The State Cartographer’s Office (SCO) is Wisconsin’s resource for information about maps, cartography, geographic information systems (GIS), land information systems (LIS), and geospatial technology. We support the state's geospatial community through presentations and educational workshops, technical consulting, print and digital publications, Web-based catalogs and data services, and information about events, jobs and emerging trends. (Published January 2012)

AboutSCO_2012.pdf1.92 MB

This paper describes an effort to build a digital archive and web-based retrieval system for historic air photos for the state of Wisconsin. The University of Wisconsin-Madison has an extensive collection of historic air photos, including a rare 1937-1941 collection that covers almost the entire state. (Published February 2011)

SCO_baldwin_autocarto2010_paper.pdf385.27 KB

One of the ways that interactive Web-based maps are different from traditional paper maps is that Web maps permit users to dynamically change map scale by interacting with a zoom tool. The ability to dynamically change map scale poses some challenges for cartographic design, since the mapping engine must be prepared to effectively render map data for different scale displays. This Technical Paper provides a quick overview of concepts and methods for Web-based cartography, with specific reference to issues of content selection and feature symbolization in the context of scale change. (Published August 2011)

SCO_web_map_concepts_v1.0.pdf1.94 MB

Our office has been the key point of contact for federal (USGS and NGS) control for over 30 years. In our continuing effort to make this information more accessible as a central point of access, we developed ControlFinder. Our newest version of Control Finder is built
on a robust open-source software stack enabling better usability, integration of Google Maps API basemaps and a more standardized approach to application construction. (Published January 2012)

SCO_ControlFinder_2012.pdf1.59 MB

ArcGIS Online is web-based service from Esri that allows users to create, view, and edit custom maps using their own geographic data. This tutorial provides an introduction to the interface, step-by-step instructions for making and customizing a simple point map, creating editable layers, sharing your map, and accessing your maps with a smartphone. Additionally, a sample dataset is provided for those who wish to follow the tutorial verbatim. (Published February 2012)

SCO_ArcGIS_Online_v1.0.pdf1.36 MB

This Infosheet summarizes our Federal Geographic Data Committee Cooperative Agreements Program project that will identify lessons learned from past Wisconsin orthophotography projects, and then develop a blueprint for a sustainable program that further simplifies imagery acquisitions in Wisconsin. (Published February 2012)

SCO_CAP_orthophoto_planning_2012.pdf1.06 MB

Our office has been involved in cataloging and reporting section corner remonumentation status since 1975 through various publications. In our continuing effort to make thisinformation more accessible as a central point of access, we developed PLSSFinder as a free, Internet-accessible catalog designed to help users locate current information about PLSS corners in Wisconsin. PLSS corner information accessible through this application comes directly from county contributors. Corner attribute information is retrievable from this application, while other attribute information is available via direct links to information maintained by the county on their Web site. (Published January 2012)

SCO_PLSSFinder_2012.pdf1.63 MB

One of the quickest and easiest ways to produce simple maps for your Web site is to use Google’s Fusion Tables, an online data management application designed for collaboration, visualization and publishing of data. This SCO Technical Paper gives you a quick tutorial on the basic features of Fusion Tables for making simple Web maps. (Ver. 1.1 published December 2011)

SCO_quick_and_easy_web_maps_v1.1.pdf1.79 MB

This report summarizes activities and accomplishments of the State Cartographer's Office for July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011 (Fiscal Year 2011). It includes an assessment of progress relative to our 2010-13 Strategic Plan, as well as a list of high-priority projects for 2011-12 identified in our annual business planning process. (Published August 2011)

SCO_annual_report_2010_11_final.pdf3.51 MB

On June 25, 2008, the Wisconsin Supreme Court issued an opinion in WIREdata Inc. v. Village of Sussex (2008 WI 69), after nearly seven years of litigation between WIREdata, Inc. and the villages of Sussex and Thiensville, and the city of Port Washington. The litigation touches on Wisconsin state public records law and its application to electronic databases. This publication summarizes the WIREdata case, and highlights the potential impact of the decision on access to geospatial data maintained by government agencies. (Published January 2009)

WIREdata_and_its_implications_for_WI_geospatial_data_2009.pdf877.48 KB

Primarily targeted at geospatial professionals who want want a better understanding of elevation terminology, this Infosheet describes the differences between ellipsoid heights and elevations (orthometric heights), and the implications of the National Geodetic Survey's GRAV-D project. (Published January 2012)

SCO_Understanding_Elevation_2012.pdf2.02 MB

This handbook is a technical guide and resource for those who work with geospatial information in Wisconsin. It provides a brief overview of the history, evolution, and basics of Wisconsin’s coordinate reference systems, and compiles in one place the technical specifications for systems most commonly used in the state. (Originally published April 2009, minor revisions January 2012)

WisCoordRefSys_January2012.pdf4.59 MB

The “WHAIFinder” digital archive of historic aerial imagery provides quick and easy access to over 38,000 digital aerial photographs covering the entire state of Wisconsin. (Published January 2012)

SCO_WHAIFinder_2012.pdf2.1 MB

This Infosheet summarizes the status of recent orthophoto projects in Wisconsin, including the National Agriculture Imagery Program (NAIP), the Wisconsin Regional Orthophoto Consortium (WROC), and the Wisconsin DNR Forestry Aerial Photography. (Published January 2012)

SCO_Wisconsin_Orthophotography_2012.pdf1.68 MB