FAQs
So just what is Mountain High Maps Plus?
Mountain High Maps Plus is a unique mapping resource for graphics professionals to enable them to quickly prepare accurate yet visually dramatic maps - especially when the relief element is used. Drawing upon the comprehensive selection of files supplied in Mountain High Maps Plus users with a good working knowledge of Photoshop, Illustrator (or whatever their choice of software might be) can quickly create great looking maps.
Feedback tells us that most users are not that interested in what the projection is nor do they wish to know the minutae of map technical details, what they want is a quick way to make a decent map that shows what they need to show and in a graphically dramatic and eye catching way.
Many users of the new Mountain High Maps Plus versions have complemented us on the ease of use in creating a 'look' unique for their clients, making a change from the Google map 'look' which for many uses is simply too busy visually.
The new Studio Edition adds a superb selection of pre-made globes (U3D files and FBX files) simplifying the job of creating great looking and accurate 3D globes. (FBX files for owners of true 3D applications - U3D files aimed at owners of Photoshop Extended versions). Also supplied are large world texture maps for users who wish to make up their own globes in the 3D software of their choice or in After Effects etc. The cloud masks provided have been adapted from genuine cloud formation data and thus look totally realistic.
Mountain High Maps Plus was created by award winning designers and cartographers to be an easy to use resource in the professional environment. We understand that deadlines can be (and usually are) very tight and that anything that speeds up map graphics creation is most welcome.
Mountain High Maps has been in business for 17 years and is in continuous development.
What Mountain High Maps Plus is not
It is NOT a GIS type product, the maps are not referenced in any way. Nor do we suggest it can be used with or within GIS software. Having said that there are one or two users who have integrated Mountain High Maps Plus maps with additional GIS data but we do not offer this as a feature of the product.
Nor is Mountain High Maps Plus a simple image library type of product.
Which software can I use Mountain High Maps Plus with?
For Macintosh and Windows users the most used is Adobe Photoshop for the bitmap files (JPG and TIFF). For the vector files Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Freehand files are provided - so you would need Illustrator and / or Freehand.
The Freehand files are saved at version 8, so any version of Freehand 8 or later will open the files.
The Illustrator CS2 files open the same for both Mac and Windows users, obviously you need Illustrator CS2 or later to open these files.
For any users who may not have CS2, or later versions of Illustrator, we have also supplied Illustrator files saved at version 8 (as eps files).
These legacy files are platform specific due to accent portrayal of some text - therefore Mac users should only use the Mac designated files.
3D application users may also find these legacy Illustrator files useful for taking vector paths in to their 3D application for extrusion purposes.
Can I use Mountain High Maps Plus files if I'm running Linux?
For users on Linux The Gimp can open and manipulate the bitmap files.
We understand Inkscape build .47 (or later) should be able to open the legacy Illustrator eps files BUT please check with the Inkscape wiki regarding build version and distro you are running
When using the Photoshop Features paths some paths have straight lines joining their end points when I make a selection... is this correct?
Photoshop paths can only be made into a useable SELECTION when they were a created as a closed path in Illustrator.... and thus are a closed Photoshop path. For example: coastlines, individual Countries, States etc - these are closed paths. IF the path is 'open ended', for example rivers, International borders, etc, then if one tries to make these paths a selection a straight line connecting the two end points will be made . Instead of making a SELECTION, you need to STROKE these paths to achieve a suitable result. (Stroke settings and tool used are your choice.)
