In order to support the multi scale requirements of the "FOC" concept, the 
cartographic feature data must be collected at the largest scale chart series to 
be supported. Likewise, the cartographic data within the data base must be 
referenced to absolute horizontal and vertical datums to insure that data 
integrity can be maintained throughout any subsequent transformations and/or 
adjustments required for accurate portrayal at the selected product scale. 
OBJECTIVE 
Sufficient resources (hardware) are now available at DMAAC to rigorously 
pursue an automated charting production program. The objective is to 
automate the conventional (manual) compilation process and thereby achieve 
the following benefits: 
Increased productivity (less handling of data). 
Standardization. 
Increased flexibility. 
* Quick response to user needs. 
The overall cost of charting, however, will not experience an immediate 
decrease because of automation. Translation of information from the source 
materials to the digital data base will often involve heavy computational loads 
and significant data processing support. Only after the data base is developed 
and implemented and the techniques for interactive maintenance of chart 
feature data established, will the payback inherent in the data base concept be 
achieved. 
AUTOMATED COLOR SEPARATION 
The annual volume of most types of chart and navigational products currently 
produced at DMAAC is not large enough to merit immmediate cost effective 
applications to automation. The Domestic Air Target Materials (ATM) program 
was selected as the first candidate for automated color separation because of 
the large number of charts produced each year. ATM charts are produced at a 
scale of 1:200,000 and are used by air crews for general planning, in-flight 
navigation and training. 
As an example, in the production of ATM Domestic training charts, United 
States Geological Survey (USGS) 7-Y.i" and 15" quadrangle sheets are used as the 
primary source for control. For purposes of support of the ATM program, an 
automated charting or digital color separation capability is the ability to 
produce quality reproducible materials (negatives) from cartographic sources 
(USGS quads). All data generation, transformation, processing, editing and 
symbolization is to be accomplished in a digital (soft copy) mode to the 
maximum extent possible. 
Digital data source coverage within the domestic area would allow cost 
effective revisions of resident ATM charts. Also, a contiguous data base at a 
scale of 1:200,000 would provide the base required for development of the 
"FOC" concept into a production reality. Systems, software, and hardware 
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