Geospatial PDF and GeoPDF Import for Adobe Illustrator

Avenza Systems Inc., producers of the PDF Maps app for iOS and geospatial plugins for Adobe Creative Suite, including Geographic Imager for Adobe Photoshop, is pleased to announce the release of MAPublisher 8.5 for Adobe Illustrator that has the ability to import geospatial PDF documents. This is the first time spatially-aware PDF documents can be opened in the Adobe Illustrator environment and have all of its contents be assigned to MAPublisher layers.

"We've done a lot of research, development and testing of spatial PDF technology to see what is capable and compatible with MAPublisher. We're able to provide geospatial PDF and GeoPDF import to Adobe Illustrator for our users and I believe they will be pleased that it will introduce a new range of uses and applications,” said Ted Florence, President of Avenza. “Not only will our users be able to take existing spatial PDF documents and work with them, but they will also be able to customize their own PDF maps and share them with their own customers and clients,” he added.

The import process opens a geospatial PDF or GeoPDF document at which time the user can assign content to MAPublisher layers and MAP Views while maintaining georeferencing and attributes. This process can be simplified by using the auto-assign option which scans the contents of the PDF document and assigns it to the appropriate MAPublisher layer. Alternatively, content can be manually assigned to MAPublisher layers.

Geospatial PDF import also works with geospatial PDF and GeoPDF files generated by third-party vendors including Esri ArcGIS, FME and TerraGo.

Visit www.avenza.com for more details.

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MAPublisher 8.3 for Adobe Illustrator Released

Avenza Systems announced the release of MAPublisher 8.3 for Adobe Illustrator. It is the latest version of mapmaking software used to produce high quality maps from GIS data for both print and electronic distribution which now offers support for the new version of Adobe Illustrator, CS5.

MAPublisher 8.3 for Adobe Illustrator is free of charge to all current MAPublisher Maintenance Program subscribers and replaces the current shipping version of MAPublisher, version 8.2, for all new customers using Adobe Illustrator CS3, CS4 and CS5.

Ted Florence, President of Avenza, said, "We have once again listened to the requests of our users and implemented a host of new features with MAPublisher 8.3. In addition to support for Illustrator CS5, this new and exciting MAPublisher version now offers the ability to transfer map objects between documents, automatically create knockouts for text objects and contains an enhanced MAP Web Author JavaScript API and dozens of other features which together significantly advance this powerful and widely used cartographic and map-design platform.”

MAPublisher 8.3 includes all the significant functionality introduced in earlier releases of MAPublisher as well as the following new features and enhancements. New Features of MAPublisher 8.3 for Adobe Illustrator include:

- Compatibility with Adobe Illustrator CS5 for both Mac and Windows.
- New Line Plotter function to create polylines by entering coordinates or the distance and bearing values between points.
- Import MAP Objects to copy MAP objects between documents, including Stylesheets and MAP Selections.
- Enhanced MAP Selection functionality offering additional selection options including spatial, art and attribute.
- New knockout function for easily creating knockouts for text objects.
- Buffer Art function to create area objects around points and lines.
- MAP Attribute Panel enhancements and optimisations.
- New Layer Notes functionality to record information including original dataset path, format, co-ordinate system, object count and date.
- Enhanced export to Geospatial PDF functionality now offers control over exported layers with attributes, ability to easily assign attribute values to be used as object names, item sort order and round-trip data control.
- MAPublisher Spatial Database import system for ESRI geodatabases now included (Windows only).
- New MAPublisher Web Author JavaScript API functionality including various runtime operations.
- New functionality to create MAP Views from Adobe Photoshop paths (Geographic Imager license required).

Visit Avenza for purchasing details.

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MAPublisher Training Course Schedule 2010

Avenza Systems Inc., producers of MAPublisher cartographic software for Adobe Illustrator and Geographic Imager spatial tools for Adobe Photoshop, is pleased to announce the 2010 schedule for its comprehensive 2-day MAPublisher training course. This 2-day class offers in-depth MAPublisher training that will enable MAPublisher users to maximize their use of MAPublisher and fully exploit its features and power.

MAPublisher training is offered in hands-on computer labs at locations around North America. Training is also available onsite at customers’ locations and online in which case certain aspects of the course will be tailored especially for the specific organization and workflow.

Features of the 2010 round of MAPublisher classes include content on creating interactive data-rich Flash maps, geospatial PDF export and MAPublisher LabelPro advanced text placement.

"I did find the training session very informative and I did learn a fair amount in those two days. I am impressed with the capabilities of MAPublisher and I will definitively recommend MAPublisher and the training session to any of my colleagues working in the map design industry", said Carlos Serpas of SAIC Polytechnic.

2010 MAPublisher Training Dates & Locations:

* San Francisco, CA – February 4-5
* Washington, DC – March 18-19
* Tampa, FL – May 13-14
* San Diego, CA – July 15-16
* Philadelphia, PA – September 9-10
* Denver, CO – November 4-5

For more information and to access the registration form visit the MAPublisher training page.

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MAP Publisher LabelPro launched

Avenza Systems Inc., producers of MAPublisher cartographic software for Adobe Illustrator and Geographic Imager spatial tools for Adobe Photoshop, announced the release of MAPublisher LabelPro, a rule-based collision-free label placement system for MAPublisher.

MAPublisher LabelPro functionality is included with the new MAPublisher 8.1 release, the latest version of this mapmaking software used to produce high quality maps from GIS data. MAPublisher LabelPro is available immediately as an add-on to MAPublisher 8.1.

The MAPublisher LabelPro labelling engine offers advanced labeling capabilities beyond those available in the standard version of MAPublisher 8.1 including:

1. Sophisticated algorithms that provide the ability to solve many of the most commonly occurring map labelling problems such as
o complex conflict resolution across multiple layers
o the ability to specify existing vector map features as obstacles
o the ability to create complex labeling conventions via user-defined rules
2. Use map data attributes for labeling with a much greater level of sophistication using an intuitive configurable interface maps.

Visit www.avenza.com for more details.

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Geographic Imager 2.1 for Adobe Photoshop

Avenza Systems Inc., producers of MAPublisher cartographic software for Adobe Illustrator and Macromedia FreeHand, Geographic Imager spatial imaging tools for Adobe Photoshop as well as MAPdataUSA, MAPdataCanada and MAPdataWorld royalty-free GIS data sets, has announced the release of Geographic Imager 2.1 for Adobe Photoshop CS3 and CS4. Geographic Imager 2.1 is the latest version of this software that adds geospatial functionality to Adobe Photoshop.

Geographic Imager enhances Adobe Photoshop imaging environment by adding all the tools and technology necessary to support the import, edit, manipulation and export of geospatial images such as aerial and satellite imagery. In addition to allowing the use of Photoshop and its powerful native imaging functions such as cropping, transparencies, individual pixel editing and brightness/contrast control, Geographic Imager adds the ability to import and recognize GeoTIFFs and other referenced raster formats, automatically mosaic and tile images spatially, reproject and transform images, geo-reference images based on ground control points and re-export images with all spatial information intact.

Features of the Geographic Imager 2.1 Update

• Adds support for Adobe Photoshop CS4
• Quick georeference allowing referencing using fewer than 3 tie-points and/or using a second referenced image
• Reference points can now be exported as a csv or log file
• Reference points can now be entered using DMS and decimal degrees

General features and benefits of Geographic Imager

• Allows the use of Adobe Photoshop native functionality without destroying the spatial properties of the image
• Import and export GeoTIFFs and other spatial raster formats along with all georeferencing
• Georeference non-referenced imagery with Ground Control Point (GCP) transformation
• Reprojection of spatial imagery
• Automatic mosaicking and tiling of spatial imagery
• Automated scripting allows for use of Geographic Imager tasks in conjunction with Photoshop’s automation tools
• Mac, Windows and floating licenses available

Download free Geographic Imager 2.1 trial software.

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MAPublisher 8.0 for Adobe Illustrator

Avenza Systems Inc., producers of MAPublisher cartographic software for Adobe Illustrator and Geographic Imager spatial tools for Adobe Photoshop is pleased to announce the release of MAPublisher 8.0 for Adobe Illustrator. MAPublisher 8.0 is the latest version of this powerful mapmaking software used to produce high quality maps from GIS data for both print and electronic distribution.

MAPublisher 8.0 for Adobe Illustrator is a full product upgrade that is free of charge to all current MAPublisher Maintenance Program subscribers and replaces the current shipping version of MAPublisher, version 7.6.3, for all new customers using Adobe Illustrator CS2, CS3 or CS4.

MAPublisher 8.0 includes all the significant functionality introduced in earlier releases of MAPublisher as well as the following new features and enhancements.

New Features of MAPublisher 8.0 for Adobe Illustrator

* Support for Adobe Illustrator CS4
* MAP Web Author Tool for automatic creation of interactive Flash maps
* MAP Vector Crop Tool
* Dockable MAPublisher Toolbar
* New and improved MAP Point Plotter with Plot Centroids function
* Enhanced KML export support,
* New format support for S-57 (import) & GML - Simple Features (import and export).
* Enhanced MAP Views Editor
* Enhanced MAP Attributes interface
* New and improved Simplify Line functionality
* New data import optimization with import times reduced by as much as 80%
* Improved MAP View and MAP Stylesheets panels
* New MAPublisher License Management system
* Various other user interface improvements and performance enhancements to improve usability

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MAPublisher with Intelligent Flash Exporter

Avenza Systems Inc., producers of MAPublisher cartographic software for Adobe Illustrator and Geographic Imager spatial tools for Adobe Photoshop is pleased to announce that the next major release of MAPublisher for Adobe Illustrator, version 8.0, will include the ability to easily export map documents to intelligent, data-rich Flash SWF files for easy seamless publishing on the Internet and other Flash-based delivery mechanisms using Adobe Flash Player.

"We have again responded to the requests of our users by including this very easy to use export to Flash functionality within MAPublisher,” said Ted Florence, President of Avenza, “It will now be possible to build a map from GIS data in Adobe Illustrator and then immediately export it as a fully interactive Flash map complete with rollovers, layers, pan and zoom controls and all the underlying GIS data attributes intact.” he added.

In addition to this new Flash authoring functionality, MAPublisher 8.0 will include all the significant functionality introduced in earlier releases of MAPublisher as well as many new features and enhancements. Complete details on MAPublisher 8.0 will be made available at a later date.

Features of MAPublisher 8.0 Export to Flash Functionality

* Export completed Adobe Illustrator map documents to Flash without any additional coding or software requirements
* All or some GIS data attributes can be effortlessly embedded as desired
* Easily create rollovers and popups without any special ActionScript or coding required
* Easily embed images, web-links and other custom information
* Ability to control layer visibility
* Search for and identify map features based on attributes
* Zoom and pan functionality included in exported Flash document
* Maintain map quality across multiple media from print to web

More about MAPublisher for Illustrator

MAPublisher for Illustrator is powerful map production software for creating cartographic-quality maps from GIS data. Developed as a suite of plug-ins for Adobe Illustrator, MAPublisher leverages the superior graphics capabilities of this graphics design software.

MAPublisher 8.0 for Illustrator will be available in autumn 2008 and will be free of charge to all MAPublisher for Illustrator customers with a valid maintenance subscription and as an upgrade for non-maintenance members at US$549. New licenses will be priced at US$1249. Educational, floating and volume licenses will also be available. Prices include 1 year of maintenance. Full details are available at www.avenza.com.

Avenza also offers MAPublisher 5.0 for FreeHand – a suite of Xtras that adds mapmaking functionality to Macromedia Freehand.

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MAPublisher 8.0 released with Intelligent Flash Exporter

Avenza Systems Inc., producers of MAPublisher cartographic software for Adobe Illustrator and Geographic Imager spatial tools for Adobe Photoshop is pleased to announce that the next major release of MAPublisher for Adobe Illustrator, version 8.0, will include the ability to easily export map documents to intelligent, data-rich Flash SWF files for easy seamless publishing on the Internet and other Flash-based delivery mechanisms using Adobe Flash Player.

"We have again responded to the requests of our users by including this very easy to use export to Flash functionality within MAPublisher,” said Ted Florence, President of Avenza, “It will now be possible to build a map from GIS data in Adobe Illustrator and then immediately export it as a fully interactive Flash map complete with rollovers, layers, pan and zoom controls and all the underlying GIS data attributes intact.” he added.

In addition to this new Flash authoring functionality, MAPublisher 8.0 will include all the significant functionality introduced in earlier releases of MAPublisher as well as many new features and enhancements. Complete details on MAPublisher 8.0 will be made available at a later date.

Features of MAPublisher 8.0 Export to Flash Functionality

* Export completed Adobe Illustrator map documents to Flash without any additional coding or software requirements

* All or some GIS data attributes can be effortlessly embedded as desired

* Easily create rollovers and popups without any special ActionScript or coding required

* Easily embed images, web-links and other custom information

* Ability to control layer visibility

* Search for and identify map features based on attributes

* Zoom and pan functionality included in exported Flash document

* Maintain map quality across multiple media from print to web

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Geographic Imager 2.0 for Adobe Photoshop

Avenza Systems Inc., producers of MAPublisher cartographic software for Adobe Illustrator and Macromedia FreeHand as well as MAPdataUSA, MAPdataCanada and MAPdataWorld royalty-free GIS data sets, announces the release of Geographic Imager 2.0 for Adobe Photoshop CS2 and CS3. Geographic Imager 2.0 is the latest version of this powerful software that adds geospatial functionality to Adobe Photoshop.

“Following the success and tremendous reception of the initial Geographic Imager releases we are delighted to follow-up with this much more feature-rich and versatile upgrade, said Doug Smith, Avenza’s Director of Sales. “The scripting and batch processing capabilities alone make this a very worthwhile upgrade for users but overall this is truly a major step forward for Geographic Imager and spatial image processing within Adobe Photoshop,” he added.

Geographic Imager enhances the already commanding Adobe Photoshop imaging environment by adding all the tools and technology necessary to support the import, edit, manipulation and export of geospatial images such as aerial and satellite imagery. In addition to allowing the use of Photoshop and its powerful native imaging functions such as cropping, transparencies, individual pixel editing and brightness/contrast control, Geographic Imager adds the ability to import and recognize GeoTIFFs and other referenced raster formats, automatically mosaic and tile images spatially, reproject and transform images, geo-reference images based on ground control points and re-export images with all spatial information intact.

Features of the Geographic Imager 2.0

* New GeoCrop tool allows image cropping based on geographic coordinates

* Automated scripting allows for use of Geographic Imager tasks in conjunction with Photoshop’s automation tools

* New and improved control over spatial transformations, including support for multi-layer and multi-spectral images

* New and improved conversion to GeoTIFF functionality

* Custom co-ordinate system database file

* Support for previously unsupported Adobe Photoshop functions including Trim, Flip and non-angular Crop


Features and Benefits of Geographic Imager

* Allows the use of Adobe Photoshop native functionality without destroying the spatial properties of the image

* Import and export GeoTIFFs and other spatial raster formats along with all georeferencing

* Georeference non-referenced imagery with Ground Control Point (GCP) transformation

* Reprojection of spatial imagery

* Automatic mosaicking and tiling of spatial imagery

* Mac, Windows and floating licenses available

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