DOWNLOAD FREE LAYERS Add-In

The Download Free Layers Add-In provides easy access to no-cost web-based data-sources. This tool downloads detailed data, including streets, boundaries and postal code points for many countries and requires an internet connection. These data are converted to the standard Caliper geographic format (.dbd) and added to default maps. Attractive and compelling styles are automatically applied, allowing you to quickly create presentation quality maps of your area of interest. Also, by using the Locate-by-Value tool in Maptitude/TransCAD you can plot your points using the postal code locations.

Sample China map created with Maptitude using the Download Free Layers add-in

China map created with Maptitude using the Download Free Layers add-in.

To install:*

  1. Download the file DataInstaller.exe.
  2. Open the file or choose the Run command from the Start menu, and browse to the DataInstaller.exe file in the folder where you downloaded the file.
  3. Click OK and follow the step-by-step instructions to install the add-in to the appropriate program folder  (e.g. C:\Program Files\Maptitude\). Note, the Free Batch Geocoding Add-In will also be installed.

To use the Download Free Layers Add-In

  1. Choose Tools>GIS Developer's Kit>Add-Ins  and highlight Download Free Layers to display the Download Free Layers dialog box
  2. Choose the layers to download from the drop-down lists
  3. Click OK. (You MUST have an internet connection.)
  4. Follow the step-by-step instructions to download your chosen layers

Maptitude/TransCAD downloads the layers, saves them to new geographic files, and displays them in a map.

*NOTE: The Download Free Layers add-in works only with Maptitude and TransCAD version 5.0 or higher.

Images are ©2012 Caliper Corporation, Licensed under Creative Commons 3.0; Source: OpenStreetMap, GeoNames