Free Aerial and Topo Maps - Printer and Ink Required

matt_tibbit · 07-22-2008, 03:42 PM

I've noticed a few posts on guys wanting both aerial and topo maps but not wanting to drop the cheddar for them. I discovered a program two years ago that a guy in California named "jdmcox" made himself called "USA Photo Maps." If I'm right, his program automatically downloads aerial and topo pics straight from Microsoft's Terra Server database. It's easy to use once you learn the command prompts which are listed in the help index...F for fill the screen, T to go to topo view, P for aerial photo view, etc. You basically locate your property by starting with the nearest town and following the highways/roads/pigtrails and then create jpg images of your lands aerial photos or topo photos. Then you import them into whatever program you want and print (I used Publisher). Everytime you closeout the program it lists a paypal account you can send donations to as a thanks for this man's work. Once you use it, you should send the guy a couple bucks as a thanks for all the money he saved you by creating that program...and then send me some royalties as well for mentioning it here on this thread!

http://jdmcox.com/
Be sure to clik on the link next to "Full Install of USAPhotoMaps 2.77"

**Flintlock1776** · 07-22-2008, 07:06 PM

I would be concerned about spyware

**ruttinbuc** · 07-22-2008, 07:39 PM

and then send me some royalties as well for mentioning it here on this thread!

Where do these people come from? Hope you are kidding, bud....

matt_tibbit · 07-22-2008, 10:33 PM

There's absolutely no spyware or adware involved. I use AVG virus/spy/ad software and this program is legit.

And I was totally kidding about the royalties to me that is. I do think the guy who wrote the program deserves a little cheddar though. This program will save you some serious cash in that it will provide you with free, gps accurate, crystal clear topo and aerial images.

**wtnhunt** · 07-23-2008, 07:35 AM

Originally Posted by matt_tibbit

If I'm right, his program automatically downloads aerial and topo pics straight from Microsoft's Terra Server database.

Terra server is a free program itself, but some maps from terra server are still badly outdated. The map for us was from 1997 last time I was there.

**Chrud** · 07-23-2008, 07:41 AM

I usually just print off an aerial view from Mapquest. Its in color and pretty up-to-date.

**RangerClay** · 07-24-2008, 01:34 PM

www.maps.live.com is a great one too.

**jbaker** · 08-20-2008, 11:19 AM

Google Earth is always good for views

**wtnhunt** · 08-20-2008, 12:57 PM

Originally Posted by RangerClay

www.maps.live.com is a great one too.

Wow, sure is.

Thanks for the link Joe, that is the best map I have seen for our property.

**MCH** · 08-20-2008, 01:12 PM

Originally Posted by jbaker

Google Earth is always good for views

Google Earth user here as well. To me, GE uses the same aerials as the MS one.

**wtnhunt** · 08-20-2008, 02:46 PM

Originally Posted by MCH

Google Earth user here as well. To me, GE uses the same aerials as the MS one.

Only issue with google earth is that it does not have current maps for a lot of areas, like mine.

I recently updated google earth on my computer, and it still does not have any newer maps.

With seeing the map on the link that Joe posted and it not requiring a 25 mb program installed on my computer, I just went and deleted google earth off my computer completely.

**Flintlock1776** · 08-23-2008, 02:28 AM

Originally Posted by RangerClay

www.maps.live.com is a great one too.

I did that just before I went on Vacation. I found it a hoot that the pics they show when the page loads was where I had picked to go on vacation! Nice additional to Google Maps. GM is especially awesome if you want ground eye views of city streets if you are trying to locate a store etc.

I tested out Microsoft's 3DVIA (beta) deal and see what that accomplishes! Wow, bird's eye view of my property is maybe no more than two years ago, pehaos a year ago. Looks awesome!