I need a map of two states - Michigan and Wisconsin - with a select group of cities highlighted. You know, like those maps that show up in newspapers next to articles showing what part of the state the article refers to.
I’ve found a few sites that have free clip art of states, but so far every state is in a different resolution, so piecing them together is problematic.
It seems to me that I’m not the only person on the Interwebs to need such a thing. Is there a way to use google maps to generate such an image? Or another web site that would create it?
I’ve got barely enough Photoshop skills to be able to put a star on a map with an arrow or something… I could do it if I have to, but would much prefer to find something canned. Anyone?
My strategy for maps like you’re talking about is to get a Google map and then use a program to trace over the top. I use Illustrator, but Photoshop could be made to work - anything that can handle layers. A graphics tablet helps, but is not necessary. Once you’ve traced what you want, you throw away the back layer (the one with the original, copyrighted image) and you have your own creation on top.
If you want a clip art solution that require a little less manual work, try getting a map of the entire US, then clip out the states you don’t want. That way, you won’t have to match up two different clips.
Vector images are not something that you would edit in Photoshop. You need a vector drawing program like Inkscape or Adobe Illustrator. The advantage of vector images is that you can resize them easily without loss of resolution. (Or maybe you already know this.)
You could screen copy a map from google or other sources and paste it into Excel. From there you can use drawing tools to overlay arrows, text, callouts etc… You could even trace what you need in Excel and then group the tracing so it becomes a contiguous object. I would use Google Earth and turn on just the borders and roads (roads give perspective and a reference point).