----------------------------Original message---------------------------- I wonder if anyone has experience about the digitizing of old maps to be analyzed and compared by GIS? I have been playing with Grid Analyst, a programme that enables the analysis of the rough scanned data in a matrix format, i.e. it requires no reinterpretation into vector form (in principle). The quality of the maps has varied from watercolour-painted 18-c. surveys to more modern printed maps and the initial results have been encouraging, although many obstacles remain. I would like to find out about any historical landscape analyses done with computer: - What kind of programmes have proved successful? - How has the information been fed in? - How has the 'noise' been cleaned out and what has been done to align the systems of coordinates, to correct the scale differences and distortions? - How have the historic types of land use given in the maps been reinterpreted? - What kinds of comparative analyses have been made (to detect the surviving historic elements of landscape, to establish a pattern of change etc.)? - Have 3-D visualisations been made directly from old maps (to examine historic views)? - How have the results been utilized in land use planning? Maunu Hayrynen Helsinki University of Technology Finland [log in to unmask]