not sure your postcode is completely accurate in can be better to leave it out if you have more reliable information. Any street numbers or house names are ignored by the search as these are not stored in the OS Locator or 1:50 000 Gazetteers. The remaining search terms are run against the two gazetteers to produce a list of potential matches.

Be careful when searching for road names that are also places; searching for London Road in Edinburgh will also find Edinburgh Road in London and other possibilities from each city.  The weighting usually puts the best match at the top, though you may need to look a little further down the results list sometimes.

We will continue to work on the search abilities in Digimap to improve the results we return, please let us know if you have any questions:

  • Email: edina@ed.ac.uk
  • Phone: 0131 650 3302

Digimap now has OS MasterMap data in CAD format

ecls/ / Digimap News, New Features, Of Interest

OS MasterMap Data in DWG formatUntil now anyone wanting to use OS MasterMap® Topography data in CAD software would have to convert their data, often a lengthy and complicated process.  Now you can simply download the OS MasterMap Topography Layer in DWG format directly from Data Download. The DWG data should open in most CAD software such as AutoCAD, Vectorworks and ArchiCAD.

We always knew it wasn’t that easy to convert OS MasterMap data for use in CAD, the conversion software has a lot of options and can confuse at the best of times. The conversion software also doesn’t work on Apple Mac computers which are a popular choice with CAD users. However, we redoubled our efforts to provide DWG format data when we heard that some of our users were making PDF maps of OS MasterMap data and then manually digitising them from the screen… something had to be done!

Incorporating a conversion process into Data Download has not been simple and can produce some very large file sizes, especially if you need data for a busy urban area. Please only take enough OS MasterMap as necessary, or your computer may run out of memory when you work with the data.

Selecting DWG format

To get your data in DWG format simply follow the usual steps for making an order in Data Download:

How to Use Data Download

Once you have added your OS MasterMap Topography data to the basket, use the drop down arrow in the Format column.

Select DWG format from the available formats.

 

 

Selecting a theme and layers

You can select one of two themes for your OS MasterMap topography data.  Standard has full colour whereas Plan is in black and white with buildings outlined in red.

 

 

Note that you can also choose which layers of Os MasterMap data you wish to download – just select the Layers arrow and check the boxes next to the layers you need, e.g. Buildings, Rail, Roads etc.

Your OS MasterMap data will not need any conversion to open in most CAD software, enjoy playing with the vectors! Please let us know if you have any problems using this data or if you have suggestions as to how it could be improved.

  • Email: digimap@ed.ac.uk
  • Tel: 0131 650 3302

Environment Digimap gets data for Northern Ireland

ecls/ / Data Changes & Additions, Digimap News, New Features, Of Interest

NI LandCover 2007 1km RasterEDINA have added data for Northern Ireland to Environment Digimap after an agreement between Jisc and the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH) to extend the service beyond Great Britain.

The data comprises of 25m and 1km resolution raster datasets for  2000 and 2007 as well as vector data for both these years. The data shown on the right is the 1KM resolution raster data from 2007.

The datasets essentially classify the land into categories including: sea and inland waters, bare, suburban and urban areas, arable farmland, pastures and meadows, rough grass, grass heaths and moors, bracken, dwarf shrub heaths and moorland, scrub, deciduous and evergreen woodland and upland and lowland bogs. These maps can be used to plan, manage or monitor agriculture, ecology, conservation, forestry, environmental assessment, water supplies, urban spread, transport, telecommunications, recreation and mineral extraction.

The Northern Ireland data is currently available from Environment Download only but will be available in Environment Roam once we have created backdrop mapping and search infrastructure for Northern Ireland.

For details about Environment Digimap and how you can subscribe please see this earlier blog post:

 Environment Digimap Launched: Free till July 2014

 

New Data in Geology Digimap to Assist Flooding Research

ecls/ / Data Changes & Additions, Digimap News, Of Interest

Geological Indicators of Flooding EDINA has added two new datasets to Geology Digimap ahead of the planned release date because of their usefulness when researching floods.

The new datasets have been provided by the British Geological Survey along with several other major products. The Geological Indicators of Flooding and  Permeability Indices have been made available from the Geology Download facility early due to the recent flooding events across the UK.

PermeabilityThese datasets along with LandCover data from Environment Digimap and digital terrain models, such as OS Terrain 50, from Digimap Ordnance Survey Collection, are all important pieces of information when researching flood risk, causes and potential methods of mitigating against them.

More information about these datasets can be found in the Geology Digimap help pages:

In addition to the two datasets already mentioned there are more new BGS products on the way. You can already download the Superficial Deposits Depth Model and we have the Soil Parent Material data coming soon.

Finally we hope to be integrating the most detailed geological mapping data at 1:10,000 and 1:25,000 scales to both Geology Roam and Geology Download.

If you require any assistance with these datasets or combining them with existing data from Digimap then please let us know:

  • Email: edina@ed.ac.uk
  • Tel: 0131 650 3302

Geoforum 2014: Booking Now Open

ecls/ / Digimap News, Of Interest, Training & Events

Informatics ForumWe are now taking bookings for EDINA’s Geoforum 2014 and with such a fantastic programme this year places could fill up fast. This year’s event will be at the University of Edinburgh in the award winning Informatics Forum, on the 19th June.

Reserve you place now: Geoforum 2014 Booking

Geoforum is a free all day event aimed at lecturers, researchers and support staff who promote and support the use of geospatial data and services at their institution. Throughout the day we there will be talks and demonstrations to inform you of current geospatial developments at EDINA and the wider community. It is also an opportunity to give EDINA feedback on the services we provide and discuss geospatial issues with the team.

For all the details and a full programme please visit the website: EDINA Geoforum 2014

Environment

Peter GibbsThis year’s theme is the Environment and so we have lined up BBC broadcast meteorologist Peter Gibbs to deliver the keynote. Peter will be talking about the response being taken by the Met Office and Environment Agency to improve flood forecasting.

We also have a recent MSc Graduate talking about his use of LandCover data (available from Environment Digimap) with data from the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) in assessing natural flood management.

Colleges and Further Education

Along with the environmental talks we will also be introducing the upcoming Digimap for Colleges, a new service that sits between Digimap for Schools and the full Digimap service. There will also be an update on all the latest features and enhancements to EDINA’s geoservices.

More Details…

To find out what else we have planned for you, including this year’s excursion, and to book your place please visit the website: EDINA Geoforum 2014

Environment Digimap: User Feedback Survey

ecls/ / Consultations, Digimap News, Of Interest

Environment Digimap has been in service for around 4 months now and already has 63 subscribing institutions, over 6000 active users and has made over 35,000 screen maps.

Environment Roam

SurveyWe’d really like to know what you think of the newest Digimap Collection and what you want to see added or improved. Once you have used the service then please go to the following web page and fill in the short survey, it will take less than 10 minutes and will help the future development of Environment Digimap:

https://www.survey.ed.ac.uk/environment2014

If your institution doesn’t subscribe to Environment Digimap yet you still have 4 months where the service is completely free. The following blog post has information on how to subscribe:

Environment Digimap Launched: Free till July 2014

For information on how previous Digimap surveys have affected the survey please have a look at the Quality Improvement reports on EDINA’s Benefits of Services page:

Benefits of Services

If you have any general feedback about any of the services then please email us: edina@ed.ac.uk

Digimap Maps and Planning Applications

ecls/ / Of Interest

We are often asked whether maps from Digimap may be used in submissions for planning applications.  The answer is no.  This applies to ALL planning applications, regardless of who submits them, to which authority and under what guise.  This includes:

  • students submitting planning applications to a planning authority as part of coursework or work placement schemes
  • all private planning applications (commercial or residential)
  • institutions submitting planning applications for their own premises
  • members of staff who take on consultancy work involving the submission of planning applications

Maps and plans for planning applications can be purchased from many different suppliers. Promap is one such example.  There is also a UK government website called the Planning Portal which can assist with plans and maps.

 

Digimap maps must not be used in planning applications

 

Ordnance Survey Carto Hack Camp

ecls/ / Of Interest

Ordnance Survey are running a one day event for people to show off their cartography skills; anyone who is able to take up a summer internship can apply.

Jenny Brooker, Prototyping Manager at Ordnance Survey writes:

We’ve come a long way since the days of drawing maps by hand but Cartography is still an integral part of our business, and is so much more than just making pretty maps.

We are inviting anyone with an interest in cartographic design or data visualisation to come to Carto Hack Camp and showcase their skills by spending the day with us visualising geographic data. The winner will be offered a paid summer internship in our cartographic design team.

What Will Happen at Carto Hack Camp?

Our camp will be a day-long opportunity for anyone to visit our headquarters in Southampton, meet our Product Development team and spend the day working with them to come up with an exciting new solution for one of our customer scenarios.

There will be a choice of three different customer scenarios, designed to suit a wide range of backgrounds and abilities. The work will be similar in nature to that carried out by our cartographic design consultants. Find out more about what they do here.

You will then demo your ‘map’ to our panel of Ordnance Survey judges who will rate them and decide on the day’s winner.

Why Should I Get Involved?

It’s an opportunity for anyone with skills and an interest in cartographic design to innovate, create and collaborate with other like-minded people.

Our aim is for an enjoyable, relaxed and pressure-free day. Such an atmosphere will hopefully promote good design and if you want to take it a step further, we will be offering the hack day winner a paid summer internship in the Ordnance Survey Cartographic Design team.

Internship

As a part of the British Cartographic Society’s 50th anniversary celebrations last summer, Ordnance Survey announced that we would offer a paid summer internship for a six to nine week period during 2014 in our cartographic design team. The winner of the hack camp will be offered the opportunity to take up this internship.

Where is it?

We will be setting up camp in the business centre at our own headquarters, Explorer House on the edge of Southampton.

When is it?

Thursday 20th February 2014.

  • 9:30 am – Breakfast
  • 10 am – Introduction
  • 1pm – Lunch.
  • 5pm – Round up of the day and judging.
  • 6pm – Finish

What do I Need?

You need a keen interest in cartographic design or data visualisation and preferably some relevant skills but we welcome applicants from any background. You can bring along your own equipment and software, internet access will be provided. If you don’t have your own equipment laptops can be provided on request (please email cartodesign@ordnancesurvey.co.uk with your requirements prior to the event).

How Much Does it Cost?

The event is free and we will provide complimentary food and drink. All we ask is for your time and for you to arrange your own way of getting here.

Sign Me Up…

Visit our registration page on Eventbrite:

http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/carto-hack-camp-tickets-10202097749

Good luck to all Digimap users who take part.

Geology Digimap Data Update

ecls/ / Data Changes & Additions, Digimap News, New Features, Of Interest

EDINA has updated the most detailed maps in Geology Digimap to the latest version from the British Geological Survey (BGS). The 1:50,000 scale maps and data in Geology Roam and Geology Download are now the DiGMapGB-50 Version 7 data from the BGS.

DigMapGB-50 Version 7

The main differences between this data and the previous versions is that there is an extra tile of data in Wales, EW150 Dinas Mawddwy, and that the linear features are now contained in a single shapefile rather than being in several separate layers. The 7 different linear feature layers; Alteration, Fault, Fold Axis, Fossil Horizon, Landform, Mineral Vein, and Rock are now all combined in a single Linear layer.

The following tiles have all undergone major changes:

Scotland

  • SC008E_Loch Doon (Superficial)
  • SC016E_Ettrick (Bedrock)
  • SC073W_Invermoriston (Superficial)
  • SC084E_Nairn (Bedrock)
  • SC092E_Loch Fannich (Bedrock)
  • SC101E_Ullapool (Superficial)
  • SC102W_Oykel Bridge (Bedrock)
  • SC108W_Ben Hee (Bedrock)

England & Wales

  • EW039 Kendal (Superficial)
  • EW075 Preston
  • EW085 Manchester
  • EW086 Glossop
  • EW100 Sheffield
  • EW112 Chesterfield
  • EW150 Dinas Mawddwy
  • EW167 Dudley
  • EW174 Thetford
  • EW203 Bedford
  • EW224 242 Colchester Brightlingsea
  • EW247 Swansea
  • EW265 Bath
  • EW283 Andover
  • EW310 Tiverton
  • EW346 Newquay

For more details about the 1:50,000 and other DiGMapGB datasets you can download the Information Notes directly from the BGS: DiGMapGB Information Notes