Historical information
This collection of 12 photos was most likely taken in 1980. The photos were most likely taken in Cartographic Squadron’s Ante Room, the Attic and small offices on the top floor of Fortuna Villa. The computer based Editwriter typesetting system was introduced in 1975 as a replacement to the aging Fotosetter machine. It was operated by a specialised technician, who generated a large variety of map type styles and sizes quickly and reliably, as well as text panels. CPL Richards performed this task for several years and in photo .1P and .2P is reading off a type order next to the computer monitor. Output on Copy proof adhesive backed stripping type film replaced messy wax and spray adhesives in 1978. The Editwriter capability supported all RASvy units and contractor type setting requirements. Scribing was the cartographic process of drafting features such as drainage, relief, vegetation, roads and culture on specially coated map reproduction material. The cartographic technician scribed out the map feature such as a contour to a specified line width on the map sheet, using a tool affixed with a sapphire tipped cutter. The quality control edit (Proving) stage of map production was the first opportunity to inspect a proof of the map independently and systematically. Proving tasks were carried out by technicians conversant of the map product specification and task requirement, however, was not involved in its production. Corrections were identified, marked up and sent to back to the correcting section or contractors. Terrain Embossing was a manual map production technique to produce hill shading on medium to small scale graphics and air charts. SPR John Martin is seen in photos .8P to.10P using a fine embossing metal stylus to push down on the drainage impression on a thin malleable opaque plastic material (AK Poligraphy). Ridge lines were then pushed down using the contour impression as a guide, on the opposing side of the AK Poligraphy to create a 3D plastic model terrain effect. The map impression was sprayed with white paint and photographed to create a contone tone hill shade. SPR Gina (Coore) Neilson is seen in photo .11P washing a contone positive of a land mass in a solution. The contone components were registered to the map sheet, as shown in photo .12P and masked using an air brush and a halftone negative was then created. The terrain embossing method of producing hill shading was more efficient to produce than previous specialised artistic methods such pencil/eraser and air brush. Furthermore, a more consistent enhancement of terrain on charts was achieved between technicians.
Physical description
This is a set of 12 photographs of Cartographic Squadron performing four map production tasks at the Army Survey Regiment, Fortuna, Bendigo c1980.
The first ten photographs were on 35mm negative film and were scanned at 96 dpi. Photos .11P and .12P were on photographic paper and scanned at 300 dpi.
They are part of the Army Survey Regiment’s Collection.
.1) - Photo, black & white, c1980, Editwriter typesetter, CPL Paul Richards.
.2) - Photo, black & white, c1980, Editwriter typesetter, CPL Paul Richards.
.3) - Photo, black & white, c1980, Scribing contours on a RAAF Chart, SPR Megan (McBurney) Reynolds.
.4) - Photo, black & white, c1980, Scribing contours on a RAAF Chart, SPR Megan (McBurney) Reynolds.
.5) - Photo, black & white, c1980, Scribing contours on a RAAF Chart, SPR Rod Skidmore.
.6) - Photo, black & white, c1980, Scribing contours on a RAAF Chart, SPR Rod Skidmore.
.7) - Photo, black & white, c1980, Formal quality control edit (Proving), CPL Ian Belmont.
.8) - Photo, black & white, c1980, Hill Shade Terrain Embossing, SPR John Martin.
.9) - Photo, black & white, c1980, Hill Shade Terrain Embossing, SPR John Martin.
.10) - Photo, black & white, c1980, Hill Shade Terrain Embossing, SPR John Martin.
.11) - Photo, black & white, c1980, Hill Shade Terrain Embossing, SPR Gina (Coore) Neilson.
.12) - Photo, black & white, c1980, Hill Shade Terrain Embossing, unidentified.
Inscriptions & markings
.1P to .10P No personnel are identified. .11P and .12P annotated ‘Terrain Embossing’
