Hello all,

Currently i am working on a documentary of a bird, need to show the distribution of it in the world and then later need to show where i am going to work on it particular patch. The patch i am working on understanding the distribution is about 500 kms which has 5 particular areas i am concentrating based on the history of the sightings in the areas and also the sutiability of the habitat.

Need to represent this on a map with some animation.

Need your advice on 2 things

1) Best place to get maps which can be used in HD

2) Any ideas on showing animation on pointing out areas on a Map.

let me know if you have any inputs on this

Hi Vishal,

First, there are a fair number of maps on the internet. First do a search and see if there's anything out there that meets your needs. If not, there are many maps available in vector formats (ai, dxf, eps, crd, etc.) and these maps are scalable and many can be converted and used in After Effects. Another option is to find someone using GIS (mapping) software. The newest versions of ESRI ArcGIS can even output video files transitioning between two maps or two different sets of geographic information. You can also purchase higher res images from bing and Google or from NASA.

As to animation, this depends on the original source material. If you take a map and digitize it with a scanner, you can then import it into your video editor and then move elements like flight-paths, arrows and other items as separate keyed elements. It surprising how much you can do with very little assistance. One thing I did a while back was to find some cheap (actually free) morphing software. I then created two maps using Corel Draw of the Mediterranean area today and six million years ago. I exported them as 1920x1080 TIF. Last I applied the morphing software and I had a not-too-horrible evolution of the earth in the last six million years.

An important thing to think about. Very realistic maps, the kinds you see in Google Earth, are difficult. Representational maps just showing outlines are much easier to work with.

If I can ask, what birds, where and what is the reason to use the maps?

need to show the distribution of it in the world and then later need to show where i am going to work on it particular patch. The patch i am working on understanding the distribution is about 500 kms which has 5 particular areas i am concentrating based on the history of the sightings in the areas and also the sutiability of the habitat.

Need to represent this on a map with some animation.

Need your advice on 2 things

1) Best place to get maps which can be used in HD

2) Any ideas on showing animation on pointing out areas on a Map.



If the 500km area is a city, you can approach the city 'municipal' (or whatever) office - they keep maps that can be copied or scanned. However, if you are making a commercial project, then you might want to get permission (not that anybody checks in India anyway). This is the easiest way. You can also check with colleges and universities, and libraries.

Google Earth is another option, but you'll need to pay some good money to get an HD version.

If realism is not your thing, then photoshop is what I'd used to make a map for my feature film.

Ideas on animation? There are plenty. One specific thing I would recommend is to keep your animation constant with the other motion graphics, titles, theme, etc of your piece. All the best.

Hi
Thanks for the inputs

Sareesh i am looking for 2 type of maps
1) Map of Asia
2) Map of India with more of a satellite view since i need to show the green cover

Sareesh the 500 kms i work in is distributed across 3 states.

vishal

An area as large as Asia cannot have any practical detail, so unless you are looking for a zoom in effect I suggest you create a map in photoshop.

Any satellite images from Google maps Pro that is going to be broadcast or used commercially must have a special content license or content usage agreement. See here: Google Earth: Permission and Licensing (http://www.google.com/earth/media/licensing.html)

The only other way to get reliable satellite imagery is either from the Indian government (ISRO) or by recreating it with CGI.

The newest versions of ESRI ArcGIS can even output video files transitioning between two maps or two different sets of geographic information.


What's the best site for more information on this, Marc? I am working with a researcher @ Auburn U. in Tuscaloosa who is using a GIS database, and the university has a great map collection.

Best to check ESRI documentation for the latest but here's a PDF: http://webhelp.esri.com/arcgisdesktop/9.3/pdf/Animation_in_ArcMap_Tutorial.pdf