SparksDMC
offers sensible results which can print from most printers and imagesetters, and are viewed cleanly onscreen
with unsurpassed accuracy and design standards.

• SparksDMC creates all its mapping mainly with the platform of Power Macintosh and Adobe Illustrator. The Illustrator vector platform is the lowest common denominator of ANY Postscript printing or imaging project. Such print files end up as intrinsic Illustrator files as they sit at the printer port. Illustrator is a pure Postscript language program.
• These "vector" maps, built in Illustrator, can be transferred to Macromedia FreeHand and Deneba Canvas map document file structures.
• The cross-over capabilities of Illustrator enable maps to be rolled over into Windows 95 versions of those applications.
• Illustrator files can be "parsed" and "rasterized" into image files that can be viewed on a screen, at a website, and through laser printers and inkjet printers alike.
• For GIS applications, Illustrator makes use of translation utilities which convert vector information from Mac Illustrator to MapInfo and ArcInfo files on Mac AND PC.
• Once properly attributed, these map files can then be re-exported back to Illustrator and maintained using the same GIS background databases -- yet Illustrator can offer quick and readable color and text handling capabilities -- something new to standard GIS mapping output.
• All GIS data from USGS STDS and optional DLG formats can be imported to Illustrator as well, providing huge detailed coverages of metro areas and contour-line hypsography, boundary information, Interstate and US highways, major roads, rails and urban street networks.
• SparksDMC can also purchase existing map data from private sources which provide HUGE place name and street name extraction directly from MapInfo and ArcInfo vector data imported into Illustrator. This method allows mapping projects to be updated using direct commercial sources for a fee.
• On the other hand, SparksDMC can develop new maps in areas where very little data is available, or such data is out-of-date so badly -- new map data gathering is necessary to achieve timely project completion and accuracy of information.
• This Adobe Postscript Technology platform offers the highest flexibility in registering line maps to topographical elevation/relief mapping. In general, Postscript mapping solutions offer the tightest control over color tints, textfonts, layering and import/export capabilities ..... you can even manage Illustrator GIS quality mapping using updated Excel, Lotus and FoxPro database file structures.
• You'd be amazed at the final results of mapping that "shouldn't look good" -- because such mapping has "always looked bad" historically-speaking.
• CAD-generated mapping can be brought from Intergraph Microstation into this file management platform without losing important data in the translation process.
• SparksDMC's digital mapping process, supporting technology, and information exchanges are constantly being renewed and updated, which makes this solution package highly desirable for long-term digital mapping management solutions.
• As with any Illustrator and Photoshop files, output can be sent to slides, overheads, banners, posters, wall map tiles and tradeshow display mediums. Oversized electrostatic and inkjet printing technologies allow SparksDMC digital mapping to be viewed as small as a 35mm slide, or as huge as a big white wall in a gymnasium, tradeshow exhibit hall or marketing "War Room." All reproductions are completed with NO loss of graphic clarity and color integrity.
• Overall, the methods SparksDMC uses to create map solutions would be nearly impossible to reproduce using "older" mylar, line tape and masking methods once employed before the advent of desktop publishing technology such as Postscript from Adobe Systems.
• Today's offset presses and digital copiers can reproduce highly vivid mapping reproductions. Only a decade ago, it would have cost many thousands of dollars more, and COUNTLESS HOURS of tablework by lithographers to achieve results that might come even slightly close to the everyday graphic quality of Sparks Digital Mapping Creations.
• For the next millenium, the world's oldest graphic art (mapping) has become the the world's newest technological breakthrough. This makes the task of reading maps and producing maps more economical and visually powerful at the same time.
• SparksDMC is owned and operated by Scott T. Parks, Des Moines, Iowa. Scott is a veteran of over 20 years of general communicative graphic desgn and publishing ..... additionally. Scott is a veteran of over a DECADE of pioneering work in digital map processes (setting the highest standards of readability). Scott has worked with clientele from local, regional and nationwide locales, large and small companies -- plus he has worked with clients in Canada and Europe.
• Visual examples of Scott's work will be uploaded onto this site on an ongoing basis. Stay tuned and BOOKMARKED to this site!!!!