New 1:20K map resource for BC

[snoboy]

http://geobc.gov.bc.ca/Topographic_Maps_KML_Viewer.html

 

Good viewer, all free.

 

PDFS only for now, TIFF to come.

[sepultura]

That is a great resource, thanks!!!

[JasonG]

I guess there is utility is being able to save maps locally, but for trip planning purposes, I haven't found anything even close to as good as the free Gmap4 site.

 

It is a pretty amazing collection of high res. maps with the ability to zoom in quickly using the search function. The coverage is seamless for all of Canada and the US as well. I think most folks know about it, but I never pass up an opportunity to sing the site's praises. I'm impressed, and use it weekly for all my trip planning.

[Joseph_E]

Thanks for the kind words about Gmap4.

 

Good news dept: The beta version of Gmap4 is now a GIS client. Translation: It can display those nice BC 1:20K maps.

 

The following (long) link starts the beta version of Gmap4, displays the Google aerial and displays an overlay which is the 1:20K BC basemap. The overlay will take a few seconds to load.

 

(The software running this forum choked on this long link. You will have to copy and paste.)

 

http://www.mappingsupport.com/p/beta/gmap4_beta_934.php?ll=49.393323,-122.944565&t=s,BC_topo_base&z=16&wms=http://openmaps.gov.bc.ca/mapserver/base3?layers=Base_Mapping_20K&transparent=true&version=1.1.1&name=BC_topo_base&wms=http://openmaps.gov.bc.ca/mapserver/base3?layers=MS&transparent=true&version=1.1.1&name=BC_topo_plus

 

Now try this. Open the 'map type' menu (upper right corner) and play with the two overlays turning them on and off.

 

Now turn one of the overlays on and change the basemap to "All white basemap"

 

Tech babble: The beta version of Gmap4 can display any data layers that are available from servers that provide access via WMS 1.1.1 or WMS 1.3.0. In 1-2 days the beta version will also be able to display any data layers that are available from servers that provide access via REST.

 

The BC government offers access to a ton of data via WMS. For more info see:

http://www.data.gov.bc.ca/dbc/geographic/connect/index.page

 

You can make your own custom map and display it with Gmap4 by starting with the BC basemap and adding just the layers you want. For more example maps using the Gmap4 beta code and 'how to' instructions please see:

http://www.mappingsupport.com/p/gmap4_beta.html

 

To the best of my knowledge, this is a first-of-its-kind feature. Up until now you had to be something of a GIS geek to view data from WMS servers. Now, anyone can learn how to build a Gmap4 link to display WMS data. The end users of those links do not need to know anything at all about GIS. All they need to know is “click link - see WMS data”. If anyone knows about any other software out there with a similar feature, I would like to know about it.

 

Joseph, the Gmap4 guy

Redmond, WA