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Do
you supply updates of SoftMap Plus ? |
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The last version
of SoftMap Plus is available at:
http://www.softmaptech.com/en/pages/telechargement_EN.html
This download includes several updates of the SoftMap
products like the Topo 50 series. Note that the whole
package has to be downloaded together as these cannot
be separated.
1. Permanent Trails. The original product does
not allow you to draw trails, or outline areas.
Downloading allows the option of retaining and printing
these records with the use of the tool Add line.
2. Print to a Plotter. The current product only
allows printing to a "standard" printer.
Downloading allows large scale printing output to
a plotter.
3. Printing problems. Some users of earlier editions
of SoftMap experienced problems when printing. This
download resolves this problem. (Please ensure you
carefully check the section on printing).
4. Metadatas. Metadatas of the displayed maps are
now available.
5. Importation. You can now import points and addresses,
according to a specific format.
6. Maps georeference. Update will install GeoWrites,
a module that allows to georeference your own maps
and to create a GeoTIFF. You will be able to read
the output GeoTIFF in many software, including SoftMap
obviously!
7. GPS. If you don't have it yet, the GPS option
will be installed with this update. With this version,
you will be able to use all the GPS functions for
30 days. If you want to have the option permanently,
you will need to buy TopoWeb
Quebec or TopoWeb
Canada.
If you already have the GPS option, it will be
updated.
8. DEM. By installing this update, you will be able
to visualise the elevation and to create elevation
profiles. A complete description of these fonctions
is available at:
http://www.softmaptech.com/en/pages/faq_en_sect3.html#3Q19.
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Can
SoftMap read maps from Fugawi, Ozi Explorer, etc ? |
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SoftMap Plus
only reads raster maps in SoftMap proprietary
format and GeoTIFF format. SoftMap Pro
can also read other raster file format and imports vector
files in Shapefile, DGN and MID/MIF format. |
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Can
I import data from an external database in SoftMap? |
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You can import
addresses and points in geographic coordinates (latitude/longitude)
according to a specific format. SoftMap Pro
also allows to import database recordings and points
having rectangular coordinates (X and Y). |
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The
map colour distorts as I scan across the screen? |
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Reset your colour
settings. See Before
Installing SoftMap. |
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I
find white spots in certain areas of the maps, what
is wrong? |
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One of the most
important challenge in cartography is to represent the
earth, which is round, on a flat surface (map). To limit
the distortions of this flatness, we need to use projections.
In Canada, UTM projection is used for the 1:250,000
and 1:50,000 maps. This projection divides the earth
into zones having each their own parameters. Then, It
is impossible for the software to stich maps touching
two different zones. For this reason, you will find
white zones at certain places on the maps. It is important
to know that there are no missing details at these locations.
UTM longitudes limits,
in Canada, are the following:
| Zone 8 |
West = -138 |
East = -132 |
| Zone 9 |
West = -132 |
East = -126 |
| Zone 10 |
West = -126 |
East = -120 |
| Zone 11 |
West = -120 |
East = -114 |
| Zone 12 |
West = -114 |
East = -108 |
| Zone 13 |
West = -108 |
East = -102 |
| Zone 14 |
West = -102 |
East = -96 |
| Zone 15 |
West = -96 |
East = -90 |
| Zone 16 |
West = -90 |
East = -84 |
| Zone 17 |
West = -84 |
East = -78 |
| Zone 18 |
West = -78 |
East = -72 |
| Zone 19 |
West = -72 |
East = -66 |
| Zone 20 |
West = -66 |
East = -60 |
| Zone 21 |
West = -60 |
East = -54 |
| Zone 22 |
West = -54 |
East = -48 |
In Quebec, the MTM projection is used for the 1:20,000
maps. For the same reasons white spaces will be visible
at certain locations on the maps. Here are the limits
for MTM zones:
| Zone 3 |
West = -60 |
East = -57 |
| Zone 4 |
West = -63 |
East = -60 |
| Zone 5 |
West = -66 |
East = -63 |
| Zone 6 |
West = -69 |
East = -66 |
| Zone 7 |
West = -72 |
East = -69 |
| Zone 8 |
West = -75 |
East = -72 |
| Zone 9 |
West = -78 |
East = -75 |
| Zone 10 |
West = -81 |
East = -78 |
If you want to print
a sector which is in two zones, you must make two
different print. First print covering the right portion
and the second, the left portion. The territory will
be then completely printed but in two parts.
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I
have the Guide to Fishing and Hunting in Quebec and
I cannot visualize the bathymetric maps. |
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First, make
sure that you have an opened session Guide
to Fishing and Hunting in Quebec.svs
Then, you can visualize
the bathymetric maps at a scale of 1:250 000 or better
if you have other map data sets.
Here is the procedure to consult
the bathymetric maps:
1. Select the icons representing
a lake for which you request information by clicking
on it with the button Select
one or more element (the
point will then be displayed in negative).
Click on the right button of
the mouse to display a roll down menu then select
the option Information.
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I
cannot add any symbol or graphical element on my maps.
Even if I reinstall the application I get the message : «
Your personal database cannot be included in the session
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For an unknown
reason, your personal database seems to be corrupted
and the software installation program doesn't want to
replace it. You must replace the database with the original
on the CD-ROM. First, insert one of the cartographic
CD-ROM in your drive. Go in the directory /Data/English/Wizard
and copy the directory personalDB on your hard disk
in C:\Program Files\Common Files\SoftMap Shared\Data\Wizard\Geocontext\
and accept to replace the old DB with the new one. Select
all the files included in the directory personalDB and
remove the attribute Read only. |
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How
can I print a map larger than 8 ½" x 11" ? |
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Select the Tool
"Create Printing Zone", specify the center
of your printing zone on the screen, a window will open
titled Printing Parameters
with Template; unselect
Adjust to printout page
size and specify the dimensions
of the print you require. |
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At
printing, how can I prevent the rasterization effect: a
blue dot appears in the center of the printed sheet
when printing at 1 :250 000 scale? |
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The stain appears
when the disk in the CD-ROM drive is not the first disk.
To fix the problem, insert disk number 1 in your drive. |
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How
can I prevent white areas in the map image when printing? |
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See
above. |
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How
can I print a color map on a color laser printer ? |
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Often, laser
printers are default set to high resolution (ex. 1200
dpi). This generates very large files that obstruct
the operations of the printer. Try setting the resolution
to 300 dpi. |
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When
I print a map with the template, my map comes out white
or in gray tones and with a blue frame. What can I do? |
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You need to
download SoftMap Plus version 4.61 at
http://www.softmaptech.com/en/pages/telechargement_EN.html |
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I
would like to make a back-up copy of my SoftMap data;
what files do I need to copy? |
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Here is what you
need to copy (make sure to follow the same route when
restoring):
The personal database:
C:\Program Files\Common Files\SoftMap
Shared\Data\Wizard\GeoContext\PersonalDB
and all other databases created in other directories
for SoftMap Pro.
Session Files:
C:\Program Files\SoftMap\SoftMap Plus\Session\*.svs
and all other session files created in other directories.
GPS databases (if any):
C:\Program Files\SoftMap\SoftMap Plus\GPS\*.mdb
and all other databases files created in other
directories.
The following file:
C:\Program Files\ Common Files \SoftMap
Shared\Data\datashare.sms
SoftMap Pro users, save also:
C:\Program Files\ Common Files \SoftMap
Shared\Data\Toponym\XXXXX.mdb
and other toponym databases created in other directories.
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I have some problems with the maps grids. |
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If
some grids are missing or if you don’t have
the good grids, you have to:
1. Download the following
file on your hard disk.
2. Extract and copy the file GridParams.txt
in the folder: C:\Program Files\Common Files\SoftMap
Shared\Data\Wizard\Grid.
3. Accept to replace the existing file.
4. To select the grids in the software, go to the
File menu and choose Wizard.
To manage the grids, go to the Map grids
tab of the session window.
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I
obtain bad addresses in my Quebec topo20 |
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To solve addresses
problems in some Quebec topo20 products, you must
download the last address database. Follow the instructions
available at:
http://www.softmaptech.com/en/pages/telechargement_EN.html#updateBD
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When
I launch the software, I get the following message:
"program error: softmap.exe4 has generated errors and
will be closed". |
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For an unknown
reason, SoftMap is unable to use Shockwave on your
computer. This component is essential to read multimedia
presentations. This problem occurs most often with
XP. To fix the problem, follow this procedure:
1. Open SoftMap and during
the opening, you will see the "Open session file"
window.
2. Choose "Create a new session
using the wizard".
3. Go through all the wizard
sections, selecting all elements you want to include
in your session. IMPORTANT: Do not select
anything in the Multimedia section.
4. Once the wizard is completed,
save your session.
Always use this session to
avoid other problems. |
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Elevation
profile |
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Altitude
display and Elevation profile
The 4.95 version of the software
offers the possibility of displaying the altitude
of the point where the cursor stands. It also includes
a tool to draw the elevation profile between 2 points
on the map. The elevation data is not included in
the software or in the SoftMap products. To display
this information, you must use files in compatible
format that include the elevation data. For Canada,
those files are available for free but must be downloaded
from the site http://www.geobase.ca/.
Here is the procedure.
Download of data
1. Click on: http://www.geobase.ca/geobase/en/data/cded1.html.
2. Click on Download Data.
3. Choose an option to search a DEM location.
4. Click on the identified file and proceed with the
download. Save the file in the target directory: you
must not delete this file if you want to continue
to use the information in SoftMap. The file is downloaded
in compressed format (.zip). You must unzip it and
extract the elevation data files: save both east and
west files. Meta data files are not required for use
in SoftMap
NOTE: You must register (free) before
downloading files from Geobase.
Installing the data
In SoftMap, select the menu File
and Manage DEMs…
A dialog box will open to allow you to add the DEM
files by selecting them in the directory where they
were saved.
Using the data
You can now visualize the result in two ways:
- In the status bar, the altitude
is now displayed. Of course, you must run the cursor
on the map in an area covered by the available elevation
data file and in a map at a scale of 1:250,000 or
higher;
- The Elevation profile tool
 will
allow you to display the profile of the altitude
between 2 points on the map: click on the tool and
once the window is opened, click on the 2 points
between which you want to draw the profile.
You can export the profile data in
a TXT file where the points will be defined at the
interval specified in the source; the distance between
the points may vary from one scale to the other. |
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I
would like to transfer my SoftMap data to an other computer.
What are the files and folders that I will need? |
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Elements
you need to copy are the same that you find in the
backup procedure:
http://www.softmaptech.com/en/pages/faq_en_sect3.html#3Q13
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How
to change the default cartridge (legend) for the printout |
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By
default, the software uses the cartridge of the last
product installed. If you want to change this setting,
proceed as follows:
1. Go to the Tools menu
and choose Display options…
2. Click on the Print tab
3. In the Cartridge section, choose
the desired cartridge then click Ok.
Note: If you choose to create a printing
zone, you will have access to all cartridges directly
from the printing zone window. |
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I
dont see the cartridge (legend) correctly |
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It
can happen that the legends of some products do not
appear clearly on the screen or on the printout. Here
is a list of links allowing to visualize the cartridge
under their good format:
Forest
roads
ATV
Trails
Fishing
and hunting
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Where
can I find the map legend for the Topo50 and Topo250
products? |
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Look
for the file Legend.pdf in the Mapdata directory on
the map CD-ROMs of your product. You can also download
the file if you click
here.
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Where
can I find the map legend for the Québec Topo20
products? |
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Look
for the file Legend.pdf in the Mapdata directory on
the map CD-ROMs of your product. You can also download
the file if you click
here.
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How
can I change the coordinate system displayed at the
bottom of the screen? |
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In the Tools
menu, select Customize Status Bar. In the window, select
"Based on the displayed map" and click on
the button 
to be able to select another coordinate system.
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