Marble/WizardMap

Map Wizard

The Map Creation Wizard is an useful process through which you can create new maps to visualize in Marble.

Choosing a source for the map

You can choose between 3 sources to retrieve the map:

• From a Web Map Service (WMS)
• A bitmap image of the world stored locally
• Online maps (with a Static URL, OSM Style)

Web Map Service

The Web Map Service (WMS) is a standard protocol for serving georeferenced map images over the Internet that are generated by a map server using data from a GIS database.

You can choose your server by the drop-down list or by typing it in the box. Then you have to inspect it and select the available maps. In this example we will use the following URL: http://map1.naturschutz.rlp.de/service_lanis/mod_wms/wms_getmap.php?mapfile=lrt_RP& and the following maps from the dropdown list: FFH-Lebensraumtypen

Then you have to type in your map title, theme, description and supply an image (by using a suggested image or choosing a file). If you wish to take the suggested image, you have to press the Suggest button and press OK. Confirm that the image it shows is suitable for you. In this example we have used a local file I already have.

At last there is a summary of map, after which you have verified, you can press Finish button and complete the map creation procedure.

WorldMap Bitmap

The WorldMap must be an image file stored in an image file (JPG, PNG, etc. type). It needs to be provided in Equirectangular projection. You have to choose your image map from the file chooser button and optionally a Legend image to display a map key on the map. In this example we have downloaded the following file: image

Then you have to write Map Title, Theme, Description and an image (suggested or chosen by file). In this example we have used the suggested image, to choose it you have to press the suggest image button and then press OK on the new window with the scaled image inside.

At last there is a summary of map, after checked it you can press Finish button and complete the map creation.

Static Server URL

You can get maps from the a remote server, you need only to insert the server url in the box and choose the file format. To be sure the server exist you can press the button Test the Server. You can also provide an image which display a map key for your map. The url for our example is http://veimages.gsfc.nasa.gov/2430/land_ocean_ice_2048.jpg

Then you have to write Map Title, Theme, Description and an image (suggested or chosen by file). As image i chose the following file as image land_ocean_ice_2048.jpg

At last there is a summary of map, after checked it you can press Finish button and complete procedure.

FAQ

What is a Web Map Service?

A Web Map Service (WMS) produces maps of georeferenced data. We define a "map" as a visual representation of geodata; a map is not the data itself. WMS is the production of spatially referenced data dynamically from geographic information. The map itself is an actual portrayal of geographic information presented as a digital image file for display on a computer. WMS maps are in picture formats such as PNG, GIF or JPEG. The OGC WMS specification standardizes the way in which maps are requested by clients and the way that servers describe their data holdings.

You can find more at:

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_Map_Service
• http://eusoils.jrc.ec.europa.eu/wms/wms.htm
• http://www.opengeospatial.org/standards/wms

What is an Equirectangolar Projection?

This is a type of projection for mapping a portion of the surface of a sphere to a flat image. It is also called the "non-projection", or plate carre, since the horizontal coordinate is simply longitude, and the vertical coordinate is simply latitude, with no transformation or scaling applied. The equirectangular projection was used in map creation since it was invented around 100 A.D. by Marinus of Tyre.

You can find more at:

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equirectangular_projection
• http://wiki.panotools.org/Equirectangular

Where can I find new maps?

There are several websites offering free maps, including:

• http://www.skylab-mobilesystems.com/en/wms_serverlist.html
• http://www.geopole.org/wms/