Mappers Blog: Uaul Grond Setup

1: The plate
The plate itself consist in a plexiglass sized a little bit more than A4. It is not the lightest solution but I like the hard surface to draw on. The base-map consist in a gray-scale print. On the base-map there are contours 1m as clearings both extracted from laser data. The base-map should be readable but kind of disappear when the field-notes are drawn. I always place a set of symbols on the base-map, making it easier to me to draw them the right size right away. Also a mesh I add to facilitate the import of the field-notes into the OCAD (Some more details here). The base-map is taped on the plate with simple transparent tape. As for the film I started to work with the common (Ritfilm 50micron A4) replacing the one propagated in Switzerland (adhesive). The common is six times cheaper, has no real disadvantages but some advantages: You get it everywhere, the base-map disappears better while drawing and scanning  and after removing it from the base-plate, you get it in a form practical to store. The film I tape on the plate with the same common transparent tape. 


2: Noise reduction
I believe the big czechs use a kind of curtain to curtail the  field one actually works with on the map. I tried out two stripes of paper with transparent tape lapping over a few millimeters. That way I can relocate them on demand.

3: Old map
For this job I had a pretty good old map to work with. So I took with me. Colorprint on paper in a swedish style plastficka.Same scale as the base map (here 1:3500)
 

4: Daněks sophisticated pencil holder
Using Jiřís pencil holder for the first project, it got quickly obvious that this one is no prototype but the result of a longer development. It is fun to work with it and it definitively enhanced my drawing style and discipline enabling me to switch colors so easily.

5: Pencils and last nail
 I am drawing with a set of 0.5mm pencils (red, green, blue, lead 2H and yellow). In addition I recently added two pencils  0.7mm to the set (purple and pink) which I use for the construction. The latter are from the Pilot Color ENO series. The colors are unobtrusive and as an !!advantage!!  they fade, when exposed to light.
As what I call the last nail I also have a permanent marker with me. After erasing  the drawing film it gets glossy and the pencils  work only halfway, so after I am decided I use the last nail (Stabilo OH Pen universal red) to pronounce my final decision.
As for the color set I apply I don't have a permanent one, but I try to follow the thumb rule that the field notes should reach for maximum readability. Too dark or too light colors I try to minimze, so it is red I prefer for the most dominant features.

6: Rubber pen
I also added a rubber pen (Läufer Florett) to my set. In accordance with its name (rapier) I works fine for precise erasure.

7: Extra leads
Well. You don't want to end up  in the middle of a forest without your main colors. I did once. That is enough. I got now a tube with replacement leads for all colors as an inherent part of my pencil holder.

:-( : Compass
 Working with laser data I do not use the compass all the time. So I got it in my jacket, respectively had it in my jacket. I must have lost it in the forest. Maybe I should fix it to the pencil holder?

8: Backpack with: Food, drink & clothes
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