Any views expressed within media held on this service are those of the contributors, should not be taken as approved or endorsed by the University, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the University in respect of any particular issue.
Digimap is an online map and data delivery service, available by subscription to UK Higher and Further Education establishments. Operated by EDINA at the University of Edinburgh, Digimap offers a number of data collections, including Ordnance Survey, historical, geological, aerial photography, LiDAR, marine maps, land cover mapping, global mapping and census data. For more information about Digimap go to our website: https://digimap.edina.ac.uk Background image Contains OS data (c) Crown Copyright and database right 2022
We have been busy over the last few months collating a new set of case studies showing how the different Digimap collections are being used. There are 13 new examples covering subjects as diverse as Archaeology, Religious History, Palaeontology and Geochemistry, as well as more traditional subjects like Landscape Architecture.
Green Infrastructure Study of Cheltenham and Gloucester: David Green
The new case studies can be found in the Digimap Support pages along with the previous examples we have collected over the years:
If you would like us to feature your work as a Case Study then please get in touch with us: edina@ed.ac.uk. We are especially keen to hear from those using Marine Digimap.
Every year EDINA conducts a survey of its users to make sure that its services are meeting expectations and to find out what we should be doing to develop them further.
These surveys are very useful and have helped us prioritise the development of Digimap and our other geoservices. This year we redeveloped the Data Download facility and have begun the replacement of Carto because you told us they were areas you’d like to see improved. Other upcoming work prioritised by the surveys includes better print interfaces across all services and printable legends for Geology Roam.
As you can see it is beneficial for you to take part, so we’d really like you to let us know how we are doing. Please fill in a survey for each of the services you use; they can be found here:
Digimap Carto has been making maps for nearly 13 years now, though it last received a major facelift in 2006. Although it is still well used the underlying technology is no longer a viable platform to develop on. It has simply become too difficult to maintain in today’s environment of almost monthly changes to web browsers and the Java Runtime Environment.
Thankfully these advances in browser technology, and our underlying GIS and web mapping software, mean that we can now provide a Carto like service without the Java applet. In 2013 we will be launching a replacement for Carto that will run directly in an up-to-date web browser and still include advanced functionality. Until the new interface is launched we will keep Carto running, please go here if you are having trouble getting it to work: Carto Notes
With work starting on the new advanced mapping application we would really like to know which functions you value most in Carto. We’d also like to hear your ideas for any new features you would like to see available. We can’t promise to include everything, but knowing what you want helps us to make informed decisions.
When Digimap was first launched in 2000 we consulted our users to find out how often they wanted the service updated. We found that at the time, the majority of our users wanted consistent maps and data throughout the academic year. Therefore it became Digimap policy to only update the information during the summer break so that new mapping became available for the next academic year.
As the new Data Download allows access to previous datasets during each academic year there will always be a dataset that remains constant throughout the year for those who require it. Therefore we have decided to update the maps as soon as possible after we receive the new data.
We still get most of our data updates in late spring/early summer so it is likely that you may not notice any difference to when the updates arrive, however the default setting will be to offer the most up-to-date data we have. If an update has come in since the start of the academic year you will need to change the version from the default to get the previous data.
We will use the blog notify you of any maps and data changes we make; you can see the dates of all the Ordnance Survey data we have available here:
Recently we have discovered a handful of users have found maps failing to load in Digimap’s mapping applications. All other tools are available, just the map is missing.
This appears to be caused by anti-virus software installed on the users computer blocking the maps streamed from Digimap. Adding Digimap to the list of trusted sites should resolve this problem, although the specific format of the URL to trust is important. If maps are failing to load for you too, please check that Digimap is listed as one of your trusted sites. If Digimap is listed and the maps still fail to load, please contact us for assistance. We will need to know the name and version of the anti-virus software you are using.
If your computer is centrally administered by your institution you may need to contact Computing Services for assistance to amend your list of trusted sites.
Ordnance Survey would like the academic community to know that the next GeoVation event on “Collaboration and User Innovation in Transport” will take place at the Royal Society of Arts, in London on 24 September 2012.
With rapid developments in social media technology, smartphone apps, open data, and volunteered geographic information, in a context of doing more with less and doing that sustainably, ‘Collaboration and User Innovation in Transport’ considers:
* The barriers to collaboration and user innovation in transport and how they can be overcome.
* How can real users’ needs be identified and addressed?
* How can open data be used effectively?
* How can business, government, communities and academia collaborate to create real value in improving transport?
* Collaborative consumption, creation and resourcing.
* Creating shared value and business model innovation in transport.
These and other topics will be explored by leaders and pioneers in their field through: keynote speeches, quick fire Pecha Kucha-like presentations, exhibition, and lively, interactive discussion with you, the participating audience, followed by an evening networking programme.
Geologists and others with an interest in Hutton’s Unconformity might be interested in a statement by The Geological Society regarding a proposal to construct a pump house and pipeline 150m to the east of the SSSI area at Siccar Point:
You can see some photographs of Hutton’s Unconformity at Siccar Point by logging in to Geology Roam and searching for “Siccar Point”. Zoom in to the largest scale map and click on the Geological Photos button above the top right hand corner of the map. Then click on the camera icons on the map to see each photograph.
Geology Roam showing photo of Siccar Point, the location of Hutton’s Unconformity
First, a clarification: the GML format of VectorMap Local data is not the same as the GML format of OS MasterMap data. To convert OS MasterMap GML data, use InterpOSe for Digimap by Dotted Eyes. Although the file format appears the same, InterpOSe cannot convert the GML format of VectorMap Local.
Second, the steps that follow are for 32-bit PC users only. After testing we found that the steps do not work for AutoCAD for Mac OS X. Further, AutoCAD Map 3D and AutoCAD Civil 3D are as yet unavailable for Mac OS X. If you are a Mac user, we suggest that you install a virtual PC on your Mac to run AutoCAD or contact us directly for help.
Third, we would advise you to upgrade to the latest version of AutoCAD if you are able.
Open AutoCAD. Use the plugin to import the VML shapefiles. Convert to DWG/DXF as required.
It is unfortunate that these steps do not work with AutoCAD for Mac OS X and that AutoCAD Map 3D and AutoCAD Civil 3D are as yet unavailable for Mac OS X. If you are a Mac user, we suggest that you install a virtual PC on your Mac to run AutoCAD or contact us directly for help.
WARNING: EDINA makes no warranties, expressed or implied, regarding the software detailed here or its fitness for purpose. EDINA has not tested the processes detailed here on every combination of operating system and software version and makes no guarantees that every process will function on every platform. You should check the system requirements for any software you intend to use.
If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to get in touch here or via the EDINA Helpdesk.
Please note that the steps that follow are for PC users only. After testing we found that the steps do not work with AutoCAD for Mac OS X. Further, AutoCAD Map 3D and AutoCAD Civil 3D are as yet unavailable for Mac OS X. If you are a Mac user, we suggest that you install a virtual PC on your Mac to run AutoCAD or contact us directly for help.
We would advise you to upgrade to the latest version of AutoCAD if you are able.
Steps to import VMD to AutoCAD
AutoCAD 2012, 2013
Import the VMD shapefiles into AutoCAD Map 3D or AutoCAD Civil 3D. Then to convert to DWG/DXF for use in AutoCAD.
AutoCAD Map 3D
Import the VMD shapefiles. Convert to DWG/DXF as required.
AutoCAD Civil 3D
Import the VML shapefiles. Convert to DWG/DXF as required.
Open AutoCAD. Use the plugin to import the VML shapefiles. Convert to DWG/DXF as required.
It is unfortunate that these steps do not work for AutoCAD for Mac OS X and that AutoCAD Map 3D and AutoCAD Civil 3D are as yet unavailable for Mac OS X. If you are a Mac user, we suggest that you install a virtual PC on your Mac to run AutoCAD or contact us directly for help.
WARNING: EDINA makes no warranties, expressed or implied, regarding the software detailed here or its fitness for purpose. EDINA has not tested the processes detailed here on every combination of operating system and software version and makes no guarantees that every process will function on every platform. You should check the system requirements for any software you intend to use.
If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to get in touch here or via the EDINA Helpdesk.
If you use Mozilla’s Firefox as your browser then you may not be able to access Digimap’s Carto application. The reason for this is that Mozilla is now (from the 30th August 2012) automatically blocking Java. The reason that Mozilla has taken this stance is that a Java exploit has been added to the notorious Blackhole exploit toolkit. In simple terms, running Java applications through your browser opens your machine up to hackers, and we dont want that.
We are working on Carto’s successor which we hope to launch in 2013 and this will not rely on Java. If you need to use Carto, then it will still work in Internet Explorer and Chrome browsers. Hopefully Java will patch the breach soon and it will work again in Firefox.
For more information about this security issue please read this.
