Historical information

This collection of 23 photos of map production on the AUTOMAP 2 computer-based system in Air Survey and Cartographic Squadrons, was most likely taken in 1986. The AUTOMAP 2 system was an upgrade to the AUTOMAP 1 system, comprising Intergraph graphic edit workstation terminals networked to VAX 750/785 main frame computers. Unlike AUTOMAP 1, operators could display digital topographic features on monitors for editing. Successful adaptation of this system meant RASvy was at the forefront of digital mapping/cartographic systems in Australia and overseas. The system comprised Input (Wild B8 Aviograph feature extraction) Raster Scanning (digitising from compilation sheets, Graphic Edit (cartographic completion) and Plot Verification Sub Systems. The system was operational from 1984 to its ‘Newheart’ upgrade in 1993. Throughout its life, the system was progressively refined with productivity gains, achieved from award winning technical development in-house by talented and innovative Army Survey Regiment personnel.

Physical description

This is a set of 23 photograph of AUTOMAP 2 production at the Army Survey Regiment at Fortuna, Bendigo, c1986. The photographs were on 35mm colour slides and were scanned at 96 dpi. Photos .5P and .6P are also printed on photographic and scanned at 300 dpi. They are part of the Army Survey Regiment’s Collection.
.1) - Photo, colour, c1986, AUTOMAP 2 Production - Army Survey Regiment, Fortuna, Bendigo. c1986.
.2) - Photo, colour, c1986, AUTOMAP 2 Wild B8 Aviograph stereoplotter.
.3) - Photo, colour, c1986, AUTOMAP 2 Wild B8 Aviograph stereoplotter feature extraction, unidentified technician.
.4) - Photo, colour, c1986, Wild B8 Aviograph stereoplotter feature extraction, LCPL Raelene (Munting) Brodie.
.5) - Photo, colour, c1986, AUTOMAP 2 computer tape maintenance, SPR Steve Linane.
.6) - Photo, colour, c1986, AUTOMAP 2 Graphic Edit Workstation, SPR Steve Linane.
.7) to .8) - Photo, colour, c1986, AUTOMAP 2 Graphic Edit Workstation, unidentified technician.
.9 to .10) - Photo, colour, c1986, AUTOMAP 2 Graphic Edit Workstation.
.11) - Photo, colour, c1986, AUTOMAP 2 Graphic Edit Workstation feature coding and command menu.
.12) - Photo, colour, c1986, AUTOMAP 2 high resolution computer monitor.
.13) to .16) - Photo, colour, c1986, AUTOMAP 2 production output comparison to AUTOMAP 1.
.17) to .18) - Photo, colour, c1986, AUTOMAP 2 computer system components.
.19) - Photo, colour, c1986, AUTOMAP 2 Intergraph 7596 verification plotter.
.20) - Photo, colour, c1986, AUTOMAP 2 Benson verification plotter, SPR Steve Coulson.
.21) - Photo, colour, c1986, AUTOMAP 2 drainage, contour, roads and cultural digital data verification plot.
.22) - Photo, colour, c1986, AUTOMAP 2 drainage, contour, roads and cultural digital data on computer monitor.
.23) - Photo, colour, c1986, AUTOMAP 2 3D digital terrain model on computer monitor.

Inscriptions & markings

.1P to .23P - Some of the equipment is annotated on the frame of the 35mm slides.
.5P & .6P prints annotated incorrectly ‘Steve Lenane’. Correct spelling is - ‘Steve Linane’