Viewing Azimuth and Map Clarity

Mark S. Monmonier

doi:10.1111/j.1467-8306.1978.tb01189.x

Viewing Azimuth and Map Clarity

Mark S. Monmonier

Department of Geography

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

In a realistic oblique view of a three-dimensional surface, viewing azimuth is more important than vertical scale or elevation angle as a determinant of surface blocking. Because coordinate axes cannot easily be rotated before interpolation, some mapping software packages, in particular the SYMAP-SYMVU combination, discourage the selection of a viewing azimuth that might provide greater clarity than a traditional diagonal view. A simple direct search method for sampling and evaluating visibility over a wide range of azimuths is a useful and inexpensive approach to optimizing the orientation of oblique views. Complementary views from two orthogonal azimuths might be needed to enhance overall clarity for rough, irregular surfaces. Because trend slope correlates with surface visibility for smooth, regular surfaces, an azimuth in the direction of steepest ascent on the linear trend surface approximates the azimuth with maximum visibility and promotes the cartographic communication of the salient spatial trend.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	180-195
Number of pages	16
Journal	Annals of the Association of American Geographers
Volume	68
Issue number	2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8306.1978.tb01189.x
State	Published - Jun 1978

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Geography, Planning and Development
Earth-Surface Processes

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Monmonier, M. S. (1978). Viewing Azimuth and Map Clarity. Annals of the Association of American Geographers, 68(2), 180-195. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8306.1978.tb01189.x

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