resources available at DMAAC to support Digital color separation production 
are listed in Table 1. Digital output should be processed for ultimate inclusion 
within a Digital Cartographic Applications Data (DCAD) Base. Exploitation of 
a medium scale (1:200,000) data base (DCAD) into smaller scale products will 
require automation of the following techniques currently accomplished through 
the experience and judgement of a trained cartographer. 
Selection of those cartographic features required or not required for 
portrayal at the smaller scale. 
Feature generalization to include thinning of the data strings to reduce 
processing requirements and smoothing of the feature to reflect product scale 
portrayal requirement while maintaining the positional line center integrity of 
the feature. 
Displacement of symbolized feature data at the required product scale 
based on a prioritized hierarchical scheme. 
Generalization/displacement software is critical to the concept of automated 
mapping. True data base exploitation and effective multi-series charting 
cannot effectively occur without this software. Conversely, the full 
automation of the chart making process may never be accomplished. A chart is 
a communications medium, a product that includes inferences and aesthetics 
requiring interpretation by the human mind. Product specifications can provide 
the guidelines for the cartographer to follow for the selection and portrayal of 
major chart features. This can be automated; however, final selection of those 
additional "minor" features required for "proper" representation of an area or 
required for resolution of conflicts still requires the attention of an experienced 
cartographer. 
The current digital color separation production scenario at DMAAC is shown in 
Fig. 1. The AGDS collects line center data and generates line segments which 
are tagged by the operator with an appropriate feature GLSS code. Tagged 
features are output to tape by color separation files and processed through 
GLSS where the segments are symbolized based on chart symbolization 
specifications. GLSS outputs the tape symbolized data which drives a photo or 
color separation plotter and produces a symbolized color separated positive. A 
negative can be made from which a plate can be generated and the separation is 
subsequently ready for printing. 
SOURCE(S) 
GRAPHICS 
CARTOGRAPHER 
REPROMAT 
S 
COMPILATION 
MAPS 
? 
MANUSCRIPTS 
AGOS 
V 
E 
E 
D 
S 
C 
1 
c 
T 
T 
A 
0 
/ 
N 
R 
T 
1 
A 
2 
E 
G 
MAG TAPE 
^ ARCHIVE 
GERBER/XYNET1CS 
^ PROOF PLOTS 
UNIVAC GERBER 
GLSS I SEPARATION (S) 
Figure 1. Digital Color Separation